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October 3, 2000 Meeting Minutes
Meeting Three

Meeting Minutes

CLD's website is now updated and contains the minutes. The minutes can be viewed at.

The 10/17/2000 meeting will begin at 4:30PM, because of a conflict with the availability of the room.

Substitutes will be allowed, but continuity should be maintained as much as possible in terms of attendance.

Goals: What constraints/issues affect which events are chosen.

It was agreed that the committee will use the broad goal of making the fields suitable for a total of 8 events, which will be chosen from the 12 previously discussed, and a period of thirty to forty five days of usage, with a final day limitation coming at a later date.

We have agreed to accept that we will affect the surrounding environment as little as possible, whatever that may mean to each individual.

Constraints:

Existing conditions include:

The boundary of the fields, which gives us an area of approximately forty-nine acres.

Wetlands/stream areas/culverts (25,000 square feet = approx. ½ acre.

Limitation of a 50' setback around the river, may want to limit, constrain events on this area. May want to put some kind of crossing/bridge over the river. May be able to span the entire wetlands with a bridge. May be able to put a culvert in, depending on permitting. Consensus on a bridge?

Floodplain: Is an issue with respect to permanent structure of fill. You can't adjust the floodplain by filling, according to the regulations, to accept less water than it currently does. The regulation also do not allow permanent structures. This floodplain is defined by a 100 year event. It is allowable to build a parking lot in a floodplain. The floodplain that we are discussing is caused by flooding of the river, not puddling due to rainfall. Tom recommends restricting use in this area. According to one member of the committee who farms the fields, flooding occurs rarely in all but one area (which was defined during the meeting).

Topography: Ranges of slopes are shown on CLD's maps. Approx. 73% of the land being discussed has a slope of 5% or less, another 8% of the land has slopes between 5 & 16%, and 4% has slopes between 10 & 15%. Slope does not appear to be an issue on most of the land. That means that most of the land would not require much, or any, grading in order to have events or park cars on it. The steepest slopes are in the area that has already been protected by the 50-foot buffer.

It was mentioned that there are areas of the fields, particularly in the upper corner of the property toward the West Hill Rd. side, that have clayey soils. Paul also indicated that during very wet periods water seeps out in one area of the slopes. Once the corn has been cut off of the fields Paul can meet CLD to point out these areas.

A member of the committee stated that much of the land has been classified by the USDA as "highly erodable land", because of the grading and the "lay of the land", it slopes from West Hill Road to the River. According to Charlie Hirshberg, CLD, the soils are well-drained soils, but if they are not stabilized with a crop they can erode easily. The grade is probably not the issue, to stabilize the land it would be best to plant some kind of grass crop. If there is a stabilizing crop you essentially mitigate the erosion issue. It is important to put the correct mix of grass on the field because of these issues. CLD has spoken with the Extension Service who is helping to decide which grasses might work in this situation.

Tom Sommers noted that there are two areas along Mayo Farm Road where suitable site access could be obtained. CLD suggests a maximum of a five-percent grade for vehicular access from the fields onto Mayo Farm Road. These access points should have a paved apron.

Use of the fields as effected by the application of sludge was discussed. Tom Sommers stated the position taken by the State of Vermont ANR that public use should be restricted until a minimum of one year from the date of the last application. In addition, it is CLD's position that testing is necessary and should be a requirement before use and in compliance with Vermont testing standards.

Other Suggestions and Concerns:

Tom suggested that gradients of more than 15% should be avoided, or the committee could discuss the re-grading of areas. Some minimal re-grading was suggested in order to remove small indentations which make driving and having events more difficult.

A member of the group suggested the addition of a possible bike path and/or quiet paths as part of the Events Field plan.

It was suggested that some of the path concepts from the Goodhue Plan be incorporated into the Events Field plan

One member of the stakeholders group indicated that trees were planted by the Conservation commission along the corner of Weeks Hill and Mayo Farm Road and also in the vicinity of West Hill and Mayo Farm Road.

The concern for pedestrian access to and around the field areas was mentioned by a group member.

There was a discussion regarding the need for a fence to restrict access to a paid event. Different ideas were expressed such as natural vegetation as a barrier, a permanent fence, removable fencing, and no restrictive barrier. There were no specific conclusions on this matter. Further discussion would center on specific events and event areas.

CLD will provide information with respect to noise at the next meeting.

Scott Dunn suggested using vegetation for both noise and visual control.

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