A recurring topic at the meeting was interest from residents and school staff in community gardening, orchard plantings and trail-based education projects. Committee members described citizen inquiries, potential use of town land (near town hall and the senior center), and partnerships with the North County Land Trust and local schools.

What was raised
- A resident and committee members discussed a potential community garden that might support residents and/or the food pantry; committee members also proposed fruit trees and pollinator plantings as eligible under the open-space or recreation components of the Community Preservation Act.
- School engagement: representatives said a USDA “farm-to-table” program contact has reached out to the school and that the district has extracurricular outdoor-adventure programs. The proponents flagged opportunities to link school classes to local conservation work and to use project funds for outreach and transportation costs for student visits.
- North County Land Trust collaboration: committee members noted prior volunteer days, invasive-plant removal, trail work and a botanist-led educational walk at a local parcel (Dwelly Farm); they suggested project funds could support transportation, signage or educational materials.

Committee guidance
Committee members urged proponents to seek planning grants and to review the statewide Community Preservation Coalition’s catalog of funded projects for examples. The committee advised proponents to gather concrete proposals, site plans and budgets for a February follow-up so the CPC can assess eligibility and potential match funding. One committee member noted that trails and outdoor education are already in the town’s preservation plan and that the CPA could provide local matching funds for larger grants.

Ending: The committee did not vote on a project; members encouraged proponents to return with a scoped plan, cost estimates and partnership letters for further review.