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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-11-29Conservation Board
November 29, 2016
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Town of Dryden Conservation Board
November 29, 2016
Members Present: Bob Beck (Chair), Peter Davies, Charlie Smith, Gian Dodici, Milo
Richmond, and Steve Bissen.
Liaison Present: Dave Weinstein, Planning Board
The meeting was called to order at 7:08PM
Review and approval of minutes from October 25, 2016:
P. Davies moved to approve the minutes as presented. G. Dodici seconded the motion
and the minutes were unanimously approved.
Additions to the agenda:
- A South Hill Recreation Trail meeting was held at the Coddington Road Community
Center today.
- A large number of folks attended the meeting.
- Several land owners along the trail still feel that they possess ownership of trail
sections although a decision has been made that NYSEG does own it.
- Rail to Trail - there has been continued discussion with the NYS DEC regarding the
Game Farm section of the trail.
Board reports:
- Town Board: no report
- Planning Board: D. Weinstein:
- 1. The board finalized it’s draft of a new solar energy law and sent to the town
board for its consideration (see attached).
2. The board finalized a proposed amendment to the Dryden Comprehensive Plan
to make it conform to the concepts in the New Solar Energy Law, and sent to the
town board for its consideration (see attached).
3. The board finalized a recommendation to amend the Dryden subdivision law to
allow conservation subdivisions in the Varna districts, sent to the town board for its
consideration (see attached).
- EMC: S. Bissen:
- At the November EMC meeting we mostly listened to a talk given by Katherine
McComas, Professor of Communications at Cornell, about communicating about
climate change.
Also, Bill Evans provided his power point from our June meeting about artificial light
and its effect on migrating animals.
We would like to vote on boundary changes to a new set of Unique Natural Areas at
the Dec. meeting.
- Both presentations can be found on the Conservation page on the Dryden website.
Natural Resources Conservation Plan:
P. Davies did a review of the documents that he was been sent: Water Resources,
Farmland Resources, Biological Resources and Recreational Resources.
Conservation Board
November 29, 2016
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- In general, he did not change any of the wording, he removed duplications, and tried
to create a consistent order to the sections (description of current situation, section
on threats or difficulties and actions or recommendations).
- D. Weinstein pointed out that the Town has a Recreation Plan and he was
concerned that the section on recreation in the NRCP might be redundant.
- M. Richmond shared the work he has done with the viewsheds. He shared copies
with each member.
- P. Davies pointed out that although the Recreation Master Plan includes trails and
parks, it does not address passive recreational activities such as photography,
birding or horse back riding.
- M. Richmond has a copy of the Dryden Sustainability Inventory (available on the
Dryden website). It was created by Nick Goldsmith several years ago.
- D. Weinstein suggested including a map showing the viewsheds in Dryden.
- M. Richmond suggested preserving the unique qualities of the Town is best achieved
by making that information available to people. Perhaps an art contest or photo
contest would generate more information and interest.
- B. Beck asked the Board where/how they can integrate other documents that have
been generated – sections of the Open Space Plan, the Methods and Criteria for
Land Purchases, the Trail Maintenance Guidelines, etc.
- C. Smith recommended that unless they can be easily incorporated into the
document, they could be added as appendices or have a link on the Town website.
- N. Munkenbeck suggested including the small, family cemeteries, which can be
considered open space.
Leadership roles for 2017:
- B. Beck stated that he is deeply involved in the Rail to Trail project and three years
of Chairing the Board is enough for now; he is ready to pass on the leadership.
- C. Smith recommended P. Davies as a potential Chair. He has past experience with
the Board, is current with the work the Board is engaged in, and has experience
with the leadership position.
- The Board discussed the members whose terms are expiring and potential new
members.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:30pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Erin A. Bieber
Deputy Town Clerk