July 2024 Meeting

Jul 16th, 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. Additional Agenda Items
  2. Public Comments for Items not on the Agenda
  3. Milton Frye Nature Area
  4. Trails
  5. Emerald Ash Borer Management Group
  6. Other Updates
  7. Approval of 17 June Meeting Minutes

Minutes

Members Present Craig Layne, Peg Merrens, Alex Gottlieb, Lindsay Putnam, Chris Rimmer, Lynnwood Andrews
Guests None

No public comments

Additional Agenda items

Lynnwood added Chris Gray’s question about conserved lands in Norwich and, Peg added Ag soils in Solar siting plan.

Milt Frye

Lynnwood reported the Vernal pool is dry. There is a lot of buckthorn growing that needs to be addressed.

Trails Committee

Craig reported that restoration of Gile tower step treads is underway. They are made of white oak. Hope to be done in mid August. A Norwich Women’s Club grant paid for the wood.

Craig moved that the NCC spend $429.30 to get the needed carriage bolts to complete the Gile tower stair tread project. Lindsay seconded. Passed unanimously.

Neighbors of Bradley Hills Trail work expressed unhappiness about the work at the Selectboard meeting. They felt the trail work represents an erosion problem and that they had not been informed of the work to be done. Craig noted that the work was initiated at the request of the landowner at the end of Ladeau Rd.

Chris Kaufman and Craig will look at the drainage to see if more work needs to be done.

Lynnwood stated that in future, more communication with neighbors would be helpful.

Peg Merrens ran the trail this morning and thought it looked great.

Emerald Ash Borer Management group

All subcommittees will be reviewed and appointed by the SB on July 24th meeting.

Craig questions whether the EAB group should be a stand-alone committee or a subcommittee of the NCC. Consensus was that being a subcommittee of the NCC might be better, but that it was up to the Selectboard.

The members of the EAB group are Chris Rimmer, Doug Hardy, Lindsay, Alex Gottlieb, David Hobson, David Hubbard, Peg Merrens, and Matt Hall.

Responsibilities – Play active role in helping Selectboard make decisions about EAB management. Propose a management plan. Advise use of and acquisition of funding. Completing inventory and coordinating with state agencies. Lead on Public outreach and education. Evaluating progress and recommending any needed changes.

Chris reiterated the request that members review the draft management plan and make suggestions.

Chris has an iPad available for ash tree inventory work while he is away.

All those doing inventory will use Craig’s ranking rubric for risk level.

Lindsay asked about the idea of including a notice about EAB sent with the tax bill. Doug Hardy has not heard back yet from the Finance Director about that. Craig suggested creating a draft and presenting it to the SB at the meeting on the 24th.

Peg compiled information to be included in handout.

Options for management and references for work to be done.

Lynnwood will research wasp biocontrol.

The inventory should include private trees that are a hazard to the road and trees in utility ROW.

No reports from other town committees.

Conserved lands

Craig thinks he saw a map with this information, but not sure.

Nature Conservancy may have an easement as well as UVLT and VLT.

Peg stated that there is a layer in biofinder that has this info or parcel map. By next meeting, we will look at information gathered. Lynnwood will let Mr. Gray know that we are researching it and will get back to him.

Mention of prime ag lands in solar siting subcommittee draft plan. Discussion of what an enhanced energy plan consists of.

Minutes

Approval of June minutes will be postponed until corrections can be made.

Submitted by Lynnwood Andrews