CONSERVATION COMMISSION of the TOWN OF HALIFAX
Regular Meeting, Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 6:30 PM
Hybrid Meeting – In-Person and Remote
Town Offices, 246 Branch Road, West Halifax VT
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83140976854?pwd=dFFkWE1tdk84VjFGc1RZODJvM2NjUT09
Meeting ID: 831 4097 6854 Passcode: 793307
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DRAFT MINUTES
Attendees: Stephan Chait (Chair; SC), Laurel Copeland (Secretary; LC), Mary Horne (Member; MH), Dov Towler (Member; DT), Lesley Pollitt (Treasurer; LP), Tom Fox (TF; guest), Nancy McCrae (NM; guest), Diana Conway (DC; guest), Bonnie Brown (BB; guest), David Jones (DJ; guest), Marilyn Allen (MA; guest), Linda Huebner (guest, LH), Karin Larkin (KL; guest online)
CALL TO ORDER at 6:30 pm
CHANGES AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA – None.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES – January 30, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes were approved unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Draft Invasive Plant Information Sheet on euonymus alatus (burning bush) for review. The draft is online at https://czresearch.com/conservation/InvasiveEuonymusFlyer.pdf. It was suggested we put some flyers out now (before seeds appear) and some out in the fall (when you can identify them easily).
Recycling Workshop/Forum May 3, 2025, at Community Hall – Alex Lacy from WSWMD will talk at 11:00 AM in the Halifax Café, explaining what can be recycled and answering people’s questions. People can bring items about which they are unsure. BB noted that many things are accepted to compost including used tissues & paper towels, tea bags, pet waste, and meat scraps at the COW (Composting Organic Waste) program at Windham Solid Waste Management District. [See list at https://windhamsolidwaste.org/resources/composting/project-c-o-w-composting-organic-waste/] BB suggested asking Casella to be there and speak briefly as well.
Hearing on Proposed Campground – Guidelines for Protecting Natural Resources – TF asked for people to send him their ideas about what should be protected, environmental and conservation issues, when a conditional use permit is issued. LP asked where to see current conditions. TF said they include current use status, seasonality of campground use, and the like. SC suggested cellar holes and stone walls might need protection. BB wondered if bathrooms are available all hours of the day at the latest application; this would be good to raise April 8 at Planning Commission meeting. LP thought we might want to put this on our agenda to discuss in detail at a future date.
Advocating for prohibiting bait-hunting for coyotes and other furbearers (H. 132) and for hound-hunting and trapping.
Communication with our State Representative and Senators
Review of the Legislative Process
LC commented that we might take a more detailed approach to communicating our concerns with our legislators, e.g., a timeline of the past 10-12 years of the number of pets trapped per year, contrasted with the number of permit holders. We could also ask them to draft a report on the number of landowners who are killing furbearers on their own property where they don’t need a permit. SC sent a note in December to Emily Carris-Duncan expressing interest in meeting on this topic. BB suggested collaborating with other towns’ conservation commissions.
Discussion of how to deal with invasive plants – BB wondered if we could address invasive plants in the town right of way. These areas are mowed by the town road crew a couple of times a year. Those areas are private property, so we could approach the landowners. On February 27th the Dummerston conservation commission had a session on this topic. SC will ask the listers / Mary Brewster about pulling invasives from the right of way.
OLD BUSINESS
Review of Town Forms – Permit for New Parcels, Zoning Permit Application Form, Zoning Permit Renewal Application, Conditional Use Application Form, Halifax Driveway Permit. TF had an example of the updated, more readable application forms. LC suggested adding them to the town site map so they are easier to find (they are under “Town Clerk” but hard to find via search). DJ asked about the Driveway Permit form but that is being revised by the Select Board.
OTHER BUSINESS – MH reported that Vermont Edition hosted an excellent series called Animal Hour with one on beavers (Pattie Smith), big cats, bats. These podcasts can be heard online.
HEARING OF VISITORS – TF invited people to get in touch with ideas.
ADJOURNMENT at 7:14 pm.
Link to video recording https://youtu.be/LBtjrxGY8i0?feature=shared