The Conservation Commission ran through a final list in preparation for this Saturday's Earth Day Shoreline Cleanup. Extra gloves and trucks are needed, Commission Chairman Christopher Powell said.

"I hope to see you all there," Patrick Driscoll said to fellow commissioners at their April 15 meeting. The board plans to have morning snacks at the Recreation Center, at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 26. After the cleanup, lunch will be served by the Conanicut Island Land Trust.

Clean-up volunteers, walkers, and other passers-by at Mackerel Cove may notice new plantings along the town beach. Commissioner Jennifer Talancy reported that dune grass was planted, with the help of the Girl Scouts and other volunteers. "The town will put a snow fence along the roadway or string rope to protect new plantings from people walking," she added. The commission approved a reimbursement bill for lunch provided that day.

In a review of a preliminary draft of a landscape design to erect a fence around the water treatment plant, the commission rejected the plan because it did not account for accessibility to a nearby nature trail. Powell noted that the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, a grant provider for the water treatment project located in the wetlands, stipulated that a trailhead and parking be included in the landscape design. Members of the board agreed to meet the following day for a site visit to review options for a path and parking facility. Commission members also agreed to urge the town to work together with the commission, "to develop an acceptable plan."

In a wind energy committee liaison report, Commissioner Cathy Roheim gave highlights from the winning bid proposal submitted by Applied Technology and Management. The consultant team, chosen to initiate a wind power feasibility study, said it would take into consideration wildlife impact, Roheim said. She expressed concern that no one at ATM specialized in wildlife, and hoped the consultants would reach out to the Conservation Commission when looking for wildlife experts for help.

Carol Trocki mentioned that raptors were "a big concern," in the wind turbine development project. Powell said that the commission's collection of satellite tracking of the ospreys since their first fledging may offer insight useful to the wind energy consultants, adding, "Bird counts may be useful to consider."

The wind committee rescheduled its kick-off meeting for April 22 at the library, Roheim added.

In an update on the Round Marsh restoration project, vegetation plots are slated to be temporarily planted at the site, providing a means to monitor the marsh before, during and after restoration, said Trocki, who is the project manager. Powell suggested checking with the Coastal Resources Management Council in case a permit was required for the testing.

In a planning liaison report, Commissioner Kate Smith brought a preliminary development plan for a house construction on Seaside Avenue and Bark Street to the attention of the board. Smith noted that an application triggered by a variance request concerning a wetlands setback and high groundwater district should be closely watched.

She presented pictures of runoff water from Frigate and Bark Streets, and suggested that consideration must be given to cumulative impact of ground water in the area.

In other business, the commission:

• Received a copy of a letter from Michael and Tricia Foster concerning a request from Edward Carroll for zoning relief from a wetlands setback for an individual sewer disposal system on Neptune Street. The commission agreed to send a memorandum to the town clerk asking to receive copies of any correspondence that might trigger conservation issues.

• Authorized Greg Clark to maintain grass at properties managed by the conservation commission, on an as-needed basis up to 10 cuts.

• Rescheduled next month's regular meeting to May 20 at the town hall.

Commissioner Mark Baker was absent.