Harrisville Conservation Commission
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Meeting Minutes

The Conservation Commission held a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at town offices and via zoom.

Members present:  Harry Wolhandler, Kathy Scott, Don Scott, Ralph Zingaro
Attendees: John Sandri

The meeting opened at 7:00 pm. 

Agenda – Members approved the agenda as presented.

Minutes of March meeting – Members approved as submitted.

Welcome – The HCC welcomed John Sandri as a prospective member attending the meeting to observe. The board explained the appointment process should Mr. Sandri express interest in joining.

Invasive species – For the May 3 meeting, the HCC will invite Lake Associations with weed watcher programs to attend to discuss their Lake Host programs, as it did last year. Town funds in the amount of $5K are available for invasive species management as part of the HCC budget.

Scott & Deirdre Oliver, as co-Chairs of Agricultural Commission, will also be invited, along with their committee members, to attend the May meeting. The HCC looks forward to working with this reactivated committee and discussing beekeeping as it relates to managing knotweed, as well as other opportunities to collaborate.

The Chair mentioned a study he read on the environmental costs of managing knotweed, and on treatment of Japanese knotweed and the lifecycle of process. The study concludes that glyphosate is the least intrusive and most sustainable control method. The HCC will begin trial treatments through a variety of methods this year, when the weather warms up. HCC members discussed Dublin’s input from their experience treating it, and the importance of monitoring during the treatment process.

Rain Garden – The Garden Party is scheduled for Saturday, April 29, from 10 am-1 pm at the Rain Garden at the Harrisville Pond boat ramp on Prospect Street.  Information is included in the upcoming issue of Common Threads. The HCC has requested native plant donations and also will provide some for planting that day, after which celebratory snacks will be provided.

Kathy Scott will check with SB whether electricity line is still hooked up to the old fire station and will share HCC’s request to connect a water pump, owned by the Chair, for use of lake water for boaters to wash their boats.

Kathy confirmed that the town’s groundskeeper will help weed the rain garden area on town-owned property.

Earth Day Roadside Cleanup – Saturday, April 22 – An item was submitted to Common Threads. Posters are going up around town. Harry Wolhandler will check with Les LaMois to see if he has extra roadside cleanup bags. Residents are asked to dispose of the roadside trash with their household garbage.

Wetlands Protection Ordinance (Article XII) – HCC members have requested to revisit the 100’ setback requirement for a primary dwelling and will review and recommend language to the Planning Board to allow for more options for property owners with wetlands on their properties.  The PB’s ordinance review committee will be reactivated this year to consider this and other proposed amendments.  One idea is to adopt a 50’ setback requirement. The HCC will seek feedback from Jeff Littleton, Brett Thelen and Charles Sorenson. The HCC will revisit at its June meeting.

Don Scott shared a graph from the Planners Guide to Wetland Buffers of soil types and how much sediment is picked up depending on distance from wetland and type of soil. He also explained linear wetlands and possibly, in a proposed amendment, differentiating between linear wetlands of 10’ width or less. The HCC likes the idea, for certain special exceptions, of requiring a wetlands scientist, and review and input by the Con Com prior to ZBA consideration.

Don Scott will share links to information, sample wetland buffer information, he found in his research. 

Con Com Membership / Leadership – The HCC voted unanimously to recommend John Sandri as a new member to the HCC and will submit its recommendation to the Select Board.

Harry Wolhandler noted he expressed interest to the SB in being reappointed to the HCC as his term was up in March. Don Scott moved to reappoint Harry to Chair, Ralph Zingaro seconded. All in favor. Harry Wolhandler nominated Don Scott as Vice Chair. Ralph Zingaro seconded. All voted in favor.  The HCC voted unanimously in favor to name Ralph Zingaro Secretary. Kathy Scott will continue as liaison to Historic Harrisville.

Reports on actions of other town committees and environmental groups
Select Board – RFP will be drafted for a solar project.

Hazard Mitigation Plan – The committee is in the final stage of review for updating plan.

Historic Harrisville – The HHI Annual Incorporators meeting is Saturday, April 22.

Community Power – Community Power is under way. Kathy Scott encouraged ratepayers to research the best option available.

Planning Board – A lot line adjustment application is under review.

Trails Committee – The TC will meet in the next couple of weeks to schedule 2023 cleanup from storm damage.

The meeting adjourned at 9:20 pm.