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Home My Public Portal AboutConservation Commission -- 2023-10-16 MinutesJ`' APPROVED 02/27/2024 04 of E�°err gHF 9 Vote: 6-0-0 Town of Brewster Conservation Commission N = Joint Meeting with the Select Board O MEETING MINUTES 2196 Main Street 4s4A.°Ar �° October 16, 2023 6:00 PM TOWN OF The meetingmay be viewed b Live broadcast BREWSTER . Y Y' (Brewster Government TV Channel 18), Llvestream ;' "), or Video recording ...___ . CONSERVATION Participants: Chair Chatelain, Selectperson Chaffee. Selectperson Hoffmann, Selectperson Whitney, Town COMMISSION Manager Peter Lombardi, Assistant Town Manager Donna Kalinick, Conservation Commission: Chair Michael Tobin Michael Tobin, Vice Chair Casey Chatelain, Bruce Evans, Gary Kaser, Kimberley Crocker Pearson, Ronald Slowek and Steve Mckenna, Department of Natural Resources Director Chris Miller, Citizen Matilda Chair Delano, Planning Board Chair Amanda Bebrin, Human Resources Director Sue Broderick Absent: Selectperson Bingham Casey Chatelain Vice Chair 1. Call to Order COMMISSIONERS 2• Meeting Declaration of Participation Statement Bruce Evans 3. Meeting Participation Statement Gary Kaser 4. Recording Statement: As required by the Open Meeting Law we are informing you that the Kimberley Crocker Town will be video and audio taping as well as broadcasting this public meeting. In addition, if Pearson anyone else intends to either video or audio tape this meeting they are required to inform the Ron Slowek chair. Steve McKenna 5. Public Announcements and Comment: Members of the public may address the Conservation Commission on matters not on the meeting's agenda for a maximum of 3-5 STAFF minutes at the Chair's discretion. The Conservation Commission will not reply to statements Chris Miller, Natural Resources made or answer questions raised during public comment but may add items presented to a Director future agenda. Bill Grafton, 6. Discussion Conservation Administrator 6a. Review 2022-2023 Hunting Season Data & Vote on 2023-2024 Town Property Hunting Policies- Joint Meeting with Conservation Commission Cassandra West, Senior Department Conservation Commission Chair Michael Tobin called the meeting to order at 6:07pm and Assistant declared a quorum with all members present. 1657 Main St., Mr. Lombardi reviewed that 'Town Meeting in 2022 approved a citizen's petition which created a Brewster, MA 02631 new Town Bylaw allowing bow hunting in the Punkhorns for a three-week period in December. (508) 896-4546 The Conservation Commission, Select Board and Water Commissioners all have care, custody, and control of various parcels within the Punkhorn. A map identifying the areas which allows bow hunting was developed that is consistent with the bylaw. Mr. Lombardi noted that there was not an increase in the number of hunting permits purchased last year and there were no issues or incidents. The recommendation is to adopt the same policy that was agreed to last year, including the map. Chris Miller reviewed the three areas that hunting is allowed on Conservation land, the Commission votes each year on hunting for all three locations. The only change from last year' s policy is the bow hunting date, which will start on the first Monday of December for a three-week period. Conservation Commission members provided comment: • Gary Kaser inquired about the ability to expand the hunting area as outlined on the map since there were no accidents and to help control the deer population. Page 1 of 2 Joint Conservation Commission and Select Board Meeting Minutes — October 16, 2023 • Steve McKenna asked about the allowed dates of bow hunting and why it doesn't coincide with the State's bow hunting dates. Mr. Miller responded that the bylaw is specific to the three-week period in December for bow hunting in the Punkhorns. • Numerous members of the Conservation Commission would like to wait at least another year before considering expanding the hunting area but agree that in the future it should be considered. Sally Mahoney, 0 Birch Lane, expressed her concern about public outreach and doesn't feel that the information has reached those who frequent the Punkhoms where bow hunting is allowed. She also reviewed the dates that bow hunting is allowed. It was confirmed that the three-week period starts on the first Monday of December for three weeks, this excludes all Sundays as there is no hunting allowed State-wide on Sundays. Mr. Miller and Mr. Lombardi noted that information regarding bow hunting will be placed on the Town website, Town social media pages, kiosks at trail heads, and that signs will be posted at the edge of the buffer zones. Information is available through the Town Clerk's office and anyone that purchases a hunting permit will be provided with information including the map. Conservation Commission Member Casey Chatelain moved to approve the 2023 Hunting policy as described. Member Kim Crocker Pearson second. A roll call vote was taken. Member Chatelain-yes, Member Kaser-no, Member Crocker Pearson -yes, Member Slowek- yes, Member Mckenna- yes, Member Evans- yes, Chair Tobin - yes. The Commission vote was 6 -Yes, 1 -No. Selectperson Hoffmann moved to approve the 2023-2024 Brewster Hunting Regulations as outlined in the packet. Selectperson Chaffee second. A roll call vote was taken. Selectperson Hoffrnann -yes, Selectperson Chaffee -yes, Selectperson Whitney -yes, Chair Chatelain-yes. The Board vote was 4 -Yes, 0 -No. Conservation Commission Member Kim Crocker Pearson moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:27pm. Member Casey Chatelain second. A roll call vote was taken. Member Chatelain-yes, Member Kaser-yes, Member Crocker Pearson -yes, Member Slowek-yes, Member Mckenna-yes, Member Evans -yes, Chair Tobin -yes. The Commission vote was 7- Yes, 0 -No. Respectfully Submitted, ....................... __........ ..._...... . w .,......... _ ........... � .. :.................. _..... _... - - Cassandra West, Senior Department Assistant Page 2 of 2 Joint Conservation Commission and Select Board Meeting Minutes - October 16, 2023