Meeting Vassalboro Conservation Commission
Minutes of September 13, 2012 Meeting
Present: Mary Ellen Johnston, Paul Mitnik

The meeting began at 7:00. Mary Ellen mentioned that the Town’s Forest Plan is ten years old and needs to be renewed. We plan to apply for a grant to renew the plan next year.

The project canopy grant was discussed. We must submit the grant by October 22. Someone needs to attend the grant workshop. Mary Ellen went last year. Steve and Mary Ellen will fill out and submit grant.

Paul discussed the canoe trip down the Kennebec River on August 18th. Six kayaks and one canoe went down the river from Seven Mile Stream to the Augusta East Side Boat Launch. The trip was postponed Saturday due to rain and scheduled for Sunday. We would have had five more boats if done on Saturday. The weather was perfect on Sunday. Whacking down the weeds beforehand by Paul was important for easier access. The trip was deemed a success. The steep bank adjacent to Seven Mile Stream posed the most difficulty in hand carrying boats from the parking lot to the water.

Paul plans to meet with DEP in the near future at the site to discuss feasibility of different options. The best option appears to be a straight path with steps at two of the steep areas. The steep bank of Seven Mile Stream poses a real challenge to engineer a foot path that will hold up to spring water flows and runoff.

Mary Ellen mentioned the development of the natural resources / open space inventory which we hope to work on this winter. Mary Ellen mentioned that she cannot meet on October 11 and would like to meet on the 18th.

The meeting ended at 8:30.

Respectively submitted
Paul Mitnik, Secretary