Conservation Commission Minutes - 2024-05-29

Durham Conservation Commission (DCC) Meeting Minutes, Wednesday May 29, 2024, 6:35 to 8 PM, Durham Eureka Center DCC Attending Members: Chairperson, Jess Costa (JC), Michael Friendly (MF), Samantha Cuccaro (SC) and Roberta Brezinski (RB)

Guest Attendees: John Talbot (JT) of Durham Planning Board (DPB), Stephen Brezinski (non-member taking notes), Durham residents Mr. & Mrs. Hagar

Ø Went over and approved DCC Minutes of 4/17/2024.

Ø JC and JT went over the discussions at recent Select Board policy workshop with board and committee chairpersons. Projects and applications with potential environmental impacts such as a proposed 13-home subdivision on Bowie Hill Road, were discussed. There will be a site walk. Date TBA. A formal public hearing will take place. Final project plan will be submitted in August or September.

Ø JT updated that DPB approved a Central Maine Power (CMP) project to install new taller powerline structures.

Ø The Select Board has chosen the following priorities for the Conservation Commission; Resource Protection Map Update, Open Space Plan (if grant money is obtained), Solar Energy Systems Part 2 (If no funding for Open Space Plan, coordinate with Agriculture Group), DCC will work with the Planning Board on public meetings for the resource protection changes.

Ø RB reports that, at this time, we do not know whether we received a Community Resilience Partnership grant for open space planning. RB met with Durham school principal Piden regarding potential student involvement.

Ø Discussed Resource Protection for Blanding's Turtle in Durham’s Runaround Pond area. At a property owner’s request, a state biologist reevaluated the area. No observations have been reported for many years. Based on these findings, the area no longer contains rare, threatened, or endangered animals and state maps have been amended.

Ø Two DCC members are to attend joint meetings with Durham Planning Board members to update the Resource Protection District boundaries based on new maps provided to the Town by Beginning with Habitat.

Ø RB mentioned the Invasive Plant warning sign at Runaround Pond is missing. She has arranged to pick up a replacement.