CONSERVATION COMMISSION of the TOWN OF HALIFAX
Regular Meeting, Thursday, May 28, 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), Dov Towler (Member; DT), Mary Horne (Member; MH), Diana Conway (DC; guest), Nancy McCrae (NM; guest), Linda Huebner (LH; guest)
Absent: Lesley Pollitt (Treasurer; LP)
CALL TO ORDER at 6:33 pm
HEARING OF VISITORS – No comments.
CHANGES AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA – None.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES – April 23, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes were approved by the members present with one abstention.
NEW BUSINESS
Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions, Dummerston Conservation Commission, and Windham Regional Commission hosted a potluck and discussion on Wednesday May 6th – Nine town conservation commissions were represented – Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, Halifax, Marlboro, Newfane, Putney, Rockingham and Westminster. In addition there was a representative from the Vermont River Conservancy. Putney Conservation Commission talked about working with their select board explaining why the town should not pave roads. SC talked about our information flyers on invasive plants. Dummerston Conservation Commission asked for copies, which SC sent via email. Another such meeting is planned for fall.
Planning Commission and Selectboard Meeting on May 12 our Select Board attended
Windham Regional Commission Regional Plan and Future Land Use Maps talked about changes required by Act 181. The act is designed to encourage new housing where there is already town water and sewer.
OLD BUSINESS
Updating the Halifax Town Plan – A section is being added on campgrounds (infrastructure requirements) and camp sites (no infrastructure requirements; 12-night limit). LC sent in a suggested addition regarding dark skies and reducing nighttime light.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Paving or Maintaining Dirt Roads, Update – SC provided a 2-page summary to the Select Board and requested their input.
Planning for Removal of Japanese Knotweed on Deer Park Road
Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions – Tiny Grants Program (up to $800) – 22 Applications and 8 Awards – our proposal was not funded. The three-person team has been working on the patches on Deer Park Road. SC urged the team to email for help at scheduled times. The team is clipping or tearing the plants out and taking them home in plastic bags to rot in the sun. DT described the density of the knotweed patches with dogwood and moosewood competing on the edges. NM commented that goats eat knotweed. The young shoots are edible and have been made into chutney.
OTHER BUSINESS – LH updated the group on bear-related legislation. She spoke a recent meeting against bear-baiting, extending the season on bears, increasing the take, and shooting females with cubs. Several hunters testified against bearbaiting which was ruled illegal by a subsequent vote. However, the bear hunting bag limit and season were increased. It is unclear whether hunters will avoid shooting females with cubs or can even differentiate between the sexes when cubs are not visible.
ADJOURNMENT at 7:18 pm.
Link to video recording – PART 1: https://youtu.be/g39_VvhkuJM
PART 2: https://youtu.be/LQEVlxMiXjI
