Notes from the Agriculture and Forestry Commission, January 3, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Matt Boudreau, Chair
• Lisa Bozzuto
• Erik Rasmussen
• Shelby Marshall, Alternate
• Abigale Fredsall, Alternate

1. Minutes approved as written.
2. Fredsall, newly appointed, is a recent graduate of UMASS School of Agriculture.
3. Stewardship Grants are available for care and maintenance of Town forests. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is the granting authority.
4. The Commission also questioned if there might be Community Preservation Act funds available? Some thought it was too late to apply for this year
5. Some suggestions for grant applications would be: Managing an Old Growth Forest (Ice Glen); Managing Invasives in our Forests; Managing Logging in Town Forests (Lake Averic/Reservoir).
6. Apparently, there is a requirement for the forest to be 9 acres or more to qualify for a grant. The suggestions were: Gould Meadows, George Ripley Park, and the forest north of Lily Pond.
7. The Chair suggested action steps:
   1. Reach out to Water Superintendent Mike Buffoni about Averic Reservoir
   2. Marshall to reach out to Gould Meadow representatives (Tim Minkler, Arthur Dutil, and Ron Brouker)
   3. Chair to find representative to discuss the George Ripley Park
8. There is a natural treatment for ash borer beetle. Treatment requires an area of more than 40 acres, a certain density of ash trees, and low human activity to qualify. It involves introduction of wasps that eat the borers.
9. Continue the application process to become a Tree City
10. When will dedication of Old Growth Forest take place? (Ask Select Board)
11. Bylaw change to allow Marshall and Fredsall to be members of Commission rather than alternates (requires change in number of members on Commission).

Meeting adjourned

Perfect skating conditions yesterday on the Bowl. Photo: Patrick White