June 2024 Meeting

Jun 18th, 2024 at 7p, Norwich Historical Society (277 Main Street) and over Zoom

Join meeting via Zoom (meeting ID: 966 3633 0827, passcode: 721389).

Agenda

  1. Agenda Changes
  2. Public Comment
  3. Milton Frye Nature Area
  4. Trails
  5. Emerald Ash Borer
  6. Updates from Other Groups

Quorum Reached

No Agenda changes

No Public to Commit

Trails

Gravel on property of private land owner, Bradley Trail: Concerned this will be parking lot?

There will be no parking lot.

Gravel ought to be in “right of way.”

Gravel for bank stabilization so that someone could park on side of road.

Gravel has been brought up before, and NCC will follow up with concerned party on clarification gravel’s purpose.

Milt Frye Nature Area

has it been treated? Yes- signage posted, sprayed two weeks ago

Bat Houses- still need to be checked

Lupine- lost cause? (western variety, not eastern) in wetland. Eastern not very common, likes sandy soil- though seems to thrive near airport.

Western variety could be treated with root treatment or cut before seeding.

EAB

Minutes up

Adam McCullough from Urban and Regional Forestry Program will be in attendance on Thursday, the 20th, 1-4 pm. 24.5 from side of road is “right of way’ 66 feet for wider roads He will focus on inventory, Another thought would be to get out in field and survey trees- it might be very helpful to have Adam’s input.

Start in Tracy Hall, with Matt Hall? and Brian Duffy? and a Select Board Member?, then maybe take a short walk to see some ash trees.

Question: what is the state doing?

Every town has to come up with own plan, but state can supply some training and a little money.

The problem is urgent, but the response doesn’t seem to have the urgency it warrants

Many dead ash trees, and will need to be dealt with, but may not be EAB- much of the responsibility rests on landowners, and town and potentially power company (Green Mountain Power)- who has the responsibility to reach out to Green Mountain Power

Tree warden has data on distance to power line/ costs/ etc- 10ft from trunk to power line

If tree falls on lines GMP will repair power line, but not remove wood?

Wood can go to neighbor, but not far.

Somewhere will need to be designated to drop wood or chip in situ

Potentially a Select Board meeting on EAB, July 10th?

Not going to make a plan by June 30th.

NCC is the official holder of EAB activity, but not solely responsible for writing the plan. Could the plan be ready by 2nd of July so that information could be included in Select Board Packet? Probably could prepare cost and scope analysis by that date.

Feels like that would be an appropriate meeting to present information and recommendations.

Aiming for better sense of path forward after Thursday 6/20 meeting and then Select Board can comment and make recommendations.

Could we recommend native trees, and potentially even provide wholesale account for Town of Norwich?

Updates from other groups?

None?

Chris- further question on EAB: If ash trees on green (3) are treated, what is the process for that?

School or town? The town may “own” two of those trees and one is owned by the school, but the school may not have the funds to treat- though they certainly have the rights to decide what the process might be.

Efficacy on treatment is in question. Effective, maybe for a time.

NCC could raise money for treatment.

Wednesday, Aust 14th School Board Meeting- Public Comment at beginning of meeting, might be an appropriate time to broach subject.

Could also speak with Facilities.