BRADFORD COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Stoll Natural Resource Center
200 Lake Road, Suite E, Towanda, PA 18848
Telephone (570)265-5539 Ext. 6
APRIL 2015 MEETING
The April meeting of the Bradford County Conservation District was called to order by Keith Heimbach, Chairperson of the BCCD, on April 6, 2015, at 7:00 PM, at the Stoll Natural Resource Center, Wysox, PA.
OLD BUSINESS:
Sullivan County NM Delegation – At the last meeting we decided to partner with Sullivan County on Nutrient Management Delegation. We need to submit a letter to Steve Taglang requesting our delegation as a single county be ended and to begin a multi-county delegation as of July. We will receive an additional $14,000.00 for nutrient management. Daryl Miller made a motion to send this letter. John Sullivan seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Ag Team Leader – Cathy Yeakel congratulated Nate Dewing for being appointed as our new Ag Team Leader.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
PR & Outreach – Amy Gilbert, from Talisman, participated in her first Public Relations and Outreach Committee meeting and had a lot of good ideas.
The Committee discussed starting our own website for $10/month that would be separate from the County website, which would allow for more interaction. Emily Dekar has begun working on this. Al Herman made a motion to move forward with our own website. Les Bresee seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Emily presented some examples for new business cards that we could print ourselves. Les Bresee made a motion to proceed with looking into getting new business cards for employees. Daryl Miller seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
The Committee discussed replacing the sign at the front of the building and purchasing a sign for the Marie Antoinette overlook highlighting the natural gas industry. The sign for the building would be able to list our tenants and possibly advertise upcoming events. We have a bid for $1,696.00 for the building sign, which would be 42 by 60 inches. A bid of $1,158.00 for a 36 by 48 inch sign was received for the natural gas sign. It would be located on County property and Act 13 funding would pay for it. Les Bresee made a motion to purchase both signs. John Sullivan seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
The Committee also discussed getting magnet signs for car doors so people will know who we are when we are out. They also would like to get realtor type signs to put out at our project sites. Another idea discussed was to purchase pens, etc. to hand out at events.
A half page ad was submitted to Buy Fresh Buy Local at a cost of $500.00 to reach some people we don’t usually deal with.
Cathy Yeakel did an interview for the radio about our strategic planning process.
Ag Committee – Nate Dewing presented the Minutes of the April 2nd Ag Committee meeting.
Kevin Brown presented a recommendation from the Committee to move forward with a crop management assistance program. This has been done, with varying success, in the past. They would like to start out slowly, with about 1,500 acres at a $7.00/acre membership fee the first year; which should generate about half of a staff position. The Committee recommends trying it out this year with the personnel we currently have and reevaluate at the end of the year. The question of insurance coverage was raised, so Les Bresee made a motion to move ahead with this, pending confirmation that our insurance will cover us. Scott Lackey seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
The Committee also suggested revising our Cooperator request form, making it into two forms. One to request to become a Cooperator, which would be required to access District services; the other form to be used to request specific assistance after they have become a Cooperator. Al Herman made a motion to approve these revisions. Les Bresee seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Donations/Memberships Committee – Les Bresee made a motion to pay the $24.00 annual dues for Northern Tier Hardwoods Association. Daryl Miller seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Les Bresee expressed his appreciation for all the work our committees are doing.
NEW BUSINESS:
Conferences – John Sullivan made a motion to send Ian Lathrop and Joe Quatrini to a stream conference in Baltimore in September at an estimated cost of $1,600.00, and to send Emily Dekar to a one day Farmland Preservation Association Conference in Gettysburg on May 7th for a cost of $400.00. Daryl Miller seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Key Card Access – Cathy Yeakel reported on two estimates to set up our building for key card access, instead of using keys. Hillman Security of Wilkes Barre would charge $10,650.00 and it would need to use the NRCS network, which USDA will not allow. Select Security of Williamsport would charge $6,000.00 and a $58.00 monthly fee for inspection services; this system could be tied into Cathy’s computer. It was decided we need to do more research to see what it would cost to just change all the locks on the doors and get new keys.
Seedling Sale – Tree seedlings will be picked up from the nurseries on the 14th, packing will start at 9:00 AM on Wednesday the 15th, and they will be distributed from 9:00 to Noon on Saturday the18th.
D&G Position – Four people were interviewed for an additional Dirt & Gravel Roads Program staff member. Bruce Chase made a motion to move forward with the process of hiring Tim Robson. John Sullivan seconded the motion and it was passed, with Daryl Miller abstaining.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 PM by Keith Heimbach, Chairperson.
The next meeting of the Bradford County Conservation District will be on May 4, 2015, at 7:00 PM at the Stoll Natural Resource Center, Wysox, PA.
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