HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026.09.02 CAC Minutes
CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
September 2, 2026
6:30 In Person
Lansing Town Hall
MINUTES
1. Call Meeting to Order
Present: Ed Dubovi, Robyn Bailey, Brian Boerman, Travis Kitch,
Absent: John Fleming, Aziza Benson, John Hatfield, Emily Phillips, Kristin Maushart,
Non-CAC attendees: Christine Montague, Town Board; Pat Tyrell, Parks and Rec
Quorum of the CAC members was not present
2. Discussion of the BioBlitz and what might be the next steps in a management plan for the Center
Trail area.
Those who attended the BioBlitz were pleased with the educational tours. The largest turnout was
for the bat presentation by John Hatfield . Unfortunately, bats were not flying nearby that evening, but
John was able to show two bats that he had captured for clients.
Work that has been done previously on the Center Trail area was reviewed . Pat noted that Parks
and Rec had been mowing the open areas on the north side of the property on a yearly basis usually in
November when the ground became firm enough for equipment to access the area. Areas near the
parking lot have not been mowed recently. Bruce Barber suggested in a note to the chair that these
areas would be his priority for some intervention as shrubs are encroaching on the open space. In
areas where the shrubs have become large in diameter, the standard mowing equipment is not
adequate to clear the area. Either equipment would have to be rented or NYSEG might be able to
provide appropriate equipment for the work.
The issue of a “maintenance plan” vs a “management plan” was discussed. Consensus was that it
would not be feasible to “maintain” the biodiversity that exists on the property given the pressure of
invasive species that will eventually become the dominant populations. What we could try to do is to
“manage” the area to meet the needs of the residents of the Town. The issue of the amount of effort
needed to develop a management plan similar to that of Salt Point depends on the long-term plans of
the Town for this property. The Salt Point plan had a planning horizon of 25 years which was the term
of the DEC lease with the Town. It was felt that a ten-year guarantee was needed for the Center Trail
area to remain in its current use for a detailed management plan to be formulated. In the absence of a
long-term commitment of use, a simple three-year rotation plan of mowing would be adequate to
keep the trail area attractive to those who use the trail. Volunteers could be enlisted to trim back
shrubs to infringe on the trails. (the Salt Point plan was forwarded to the CAC members).
The issue of the future use of this Town property will be brought forward to the Town Board.