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EAC advances riparian buffer maintenance and homeowner grant outreach
Summary
Charlestown EAC members discussed removing tree-tubes and caging plantings at Brightside and Deerfield, reported that Armstrong and Goodman each have 30 new trees to plant, and noted eight Hollow Road homeowners interested in Stroud-funded riparian work; the Stroud grant has been awarded but funds are not yet received.
Charlestown Township’s Environmental Advisory Committee on Jan. 12 reviewed several riparian-buffer and tree-planting efforts and agreed on near-term maintenance tasks and outreach to secure grant work for homeowner properties.
Members agreed to remove protective tubes from plantings around the Brightside spring house this winter and replace them with cages; Carol Armstrong and Pete Goodman are leading that effort and each reported having 30 new trees available for future planting. Goodman also reported observing eight bird nests in the Deerfield buffer while conducting maintenance work.
On broader outreach, Sarah Pickering said she has identified eight Hollow Road homeowners who are interested in having the Stroud fund and perform riparian buffer work. Pickering noted that “the Stroud was awarded a grant for this work but hasn’t received the monies yet,” and the committee concluded it needs to collect a few more interested residents before formally requesting grant assistance. Pickering, Armstrong and Goodman will coordinate next steps.
Why it matters: Expanding stream canopy and maintaining riparian buffers help reduce runoff, improve habitat and support local water quality. Local homeowner participation is required for parcel-level work and grant applications.
Next steps: The EAC members assigned follow-up outreach to gather more homeowner interest and to confirm timing once Stroud (the named funding/implementing partner in the minutes) has access to grant funds. No formal funding decisions or implementation dates were recorded at the meeting.
