Members present: Gary Pelton, George Ainley, Chris Harris, Tina Wood and MaryBeth Reville

Minutes of the October meeting were accepted as written.

The first topic discussed was an update on the status of the purchase of the Fellows property. According to Steve Aikenhead of the Weathersfield Land Preservation Association, the goal has been met for the purchase price. Some of the money was pledged and has yet to be collected. The state is now doing a required appraisal of the property. The Upper Valley Land Trust will hold the conservation easement while the town will own the land.

We are planning to walk the higher elevation of this land on Sunday, Nov.7th, at 1pm. Time was spent studying the map of the area to determine the best access. Possibly this will be off the Futures Trail on the State Park land.

Naming of the property is also something that needs to be considered. Gary wondered if calling it simply a "Town Forest" would imply that it might only be used to harvest timber. We would like it to be thought of in broader terms. A suggested title might be "Weathersfield Wildlife and Conservation Area-a Town Forest". We need to meet with the selectmen to discuss this matter. Further discussion is also needed concerning the cabin on the land. Might it be an "attractive nuisance"? The age of it could be a factor.Next we considered the matter of the Norway Maples that were planted in the maple grove at the Weathersfield Meeting House. At the time they were added to the grove it was probably not known that they are an invasive species. We feel that they should be removed and replaced with native sugar maples. There are apparently small native trees along roadways and at the edge of woods that would be available. The Conservation Commission is willing to help with this project. We will send a letter to the selectmen indicating our support in removing the Norway maples and replacing them.

It is also our goal to encourage the removal of other invasive plants from town properties. Perhaps local nurseries would help us replace them with native plants at a discount.

Chris then reminded us that we donated two "Liberty Elms" to the town six or eight years ago to be planted on town property. They are still behind the town garage waiting for an appropriate placement. That matter needs to resolved.
The budget was reported on by Tina. We used only $50 of the $300 in our budget last year. We have $300 in our current fiscal year budget.

Gary reported on a site visit to Gil Whittemore's property. There were no conservation issues noted concerning his building of support structures for his grapevines.

Chris agreed to write the Annual report.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40pm.

Submitted by MaryBeth Reville