South Berwick Conservation Commission Minutes 02-21-07 7:30-9:30
Present: Pat Robinson, Karl Honkonen, John Stirling Unable to attend: John Skafidas
Next meeting: 03-21-07 7:30 pm at Town Hall
Taking Minutes: Proposed that Karl take minutes. Motion by Pat, 2nd by John. Approved.
Minutes of 01-17-07 meeting: Pat motion to approve, John 2nd. Approved.
Mail: no significant mail
Southern Maine Regional Stormwater Phase II outreach program: Consulting firm Edwards and Kelsey has proposed spring educational 'YardScaping Socials' (using Think Blue Maine materials) with a homeowner landscaping/lawn care theme of 'Mow High, Water Wisely'. Lawns that are kept mowed at 3" require less water than shorter lawns and lawns only need 1" of water per week (including rain and irrigation). This outreach program will give the town public education credits toward their DEP Phase II stormwater permits.
Edwards and Kelsey is asking the town whether any of us knew individuals who lived in the pilot program neighborhoods who may be interested in hosting a YardScaping Social at their house/yard. They are hoping to hold four socials in late March/April 2007.
The socials are informal and last approximately 1 ½ hours and consist of refreshments, a presentation, games, questions & answers, and door prizes. The responsibility of the host is to gather 8-12 neighbors to attend, supply refreshments, and provide feedback to allow us to tailor the social more towards the needs of the neighborhood. The host will receive a special gift.
Residents living on Quarry Drive and High Knoll Drive are eligible to host a YardScaping Social. These neighborhoods have been chosen due to lawn density and proximity to the Great Works River. The workshop is for neighbors only. The program will be promoted with press releases, lawn signs and door hangers at the 60 homes in the target neighborhoods. Residents will take their promotional door hanger to town hall to get one of the 150 info kits. To help promote this initiative longer term and for more people, we will put info about initiative and link to Think Blue Maine on Cons Comm. website.
To date we have asked several residents that Commission members knew but have not been able to secure a host. Karl will keep trying.
Salmon Falls Greenbelt Plan: Pat and Cathy have worked on the layout and members reviewed this draft. Members felt the layout looked good but needed photos/graphics. Further content development was also needed. Jeanne D. and Tom H. (Civil Consultants) will rewrite recommendations.
Mt Agamenticus Steering Committee: Karl attended this meeting. Gary Stevens from the York Water district patrols their lands and has contacted many winter hunters about crossing frozen reservoirs to pursue game (this is prohibited to prevent water contamination of game carcasses at ice-out). Budget shortfall of $30K expected and staff are looking for new sources of funds. They are considering forming a Friends of Mt. Agamenticus to be able to secure more funding and member support.
Planning Board: John attended the last meeting.
John and Pat walked a parcel on Thurrell Rd. at the request of the Planning Board to review their forestry plan. Steve Bodkin is the forester. They looked at the site before logging begins to help determine what to cut, what to leave. 70 ac. site/two parcels. Commission was brought in because of potential brook impacts (75" from brook was flagged). All was set and a note was sent to the Board confirming this.
Roger Cole sent us draft language on Impact Fees from Kittery. The Commission will help draft language for this.
Management Plan for Town Owned properties:
A management plan is being drafted on a town owned parcel off of Wild Rose Ln. by Steve Bodkin.
Cari is checking surrounding lots to see if they have been surveyed.
Pat will bring our hand-colored parcel map or the Town to the Wells Reserve to have it digitized so we can use it for future planning efforts.
Posting Town-owned Open Space Signs: will reschedule in spring.
$25 for Hemlock Wooly Adelgid workshop: Funds to cover a portion of janitor fees at MHS. Workshop is scheduled for 02-24, 9-12.
Budget: Pat and Karl met w/Jeff Grossman and our budget was all set for FY08. Jeff said as long as we do not increase our budget, then a meeting before the Town Council is not needed.
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