Notes from the Agriculture and Forestry Commission, August 29, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Matt Boudreau, Chair
• Lia Bozzuto
• Shelby Marshall
• Erik Rasmussen and Abbigail Fredsall via Zoom
• Patrick White, Select Board Chair

1. Minutes of the previous meeting approved as corrected.
2. White was asked about grants received for Ice Glen.
   1. $70,000 is reimbursement grant so once money is spent for the tree injections, Town is reimbursed.
   2. Bozzuto asked about the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant. Marshall remembered the work was done for the MVP grant and then "handed to Michael". No one knew what happened then? Did Canales submit application?
   3. Chair said it would be helpful if Canales could attend meetings and answer questions
3. Bozzuto reported all work is done for application for Stockbridge to be a USA Tree City except a tree report. The tree report is prepared by the Tree Warden. It has two parts: number of trees cut down and number replanted. Deadline is December 31, 2022.
4. Bozzuto wanted help reaching Tree Warden. Chair said he spoke to him, and he was enthusiastic, but this is his busiest season. There is still time.
5. Farmer's Market: Chair would like to bring idea to SB. White suggested the September 22 SB meeting. The Commission needs approval of $10,000 for a Farmer's Market manager to get it started. It is hoped it will be self-sustaining after that.
6. White was asked about progress treating trees in Ice Glen. He reported treatment of ash trees went well. Treatment of hemlocks was too slow. There are two forms of injection and the low bidder used the slow method. Only 47 trees were treated. Consultant Ken Gooch suggested requiring faster method in any future grant and mixing injection and bark spray now with money left in this grant. Bozzuto was concerned about spraying — are there regulations/abutters concerns?
7. Bozzuto said old growth trees "sequester" more carbon that new re-plants. What can we do to manage all old growth woods in Stockbridge? Chair said sometimes the very best is doing nothing. Another suggestion was a forest manager for the old growth forests. Rasmussen said the 367 acres around Lake Averic (the reservoir) is managed by Water and Sewer and should be left to them.
8. Chair introduced the American Farmland Trust that produced updated soil maps. In future, to qualify for grants and designations, a farm will be required to have 50% or more of certain soils

Meeting adjourned

Photo: Joan Gallos