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Pownal commission explores conservation easement for Poland Range amid transfer-station questions
Summary
The Pownal Conservation Commission discussed pursuing conservation easements for properties on Poland Range Road and Sweetser Road, noting required public hearings and limited town funding; Chair Bob Van Milligan prioritized Poland Range because of development pressure and an aquifer beneath the site.
The Pownal Conservation Commission on June 23 discussed initiating conservation easements for parcels on Poland Range Road and Sweetser Road, with Chair Bob Van Milligan saying he will contact the Royal River Conservation Trust to begin discussions and check timelines with town staff.
Van Milligan said Poland Range is a higher priority because of increasing development in the area and the property’s position over a large aquifer. He referenced a recent survey showing rare soil and plant types and said much of the acreage was rated above average for climate resiliency. Selectboard Member Kate Day noted that the town would require two public hearings on the measure before a vote at Town Meeting.
Wellens King said he will attend an upcoming Solid Waste Committee meeting after the commission discussed reaching out to that committee about the possibility of a transfer station; King presented a list of environmental impacts related to transfer stations in rural areas. The commission made no formal commitment on the transfer-station question and did not vote to pursue any specific action on it during the meeting.
Van Milligan said he would check with Becky about a timeline for moving an easement forward and planned to contact Chris Franklin at the Royal River Conservation Trust to start a conversation. No formal vote or motion to authorize staff to enter negotiations was recorded in the minutes.
The commission noted that recent Town Meeting left little in the unassigned funds account, reducing the likelihood that the town would provide direct funding for a conservation easement in the near term.
