Selectboard Hears About Trends and Priorities From Land Trust
by Ellie Russell,
October 7, 2010, page 4.....

The Conservation Fund Annual Report was presented at the September 27 Selectboard meeting. At a previous meeting the board asked members of the Charlotte Land Trust (CLT) to prepare an annual report projecting trends, priorities and strategies for conservation in Charlotte. Kate Lampton presented the report, with input from Frances Foster, Marty Illick and Jane Lawlis.

CLT believes that The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB), which is the principal source in Vermont for conservation funding, will remain underfunded due to budget concerns at the state level. With fewer funds available from VHCB, requests for town funds will likely be larger and the percent of leverage will decrease. On the positive side, when matches are required from towns, the fact that Charlotte has funds available gives us a competitive advantage over towns that do not have such funds.

CLT predicts that in the future there will be a steady stream of smaller (50 acres or less) projects having local, regional and/or statewide significance. These tend to be diversified farm or natural areas that fill in the gaps to create a critical mass of protection areas, such as clayplain forest and wildlife habitat. These projects, being small, are less likely to qualify for VHCB funding and may thus require a higher per-acre grant from the Charlotte Conservation Fund.

Conservation priorities remain consistent with previous years and the goals of the town plan. Of highest priority are key agricultural areas. An important area where there is increasing interest in conservation is the Mud Hollow valley between Mt. Philo Road and Spear Street. Smaller agricultural areas of good soil quality that can help foster a more diversified farm mix are also a priority. The next priority is natural areas that can contribute to a continuous block or can form a significant core for a new conserved block. Clayplain forests, wildlife habitat areas and corridors, riparian areas and wetlands are all natural areas of interest for this type of conservation project. The third priority is scenic areas. Because Mt. Philo is an area of such high public importance and use, protection of key Mt. Philo viewshed parcels is a priority. Most scenic-value parcels also have other resource values as well.

In terms of strategy in achieving land conservation goals, CLT believes that acquisition of conservation easements will remain the most important and frequently used tool and where most conservation fund dollars will be used. Purchase of fee interest in land will probably be considered only when circumstances of a particular property warrant. Donation of easements will always be pursued as a first option. CLT believes that partnering with larger conservation organizations, such as the Vermont Land Trust (VLT) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), will continue to be the foremost strategy in achieving conservation goals. This also helps to ensure a high level of professionalism and long-term stewardship in conservation agreements.

During project selection reviews, CLT will also continue to assess whether a particular area of conservation interest could be adequately protected as open space in a subdivision. CLT will continue to work with and improve coordination with VLT, TNC, the town planning office, the Planning Commission and other town groups in developing various types of projects.

At present CLT is in contact with various landowners for 10 separate projects that represent a total of approximately 991 acres and $1,310,000 in potential funding requests. None of these have been finalized, some may never advance, and some may not advance within the next few years. Inquiries from anyone who might be interested in conserving land either as a donation or otherwise are welcomed by CLT.

CLT believes that the conservation fund is an essential strategy in meeting town goals for protection of important assets.

The Selectboard approved a new statement in the Conservation Fund guidelines that says that Conservation Fund monies may be used for reasonable project closing costs associated with acquisition of rights to land or fee simple ownership.

Other Selectboard actions and discussion items on September 27:

Merger of county planning groups
Michele Boomhower of the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization (CCMPO) presented the current thinking in regard to a merger of the CCMPO and the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission. Under the recent “Challenges for Change” legislation the two organizations are directed to develop action steps and a timeline for completion of the merger by January 25, 2011. The merger, in addition to cost savings, would allow more nimble responses to grant requests and community needs. She said that other advantages include integrated land use and transportation planning, improved municipal communication, enhanced opportunities for leveraging state and federal funds, enhanced visibility and communication with the public and the media, and more flexibility. On the downside, the merger may result in more workload for representatives from the town, especially if each town is able to send only one representative instead of the current two.

The Selectboard voted unanimously to:

• approve a request by Habitat for Humanity to waive the application fee of $2,750 for Wastewater Disposal and Potable Water Supply permits for the Jordan affordable housing subdivision.

• apply for a Department of Transportation grant for bridge repairs.

Discussion items included:
• an open space agreement for the Patnaude subdivision¸ a non-contiguous PRD application now before the Planning Commission,

• the Trail Stewardship Plan for Pease Mountain. UVM has agreed to sign the plan. Further discussion will occur at a future Selectboard meeting.

• Town Hall repairs and energy improvements. The energy improvements will start at the beginning of October. Repairs will follow. The repair work will be performed by Dick St. George.

The Selectboard is in search of ways to improve communication among committees and between committees and the Selectboard. The trails and recreation committees met with the Selectboard on October 4 and Conservation Commission will meet with the board on October 25.

Selectboard discussion items on October 4:

A request by Carrie MacKillop, proprietor of the Old Brick Store, to share (and pay for) a dumpster at the Town Office and Library will be taken up with Fire & Rescue, where there is more room.

The Energy committee was charged with taking a closer look at PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) and return with a recommendation to the Selectboard. PACE is a relatively new mechanism that allows municipalities to assist property owners to invest in energy efficiency and small-scale renewable energy projects, using financing that is repaid through assessments on individual property tax bills.