Washington Conservation Commission

Minutes – March 8, 2023

Assembly time: 7:00 PM, Meeting at Town Hall.

Members present: Arin Mills, Nan Schwartz, Jed Schwartz

Visitors: Mark Florence

1.0 Approval of Minutes: February minutes, Jed made a motion to approve, Arin seconded the motion and all voted in favor. The minutes were approved as written.

2.0 Permits Committee –

New: Arboreal Oasis LLC, 1025 Ashuelot Drive, TM 10-12, after the fact Shoreland Permit, request for more information

Previous:

Cordeiro, TM 12-201, Expedited Minimum Wetlands Permit, for driveway, approved

Horton, TM 11-42, Standard Dredge and Fill, minor impact, approved.

*Cote, TM 24-58, 46 Lookout Point Road, installation of dock without a permit.

*Colette - Complaint of violations, TM 12-69, over clearing of waterfront zone, no follow up yet

* these are complaints with no follow up by DES, Arin to make an information request.

3.0 Committee and Board reports -

3.1 Land Protection Committee – Jed shared a document about Conservation Easements sent by Brian Hotz. Jed shared what he wrote and we made a few suggestions for additions and edits. Arin shared her piece and did some editing on it. Nan shared a short piece on why CM is worth protecting. We will have that as a handout along with Jed’s piece. Jed and Arin will both speak at TM. Nan had the map that Mark provided printed and mounted for Town Meeting. We will also have a few copies of what Brian wrote available.

4.0 Public Presentations and workshops –

4.1 Spring Hike – Arin mentioned the spring hike out to Twin Bridge and Lempster Mountain Road and back, she would like to hit the Town Forest property also. We agreed that we will plan this next month for May.

4.2 Saving Special Places Conference - March 30 (virtual) 12:00-1:30pm features Keynote Speaker, Katharine Hayhoe (Chief Scientist, The Nature Conservancy), on Conservation and Climate Change. April 7 (virtual) 12:00-1:30pm Peter Forbes (First Light) discusses First Light, a collaboration among 65 land-holding organizations and the Wabanaki Confederacy of Maine. April 15 (in-person conference) 8:45am-2:45pm includes 18 workshops on a variety of conservation topics.

4.3 Cottrell-Baldwin Lectures at Fox State Forest – information here: https://forestsociety.org/area/education-and-events/cottrell-baldwin

5.0 New Business:

5.1 Nan said that she will let Ed know we will be ordering the Kitchen compost containers again. She left the money for our past sales for Cindy to deposit in our conservation fund.

5.2 Robinson Dam - Arin said she asked around about any other funding possibilities and is receiving some information. She wanted to know if she should set up a meeting with the dam owner and Ed. We thought it was premature to do that at this point but maybe let Ed know she is still getting information. We will keep this on the agenda to discuss and Arin will keep gathering information on grants.

6.0 Other Business:

6.1 Adopt-a-Highway Trash Pickup – trash pickups will be picked up in the spring.

6.2 East Washington Town Forest – No discussion.

6.3 Trails and Recreation Guide Booklet – Nan and Arin will continue working on this.

6.3 Facebook Page – Arin said she is continuing to post items when she can. To check out the CC’s Facebook page go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2173271309586226/

6.4 Master Plan goals for 2023 – This is a placeholder.

7.0 What’s Happening in Nature?

Arin said we have had lots of snow recently and more is forecast for the near future (20”+). It may interfere with Town Meeting.

Arin continues to have lots of birds at her feeder.

Mark said that he has 4 tom turkeys in his yard and a group of about 20 hens. The toms are showing off and fighting over the hens.

Nan said there is a lot of maple sap boiling going on and there was a big run after the earlier run stopped due to cold weather. Maple weekend is coming up and hopefully everyone will get out and visit their local sugar shack. To learn more about the Maple syrup boiling, click here: NewinNature.html

8.0 Correspondence: None

9.0 Adjourned at 8:47 PM, the next meeting is April 12th at 7PM, at Town Hall.

Respectfully submitted,

Nan Schwartz, Secretary