2009 Review of the Year
Secretary’s Report presented by Madge Baker at the Annual Meeting February 10, 2010
The Board met at least once/month. Committees met as needed, sometimes more than once a month. Board members serve on one or more committees.
Two on-going projects, sale of development rights on the Noon Family Sheep Farm, and donation of the development rights on Berry Best Farm, took up a significant amount of time and attention. Since the Trust is responsible for enforcement of these conservation easements, the Board has to be conversant with the contents of the easements.
A third on-going project, the donation of a property on the Salmon Falls River in Lebanon, was also completed thanks to the much-needed professional assistance of Attorney Robert Ferguson.
Increased responsibilities pushed the Board to meet with Lee Burnett and hire him to do some grant writing for the Trust. Lee secured several grants so the Trust could contract for some part-time help with routine stuff, with projects, and with moving us toward certification.
In the fall of 2008 a developer came to us with a proposal that he sell us his property in the Walnut Hill area, an area along the Shapleigh/Alfred border with two exceptionally wetland habitats according to State biologists. Because of the asking price and the importance of the property to be conserved, the Board spent many hours considering all aspects of the proposed sale. Thanks to the volunteer leadership of Director Martha DoByns, assisted by Carl Davis and Trust member Marcel Polak, the Trust has secured a grant to help us purchase that property. We hope to finalize the sale next year.
In conclusion, 2009 was another remarkable year, thanks to the support of loyal, dedicated, wise, and generous members.