Chester Conservation Committee Meeting Notes April 3, 2018

Present: Dave, Arne, Nena, John, Stephanie, Ken, Gary, Evan, Bill, Melissa, Jay, and Frank

Here are the notes:

-Gary shared the balance. We're over $1000.00!

-The photo contest did not go as planned. We'll probably try again.

-Jay B. suggested naming a bridge or trail after Irwin Post. Some sort of memorial. Gary hiked the Lost Mine Trail and thought of naming the Ascutney view spot, the "Irwin Post Lookout". We could build a bench and include a plaque about the contributions that Irwin made. Stephanie said she would be willing to look into a plaque. Dave will explore getting a cut tree bench and Jay will look into getting/building stone bench. Melissa suggested we check in with Brian Post regarding a stone bench. This is a project that is coming together.

-Brian Post from The Stone Trust will be Rotary First Thursday Speaker, June 7th at the Fullerton.

-Trail Update: Lost Mine and Butternut are looking good, going to get muddy.

-Herrick's Cove: May 6th - We're going to pass on this year.

-Fall Festival - Sept. 15th/16th: Nena and Jay are going to redo the posters. Ken is going to update the maps. Stephanie is going to get some more pictures of the trails. Please save the date and plan on taking a shift at our booth.

-Green Up Day: Frank explained about PSA and the details for this year. The information is going out in the next week or so to community members that are part of organizing an area in town. The dumpster will be in place in early May with bags available at Erskine's, Chester Hardware, Town Hall, and CAES. If there are questions, email Frank ([email protected]).

-Water Quality Testing: The Williams River will be tested for various water quality parameters every other week through the summer. The information presented to the public is the E.coli number. E.coli is a common bacterium that is part of every mammal's digestive system. It is important to note that E.coli is an indicator species of potential contamination. It is hard to make it site specific. The results we get will be shared with the Town Office and also posted at Rainbow Rock and the Softball Field. If anyone is interested in helping with the water quality testing, let Frank know ([email protected]). More information coming in early May.

-GM Conservation Camp Scholarship: 12 year old from CAES is awarded the 1/2 scholarship. Gary will contact the family.

-Pinnacle Chalet: Gary shared a few 1970s photographs of the Pinnacle Engine House being built. The current building is being renovated into a pavilion style "chalet".

Canopy Grant: Gary shared a brief update of the tree program. Scott Wunderle is taking the lead on the project. There are three sites that might need landowner approval. The priority projects are going to hopefully be "shovel" ready.

-Discussion of some of the options for the Town Garage relocation - the public is invited to share ideas at the next Chester Town Planning Meeting.

-Pocket Park: The plan is in place for putting in a pocket park with access from the south side (High St.). The park will be at the end of School Street.

-Disc Golf Tournament during Alumni Weekend. Gary and Dave, representing Rotary, are working on that project.

-FK will be collecting maps and routes to share with Ken W. The goal is to develop a network of mountain bike, running, and road rides in the area.

-Ken has access to very detailed, contour/topographic maps of the area. He'll be using them to develop maps and/or guides.

-GM did an Enchanted Forest. It worked and there will be a chance for them to do it again next year. The goal is for them (GM) to continue to run with it.

-Select Board will contact the landowners (VT Forestry Foundation) about the forest that abuts the Pinnacle Property. Cersosimo has right of first refusal, so there are some details to be worked out.

Next meeting: May 1st.