TOWN OF SOUTH HERO
Conservation Commission DRAFT Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 4:30 P.M.
at the South Hero Town Office
and via Zoom
Members: Bob Fireovid, Joan Falcao, Bridget Kerr, Mark Naud
Call to Order – 4:32p
Public Input (items not on the agenda) – N/A
Finalize Agenda – Joan requested we consider the tree removal at the town beach project.
Concerns about tree age and quality and replacements for shade. Request information from Guy
and Anne re: trees. If there is a written assessment or could he update on the issues, knowing we
are late to the issue.
Welcome new members; Officer election, if any. Recent appointments and re-appointments:
Selectboard voted on April 27 th .
Joan Falcao – term expires 9/2027
Mark Naud (Chair) – term expires 9/2028
Bridget Kerr – term expires 9/2029
Bridget volunteered to be Clerk. And recommended a vice-Chair.
Joan asked if other town residents could engage…but it is limited by state statute. Jens could be
engaged to discuss options. Mark will reach out to Alex Connizzo to start with and
copy Bridget.
Green Up day follow-up – We only received bag counts from two haulers. The bag location and
distribution at Worthen library worked well. Bob will reach out to the state coordinator about
blue bags for recyclable materials.
Lavin Vision Steering Committee follow-up – June 14 Community Walk event 2p with rain date
of June 20th. Nate had mowed a loop path around for the walk. And there was discussion of
connecting that loop with the trail adjacent the school.
NWRPC will be reworking the map to include a topo and wayfinding points for orienting people
to the site. Materials are available on the NWRPC website for the project
https://www.nrpcvt.com/municipalities/south-hero/south-hero-lavin-vision-project/ .
Members were invited to attend without any advocacy for any specific outcome, though
members can attend, share the Commission work to date with the Community Values
Mapping outcomes, and the draft Forest Management Plan produced by Charlie
Hancock.
Members suggested that the areas should be delineated…where wastewater, wetlands, and other
natural, physical, or parcel boundaries.
CC Membership – additional recruitment. There was discussion about using the walk and event
as a recruiting tool for the commission, and using the draft forest management plan as a
discussion piece for engagement. Mark will draft a piece for the event from the CC and
encourage resident engagement, and it can be used for talking points at the event. We can post on
FPF and also Islander. Handout or cards for the CC?
Next Meeting June 16th
Adjourn – Meeting adjourned at 6:15p. Bob moved, Bridget 2d.