By Samuel J. Baldwin, LCN June 24, 2010
The Bremen Conservation Commission will undertake several projects designed to preserve and increase access to a 47-acre town-owned property north of the Bremen Town House on Rt. 32
The Bremen Board of Selectmen gave the commission the go-ahead to begin work on four projects at their meeting on June 17.
The first project will be marking the boundaries of the property with orange bark paint, said Conservation Commission member Steve Laurich at the meeting.
The second project will be to eradicate invasive plant species that are threatening the growth of native species on the property. The two most prevalent invasives are bittersweet and Japanese barberry, Laurich said.
The commission will use very small amounts of concentrated Roundup to kill the invasive plants.
"We're not going to be spraying," Laurich reassured the selectmen. The method the commission will use is to cut the plants off and place a few drops of concentrated Roundup on the cut in the stem. This will kill the roots of the plant without spreading the chemical to surrounding plants, Laurich said.
The third project will be to cut one or two walking trails that allow access to the property.
"We still need to scout the property to find the best areas and the most diverse parts of the land," Laurich said. The trails will be narrow and will have obstacles built into them to prevent motor vehicle use, Laurich said.
The fourth project will be to host an informational meting on best practices for woodlot management with a representative of the Maine Forest Service. The meeting will be held both in the Town House and outside on the property on a Saturday. The exact date has yet to be determined.
"We already own the land, there's no reason not to use it," said Selectman Patrick Ginnaty before the board gave their permission for all four projects.
"P.S.: there won't be any cost to the town,"Laurich said.
