Kennebunk conservation commission advances Habitat Restoration Project; confirms logistics and vendor checks

The Town of Kennebunk Conservation Commission on May 18 recorded several implementation items for its Habitat Restoration Project, assigning follow-ups to ensure funds, equipment and volunteers are in place.

Commission member Jennifer Shack said Kim Carter of Public Works had paid the vendor Larkspur and Shack will contact Carter to confirm that the payment will be charged to the commission’s budget. The commission also noted that students will begin removing invasive plants along the river and that the brush will be placed by the port-a-potty; Shack said she will ask Carter to provide a truck to stage at that location.

Members discussed planting material Larkspur proposed for Rotary Park and said they will ask the firm about including so-called “nativars” (cultivars of native species) on the list. Shack also reported the mulcher is slated to do work in early July and said she will check with Hannah Watson about ensuring Nick White, the mulcher operator, is on the town vendor list.

The actions recorded are administrative and logistical: confirming budget chargeability, coordinating physical staging for volunteer crews, clarifying planting-species choices with the vendor, and verifying vendor eligibility. No formal vote or binding contract award was recorded in the minutes.

Next steps recorded in the minutes include Shack’s outreach to Public Works and Watson and continued field work by student volunteers. The commission listed subsequent meeting dates through December for follow-up and coordination.