Watershed Management Commission

Thursday, February 23, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.

TCRC 315 South Franklin Street

PRESENT:  Scott Ellis, Clayton Dillavou, Jim Novinger, Rodger Bland, Kenny Coy, Jerry Smith, and Mari Macomber. 

ABSENT:  Martin Jayne and Gary Jones

OTHERS PRESENT:  Phillip Ayers, Stewart Blessing, Mike Bradley, John Buckwalter and Jack Schuster.

Chairman Dillavou called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m.

A motion to approve the minutes with the following clarification to add the words Forest Lake to the discussion regarding septic systems was made by Jerry Smith and seconded by Jim Novinger, the motion carried with the following vote:   Roger Bland – aye, Kenny Coy - aye, Clayton Dillavou – aye, Scott Ellis – aye, Martin Jayne – absent, Mari Macomber – aye, Jim Novinger – aye, and Jerry Smith – aye.

The Commission was given an overview of various grant opportunities from Public Works Director, John Buckwalter.  The Commission was given information regarding a non-point source mini grant due April 1 for $5,000, which would require a local match of 40%, approximately $3,000.  A non-source point (319) grant with available funds from $5,000 to $400,000 is due on June 19 and would require a one-page pre-proposal. 

Brian Todd arrived at the meeting at 5:40 p.m.

There were a couple of EPA grants identified, one with a concentration on pesticides and a second to help with cooperative agreements to reduce toxic risks.

Scott Ellis noted that the Commission needed to develop the watershed plan goals and priorities first before other applications could be developed.

Chairman Dillavou reviewed the goals with the Commission.

It was agreed that an assessment / inventory of what the issues are with each watershed should be completed. 

A sub-committee was formed to prepare a list of parameters, 10 – 12 concerns for each watershed and determine how to sample for each.  The sub-committee includes Brian Todd, Jerry Smith, Clayton Dillavou, Mike Bradley, Phillip Ayers and Jim Novinger.

The Commission discussed the importance of proceeding on the education goals.  It was agreed that a proposal would be prepared for the mini grant due April 1.  Clayton Dillavou, Scott Ellis and John Buckwalter would work on the proposal.  The proposal would be brought back to the Commission at its March meeting.

Scott Ellis informed the group that local resident, Harriet Beard, was asked to participate in providing information on the projects that the State’s Parks and Soils tax has completed.  The Parks and Soil tax funds the State’s Parks and most of the Department of Natural Resources soil and water conservation efforts.  Several Commission members noted that they had information that could be shared with Mrs. Beard.  Mari Macomber agreed to follow-up with Mike Bradley, Rodger Bland, Phillip Ayers and Brent Stacy to gather the information needed and provide that to Mrs. Beard.

The Commission reviewed the handouts available to make sure that everyone had the information – “Getting in Step” and Land Use Maps of both watersheds.

The Commission set the next meeting date for Thursday, March 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the TCRC.

As there was no further meeting business, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mari E. Macomber

Commission Secretary