AGENDA-

4-5pm General Business Meeting:

• Welcome and President’s Report,
• Treasurer’s Report,
• Nomination and Re-election of Board of Directors and Officers,
• 2025 Program Recaps: Bruce Spooner Education Center & Water Quality Monitoring,
• Diamondback Terrapin Population Study results by Sarah Copp, Project Technician,
• Volunteer Recognition Awards.

5-6pm Special Presentation: Invasive Management & Habitat Restoration

Many communities are faced with the rapid growth of invasive plant species. With grant funding from the Taunton River Watershed Alliance, the towns of Easton and Mansfield implemented projects to address problematic invasives. Hear their project details including removals, native plant restoration, and the development of a comprehensive management program aimed at minimizing the spread. Learn how their experiences can be beneficial to other communities. 

SPEAKERS

Jennifer Carlino     

Jennifer is the Land Use and Environmental Planner for the Town of Easton. She has worked in municipal conservation for more than 28 years in Norton, Billerica and Wellesley, where she has documented a variety of species on the Massachusetts Endangered Species List and certified over 120 vernal pools. Jennifer is presently on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Society of Municipal Conservation Professionals and the Vernal Pool Association, as well as a few state-agency working groups. She has contributed to Blue Spotted Salamander research for nine years with the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. Jennifer was awarded the 2024 Conservation Administrator of the Year Award presented by the Massachusetts Association of  Conservation Commissions. 

Katelyn Merrill Gonyer 

With over 25 years of experience in environmental site plan design and project implementation under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and local Bylaws, Ms. Gonyer brings extensive expertise from both the private and public sectors. She has worked on all sides of sustainable development near natural resources, both
coastal and inland. Ms. Gonyer has served as the Town of Mansfield’s Environmental & Conservation Planner since 2013. In this role, she has strengthened Mansfield’s regulatory framework by updating bylaws and regulations, streamlining residential project reviews, and partnering with homeowners and businesses to promote sustainable growth in this expanding Boston suburb. Ms. Gonyer earned her degree in Environmental Science with a concentration in Wetland Biology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is a Certified Soil Evaluator and recently completed her Certificate in Soil Science at the University of New Hampshire. Her professional focuses include climate resiliency planning and invasive species management.

Chris Slinko

Chris is a GIS and environmental science professional with a Certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Cape Cod Community College and a Master’s in Environmental Science GIS and Remote Sensing. She has experience working at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in water withdrawal and GIS, and volunteered with Save the Bay organizing geospatial data for conservation. Professionally, she holds GIS roles at Navionics and Cornerstone Engineering Services, and currently serve as the GIS Coordinator for the Town of Mansfield, managing municipal geospatial systems and supporting data-driven planning initiatives.

ELECTION 

The following board members are up for re-election (two-year term): Jay Cordeiro, Anne Morse, Bill Napolitano,  Sally Spooner, Carol Traverse

The following TRWA members have been nominated for the 2026 Board of Directors:  Kate Andrew, Bill Fitzgerald, Cheryl Graham, Jeff Morse 

The following Officer nominations have been made for the 2026 Board of Directors: President: Richard Shafer,  Vice President: Bart Devine, Clerk/Secretary: Stephen Silva,  Treasurer: Anne Morse

LOCATION

Bristol County Agricultural High School, Student Commons Building, 2nd Floor- 135 Center Street, Dighton.

The Student Commons Building is on the north side of Center Street.  Parking is located to the rear of the building .   The building is fully accessible.

Email director@savethetaunton or call 508-828-1101 with any questions.