Conservation Commission
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Meeting Minutes

Members present: Harry Wolhandler, Jordan Long, John Sandri, Ralph Zingaro, and Tom McGregor.  Absent: Don Scott
Attendees:  Dick McDonald
Recording Secretary: Mary Ann Noyer

The meeting opened at 3:10 pm.

Agenda Review / Approve Minutes – Members approved the agenda and minutes of the March meeting.

Earth Day Cleanup – Sign & Poster Distribution – Members took posters and signs to distribute around town to encourage cleanup.

Harrisville Hemlock Initiative

  • New York Hemlock Initiative – Ralph Zingaro shared highlights of his visit to Cornell to meet with entomology staff and observe their work using and studying Laricobious beetles to combat Hemlock disease. The app called iMapinvasives enables hikers to report sightings of all kinds. HCC feels Cornell’s success in the upstate NY region validates the ConCom’s work. Ralph will keep in touch with them.
  • The HCC noted the positive feedback from the Dublin Conservation Commission.
  • Harrisville has received $13K in beetles at no cost thanks to a generous donor.
  • Dick McDonald arrives sun 4/19. Field and lab work days planned for Mon, Tues, Wed of that week.  Maybe Dublin School students can help, or Harris Center staff/volunteers. Tom McGregor will follow up with Jenna Spears at the Harris Center.  HCC members will walk Eastside Road.
    Dick McDonald recommends a K-12 science project to get schools involved and raise awareness.

Motion – Harry Wolhandler moved to request reimbursement for costs he incurred up to $2K for shipments of beetles since January 2026. All voted in favor.
Motion – Harry moved to approve the invoice to reimburse Ralph Zingaro for his trip to Cornell in the amount of  $2549.47. All voted in favor.

HCC Membership – John Sandri and Harry Wolhandler both agreed to re-up for three more years.

Election of HCC Officers – Members voted unanimously in favor for Harry Wolhandler to continue as Chair and Don Scott to continue as Vice Chair.

Village Community Center – Jordan Long noted that the VCC website, harrisvillevcc.org, is up and running.  Many events are already on the calendar.  The Conservation Commission will host a presentation on the Hemlock Initiative at the VCC on Wednesday, April 22. The presentation will also be webcasted.

Adjournment – The meeting adjourned at 4:25 pm.