TOWN OF SOUTH HERO
Conservation Commission Meeting
Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 6:30 P.M.
At the S.H. Town Hall and via Zoom
Meeting Minutes
By Bob Fireovid
Members: Bob Fireovid, Dave Hobbs, Cynthia Kelley, Bridget Kerr
Public attendees: Emily Alger, SHLT (via Zoom)
1) Emily Alger gave a PowerPoint presentation about the application by Guy and Lori Goulet
(as well as Kathleen and Robert Swanson) to the Vermont Land Trust to conserve 156 acres
of mostly farmland west of Rte 2 near the Keeler Bay village. The appraised value of the
conservation easement is $1,271, 500. Most of the money for the easement has been
secured through grants from USDA-NRCS and the Vermont Housing and Conservation
Board, and SHLT has pledged to raise $270,000.
2) Emily Alger reported that the SHLT has begun preliminary work on the Natural Resources
Inventory
SHLT will invoice via email to SH Treasurer (Kim Julo) and cc SHCC Treasurer (Bob
Fireovid)
3) $600 AVCC Tiny Grant for SHCC Kestrel project
On the advice of SH’s Treasurer, the Selectboard, at its June 24 th meeting, approved
booking the $600 grant money into SH’s general fund, and NOT earmarking the $600 to
the SHCC.
– This action was taken on the advice of an attorney at the Vermont League of Cities
and Towns.
At the next (July 8 th ) SB meeting, the SHCC Treasurer asked that the $600 grant money
be reserved for the SHCC’s Kestrel project. The SB agreed to discuss the request at its
next meeting.
The AVCC Board of Directors asked the SH Treasurer to return the $660 to AVCC if the
SH Treasurer could not guarantee that the $600 grant would be spent on only the
Kestrel project.
At its July 22 nd meeting, upon a motion by Vice Chair David Lane, the SB decided to
increase the SHCC’s municipal budget for 2024-25 by $600.
4) Kestrel project
Bridget K. reported that of the two kestrel boxes gifted by VINS, the one at Health Hero
Farm was used by starlings and the one at Island Acres Farm was still unoccupied.
5) August 4 th Kestrel event
Bridget K. reported that she is advertising the event via the Worthen Library, Front
Porch Forum, Islander and SHLT.
At the event, will have a signup sheet for Kestrel box building in the Fall.
6) Green Up Day takeaways
Overall, went well.
In the future, consider having people just pickup bags and pick up litter on the road(s)
near their home (as is done in Essex).
Consider having an anti-litter campaign.
Consider manning a Conservation Commission table at SHLT’s GUD luncheon.
In the future, start planning earlier.
7) Cristin Lemieux Pullis’ resignation was unanimously accepted, with regret.
8) Bridget K. shared her latest draft ad for recruiting new South Hero Conservation
Commissioners.
It was suggested to add a statement that new members will help identify and determine
future goals and projects for the Commission.
It was suggested to hand out copies of the ad at the Aug 4 th Kestrel event.
9) A planned presentation on an emerald ash borer inoculation effort was postponed to the
next meeting.
10) Minutes from SHCC’s April 16 th meeting were approved after correcting one recurring typo.
11) Adjourn – The meeting adjourned at 8:35p.