CONSERVATION COMMISSION of the TOWN OF HALIFAX
Regular Meeting, Thursday, March 26, 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
You can dial in using your phone: +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
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MINUTES
Attendees: Stephan Chait (Chair; SC), Lesley Pollitt (Treasurer; LP), Laurel Copeland (Secretary; LC), Mary Horne (Member; MH), Dov Towler (Member; DT), Bonnie Brown (BB; guest), Diana Conway (DC; guest), Nancy McCrae (NM; guest), Cate Matisi (CM; guest), Linda Huebner (LH; guest)
Matt Gancz (MG; guest)
CALL TO ORDER at 6:33 pm
HEARING OF VISITORS – No comments.
CHANGES AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA – LP asks to add Act 181
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES – Feb. 26, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes were approved by the members present.
NEW BUSINESS
Vernal Pools – LC described the monitoring process, and how to get involved by contacting her.
Act 181 – H.181 An act relating to Residential and Commercial Building Energy Standards. LP explained that long driveways trigger an Act 250 approval process; Act 181 seeks to limit long driveways. Creates a 3-tiered categorization to encourage clustered housing development. Tier 3 makes building houses in rural areas more difficult and preserve wildlife corridors. Originally proposed to take effect July 1, 2026; recent proposal would push that back to 2030.
OLD BUSINESS
Updating the Halifax Town Plan – now being reviewed & updated by the Planning Commission (of which NM is a member). Next working meeting will be April 28. This document tries to set the direction for the development of the town. SC is a resource for the conservation aspects of the town plan.
Costs and Benefits of Paving or Maintaining Dirt Roads – SC is working on non-monetary aspects of maintaining dirt roads versus paving roads, such as use of asphalt, increased runoff from the nonpermeable surface, salt from winter road maintenance polluting roadsides (and tons are spread on the roads), character of the town – 60 miles of scenic dirt roads characterize the town’s appearance and traffic is slower. The goal would be to present the information to the Select Board and have discussion before further paving occurred. SC described how a Sur-Pac treatment on part of Vaughn Road has held up quite well. LC commented that Sur-Pac on her sloped drive eroded quickly. NM commented on the hazard of salt building up in fresh water as has happened in Massachusetts. BB mentioned dying evergreens on Green River Road. LP reported that Scandinavia is using beet-sugar brine instead of salt (on roads).
Planning for Removal of Japanese Knotweed on Deer Park Road – DT reviewed progress so far on the mini-grant proposal for removing 4 stands of knotweed along Deer Park Road. The workgroup (MH, DT, LC) will complete the application; if not funded, we can still tackle the project with less equipment. The town treasurer can accept the grant funds. LP offered used plastic bags. BB remarked that clipping & bagging the blooms can also help abate patches that are too large for complete management.
Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions – Tiny Grants Program (up to $800) – applications due Saturday, April 11, 2026 – https://vtconservation.com/tiny-grants/
Reducing Japanese Knotweed on Deer Park Road – see above
Possible Equipment List – shears, clippers, safety glasses & work gloves (for volunteers; conservation members will supply their own), Root Slayer shovel, tarps, trash bags, wire mesh, and money toward a string trimmer.
Application Form – the workgroup is following the grant proposal directions.
OTHER BUSINESS – DC announced Alex Lacy’s upcoming presentation on April 11 at 11:00 am at the Halifax Café; she will talk about BioChar and composting.
ADJOURNMENT at 7:22 pm.
Link to video recording – https://youtu.be/4Kt8DY3gf9Q
