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Conservation commission OKs small budget to clear weeds, advances Botelle native‑planting and invasive control plans
Summary
The Norfolk Conservation Commission voted to spend up to $500 to hire help to remove weeds at the Botelle embankment, set tactics for knotweed and mugwort control, and discussed roadside stiltgrass assessment and Rails‑to‑Trails planting participation.
The Norfolk Conservation Commission on June 8 approved up to $500 to hire a worker to remove heavy weed growth at the Botelle embankment and advanced a multi‑part plan for controlling invasive plants across town. Chair John Anderson and members said volunteers had dug up native roses and dogwood for replanting but found the intended planting area overrun by weeds, prompting the vote to hire help and apply wood chips.
The commission assigned Becky Eaton to hire a local worker (Becky indicated she will attempt to hire Kyle Anderson) and to coordinate delivery of wood chips with town staff member Troy. Members discussed repeated cutting of Japanese knotweed with support from the town crew to remove a large stand near school grounds. For mugwort, they agreed on a ‘cut and cover’ approach—cut the plants, cover with tarp or black plastic, then apply wood chips to smother regrowth; Becky Eaton was asked to order black plastic and select dates for the work.
Todd Mervosh presented an assessment of Japanese stiltgrass found along road edges; intern volunteer Sophia Nathanson and volunteer Hartley Mead attended that field assessment. Commissioners noted the need to combine volunteer labor with town crew capacity for larger infestations and set follow‑up demonstration visits so town crews and volunteers can be trained on techniques.
The Rails‑to‑Trails project also received a brief update: the larger trail project (noted in the minutes as having finally received approval and a firm selected) will require higher costs than originally expected, and the commission discussed contributing native plantings and signage near the new parking area and path.
Next steps recorded in the minutes include scheduling demonstration treatments at Botelle, ordering black plastic for smothering mugwort, coordinating town crew dates for knotweed cutting, and reconvening volunteers for planting in July. The commission did not record formal mover/second names for the weed‑removal vote in the minutes.
