Harrisville Conservation Commission
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Meeting Minutes

The Harrisville Conservation Commission held a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at town hall and by zoom.

Agenda and minutes – Members approved the agenda and the meeting minutes of December 2021 and January 2022.

Budget hearing and town meeting prep – For the upcoming Select Board Budget Hearing and for Town Meeting, the HCC will be prepared to address any questions about the proposed new line item in their budget for invasive species management.

Recycle Center Committee– Kathy Scott reported that the committee will meet the second Tuesday of every month from 5 – 7pm, except for the month of March when they will not meet due to Town Meeting. To date, members include Kathy Scott, Courtney Cox and Connie White.

Next week, the committee will meet with Randy and Phyllis Tarr to get their input. Between now and the April meeting, committee members are connecting with Mary Armstrong and others who are researching plastics, and are looking to identify experts in other areas. Members are also researching the process for materials once they leave Harrisville. The HCC is anticipated to be pulled into the fold in late spring.

Harry Wolhandler expressed interest in focusing on educating people to recycle correctly. The Chair believes that can happen sooner and would like to start sooner. Winston Sims agreed, particularly for visitor signage regarding sorting before arriving, and parking in the appropriate place for discarding items. Mr. Wolhandler shared a proposed traffic flow map. Members also reviewed educational posters previously created. Kathy Scott prefers that the HCC await committee recommendations before starting communications outreach.

Lake Host & Weed Watcher Updates
The Chair noted he spoke to Sarah Bockus about the possibility of an intern and also to Barbara Watkins about the Silver Lake Lake Host program. The HCC will further discuss weed watching in April, with the goal of getting more people involved in weed watching and of working with lake associations to recruit from lakefront and elsewhere in town.

Reports on actions of other boards and committees
SB – The board is focused on Town Meeting preparation.

PB – No updates from the Planning Board

HDC – The HDC is actively recruiting new members, as four are rolling off. After two public hearings, the HDC adopted its new regulations. An application for CLG (Certified Local Government) status is under way. This could foster town eligibility for historic preservation grant money for town-owned historic buildings as well as provide the HDC with access to technical expertise.

Trails Committee – The committee is discussing reinforcing Eastview Trail bridge by the parking area off Hancock road next fall. A memorial hike for Rich Taylor, longtime member who passed away recently, is planned for March 19, from 9 am -10 am along the North Pond trail. Separately, Harry Wolhandler noted that he also spoke to Sarah Bockus about identifying ecological areas along the North Pond trail. He will put together a proposal and description on this.

Historic Harrisville – HHI continues its work running electricity down Mill Alley for the solar installation

Wetland/Shoreland permits – Don Scott reported that he checked the state website for shoreland and wetland permits. He noted DES’s approval for the Eastside Road property owners repairing a wall and beach area.

The meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.