7928-R5_NewGloucester_2020-2021_AnnualReport_Web

ANNUAL REPORT Environmental Resources Committee

One hour zoom meetings were held every month except December. Many of our planned projects could not be completed because of the pandemic; however the year was marked by progress in several areas: We worked closely with the town planner on the natural resources portions of the draft comprehensive plan and continue to work toward aligning our work plan with its most immediate environmental goals. We increased our use of NGXchange during the pandemic to disseminate information on a number of environmental issues. Examples are energy savings, safe use of trails during the pandemic, ticks, Japanese beetles, invasive species and “crazy worms and more. We did manage to hold one public in-person event: a seed packet giveaway at the community building in April. We continue our cooperation with the New Gloucester Parks and Recreation Department. We share volunteers and limited resources to support recreational areas, including maintenance and improvements to the pollinator and other gardens at the fairgrounds. Member Alicia Howes is actively pursuing registering the pollinator’s garden with the Master Gardeners Association. Several members attended on-line workshops/seminars during the year on topics related to our committee work. We continue our cooperation with the Sabbathday Lake Association in monitoring issues specific to the lake. Dick Allen serves as our liaison to the Lake Association. Parks and Recreation Director Sarah Rodriguez has replaced Morgan Rocheleau as our staff liaison. Tony and Trudy Hodgdon have resigned. Committee members currently are Dick Allen; Diane Aromando; Alicia Howes; Lauren Jordan; secretary, Joanne McKee: and Chair Douglas Smith.

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