Minutes

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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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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.

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.  

11/6/23 Forests and Parks Commission Meeting Minutes

ByJesse Kay

Present: Robin Amber, Kate Willard, John Latham, Jen Chase, Andrew Pomerantz, Susan Elder, Linda Kuban, Pete Amber and Marty Gratz (via Zoom). 

Kate Willard:  Discussed work done on drafting an Ordinance and information gleaned from discussions with selectboard, VLCT, grant organizations, and others to determine whether an ordinance is really the best avenue. She suggested that perhaps a Mission statement is all that is needed. 

Linda: Agrees that Mission statement should be used instead. 

Andy: Feels the question needs to go back to selectboard for guidance. An Ordinance could be the ultimate goal of the group giving guidance of rules and regulation on use of parcels. 

Kate: Agrees it is up to selectboard to make this decision.

Marty: Agrees bringing issue back to selectboard and that a mission statement is a better fit. Selectboard seemed to be asking for help due to so much work on their plate. 

Susan: Found out that some grants do not require Ordinance. Review of some Ordinances currently on books. Discussion needs to happen about whether to include Heath Field and Roberts Gould land. Perhaps include a Rec Department person to this group. 

Pete: He had done work for both Will Gilman on the Roberts Gould land and at Heath Field so maybe rec. Dept. would like a collaborative approach or advice from this committee.

Robin: Tunbridge mission statement is reviewed from their website. She is on Rec. committee and will discuss with them the issue of Heath Field and basketball court/playground area. 

Kate: Would like to pursue getting the forest management plan to address multi-use options with Pagenelli before he retires. 

John: Would like to know from selectboard what are  plans for suggested timber harvesting. Hesitant to jump aboard multi-use as it may encourage mis-use. Trails are one thing but opening forests up to ATV,  and bikes invites trouble which some states experience. 

Kate: Will bring these issues to selectboard tomorrow night under “public Comments”. 

Robin: Next meeting is Jan. 8th at Library at 6:00 p.m. 

End at 7:10 p.m. 

DRAFT Forest and Parks Commission 11/6/2023 Meeting Minutes

ByJesse Kay

Present: Robin Amber, Kate Willard, John Latham, Jen Chase, Andrew Pomerantz, Susan Elder, Linda Kuban, Pete Amber and Marty Gratz (via Zoom). 

Kate Willard:  Discussed work done on drafting an Ordinance and information gleaned from discussions with selectboard, VLCT, grant organizations, and others to determine whether an ordinance is really the best avenue. She suggested that perhaps a Mission statement is all that is needed. 

Linda: Agrees that Mission statement should be used instead. 

Andy: Feels the question needs to go back to selectboard for guidance. An Ordinance could be the ultimate goal of the group giving guidance of rules and regulation on use of parcels. 

Kate: Agrees it is up to selectboard to make this decision.

Marty: Agrees bringing issue back to selectboard and that a mission statement is a better fit. Selectboard seemed to be asking for help due to so much work on their plate. 

Susan: Found out that some grants do not require Ordinance. Review of some Ordinances currently on books. Discussion needs to happen about whether to include Heath Field and Roberts Gould land. Perhaps include a Rec Department person to this group. 

Pete: He had done work for both Will Gilman on the Roberts Gould land and at Heath Field so maybe rec. Dept. would like a collaborative approach or advice from this committee.

Robin: Tunbridge mission statement is reviewed from their website. She is on Rec. committee and will discuss with them the issue of Heath Field and basketball court/playground area. 

Kate: Would like to pursue getting the forest management plan to address multi-use options with Pagenelli before he retires. 

John: Would like to know from selectboard what are  plans for suggested timber harvesting. Hesitant to jump aboard multi-use as it may encourage mis-use. Trails are one thing but opening forests up to ATV,  and bikes invites trouble which some states experience. 

Kate: Will bring these issues to selectboard tomorrow night under “public Comments”. 

Robin: Next meeting is Jan. 8th at Library at 6:00 p.m. 

End at 7:10 p.m.