During the meeting, the commission addressed the significant funding requirements for their projects, currently estimated at $38,810. A portion of this, totaling $24,000, has been secured through the NRWA Marian Stoddard Greenway funds and TESSA, leaving an estimated $125,000 still needed. The commission expressed optimism for additional grants, including potential funds from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, which could contribute to stewardship funding.

The meeting also involved a detailed review of the budget, with discussions highlighting technical issues in the budget spreadsheet. A request was made for someone to resolve these formula discrepancies. The budget review revealed changes from a previous version, now including distinct lines for deed research and survey setup, totaling $19,000. Additional funds were allocated for field surveys and property line marking, bringing the total to $24,000 for those phases. Indirect project costs were discussed, including stewardship, legal defense, and baseline documentation, set at $8,000.

The commission discussed the status of presentations made to various boards, such as the planning board and the board of water commissioners. However, the recreation commission’s inability to meet due to a lack of quorum was noted, which raised concerns about the timeline for upcoming elections and potential write-in candidates. There was also a consideration of presenting information at the upcoming town meeting. However, some members were hesitant, preferring to wait until more information was available. As an alternative, hosting an event at the library was proposed, seen as a viable way to engage the community without waiting for the town meeting.

In relation to the Conservation Restriction (CR), the conversation noted the importance of clarifying rules for recreational activities in conservation areas. Sledding was discussed as a possible addition to allowed activities during winter months when snow cover is sufficient. However, the challenge of measuring snow depth and the risk of sledding on sandy areas during other seasons was acknowledged.

The commission also underscored the necessity of obtaining concrete timelines for their projects. There was a shared interest in ensuring effective communication with Misa, involved in the review process, with a tentative deadline set for mid-May. If communication with Misa had not progressed by then, it was suggested that reaching out to Mike Jones at Natural Heritage might expedite the process. However, caution was advised to avoid circumventing Misa.