Westport Island Conservation Commission

Minutes of May 21, 2009 Meeting

 

 

Members present:  Bill Hopkins, Sandy Hopkins, Dennis Dunbar, Carol Way

 

Guest:  Chris Chapman (student)

 

Secretary’s Report:  Draft Minutes of April 23, 2009 meeting were approved.

 

Spring Newsletter:  Dennis distributed and members approved final draft.

 

Riverbank Hydro Storage Project:  Bill and Dennis reviewed the May 7th informal meeting they attended with the Riverbank Wiscasset Energy Center regarding license requirements. 

 

Island Clean-Up Day:  Commission agreed we would periodically follow-up this activity in Brenda’s weekly newspaper column.

 

Clough Point Clean-up:  Trails have been maintained.  It was noted that two picnic tables should be replaced by next year. Carol Way will continue putting out the plant signs, as the species appear.

 

Land Conservation Issues:

  • Land Trusts – Commission continued discussing draft of the “Requirements for Non-profit Exemption for Land Trusts on Westport Island  Dennis will send the draft to the County Planner. 
  • Possible “workshop” on conservation for landowners, e.g. Camden, May 27 at 7 p.m.
  • Dennis attended the Land Conservation Conference.  Shared info about “Conservation Subdivision Ordinance” – Falmouth has one.  Rum Cove is one.
  • Discussed interest in upcoming available property on Westport Island that would ideally be purchased for ”conservation only”.

 

Development of Open Space Plan: 

  • Talk to Planning Board?
  • Create a map?
  • Land for Maine’s Future would come back to us with an update of GIS maps?
  • Initiate plan this summer?  (thoughts from Dennis)

 

Other Business:

  • Discussed old dump property – well testing.
  • Accident Insurance for volunteers.
  • Vernal Pool identification.  Dennis stated 13 towns are doing a survey.

 

The next meeting will be held on June 18, 2009 at 7 p.m.