HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-21 Town Forest Committee Minutes � OFR
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Board - committee - commission - council: 2111 SEP -3 AM 8:38
Town Forest Committee
Date: 2019-05-21 Time: 7 PM
Building: Location: Berger Room
Address:
Purpose: Town Forest Management Session:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Farrukh Najmi, William Sullivan, Kurt Habel, Dan Ford, Thomas Gardiner,
Nancy Doktor, Michael Bourque -
Members - Not Present:
Dan Ford, Rick Wetzler
Others Present:
Jane Kinsella, Hobbit
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Farrukh Najmi
Topics of Discussion:
P ConCom opinion on pilot thinning project
o Very supportive of buckthorn removal, highly recommended to thin
before and after the thinning. Committee looking into doing this
using volunteers
o Chapter 132 application that includes a forest cutting plan needs to
be submitted to and approved by State Forester
P Forester Phil Benjamin's recommendations for Council Ring
o He thinks we should remove all of the red pines as the range for
them is moving north. Should be replaced with White Pines
o This would be a really good year for the thinning because there are
plenty of white pine cones on the tree which will open up and
spread seeds in the fall
P Discussion of expansion of pilot project to include Council Ring
o Criteria for council ring is more driven by aesthetics rather than
forestry considerations such allowing undergrowth to grow
0 200 foot radius for selective thinning
• Input from Town Tree Warden Mike Hannaford on pilot program
Mike wants slash to be removed. Committee felt that some slash is
desirable from a Forest Management perspective
• Discussion regarding next steps on pilot project
• Present to the select board
o Hold public meeting
o Prepare bid document
• Discussion on re-establishment of old Campfire Girl's council ring
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o Work has been done by Boy Scouts to clear the ring and looks very
good
o Location of this "New Council Ring" suitable for the youngest cub-
Scouts with proximity to Wood End entrance
o Protocol for use is same as Council Ring
• Review and approval of previous meeting minutes
o Minutes from April 16, 2019 approved unanimously
o Minutes from February 27, 2019 approved unanimously
• New business not anticipated 48 hours prior to meeting
o Cars have been speeding on newly paved Strout Ave. We need to
ask DPW for speed limit or other sign
• Hobbit shared that Forest was one the few places suitable for
barefoot walks. He is contributing to GPS tracks to Open Street
Maps and shared the interactive map with committee
• Next Meeting: June 25, 2019
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