The most pressing topic involved the commission’s unanimous decision to approve a certificate of compliance for Sand Hill Road. The property had an old order of conditions dating back to the early 1980s related to the construction of a bridge leading into the conservation area. The commission members engaged in a discussion about the compliance status, ultimately voting in favor of issuing the certificate, with one member abstaining due to a conflict of interest. This approval will enable the town to proceed with the property transaction.

In another significant matter, the commission discussed the potential departure of a recently approved new member, Todd, who might be moving out of town. This development would leave the commission with only four members. An outreach day organized by Susie Moer is scheduled for October 6, where the commission plans to set up a table at Town Hall to distribute flyers related to wetlands protection and recruit new members.

The meeting also covered various site visits and inspections. One notable inspection was at the Dudleyville dam site on August 28, where the dam had been removed, and the surrounding land graded, seeded, and mulched. The commission is awaiting sufficient rainfall to see if the grass will grow. Another inspection involved a stream crossing at the Houston Gage Conservation site, confirming the presence of a single-span bridge with concrete abutments, which had been permitted earlier.

Additionally, the commission evaluated a proposal for a conservation restriction on a 14-acre parcel from Mark Whitman. This proposal aims to preserve the land while allowing for specific uses. The commission noted the parcel was well-marked and aesthetically pleasing. Discussions are ongoing to ensure compliance with previous orders of conditions regarding trail designations at the Kro Land Trust’s trails.

During another site visit on South Laurel Drive, a request to remove several Arborvitae hedges within the buffer zone was discussed, with potential replacement plans under consideration. The commission also scheduled a site visit for a building permit request on Wendle Road.

A point of discussion was the management of the Top of the Lake project, nearing completion with installations such as stone steps, parking spaces, and signage. A native plant garden and a picnic bench have been added. There remains a balance of $360 in funding, and the commission deliberated whether to retain or return this amount to the Community Preservation Act (CPA). Concerns about invasive species, particularly glossy buckthorn, were raised, with suggestions to issue a mowing plan to the highway department.

The Southbrook project, also known as the Lake Wola/Southbrook Conservation Area, was another focus. A consultant had mapped trails within this area, and there remains $1,000 in funding. The commission is considering taking over the management of this project, with suggestions from a former commissioner outlining various recommendations for trail improvements and management. The commission is also exploring the possibility of retaining remaining funds for future invasive species management.

There was an emphasis on clarifying who would prepare this baseline documentation and what it would encompass. The commission discussed the feasibility of collecting a small management fee when accepting conservation restrictions, with a figure of $5,000 mentioned as a potential management fee based on practices from other conservation trusts. This fee could provide a financial cushion for necessary site walks or annual assessments.

The commission also reviewed the minutes from their last meeting, approving the minutes from August 22 unanimously. The secretary mentioned intentions to finalize and update several pending minutes for public access.