Minutes:
8 April 2005 Steering Committee Present: John Fedor, David Cunningham, Jean Butman, Anne Munger, Gil Livingston, Phil Huffman, Brian Shupe, Nancy Elkington, Tina MacMillan, Whit Humphreys, Cecilia McGuire, Holly Boyce 3:10 PM Whit called the meeting to order Gil’s Letter (see attachment to 7 April 2005 minutes): Gil has brought a “Letter of Understanding Between the Steering Committee and the Vermont Land Trust” with attached “Timeline/ Workplan” and attached “Consultants’ Time and Task Allocation” with spots for Gil and Whit to sign. (See attachments)
In response to the first point in Gil’s letter dated 1 April 2005, the Steering Committee has decided to move ahead with Brian and Phil.
45 hours are available for Brian and Phil combined
Initially, Brian and Phil had 230 hours available to work on the project.
185 hours have been used already
Phil discusses eliminating the “Big Public Meeting” in June. He and Brian concur with the Steering Committee that this should be eliminated.
The comments prepared by Brian and Phil on the survey and the draft they prepared for the 4th PLACE event have eaten into the 45 hours remaining. This meeting is also eating into the 45 hours remaining.
Gil is a lawyer and wrote the “letter of understanding” mentioned above and he would like us to sign it today before the end of the meeting.
The “Spatial Analysis Lab” is the University of Vermont’s GIS department. Gil said that they were better than VLT’s GIS department, but said that they don’t have access to proprietary information that VLT has. GIS means Graphical Information Systems.
Gil said that it is a high priority of VLT to support this project.
Most of the data is available to UVM, however The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has provided specific information to VLT that UVM does not have.
Brian explained what GIS is to the Steering Committee.
Discuss Budget: When asked what VLT’s response was to the Steering Committee’s letter requesting increased funding for the project, Gil said that the best VLT could do was $1250. This includes additional funds made available by Walter Poleman of UVM and all the remaining funds of the $25,000 allotted from the grant from the Donchain Foundation.
The Steering Committee must reduce the $2255 budget that was requested.
Much Discussion about how to reduce the budget and still accomplish the goals, events and products of the project.
Gil increased the funds available from $1250 to $1410 and offered to make 25 copies of the final report in PFD format on CDs and to make 25 b/w printed copies of the final report.
Brief discussion of #3. July 27 2005 filled in as completion date. 4th PLACE Event: Much Discussion about Brian and Phil’s agenda for this meeting. See attached. Changes were made to their agenda, and Brian and Phil will circulate a revised agenda before Tuesday’s Steering Committee meeting.
Big Public Meeting in June: Cancelled
Discussion of timeline attached to Gil’s “Letter of Understanding.” A few modifications were discussed Brian and Phil will revise as discussed and attached to Gil’s “Letter of Understanding”
Brief discussion of 4th point in Gil’s letter: this applies to letters and minutes, not final conclusions/report. By consensus the Steering Committee agreed to have Whit sign the “Letter of Understanding.” Discuss Budget: Method of Reimbursement for Expenses: Steering Committee members and Town (for postage) will front the funds and then submit bills and receipts to Brian Shupe. Submitting few bills covering many items is preferable to submitting lots of bills.
Next Steering Committee meeting set for Tuesday 12 April 2005 at 5PM in the Community Hall. Agenda:
Surveys
Set Dates for Events
Discussion about Recreation Forum
Meeting Adjourned at 5:10 PM | 
