2/10/2011 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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i Conservation Commission Minutes of February 10, 2011 Public Hearings Ma tepee Town Hall - conference Doom Commissioners: Vice Chairman Ralph Shaw, Brad Sweet, Lloyd Allen, John Rogers Staff Present: Drew McManus (conservation Agent) and Iris carpenter (Administrative Secretary) Call Meeting To Order. 6.55 pm - Public Comment Pre/Pt Hearing Agenda: 1 Minutes: Approval of the following minutes: Thursday, January 27, 2011 Vice Chairman Shaw-states that a quorum i needed to approve the minutes and there is not one since he was not present for the January-27 th hearings. The Agent states that they will approve the minutes at the next meeting on February 2 : 2011. 2 Update on efa Partnership.Meeting at WBNERR, , o I .E. cottontail: The New England cottontail Study is in progress. The NE cottontail is a possible listing candidate.for the Endangered Species Act. Volunteers have been doing habitat studies in Mahpee as well as ether parts of the cape to find out what the range i . They have been setting up trappings in Pine Barrens and the Santuit Pond Reserve as well a other areas throughout the refuge. They have trapped approximately 2 rabbits and only about a quarter of those turned out to be NE Cottontail (the Eastern Cottontail is almost identical in the field). o Gates/Parking Areas (Pine Barrens, Jehu Pond & Noisy Hole)—The Pine Barrens has been undergoing a lot of road side clearing in the interest-of wildfire safety as well as the creation of buffer zones around the Holland Mills neighborhood, Dover Road and Greenwood Road. Now that the roads are more open, it is more tempting for vehicle dumping and other illegal activities. It is recommended that temporary barriers might be placed in these areas to discourage vehicle traffic. Agent McManus references his discussion with chief Baker and how valuable gates are as a management tool. The Agent is seeking permission from the Commission to get a proposal.for several gates (instead of one gate at a time) and Mr. Sweet requests a budget report before making decisions. o Camera —To be placed in areas where it is a problem to put gates and where they are easily vandalized. One area of concern is John's Pond which is most problematic. ; 3) Update on conservation Land Subcommittee Meetinq with Chief Collins: The discussion focused mostly on John's Pond and what can be done about the activities like dumping, parties and vandalism which are mostly concentrated in the sand pits. There is a lot of ATI! and motor cross riding in the bogs area. The main concern is the Quashnet Fiver Realignment Project and they will require some kind of control in the area so that they do not have to worry about vandalism while working on the project. chief Collins recommended installing gates on some of the off- hoot roads which-should be placed in such a way that they can not be pulled out by chain/truck and then to back them up with cameras. It is also recommended to increase the volunteer presence. The Chief states that due to budget constraints he cannot dedicate a patrol presence out there every weekend.