TOWN OF SOUTH HERO
Conservation Commission Meeting
Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at 6:30 P.M.
at the South Hero Town Office
and via Zoom
Meeting Minutes
Members attending: Bob Fireovid, Cynthia Kelley, Bridget Kerr, Mark Naud, Cristin Lemieux
Pullis
Additional attendees: Emily Alger, SHLT
1) Call to Order – Bridget called the meeting to order at 6:35p.
2) Finalize the Agenda – Emily and Mark requested that action items be moved to the front
of the agenda given some conflicts with the later portion of the meeting.
3) Public Input (items not on the agenda) – No public attendees or comments.
4) Continuation of CC Work Plan Discussion – Emily presented the SHLT Phase 1 Natural
Resource Inventory proposal and project budget. The proposal was provided to the
Commission with the meeting packet and agenda. Bob asked whether the “activities” of
the project could be tracked within the project, to provide an awareness of how much
time it took to provide the various components achieved. SHLT is not interested in the
additional detail of activities-based accounting as a component of the proposal. Mark
and Bob further discussed the value of the activities-based accounting, and whether
prioritizing one component over the other (i.e. Natural resources v. recreation) was an
important aspect of the project. There was general agreement to move forward with
the project. Bridget noted that she would like to have the NRI not be the sole work
product of the CC, and would like to see some tangible educational projects for the year,
i.e. Kestrel data and habitat. Bob moved t, to hat the CC accept the proposal, Cristin 2d.
Unanimous Consent. Cristin suggested we explore a long-term funding program to
provide for acquisitions of parcels or easements, i.e. for trail connectivity or lakeshore
access, to fulfill the goals of the Commission and the values expressed in the Community
Values Mapping event.
5) Brief Report on AVCC Virtual Summit—CC Projects/Listserv on NRIs – Bridget noted a
few projects for consideration that other CCs performed in their towns,
6) CC Budget Proposal (for Dec. 11 Selectboard Meeting) – The commission discussed a
budget that included a Conservation Commission contribution to the SHLT NRI project.
Funds for a Kestrel habitat/VINS presentation/nesting box construction and placement,
and funds for AVCC membership, event attendance, commission professional education,
and general outreach. Cynthia moved to approve a budget proposal of $3500.00 for FY
24 and to present to the Selectboard Dec. 11, 2023. Mark 2d. Unanimous consent. Bob
moved to join AVCC with $50.00 fees in January 2024. Cristin 2d. Unanimous consent.
7) Approve minutes from October 17 meeting – Cristin moved to approve the draft
minutes. Bob 2d. Cynthia abstained, otherwise unanimous.
8) Town Report FY Write-Up – Bridget shared her draft of the Town report. Mark moved to
accept as revised. Cristin 2d. Unanimous consent.
9) Follow-up on Town Email Discussion – There was no meaningful resolution to the
question of commission social media protocol or e-mail, except that it costs too much
for additional e-mails. The commission agreed to move forward with a Facebook page
for the commission.
10) Preparation for Next Meeting – Tuesday Dec. 19, 2023
11) Adjourn – Bridget adjourned the meeting at 8:10p.