Wallingford Conservation Commission Minutes*

*These are unofficial Minutes subject to the approval at the next regular meeting.

March 23, 2009

Attendees:  Ralph Nimtz, Tim Chila, Ann Miller, Debbie Scranton, Kim Royar, Shannon Pytlik  

(1)               Begin meeting at 7:12  

(2)               Congratulations to new member Anne Miller.  Add Anne’s email to the distribution list;  ANNEGMILLER@YAHOO.COM

(3)               Approval of minutes and agenda

(4)               Election of officers:         Co-chairs Tim Chila, Ralph Nimtz
                                          Treasurer: Shannon Pytlik
                                          Secretary:  Kim Blodgett (back-up: Debbie Scranton) 

(5)               Walking Brochure: The town has offered to print the brochures if we buy the paper.  David should bring the heavy gauge paper to the town offices and submit a bill directly to Joyce or Julie.  Commission members will fold brochures on Green up Day.  Tim distributed brochures to the following locations: town hall and thrive center; Anne distributed to the hardware store and the locker.  We still have to deliver to the local Inns, Moms, the elementary school, and Sal’s.  Tim will develop a list of brochure locations and a sign up sheet so that we can monitor use at each venue.  Debbie will  distribute to Moms and Sals, Ralph to the Victorian Inn, Anne to the Elementary School and Rotary.

(6)               Green-Up Day:  9:00 to 12:00 ; May 2^nd.  The Commission will design certificates for the weirdest piece of garbage, the largest piece, etc. as an incentive for the kids.  Anne will check with Steve or the principal at WES to see if they want to distribute as prizes.  If that does not pan out, the group considered creating Willy Wonka type gold paper dollars that would be stuffed into cans and left on the side of the road for folks to find while cleaning up.  They could be turned into us for small prizes.  Debbie will also look into biodegradable balloons.  She will also contact Julie to submit an advertisement and request a map of the town roads. Shannon will look into seeds (vegetable and flower) for distribution as an incentive.    Anne will contact Carol Kenlan to investigate improving the garden around the boy and the boot statue.  Tim has the gloves.  Debbie will bring and easel.  Kim will bring a gallon of cider and paper cups.  She will also email Jane and see what prizes were given out in Waitsfield.  We will collect emails from interested community members on green up day so we can distribute information and upcoming events.  Tim will develop a sign up sheet.

(7)               Town plan:  The town plan is going to expire in July.  No one was able to attend the last planning commission meeting to offer our assistance.  Shannon will check with Anne Tiplady regarding our attendance at the next meeting. Shannon will try to attend if the plan is on the agenda.     

(8)               Web site:  Tim is going to remind Julie to include the Hartford Conservation Commission brochure on Vernal Pools in the Wallingford newsletter.  It is already on the town website.  Kim will look into some seasonal thematic topics for the website. 

(9)               New Business:

      (a) Talk Possibilities: 

                                                Edible Foods Walk: June  Ralph will ask Sharon
 Bats:  May;  Kim will check with Scott Darling
 Master Gardener: Debbie will check with the extension service to see if we could get a Master gardener to talk on improving your vegetable garden.
 How to Freeze and Can Vegetables:  August; Ralph will ask Sharon.
 Energy efficiency: September or October;  We will nail  down the dates for the talks by the April            meeting.  

                  (b) Trails at the pit:  Debbie, Tim, Shannon , and any other interested commission member will check with the selectboard on April 6^th regarding whether we can go back to the pit and work on the trail system.   Debbie will ask Julie about getting on the agenda.  The Commission will discuss implementing the Durham , Connecticut model. 

                  (c) Otter creek:  Clean up invasives and plant trees along the otter creek (we will need permission from selectboard for this activity also). 

                  (d) LWCF grant:  Kim will look into the timing for applying for the grant.    We could apply for funds to replant the buffer along the otter creek, reclaim the pit, develop a kiosk etc.

                  (e) Building at the Railroad:  We still plan to paint the building at the corner of 140 and the railroad tracks.  Ralph will come up with an artistic idea and the WCC will paint the building.  We should take before and after photos for the website.  Once we pick a date, we will advertise and invite the community to come help clean up the property and share hot dogs and drinks etc.

                  (f) Rutland County Energy Committee:  Tim didn’t go to meeting, David may have attended?  Next meeting April 21^st – Transportation and Energy Efficiency

                  (g) EVermont May 19^th RRPC Energy Committee meeting. Peter is a member of the committee.  Tim went to an interactive energy meeting at Stafford last month.  (Check with selectboard regarding the establishment of an energy committee). 

(10)           Meeting adjourned:  9:00pm         

Respectfully submitted,

Kim Blodgett

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