02/28 -

Freeport Conservation Commission
January 15, 2008 7:00 p.m.
Freeport Community Center, Small Meeting Room

Present: Ethel Wilkerson, Judy Camuso, Gino Guimarro, Gene Boyington, Suzanne Umland, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Chris Grimm
Minutes:
1. Amended and approved December minutes

2. Vernal Pools Information session (Judy Camuso)
Judy reported that permits will be required from DEP for trail construction and maintenance at Quarry Woods. No impact within 100’ of vernal pools and no more than 25% of upland buffer may be impacted in any way. This includes existing trails. Gino will determine if pools are significant. Judy will follow up on getting the critical habitat maps. Permit process could take 3-6 months. Vernal pools are “fishless” and wet in the spring, ecologically more valuable than most other wet areas, and difficult to identify. Chris suggested educating the public on the pools, and committee agreed a public training at Quarry Woods, led by Judy, would be a good opportunity for this, notifying nearby school, and increasing public awareness of FCC with the public.

3. Discussion of Goals for 2008
Ethel reviewed Goals Identified by Open Space Plan for 2009 as well as goals she had compiled for FCC for 2008 for all properties and designated responsibility to committee members for individual tasks for each.

4. Upcoming Events for Maine Association of Conservation Commissions
Ethel announced we are invited to attend training for vernal pools by MACC (at some point this spring), as well as workshops on Open Space Planning (1/23/08) and Maine’s Quality of Place (1/24/08) she will be attending.

5. Property Updates
Hedgehog – Kelly brought signs for committee’s feedback. Will finish signs and deliver to Ethel for posting. Ethel will identify and blaze trails near the dump. FCC will determine remaining trail names at next meeting.
Florida Lakes – Ethel presented Florida Lake Vehicle Access Agreement for committee approval and will give copy to Dale Olmstead to be kept at Town Office. She will get lock for gate. We will schedule a trail day in the spring to fix bog bridging.
Hidden Pond – Kelly obtained snowmobile trail signs for Hidden Pond. Judy met with John Leavitt, from the Maine Forestry Service, who agreed to do a controlled burn in conjunction with the Freeport Fire Department in 2008. Kelly will contact Fire Chief to give Leavitt’s contact info for collaboration.
Soule Park – Ethel presented a Draft of the Soule Park Management Plan for committee review and feedback. After review she will give to Friends of Soule Park and then schedule meeting with town council for approval.
Quarry Woods – Ethel will begin to write management plan and complete after vernal pools have been identified. We will pursue Maine Conservation Corps for trail construction – deadline 11/08.

6. New Business
Ethel is meeting with Bill Muldoon, new council member on 1/24. He will be our liaison to council. Chris will begin developing a website for FCC.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Next meeting: February 19, 2008