Westport Island Conservation Commission

Minutes of October 16, 2008 Meeting

 

 

Members present:  Bill Hopkins, Sandy Hopkins, Dana Cromwell, John Nelson, Carol Way

 

Guest:  Kyle DePietro

 

Secretary’s Report:  Draft Minutes of September 18, 2008 meeting were approved.

 

Signs:   

  • Bill said Conservation signs are made and will be going up soon.
  • Signs at Squam Creek regarding shellfish beds were made by the State to inform the public that the beds are closed for any harvesting.

 

Inland Fish & Wildlife:  At a special Planning Board meeting on September 27th, Rich Baker of the IFW discussed IFW area designations.  He informed the Board that the town must now designate our Resource Protection Zone areas.  The Planning Board is already working on designated areas. Bill noted that the Federal Regulations are already in effect and apply even if the Town isn’t ready.  Westport Island must adapt the new regulations in June 2009.

 

Wiscasset Tidal Power Project:  Bill distributed copies of the Motion to Intervene letter that was sent to FERC by the Selectmen stating that this Commission would like to be the Intervener and monitor this project regarding the Wiscasset Tidal Power Project.  Selectmen also emailed FERC and received a reply that we are an “intervener in process” for the water turbine project.  Bill also distributed an overview of how this turbine project produces electricity.

 

Conservation Lands Review:  Not discussed due to Dennis’ absence.

 

New Projects 2008/2009:

  • Clough Point trails need to be cleaned up a bit.  There has also been some erosion.
  • Carol is looking into signs to identify trees/flowers.
  • Commission agreed a property boundary sign and two more Clough Point signs need to be made to better identify trails.  Bill will have Fairfield’s construct these signs.
  • Discussion about printing a Conservation Newsletter in the spring.  Possible topics are conserving lands, Clough Point, N/S Trail and home heating.

 

Field Trip – Greenleaf Rd.:  Five Commission members walked a potential new trail area on September 28th in the Greenleaf Road area.  Some of the property is owned by Maine Yankee, and some is privately owned.  Dana will approach Ken Colby and possibly invite him to a meeting to discuss what type of trails this Commission would like to build.  Also discussed was possibility of requesting a grant in 2009-10 for the bog area.

 

Next Meeting:  Thursday, November 20, 2008 at Westport Island Town office at 7 p.m.