CONSERVATION COMMISSION of the TOWN OF HALIFAX
Regular Meeting, Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 6:30 PM
Remote-only meeting online: Zoom Location
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7814490827?pwd=VWV4NEpIQm9yakd6WmU4ZGwvT1BmQT09&omn=84055725536
Meeting ID: 781 449 0827
Passcode: 234
DRAFT MINUTES
Attendees: Stephan Chait (Chair; SC), Lesley Pollitt (Treasurer; LP), Laurel Copeland (Secretary; LC), Mary Horne (Member; MH), Dov Towler (Member; DT), Nancy McCrae (NM; guest), Diana Conway (DC; guest); Linda Huebner (LH; guest); Edee Edwards (EE; guest); Bonnie Brown (BB; guest)
CALL TO ORDER at 6:31 pm
HEARING OF VISITORS – EE asks about coyotes.
CHANGES AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA – Coyotes was added to the agenda.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES – August 28, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes were approved unanimously by the members present.
NEW BUSINESS
Coyotes – LC reported hearing coyotes and seeing their scat on the VAST trail. LH has not seen any and would like hunting them to be seasonal to omit hunting during their reproductive season. Chris Shadler is a NH coyote expert. Coyotes are opportunistic scavengers and depend on small mammals. NM said there are several in their area especially in the winter when they eat manure in the pasture; the horses do not mind them. NM has not had any problems wit them. MH echoed this experience, seeing them but having no problems. Most people see solitary animals but sometimes couples; much yipping.
Marlboro Conservation Commission Ash Tree Inventory – LC talked with a member of the Marlboro CC; their inventory stalled out and they would welcome help. LC wants to inventory their roads.
Volunteer help with invasive plants – LC was contacted by a volunteer named Brielle who would like to help us in environmental activities. DT has completed his activities for this fall but would like to connect with her. LP says they would like help, too, and can use it immediately (buckthorn, bittersweet). LC will connect people with the volunteer.
Invasives on the North River – DT saw signs in Jacksonville saying invasive knotweed was being treated by Jeff Dacey; he was hired by Windham County Natural Resources Conservation District. Treatment included spraying and injection. SC will contact Corey Ross to find out more about the project.
Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions membership – Emails are required; can be personal email or HalifaxVtConserv@gmail.com; all members are fine with having their personal email addresses provided on the application.
Topics for future meetings – consider an invited speaker about the connected corridor and roadways for wildlife. Windham Regional Commission is discussing this issue with Massachusetts; the Windham Regional Commission Transportation Planner, Colin Bratton, is working on how to improve road crossings for animals. Members and guests were in favor of having him come and talk. BB thought the talk would be of interest to the community.
November and December meetings – 4th Thursday in November is Thanksgiving, and the 4th Thursday in December is Christmas. We have usually skipped these months. BB asked about conservation-related legislation coming up. LH has talked with our rep; they are dealing with several pressing and large issues including homelessness and health insurance, so this may not be a good time to bring up contentious issues. She feels that the Vermont posting laws are onerous and might be updated.
Preparation of annual report for the town report – Select Board will soon begin preparing for the Town Meeting in March. Our report is usually needed in January. Please send SC material you feel should be in the report SC prepares and volunteer to participate in the reporting process if you wish.
OLD BUSINESS
Old Town Garage on Brook Road, Brownfields Issue – there is a brownfields issue and also a legal issue. Brownfields incur responsibility to remediate and to notify future owners. The Select Board is working on how to sell the one-acre lot which borders the river; this will be on the next Select Board agenda.
Update on Triangle Pollinator Garden at Brook and Whitneyville – LH reported that the Select Board will come early Monday morning to measure the triangle and/or cut-through. The plants are doing well. LH planted some things from BB; DT planted more plants.
Discussion of Japanese Knotweed on Deer Park Road – DT reported no progress. SC noted that some plants had been cut. BB reported that some of the plants were impeding visibility so may have been removed for that reason. We need to contact the owners; LC will do so with information from SC or knock on the door (2077 Deer Park Road).
OTHER BUSINESS – LC mentioned high water on the downstream side of the large culvert on Deer Park Road. It was suggested LC contact Patti Smith to venture into the watery woods with her.
Resources – LH provided links in the chat:
About wildlife-related legislation:
https://www.vtwildlifecoalition.org/2024-wildlife-bills
https://www.protectourwildlifevt.org/legislation
Coyote resources:
https://www.vermontcoyote.org/coexist
Regarding possible speakers about coyotes: Sarah Gorsline of Project Coyote, https://projectcoyote.org/about/our-team/sarah-gorsline/, and Chris Schadler of Project Coyote, https://projectcoyote.org/about/our-team/chris-schadler-ms-ma/
ADJOURNMENT at 7:27 pm.
Link to video recording –https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/gkGDSChkkUcvZLsyZgEkQC5FywmdF_IN9n_w0wObkVzoZKhIKZdIhzIz1ltOgDEe.EWXB-RwOp8F2u4L3
Passcode: 1cr=6*MA
