2 pm, Department of Agriculture, Room G8-A 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT

Council members present: William Hyatt, Paul Larson, Richard McAvoy, Tom McGowan, Jeff Ward, Katherine Winslow

Others present: Ellen Bender, Donna Ellis, Nicole Gabelman, Brad Weeks

1.  McAvoy called the meeting to order at 2:17 pm.

2. Approval of Meeting Minutes

The meeting minutes from October 13 were distributed and reviewed. Larson moved (second: Winslow) to approve as distributed. Motion carried.

3. Annual report: McAvoy distributed a copy of the 2014 annual report. The council discussed format and issues to be included in the 2015 report. McAvoy offered to take the lead on drafting a one-page executive summary for review at the next regularly scheduled meeting. The Council agreed to use the same format as in 2014 to quantify accomplishments in a one-page addendum to the executive The deadline for reports and a list of accomplishments by individuals and IPC associated programs was set for the end of November 2015.

4. DEEP updates: Hyatt reported on several ongoing issues: (1) the Aquatic Invasive Species grant competition is underway. Fourteen applications have been received so far, requesting a total of $240,000. Total funding available is $138,000; (2) The source of Hydrilla on Coventry Lake was traced to a confined stand near a small cove diagonally opposite the boat launch. The discovery resulted from survey work conducted by Aquatic Control Technology. An eradication is in process and will continue through spring 2016; (3) The Congressional Invasive Species Caucus, which was supported by 20 members in 2014 has grown to 35 members in 2015, signaling increased national concern over invasive species. A planned national “Weed Summit” is upcoming; (4) The Connecticut Invasive Plant Coordinator is still stalled at OPM despite the allocation of funding for the position by the legislature in 2015.

5. Old Business: No changes were made to the CT Invasive Plant List per legislatively mandated annual update.

6. New Business: McGowan announced that the Lake Waramaug Task Force would like suggestions for a possible student internship for summer 2016. He was given advice on the required level of support, advertising and supervisory management.

7. Adjourn. McAvoy motioned (second: Larson) to adjourn the The meeting ended at 3:11 pm.

The next meeting scheduled for 2 pm, December 8th, 2015, at the Department of Agriculture, 165 Capitol Avenue in Hartford, CT.