CONSERVATION COMMISSION of the TOWN OF HALIFAX VERMONT
Regular Meeting, Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 6:30 PM
Hybrid meeting at Town Office, 246 Branch Road, West Halifax and online: Zoom Location
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), Tom Fox (TF; guest) Linda Huebner (LH; guest), Diana Conway (DC; guest), Nancy McCrae (NM; guest), Cara Cheyette (CC; guest)
Absent: Lesley Pollitt (Treasurer; LP)
CALL TO ORDER at 6:30 pm
HEARING OF VISITORS – TF is here to provide input on the Town Plan as chair of the Planning Commission. NM has questions about Act 250 for when we get there.
CHANGES AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA – None.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES – May 28, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes were approved by the members present.
NEW BUSINESS
Update on Halifax Town Plan
Completed Draft Plan and Planning Commission Public Hearing on October 13, 2026 – SC suggested that we review the draft and attend the hearing. When reviewing the draft, the Natural Resources sections are of particular relevance, for example, the language regarding forest blocks and habitat connectors. It was pointed out that Act 250 is to protect forest blocks, habitat connectivity, water, and the environment during housing development. Some new language prohibits the development of large commercial facilities that would use a lot of electrical power and water. Protecting water resources is in the current Town Plan; for example, it prohibits commercial water-bottling facilities.
Draft Town Plan availability on the Town Web Site – linked from HalifaxVt.com home page and available at https://halifaxvt.com/halifax-town-plan-2027-draft/.
Planning Commission and Updating the Zoning Regulations – The town of Halifax is applying for a Municipal Planning Grant for updating the Zoning Regulations. Windham Regional Commission is preparing the application for the grant to fund revisions. Updates will address developments such as ADU’s (additional dwelling units), communication towers, and campgrounds.
Deerfield River Watershed Association and the Wild and Scenic Designation for the Deerfield River in Vermont – SC explained that DT is the town rep on this matter. DT described the first meeting which occurred on Sept. 10th. The meeting covered the process Massachusetts went through on their part of the Deerfield River. Small groups worked on various issues; DT worked on the tributary Green River and its unique scenic characteristics. Organizer is Chris Curtis and he obtained funding for the MA effort. More recently he obtained funding for the Vermont portion of the river. Funding goes to all towns involved in the work. NM described a report, “Deerfield River & Lower Connecticut River Tactical Basin Plan,” published in 2020; she shared its location online: https://dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/WID/WPP/Deerfield%20River%20Tactical%20Basin%20Plan%20-%202020.pdf.
Membership renewal for the Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions – if we are still interested, we can renew by submitting the names & terms of our Conservation Commission and paying $50 (donated privately).
Discussion of Direction and Topics for the rest of 2026 and 2027 –
Act 250. There will be a meeting about Act 250 on forest blocks and wildlife connectivity in Brattleboro, October 1. Here is the notice online (with zoom option): Criterion 8(C) Public Information Session: October 1, 2026, 6:30-8:00 PM (Brattleboro, VT) | Act 250 [https://act250.vermont.gov/document/criterion-8c-public-info-sessions-10-1-26]. In person meeting is at Brattleboro Town Office, 230 Main St #108, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
Jumping Worms – perhaps we need hands-on work; they have been less numerous this year.
Legislative hunting matters – we could pay attention to these.
Road crossings – small and large animals
Paving vs dirt roads and the impact of salt on roadside plants & water – for dirt roads, ditching is extremely important to separate the road from adjoining land. Mud problems can also be addressed by ditching. NM commented on salt on roads, explaining that in the 1980’s in Goshen MA, wells along Route 9 got poisoned resulting in a tremendous remediation effort.
OLD BUSINESS
Update on Japanese Knotweed Removal on Deer Park Road – DT explained that the group worked on the knotweed until the major construction project began. It was a lot of work to chop it down, and that helps discourage it, but it continues to spread. Jacksonville and Wilmington continue to have work teams attaching knotweed. DC commented that they are fighting other invasive plants but not knotweed.
OTHER BUSINESS – NM asked about Act 250 & Act 181 (which overhauls Act 250) – knowing that we all live in this forest block and have a place in the country, how fair is it that we keep others out? In particular, people who are not wealthy struggle to move into Vermont. Are these Acts making it harder? SC & TF: sounds like a topic for joint work between Conservation Commission and Planning Commission.
ADJOURNMENT at 7:23 pm.
Link to video recording – https://youtu.be/BLY9wgJt1-0
