Town Forest Committee
Meeting Minutes
December 1, 2010
Opening: Kristen Sharpless called the meeting of the Town Forest Committee to order at 6:43 on December 1 in the Town Hall.
Present: Pat Mainer, Stewart Pierson, Steve Russell, Brooke Scatchard, Kristen Sharpless
Absent: Wayne Bissonette, Leanne Klyza Linck, Jason Reed, Chuck Reiss
Guests: Brent Francis, Michael Snyder
Approval of November 3 Minutes: Stewart moved to approve the November minutes as amended. Brooke seconded Unanimously approved.
Drafting Goals for the HTF: With much discussion, those present arrived at the following goals for the document in progress.
Goals:
The following are the goals of the town of Hinesburg, and its residents, for the sustainable management of the Hinesburg Town Forest. All of the goals are of equal necessity, and therefore, do not represent any priority in the order they are presented:
- Use the forest as a model and example of the value of forests to the community, including promotion of educational and community uses that are compatible with other management goals,
- Maintain and enhance ecological connections between the HTF and the larger landscape
- Allow natural processes to govern the HTF ecosystems and model any active management on these processes to the extent possible.
- Demonstrate sustainable forestry practices that protect and enhance the ecosystem function and health.
- Protect and/or enhance habitat for native species, including game and non-game wildlife.
- Protect and promote the natural and human made elements of historic and environmental significance for educational and cultural purposes.
- Manage non-commercial, recreational opportunities that are not incompatible with the other management plan goals.
- Manage the allowed uses of the forest in such a way that they do not adversely affect the rural residential nature of the neighborhood.
- Protect water quality.
- Monitor and respond to changes.
- Maintain the forest at least its present parcel size and configuration
Those present also changed vision statement to read:
"The Hinesburg Town Forest, in a rural residential context on Hayden Hill has an extensive hill farm history and diverse and functioning natural communities and wildlife habitat. It is used by the public as a place for recreation, quiet solitude, demonstration of sustainable forestry, water quality protection, carbon storage and public education."
January Forum Planning:
The forum is scheduled for the week after the next meeting. It will start with an overview including the location, context and history, what is important about it, a general orientation. Kristen will prepare a slide show in collaboration with Mike and Brooke. They will send her favorite pictures. Mike will share a presentation from the Town Forest summit which was held a couple of years ago.
Brooke, with Alex, will, take care of the map. He will get it done in the next week or so.
Everyone attending will get a sheet with map, vision and goals and randomly break people into groups. Committee member will take notes on a flip chart, while listening, but not responding. Then everyone will get back together to share.
Kristen will take care of advertising on the Front Porch Forum.. Brooke will post a notice on the trailhead registers. Stewart will prepare leaflets to be distributed on the three access roads. Brooke will send notice to H-burg FOTW members. Mike suggested we invite hunters. Pat will send the
Hinesburg Record Article to Stewart, Kristen, and Brooke.
Pat, Kristen and Stewart will bring food, (brownies, cookies, etc.) Brook
will bring plates and cups. Stewart will take care of flip charts, magic markers and masking tape.
HTF Winter Walk – Schedule:
The committee briefly discussed the possibility of scheduling that for Saturday, February 12 or February 18, because the full moon is full on Friday, February 18. The walk could be in conjunction with the Winter Carnival and offer sled dog rides. Unsure of when the Winter Carnival is the committee tabled scheduling the event.
Other Updates:
Mike reported that the second grant for erosion on Eagles' trail, the Lake Champlain Basin Program grant was received. It will provide a YCC work crew next summer to work on erosion control between Hayden Hill east and Economou Road.
Mike also reported that a second load of logs was sent from plantation resulting in another few hundred dollars of income.
Brooke reported that the FOTW is reapplying for a Vermont Recreation Trails grant to improve three trails: the Maiden, the International, and the Dragon's Tail. The funding would be used for erosion control and bridges.
Next Meeting: The next meeting will be on January 5 at 6:30.
The meeting adjourned at 8:12.
Respectfully submitted by Pat Mainer