HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-06-15 Town Forest Committee MinutesTown of Reading
el Meeting Minutes E:CLIJLD
TOWN CLERK
READING. H ASS.
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Town Forest Committee 1011 JUN 20 P I: 421
Date: 2017-06-15 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Location: Lower Level Conference Room
Address:
Purpose: Town Forest Management Session:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Farrukh Najmi, Dan Ford, Michael Borque, Thomas Gardiner, William
Sullivan, Rick Wetzler
Members - Not Present:
Kurt Habel, Nancy Doktor
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully submitted By: Farrukh Najmi
Topics of Discussion:
1. Outreach
• Kurt and Nancy will run the RTF booth at Friends & Family Day, 6/17
• RCTV production focusing on dog etiquette in Town Forest
Rick reported on initial meeting with Marcel Dubois, K9 Tails
Producer on RCTV. Wants to do a show on dogs in the Town Forest.
Would like to meet with committee to discuss video design elements
(who, how, where, when)
2. Updates
• Forest health management initiative
• Rick reported on work to be undertaken by consulting forester, Phil
Benjamin.
• Committee reviewed and discussed the invoice of $935 for consulting
work done so far
• Motion to approve up to $1000 to be paid for forestry consulting
services offered by Phil Benjamin. Unanimously approved.
o Discussion of RTF meeting with Board of Selectmen, 5/30/2017.
• Attendees reported that selectman are aware of TFC activities and are
supportive.
• Selectmen have appropriated $10,000 towards the Revolving Fund for
Forest Health Management program. This fund will be replenished
from selective cutting of trees for the health of the forest. The initial
pilot experiment will be conducted to thin trees in a localized area.
2. Following up 5/9 discussion on fees charged for group camping
o Committee agreed that there are many unresolved issues with this idea
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o Motion to approve deferring charging of fees for use of the forest at this time:
Approved unanimously
3. Budget report
o $935 earmarked for spending on Forestry Consulting by Phil Benjamin
o $65 remainder to be used for dog waste bags
4. Open session for topics not reasonably anticipated 48 hours in advance of meeting.
5. Approval of meeting minutes from 6/15/2017, 5/9/2017 and 4/11/2017: Approved unanmously
6. Next Meeting: August 22, 2017 @ 7:00
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