02/21/19 Minutes

Hollis Conservation Commission

Meeting Minutes

21 February 2019

Present:  John Mattor, Joanne Toone, Amy Farwell,  Doris Luther

1.  Minutes from 17 January 2019 approved.

2.  John received notice from Hollis town hall that they needed a report from the HCC for the      town report 2017-2018.  John has submitted the report.

3.  Update on the American Chestnut Project:  Joanne reported that she learned there is a faculty member at UNE who is on the Board of the Maine American Chestnut Association. The Association sells the trees through Fedco Seeds and donates $3.00 of the sale to the Chestnut Association.  They have to be ordered by March 1 and cost $22.00 a piece.  John suggested that we order 10 trees, 5 for Indian Cellar and 5 for Googins Woods.  John and Joanne will work on this.  Joanne will send a link to Fedco to the Commission.

4.  Indian Cellar Stewardship account:  We are making about $1000.00 per annum @ 3/4 of a percent.  Discussion ensued about putting some of our money into a government bond where it could earn 2 + 1/2%.  John will check into it.

5.  Public lands west of Killick Pond:  John had a discussion with a town employee and learned there are almost 1000 acres owned by the State National Guard.  The roads are gated, but ATVer’s and dirtbikers just go around them, so they are getting use of the land, while those respecting the signs are not.  John would like townspeople to have access to the property.  State Representative Don Morean has offered to come to a meeting to discuss options.  He may know who to contact to try to get access.  We decided to invite him to our next meeting.  John will call him.

6.  John Mattor's term runs out this June.  He will consider re-upping.   All encouraged him to do so!

7.  Monarch Butterfly situation:  John brought some conflicting information as to whether or not they are on the decline. The Environmental Defense Fund says they are, while an article in Science Magazine says they are not declining.