Community Corner

Monroe Land Trust and Tree Conservancy: Meeting Synopsis

Marven Moss, one of the organizers, gives a recap of the land trust's July 20 meeting.

The following is a synopsis of the Monroe Land Trust and Tree Conservancy meeting held at Monroe Town Hall's Land Use Conference Room on July 20. It was given by Marven Moss.

Nota bene: board of directors is being formed, terms to be one, two or possibly three years. If you are interested, appreciate contact me at momoss36@yahoo.com or 203.268.2961.

Attendance: 14

Land Acquisition Committee (Bev Doyle, Bill Tripodi, Carl Zinn III): Committee reconnoitered 19 largely nonconforming properties (where taxes are due) town would like to remove from the books and once in default or unpurchased, turn over to the land trust. See photos 28 Maple Dr., .46 acres (possibly old Monroe swimming hole). Several pieces have potential for parks or campsites. Evaluation form created by Bill Tripodi submitted for suggestions and refinement.

Incorporation update: Karl Witalis reported no record of 501c3 incorporation appears in files of old Monroe Fields and Woods Association Land. While arranging for legal guidance, Lisa Fernandez offered to assist Karl in determining and reestablishing status, mandatory to collecting dues, soliciting funds/grants and other critical functions.

Find out what's happening in Monroewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Nominations (Brian Quinn, Steve Ballok, Mike O’Reilly): Consensus of the meeting was to present an interim slate of officers (and board of directors) to serve until April 1 which might become the start of the fiscal year. Those on the list for land trust e-mail advisories would be
asked if they would be willing to serve on the board. Nominating committee to report at next meeting, Aug. 24.

Mission statement: Four versions were submitted for discussion, plus a variation based on the purpose defined in the bylaws of the old Monroe Fields and Woods Association. Lisa Fernandez offered to reconcile and submit a revision Aug. 24.

Find out what's happening in Monroewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Youth participation: Concurrence that in addition to boy and girl scouts, best approach is through the schools. Brian Quinn agreed to contact the principal at Masuk H.S. and the interim school board superintendent to determine if arrangements could be made to generate community service hours in service of the land trust and possibly to create essays and perhaps a logo.

Membership (Aaron McGoldrick, Lisa Fernandez, Marven Moss): Revisited, fee structure to be reintroduced to consider resubmitting or reducing $25 for a standard membership, $15 for students and seniors and $50 for families, to suggested donations of $20, $10 and $50 to
take into account current economic conditions and that participation might be viewed as more important than funding at this point.

Next meeting: Monroe Town Hall, Room 204, 7:30 p.m.


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