Steering Committee Minutes 12/1/05

Attendees: Aimee Ayers; Vicky Boundy; Peter Dzewaltowski; June Fichter; Dean
Geddes; Ken Lawson, Bill Thomas; Terry Dancy

CC: Charles Smith; Cynthia Hayes; Katheryn Holmes; Robert Wood; Steve Landrigan;
Suzanne Levine

Introductions: Peter Dzewaltowski (Phonetic: “Javatowski”) was introduced to
everyone present; as Vicky goes onto a new life in Maine, Peter will be taking her place
as our team member from UVLSRPC supporting SAWC. Best of luck to Vicky!

Pilot Grant Tasks Update
The Steering Committee went through the first few Pilot Grant tasks:
  Task 2 and 4 will be performed or led by UVLSRPC; Peter will lead the regulations
assessment task soon. T. Bamford is the expert on build-outs and plans to have that
accomplished by summer’s end.
  There was much discussion about Task 1, which is the water quality data analysis. Bill
reported that while graphs and some trends can be seen, higher frequency data (i.e. more
often than monthly) would ensure that no underlying variations are missed. He also
reported that relating the data to population has several options. The use of building
permits, town reports were discussed. Bill suggested setting up a monitoring device on
several streams that might be developed in the near future to obtain before and after
readings. It was also noted that data exists for the amount of salt used on roads.
  It was also mentioned that not only conductivity but phosphorus is an important
parameter to use. The use of a consultant and DES was looked upon favorably. JCF and
Robert Wood will meet with DES.
  Task 3 public meeting—it was suggested that the May SAWC meeting could be a
public meeting with the survey results, and the current data analysis done thus far could be
presented.
A short Newsletter could also be distributed at that meeting as well.

Town Meeting Updates
  The watershed overlay district did not make it through the Sutton Town Meeting; but
failed by just a very few votes and will probably be modified and reintroduced next year.
New regulations did pass in Springfield and New London-the latter having important
slope erosion controls. New London also voted funds for land conservation. These funds
are accumulated. When appropriate land is seen for conservation, the funds are used
along with a capital fundraising campaign if necessary for the purchase amount.
Meanwhile, Sunapee and Goshen reps are needed. Robert Wood was presenting to the
Sunapee Water Sewer Commission this same evening; it is hoped that a representative
could join SAWC from that commission.

Requests from Towns
  Several requests from towns on various issues have occurred. It was decided that
SAWC would address issues when requested, to the best of our ability with general
information and/or technical advice where possible. Going forward, this will be done by
the Steering committee, at the Steering committee meetings by those attending.

Meeting on Roads
  It was felt that road issues repeatedly loom large as a topic. UV will help with
information from sources such as “VT Better Back Roads”. SAWC could then host a
meeting including the town road agents for an update on methods and practices, and a
discussion thereof.

Steering Committee Meetings
It was voted to change The Steering Committee meetings from the last Thursday to the
second last Thursday of the month, to accommodate a member from the Sunapee W & S
commission:

          Next Meeting: April 20th, 7PM, at the Ivey Center

Respectfully submitted by June Fichter                                                April 3, 2006