Conservation Commission

TOWN OF SOUTH HERO
Conservation Commission Meeting
Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 6:30 P.M.
South Hero Worthen Library Community Room

and via Zoom
Minutes
Members attending: Bob Fireovid, Bridget Kerr, Mark Naud
Members absent: Dave Hobbs, Cynthia Kelley, Sue Straight (recently resigned)
Public attendees: Cristin Pullis, Peg Kirk (E. Shore Rd.)

Call to Order- Meeting was called to order @6:35p. Bridget reported that Sue Straight needed
to resign due to family and personal obligations. Mark noted that with her resignation, the
Conservation Commission quorum requirements is reduced to 3 persons.
Finalize the Agenda – Bridget recommended adjusting Agenda putting Community Values
Mapping Event before Town Plan discussion.
Public Input (items not on the agenda) – N/A
Assessment of Recent Community Values Mapping Events – Bridget thanked Jens Hilke and
Lincoln for their efforts, Emily and Guy from the SHLT, and CC members for their efforts and for
pulling together a great public event. Members noted a few issues discussed in groups –
Public access (decrease, and a discussion of access limitations on the Island Line/Allen
Point); storytelling of historical events and places is an opportunity for oral history;
shared roads for walking, biking, and vehicles; relative increase in posted lands (making
public access trails more important); limited light pollution on the Island; the feeling of
crossing the causeway and arriving home!
Bridget shared results from the on-line event; two small groups participated in that
event and their virtual data will be aggregated with the in-person event.
Results will be shared at the next meeting and available on the Town website.
Bob received expense reimbursement from members.
Discussion of Conservation Commission’s Input on the Draft South Hero Town Plan – Bridget
introduced the Draft Town Plan prepared by the South Hero Planning Commission and the
Northwest Regional Planning Commission. One of the goals of the Conservation Commission is
to support the Planning Commission with input on natural resources and related values within
the town.
Bob recommended and moved that the Chair and Secretary provide input on the Town
Plan and recommend the Conservation Commission be included wherever appropriate
to clarify its role and support the implementation of the plan consistent with the
Conservation Commission’s statutory obligations and advisory goals. Bridget 2d.
Unanimous consent.
Mark will send some initial revisions for commission members’ review early Wednesday
for review and delivery to the Planning Commission meeting on May 17.

Discuss Appointment of New CC Member – Kristin Pullis has prepared a letter of interest for
appointment to the Conservation Commission. Mark moved that the Commission accept Cristin
Pullis’ Letter of interest and recommend Bridget submit a request to the Selectboard to appoint
her as a Commission Member at the next available meeting. Bob 2d. Unanimous consent.
Approval of Minutes from the April 18 meeting – Bob moved to accept the minutes as
amended. Bridget 2d. Unanimous consent.
Preparation for Next Meeting – Meeting is scheduled for June 20 th . Mark and Bob will not be
available. There was a discussion about skipping the June meeting. Bridget will reach out to
other members. A possible topic is Jens’ report from the Community Values Mapping Event;
Land Acknowledgement; Reserve Fund for acquisitions; public outreach and member
recruitment; resource inventory and related goals with budget considerations.
Adjourn – Meeting was adjourned @8:25p. Bob moved. Mark 2d. Unanimous.

TOWN OF SOUTH HERO
Conservation Commission Meeting
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 6:30 P.M.
South Hero Worthen Library Community Room

and via Zoom
Meeting Minutes

Members: Bob Fireovid, Dave Hobbs, Cynthia Kelley, Bridget Kerr, Mark Naud
Members not attending: Sue Straight
Others attending: Emily Alger, SHLT; Jeff Sikora; Cristin Pullis
Call to Order – Bridget called the meeting to order @6:35p
Finalize the Agenda – N/A
Public Input (items not on the agenda) – Jeff Sikora discussed the sliding hill off Town Line Rd.
He facilitated the development and preservation of the site for agriculture and open space,
with recreation opportunity on the sliding hill lot adjacent the old Webster house site. Current
owner (Peter Johnson) would like to see access with reasonable public amenities and controls.
Emily has encouraged Peter to attend Recreation Commission and Conservation Commission
meetings to discuss goals for seasonal use and parking for safe public use. The commission is
looking forward to supporting the goals with follow up after the Recreation Commission meets
and discusses.
Planning for the Community Values Mapping Events on May 2 and 9 – Bridget reviewed the
information from Jens for the CVM event.
A. Guidelines for Facilitators – Bridget resent the summary guidelines from Jens.
B. Discuss Values to be used – Scenic, recreation, cultural/historical, hunting/fishing,
community, wildlife, working landscape, ecological, spiritual/ethical (connections to
nature and place?) Should we have some phrases or words to better describe the
values? Bob moved to vote to approve. Dave 2d. Unanimous.
C. General Outreach/Publicity – Emily shared the notice card which will be mailed this
week. Islander article with Michael Frett? So Hero FB, FPF, Folsom?, High Schools?
D. Signage on Route 2 – Get permission from Nate for sign near library. Other signage
series for Route 2 in RoW. Budget clarification – Get reimbursement for expenses for
budget that starts 7/1 (for expenses for CVM event). Bob suggested we have an event
committee Zoom meeting for event budget considerations on Friday 4/21.
E. Land Acknowledgement – The commission will consider the land acknowledgement
discussion at the next meeting. Emily related that there may be an opportunity for Jens
to use an acknowledgement that he is comfortable with in his practice prior to the
Commission discussing and developing their own. The Commission agreed that Jens
would be able to make an appropriate land acknowledgement in his Dept. of F&W
facilitator role.

