Forest and Parks Commission

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Forest and Parks Commission Minutes – November 4, 2024

ByTierney Farago

Minutes

Forest and Parks Commission

November 4, 2024

Present Peter Amber, Lizzie Amber, John Upham, Jen Chase and Linda Kuban

1. Minutes of October 7, 2024 were approved as submitted

2. No public comments

3. Commons update, no update

4. Pollinator garden work bee was a success, A great group from First Branch Middle School and other community worked together and planted trees, shrubs and bulbs. Everyone enjoyed the activity. Extra bulbs were planted on the triangle area on Barre Corner on Rt. 110.

5. Update on town forest We are now members of the Upper Valley Trail Association. They will be doing a walk-through of the town forest later in the year, to assist us in trail planning. John Upham asked what kind of traffic will be allowed. This will be discussed more once we are in the planning stage. The selectboard will be reviewing and signing the Town Forest Plan at their next meeting. There will be future discussion on our role with legal trails in town.

6. Play-ground decorative lights will be going up this weekend Nov 9 and 10. Contact Marty Grats if interested in helping

7. We will be working on a grant for replacing trees in the commons. Pete and Lizzie Amber have done a tree inventory and will be assisting in writing this grant.

8. Adjourn at 6:40

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Forest and Parks Commission Agenda – November 4, 2024

ByTierney Farago
  1. Approve Oct. 7, 2024 meeting minutes
  2. Public Comments
  3. Commons
    a. Provide recommendations to SB – update
  4. Pollinator Project status
    a. update
  5. Town Forest
    a. Upper Valley Trails Alliance
    b. Forest Management Plan
  6. Legal Trails
  7. Playground Lights
  8. New Grant Opportunities
  9. Adjourn.
    If you want to attend via Zoom call please email the group at
    chelsea-forest-parks@googlegroups.com
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Minutes of the Forest and Parks Commission – September 9, 2024

ByTierney Farago

Minutes of the Forest and Parks Commission
September 9, 2024
Chelsea Public Library
6:00 p.m.

Present: Jen Chase, Susan Elder, Andy Pomerantz, Linda Kuban, Erik Anderson, Lizzy
Amber, Marty Gratz (via zoom) and John Latham (via Zoom).

The minutes of the August 5, 2024 meeting were approved as submitted.
No public comments.
Jen Chase reported that she spoke to Ron Johnson to get a quote on the work needed
for the Commons including adding fill in low spots, fertilizing, seeding, aeration, etc. The
quote totals $2400. Jen is going to ask for a breakdown. Once finalized the group will
bring to the Board for approval. It is unknown whether this work needs to go in as an
RFP.

Susan Elder thanked Lizzie Amber for assistance in the purchase and delivery of trees
and shrubs for the pollinator garden. Erik Anderson said he thinks October 8th and 10th
would work as planting dates. He suggested that the older students be first to help with
digging and the younger classes be brought in afterwards for planting of bulbs and
watering, etc. Erik will look into the possibility of making benches in the school’s
workshop. Cost would be only materials. Susan will look into access to water and
promotion of the work day and will contact lot neighbors. The Amber family will supply
bark mulch. Lizzy and Susan will find a date for marking out the lot for tree planting.
Jen spoke to Russell at the Upper Valley Trails Alliance. It will cost $100 for
membership. State Agency of N.R. Orange Cty. forester Dave Paganelli suggested it is
a good organization to join. 7 acres of the town’s forest has been logged. The
selectboard knows it needs to move forward with the remainder but Paganelli will need
to develop a logging plan first and he is busy with several projects already. A logging
plan could also be done by a private firm. Once a logging plan is done, trail creation can
be planned.

Erik Anderson is interested in involving his class on the trail work and feels this is a
good fit for school participation. The sign work approved by the selectboard for the
Town forest may be another student woodworking project; such as a Town Forest sign,
a parking sign, and trail signs.

The next meeting will be held on October 7th at the Chelsea Public Library.

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Press Release: Forest and Parks Commission Grant Award

ByTierney Farago

The Chelsea Forest and Parks Commission received a grant from the Vermont
Community Foundation to create a Pollinator garden on one of the vacant FEMA
properties in downtown Chelsea for community use.

The $3,000 received from the Vermont Community Foundation’s Spark Connecting
Community grant program will help to create a flowering tree lot on the former
Babcock/Lyon property at 12 Maple Avenue.

The Spark Connecting Community Grant program puts building and nurturing
communities front and center. The Foundation aims to support the work happening
throughout Vermont’s 251 towns that build social capital. These grants – where a small
amount can make a big difference– are intended to light the spark that keeps
Vermonters healthy and happy.

The plan is to plant crabapple trees adding spring flowering bulbs at the base of each
tree, install bird and butterfly houses and have benches and other places for people to
sit. The transformation of an empty lot into a relaxing, beautiful garden for the
community and encouraging pollinators and birdlife is the goal. The Parks and Forest
Commission encourages everyone to be part of the planning, design, and implantation
of the project. The project will include a “kick-off” informational session for the
community and integrate the project into the local school curriculum on the importance
of pollinators. The project will also collaborate with the “Youth Wellbeing Project”
through SafeArt Summer camps. The theme for the summer camps this year is “Crafts
and Connection”. The Forest and Parks Commission can be contacted through their
email of chelsea-forest-parks@googlegroups.com and the group meets the first Monday
of every month at the Chelsea Library at 6:00. All are welcome to attend.

The Vermont Community Foundation inspires giving and brings people and resources
together to make a difference in Vermont. A family of hundreds of funds and
foundations, we provide the advice, investment vehicles, and back-office expertise that
make it easy for the people who care about Vermont to find and fund the causes they
love. The heart of the Community Foundation’s work is closing the opportunity gap –
the divide that leaves too many Vermonters struggling to get ahead, no matter how hard
they work. We are aligning our time, energy, and discretionary resources on efforts that
provide access to early care and learning, pathways to college and career training,
support for youth and families, and community and economic vitality. We envision
Vermont at its best – where everyone has the opportunity to build a bright, secure
future. Visit vermontcf.org or call 802-388-3355 for more information.

Chelsea Town Forest and Parks Commission Meeting Minutes 3.18.2024

ByJesse Kay

 

Special meeting – March 18, 2024

6:00 p.m. via Zoom 

In attendance: Jen Chase, Marty Gratz, John Upham, John Latham, Peter Amber, Robin Amber, Susan Elder

  1.  Public Comments – None. 
  2.  Pollinator Project – Revisions to Spark Grant reviewed.  Motion made to approve draft for submission to Selectboard. All in favor. Passed. 
  3. Adjourn.