August 2025 Meeting

Aug 19th, 2025 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
  3. ListServe Posts and Other Outreach (e.g., natural oil pesticide use resulting from tick anxiety is detrimental to other arthropods)
  4. Emerald Ash Borer Subcommittee Report
  5. Trails Subcommittee Report
  6. Milt Frye Nature Area Subcommittee Report
  7. Melendy Parcel Updates
  8. Deer Exclusion Plots
  9. Approval of June Minutes

Minutes

Members Present: Craig Layne (chair), Alex Gottlieb, Lindsay Putnam, Chris Rimmer, Cody Williams

Guests: Bob Fisken

The meeting began shortly after 7:00p.

Trails Subcommittee Report

Discussion of the trails subcommittee was moved up in the meeting agenda. Bob Fisken from the Trails Committee presented a memo and budget (attached) outlining the need to add a bridge to span a section of the Upper Ballard trail which washed out after severe flooding events earlier in the summer. There was some discussion of the proposed bridge and a possible anonymous donation (pending approval from the Selectboard per their recently passed Gift Policy).

Craig made a motion to allocate up to $800 to fund the materials for the bridge, Cody seconded, the motion passed unanimously.

Cody reported on the growth of invasive buckthorn and nightshade along the Schmidt Bog bog bridges while he was there clearing a downed tree. Volunteers made significant progress in clearing invasives a couple of years ago but without recurring maintenance, will likely continue to proliferate. Another work day to remove invasives could be a possible fall project.

Outreach

Walktober

Sarah Rooker of the Norwich Historical Society is organizing a series of walks as part of a Walktober event. The committee brainstormed some possible hikes members of the committee could lead. Schmidt Bog, Warner Meadow, Vernal Pools on Parcel 5, woods cemeteries, and a kid friendly hike in Milt Frye Nature Area were possible suggestions.

Warner Meadow

Chris discussed the upcoming field workshop on managing invasive plants being put on by the Warner Meadows Association, the White River NRCD, Vermont Center for Ecostudies, and the Norwich Conservation Commission on August 26 from 9a–noon. Will be hosted by Mike Bald and focused on non-chemical management of invasive plants. Attendees are encouraged to register with the NRCD here: https://www.whiterivernrcd.org/2025-08-26-manual-mechanical-management-strategies-for-common-invasive-plants-in-our-local-watersheds

Emerald Ash Borer Subcommittee Report

Peter Butler completed a series of 16 inoculations about 3 weeks ago on various town properties: Foley Park, Huntley Meadow, Barrett Meadow, and the transfer station. Have spent about half of the amount available for inoculations, still about $500 short from the matching grant, will be seeking targeted asks for donations. The funds will be especially useful for subsequent biannual inoculations.

Are in the process of completing inventory using a new, simpler, ANR Rural Roadside Ash Inventory tool. The subcommittee is focused on prioritizing trees with the greatest risk to public safety along the major roads and public spaces in town. Hoping to complete the inventory by the end of the month and start drafting a removal plan and begin cutting the highest risk trees in late fall or early winter.

Milt Frye Nature Area Subcommittee Report

No updates. The committee discussed a recent article about a pollinator garden in Thetford.

Melendy Parcel Updates

Boy Scouts are applying finishing touches on the newly installed kiosk.

Lindsay has been in contact with John Moody about wording for the newly installed kiosk. Craig will follow up about the addition of some wording from the land trust and offered to laminate the material once wording and design has been finalized.

Deer Exclusion Plots

Alex and Craig completed an inventory but have not yet compiled the data.

Approval of June Minutes

It was decided to hold off approval of minutes until next month.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:22p.