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TOWN OF EDGECOMB SCHMID ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES

November 16, 2005, Town Hall

  1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 7:08 p.m. Committee members present were Andy Abello, Jo Cameron, Bob Leone and Deborah Sondergaard. Janet Blevins, Katharine Braid, Faith Coakley, Barry Hathorne, John Markowski, Amanda Russell and Betty Twarog were also present.

     

    Public Input:

    Amanda Russell said that she had not been successful in finding sources of grant money for the $4900 still owed to the Woods End Land Fund. She suggested sending out a mailing after the holidays soliciting 50 $100 pledges or selling wreaths at Treats. Bob Leone suggested targeting some of the larger companies in the area such as the banks and Hannaford for matching funds. Janet Blevins suggested that the appeal refer to consolidating the land rather than paying off the loan. Amanda Russell will draft a letter and the committee will come up with a list of contacts for potential sponsors. It was suggested that donors' names could be put on the kiosk, maps, etc. Betty Twarog mentioned the advantage of acting before the end of the year for those donors who might want a tax deduction.

     

  2. Chairman’s Report - Bob Leone
    1. Review of Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting (No. 5a) were corrected to indicate the pruning workshop was scheduled for November 20.
    2. Next meeting: January 18, 2006
  3. Selectman’s Report - Jo Cameron

      Jo Cameron reported that Boothbay Regional Land Trust has a verbal agreement with trustees of the Church estate to purchase the104-acre Church property following final approval by Lands for Maine's Future. A public hearing will be held on November 22 in Augusta. The transaction is expected to be completed by March 31. All liens on the Lallis property were legally terminated when the Town foreclosed on this 90-acre tract. BRLT intends to have a survey of the property done in order to obtain title insurance and Edgecomb may be asked to share the cost.

      BRLT will convey the Church property to the Town at no cost pending Town Meeting approval and subject to the requirement by the LFMF Board that it be kept ever available for conservation and recreation purposes. Tree harvesting could be allowed according to BRLT as other BRLT properties have forest management programs. BRLT will seek additional LFMF access improvement funds for parking and a trail head. Management will be the responsibility of the Town inasmuch as the Church property will become an addition to the Schmid Preserve.

      In return for the Church property, BRLT will receive from Edgecomb a conservation easement on the Lallis property and authority to manage for timber harvesting. BRLT will have rights and responsibility for a trail leading from McKay Road to the Zak Preserve. The Town will be able to sell off a portion of the Lallis property as two-acre house lots with deeds restricting their use in compliance with BRLT's conservation easement terms providing protection for all parties. Selectman Rodd Hopper has requested that this exchange be planned out on paper with a map of the Lallis property before the 2006 Town Meeting.

      Rupert Neily said that BRLT's preference was that the land remain as green as possible and any house lots made from the Lallis property run along McKay Road. Selectman Frank Perkins pointed out that Sharon Dowd has well beyond her property line and Jo Cameron suggested that access to the well be traded for the area containing the big elm tree. Jo added that this area has been leased to Ms. Dowd's son. Ron Neily and Jerry Bley will attend the committee's January 18, 2006 meeting.

      Bob Leone said that funds to purchase the Church property will come from MFLF to BRLT. The value of the easement may be counted as matching funds offsetting the money coming to BRLT for the Church property. In response to Barry Hathorne's question, Bob Leone said that BRLT would like Edgecomb to consider using funds from tree harvesting on the Church property for management expenses. The Committee will make a recommendation to the Selectmen.

  4. Land Acquisition, Boundaries and Roads - David Tonry
    1. Church/Lallis Property Update: See above.
    2. River~Link Update - No report
    3. Old County Road Update: Chris Bertin has moved a large boulder beside the gate on Old County Road, keeping vehicles from going around the gate. A sign was posted welcoming hunters but informing them that the gate was being kept closed because of the poor condition of the road.
  5. Public Relations and Stewardship - Andy Abello and Deb Sondergaard
    1. Old County Road Update: Chris Bertin has moved a large boulder beside the gate on Old County Road, keeping vehicles from going around the gate. A sign was posted welcoming hunters but informing them that the gate was being kept closed because of the poor condition of the road.
    2. Hunting Season Updates: There was report of only a few shots heard.
    3. Trail Maps and Brochures: Additional maps have been placed at both kiosks. Approximately $75 is spent per year on brochures.
    4. Kiosk Construction: Over the winter Bob Leone will contact the Tech Ed Department at Wiscasset High School to see if there is a group who would be willing to build a kiosk.
    5. Sign on Mt Hunger Road East: A sign which says "Mt. Hunger Road East - Schmid Preserve 500 feet ahead" will be posted where the road splits between the Undas' driveway and the road to the preserve.
  6. Trails - Jim Beam
    1. Bridge Construction: This will be a spring project.
    2. Trail Flagging - Southeast area of Preserve: Bob Leone and Deborah Sondergaard did a preliminary walk of the area and plan to flag it in the spring.
  7. Other Business

    The mowing reimbursement forms have been received and will be completed and returned to the Department of Agriculture

  8. Public Input and Comment

    None

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
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