Conservation Commission reviews 2024 wins and challenges as leader plans to step down

Commission members spent a portion of their December meeting reviewing 2024 accomplishments and frustrations. They reported stronger relationships with other town boards, expanded wildlife monitoring with 25 cameras deployed, collaboration with the Champlain Valley Conservation Partnership and Lewis Creek Association, and two Conservation Currents articles published this year (up from one in 2023). Members also said joint meetings with the DRB and Planning Commission had helped coordination.

Members noted recurring frustrations including inconsistent notifications when Development Review Board applications are completed, challenges getting clearer guidance from the Town Planner, and lengthy delays producing a commission one-pager. Commission member Maggie Citarette (noted in the minutes as "Maggie C.") said she will be leaving the commission, and the group discussed recruiting new members and possible rotation of chairs to distribute responsibilities; the minutes record that Maggie estimated current chair duties as "between 20-50 hours/month."