CONSERVATION
COMMISSION
Present: Judy
Jervis, Sheila Johannesen, Walter Baird, Laura Games, Janet Denison-clerk
The
meeting opened at
I.
Minutes:
Sheila
moved and Walter seconded a motion to
accept the
II.
Meeting in
Judy
told the Board members about a meeting in
III.
Milfoil:
The
citizen petition Warrant Article for the second Milfoil treatment in Long Pond
did not pass. Amy Smagnula was informed
of the voting results. There was a
discussion about whether or not the treatment could be done by putting together
funds from a different source, such as a
Laura
has emailed LGC regarding whether “no” means “no.” She received an automatic response that LGC
researches all questions and a response could take weeks. She then contacted Dave Connell who explained
there are two parts to this issue. Laura
explained them in this way:
1. Does “no” mean “no” in
regards to the failure of the Warrant Article?
If the CC authorizes the expenditure for the second treatment, and the
Selectmen approve it, the treasurer can challenge the validity of spending the
money. The Treasurer would pose a
question to DRA who would then scrutinize the minutes to see the intent of the
Warrant Article. Laura explained her
opinion of the general intent expressed by others at the Deliberative Session:
it was apparent to her that the consensus was the treatment should be done,
just not paid for with additional taxation.
2. Would this be a legitimate
expenditure from the CC fund? Laura
explained that this question arises from the fact that the fund was put
together with 100% of the land use change tax and sold to the town citizens
with the intent to purchase land to offset future taxes. Laura was told that if the CC has a current
interest in Long Pond, such as owning abutting property or placing a
conservation easement on the pond, then this may be a valid reason to spend the
money. But we don’t have a current interest
in the pond. There is a public in-put to
the pond which is not managed by the CC; if it were, that would constitute a
direct interest.
The
bottom line is: it appears that the intent to treat is good, but not if the
money is raised through taxation.
Laura’s opinion is that time is wasting, if the second treatment is not
taken care of soon, it will negate the first treatment, wasting the time,
money, and effort put into it. The
milfoil problem will continue to worsen as well. She recommended taking care of the treatment
and using the CC funds to do so.
Opinions
were expressed that all citizens should have a vested interest in the
pond. It would protect everyone’s
property value to treat the pond. The
cost of the second treatment was quoted to be $7435.
Sheila
moved and Laura seconded a motion to move
forward with the second milfoil treatment on Long Pond using the Conservation
Commission fund.
Discussion:
It was agreed that paying for the second treatment does not set a
precedent for the Conservation Fund becoming a slush fund for everyone’s
problems. The Board agreed that the
second treatment needs to be done soon or the first treatment will have been a
waste.
The
motion passed.
Judy
has the addresses to forward to Amy Smagnula and Mark ? for mailing information
to the abutters. It will not be known
until after the second treatment if a third treatment will be necessary.
IV.
The
inspection walk is scheduled for April 18th. The Police Department will be informed of the
address, date, and time. It was agreed
that a camera will be brought to record the current condition of the property.
V.
Correspondence
VI.
Other Business
On
April 1st, this Board will take a vote regarding accepting the Land
Use Trust Standards and Practices. Dylan
Smith and Julie LeBranch will also be on the agenda.
At
Minutes are prepared by Janet S.