2023-03-06-ConCom-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Meeting broadcasted by LexMedia PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Conservation Commission ___________________________________________________________________________ AGENDA Monday, March 6, 2023, 6:30 p.m. This Conservation Commission meeting was held remotely via Zoom, an online meeting platform. Public Participation via calling in or using your computer was encouraged. Commissioners Present: Kevin Beuttell, Alex Dohan, Philip Hamilton (Chairman), Jason Hnatko, Ruth Ladd and Holly Samuels (not present: Duke Bitsko) Staff Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Director, Amber Carr, Conservation Coordinator, and Meghan McNamara, Conservation Department Assistant 6:30 PM New Business/Pending Matters Continued discussion on story walk installation at Parker Meadow Conservation area Mr. Hamilton recapped that the Commission has been provided with verbal comments from a public meeting and written comments submitted from late January to present. A majority of the comments received were in favor of removing the story boards and a significant minority were in favor of leaving the storyboards where they currently are. The Commission is discussing how to proceed with the following options: leave the installation as is, leave the installation in place for a designated period (possibly 6 months or 1 year), reduce the number of storyboards (cannot be below 20 and still act as storyboards per the Library), change the location of some boards to reduce the density, any combination of these options, or remove the story boards altogether. Ms. Ladd asked if the boards could be relocated to more forested areas of the property or if the number of boards could be minimized. Mr. Hnatko stated that he would like to see how the boards look in the Spring and Summer when the vegetation has grown in. Ms. Dohan stated that she likes the concept of drawing more visitors to the Conservation area, and that the boards should be left in place for at least one year before putting more effort into the removal or redesign. Mr. Beuttell stated that it is unlikely that the public will have a big turnaround after living with the storyboards for now, and that a group should provide specific recommendations on how the layout should change, and work with Library staff. Ms. Samuels stated that she understands the value of literacy but that it is too much built structure in a wild area, and she would be inclined to have the boards removed. Mr. Hamilton stated that he is in favor of leaving the boards in place for 6 months to 1 year to explore mitigation options and understand how the boards interfere with the natural experience of Parker Meadow. Ms. Koren Stembridge, Library Director, stated that Mr. David Pinsonneault, DPW Director, has agreed and would be willing to remove and relocate any of the story boards.