F. Layout/Setup of Community Room – Discussed after adjournment.
G. Snacks & Drinks – Baked goods, with gluten-free and vegan options. Hackett’s frozen
cider. Lemonade. SHLT hot drinks.
Approval of Minutes from March 21 meeting – Cynthia moved, Bob 2d. Unanimous.
Preparation for Next Meeting – Next meeting is the CMV event on May 2d, May 9 th , and a
regular scheduled meeting on May 16th.
Adjourn – The meeting was adjourned @8:30.

TOWN OF SOUTH HERO
Conservation Commission
Tuesday, March 21 at 6:30 P.M.
South Hero Worthen Library Community Room

and via Zoom
Meeting Minutes

Members: Bob Fireovid, Dave Hobbs, Cynthia Kelley, Bridget Kerr, Mark Naud, Sue Straight
Others present: Emily Alger, SHLT; Sharyn Layfield, Grand Isle resident (Cons. Comm.
promoter); Jens Hilke, VT ANR; Todd Kelley.

Call to Order – Bridget called the meeting to order at 6:30p.
Finalize the Agenda – No changes proposed and majority of time will be granted to Jens for his
training discussion.
Public Input (items not on the agenda) – SHLT is co-hosting with NRCD’s for a community
gathering around Islands’ communities’ priorities for NRCS funding, on April 11 at 6:30p in the
North Hero Community Hall.
Jens Hilke, Conservation Planning Biologist with VT Fish & Wildlife, discussed Planning &
Facilitation and answered questions about the Conservation Commission’s Community Values
Mapping Events on Tuesday May 2d, @ Worthen Library and online on Tuesday May 9th.
Jens noted that all facilitator’s are set with ANR staff, Conservation Commission
members, SHLT staff, and GI NRCD staff.
Zoom account and registration need to be set for breakout and registration. Also
acquire Miro account ($16.00/month for 3 months) SHLT offered to acquire the Miro
account! Miro training is set for May 3d. Jens will prepare a basemap for the in-person
event.
CC will provide meeting space, refreshments, Sharpie normal tip markers (SHLT will
acquire sets of 6-8 colors for categories). Jens reviewed the draft schedule and roles for
the in-person and online event.
There was a discussion of PR and opportunities to assure awareness and attendance for
the event; FPF, strategic public venues, postcard mailer, posters, e-mail listserve, etc.
Bridget, Emily and Cynthia volunteered to lead the PR “task force.” And advertise a
family-friendly event to include the younger voices of the community.
Facilitators should review the guide (Woodbury) shared by Jens for reminders on their
role as facilitators. Waterbury event is April 11, 6:30-8:30p.
Review Conservation Commission Recruitment Advertisement – Bridget previously drafted an
advertisement for recruitment of additional members for review. Members discussed how to
engage residents for roles as members and possible committee members (non-commissioners)

and approved the draft as discussed, but will be tabled until after the Community Values
Mapping event, and prioritize PR for attendance, then recruitment.
Division of Labor – Bridget discussed how members can support the logistics of the meetings
and the commission. Tasks are physically posting the agenda at Worthen, Post Office, and Town
Hall, online @ town website (and FPF?); getting key for meeting site at library or town hall,
assuring that Zoom and Owl are available for the meeting, and returned the next day. There
was a discussion about what is required v. what is best for engagement in terms of posting
agendas, and will be a continuing discussion as members learn what is best for public outreach
and efficiency.
Bob agreed to pickup and dropoff Owl for the April meeting. Bridget will do the agenda
posting and library key pickup/dropoff.
Approval of Minutes from February 21 meeting – Bob moved; Sue 2d. Unanimous. (Dave left
meeting at 7:45p)
Preparation for Next Meeting – Next meeting is April 18 th . The main focus of the meeting will be
on planning and logistics for upcoming Community Values Mapping Event, and plan for layout
of the library rooms for the event.
There will be discussion about Land Acknowledgement as agenda item for awareness
and introduction.
Adjourn – Meeting was adjourned Bob moved, Cynthia 2d