HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAC Minutes - April 28, 2014Conservation Advisory Council Meeting Minutes 4/28/14 – Final
Members present: Joel Gagnon, Mary Woodsen, Jake Brenner, Dan Klein, Kate
O’Neal, Matt Ulinski
Non-members present: Ronda Roaring, Sue Beeners
Minutes from the March meeting were approved with the correction being made
that the proper spelling of the name of the easement holder is ‘Hanson’.
Joel moved, and Jake seconded, a motion to request that the Town Clerk post the
minutes of all the CAC meetings on the Town’s website. Matt was not yet present
and did not vote. All present voted in favor.
Sue Beeners gave an update from the Town Board meeting of 4/21. The Town
Board, by a 4 to 1 vote, approved in concept a request by Erick Palmer to extend
the year-round portion of Marsh Rd. by 620 feet. As mitigating features of this
approval, both Erick Palmer (13 acres) and Ted Melchen (42 acres) will give
conservation easements on their land.
Kate brought up the idea of also asking them for stewardship funds.
Jake asked how these actions will proceed. Sue said that a timeline is being
draw up in consultation with the Town Attorney. Joel suggested simultaneous
approvals, ideally to be voted on at the same meeting.
A long discussion ensued concerning the merits of this project.
It was decided that the next steps for the CAC would be to contact Melchen
and Palmer, and also adjacent landowner Norkus. Site visits would be scheduled,
and then residential and other zones would be delineated. Jake will talk with Ted
Melchen, Kate will talk with Erick Palmer, and Mary will talk with the Norkuses.
Joel will send a packet of info to all CAC members to use in their dealings with
these landowners.
Joel reported that we are within days of closing on the Hanson property
easement. There was a discussion of how to celebrate. Have a signing under a tent
on the land? No decision was made.
Matt reported that he and Don Schaufler have made measurements on a
second tree for the Danby Big Tree Registry. This one was a large cottonwood.
Matt is preparing a submission for the Danby Area News
A volunteer has come forward to help the Town with its GIS ability. Jake thinks
this project could subsume the CAC mapping/ranking project. Jake will touch base
with the volunteer. It was universally agreed that ‘subsume’ is an excellent word.
Submitted by Dan Klein
Final changes made by Matt Ulinski