Conservation Commission

Minutes

March 3, 2009

Official as of May 12, 2009

Chairman Steve Roy calls the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

Present: Chairman Steve Roy, Vice Chairman Steve Hampl, Jim Ryan, Mike Matson, Loren O’Neil, Paul Lussier, Wini Young, and Board Secretary Lisa Fellows-Weaver.

Appointments
Woodman Park Committee Meeting (WPSC)  
Mr. Matson provides an overview of the recent Woodman Park Study Committee meeting regarding Lucas Pond. He explains that the committee has discussed and agreed to raise the $10,000 through taxation. The money has been added into the facilities committee budget as the project is for repairs to an existing structure, which is under the direction of the facilities committee.

Mr. Matson explains that the recreation commission has an article to dedicate $123,000. to the ball fields. He explains that the WPSC discussed proposing an amendment to the article to appropriate some funds to upgrading Lucas Pond. He adds that the recreation committee does not have any plans for the fields at this time. 

Mr. Matson states that he has statistics showing there are 400 residents that hold some type of fishing licenses. He feels that the Lucas Pond improvements will have a direct benefit to these people.

A discussion is held regarding proposing an amendment to the proposed recreation facility warrant article to appropriate some funds to be used for the Lucas Pond project.

Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Steve Roy, to allow the conservation commission chairman to amend warrant article 10, the recreation facility capital reserve fund and to speak at town meeting representing the conservation commission. Mr. Matson explains that the WPSC met with the selectmen and presented two warrant articles proposing for funds to be used from the sales of the Lucas Pond School Lots. The committee felt that the money received from the area should be applied back into the area. He adds that after discussions, it appears that it would be easier to obtain the funds through taxation. Mr. Roy suggests that the Woodman Park Study Committee look into wording for an amendment.

Mr. Matson states that WPSC member Jim Hadley has mentioned that there may be some funds that could be used from surplus.

Discussion ensues regarding the process of discussions at town meeting relative to the voting order. Mr. Roy states that the first of the two articles on the warrant is the budget and if the budget passes then the $10,800. will pass within the facilities committee budget of the operating budget.

Ms. O’Neil explains that plans for the ball fields have been completed and she believes they were been done by Underwood Engineering.

Motion passes; 4/3.

Steve Roy makes a motion to draft an amendment to warrant article 10, forward to Mike Matson for review and for Mr. Matson to introduce the amendment at town meeting representing the WPSC and Mr. Roy will  represent the conservation commission interests as the NCC chair. Jim Ryan seconds. Discussion ensues regarding the wording. Mr. Roy states that the amendment would add wording addressing erosion for Woodman Park located on Lucas Pond and would only be used should the budget fail. Motion passes unanimously. 

Mike Matson left at 7:30 p.m.

Northwood Area Land Management Collaboration (NALMC)
Carl Wallman is present to request support from the conservation commission relative to the planning for a summer celebration of Northwood Meadows.

Mr. Wallman provides the history of the parcel. He states that this is the 20th anniversary of the parcel, which DRED purchased through the LCHiP program. He states that NALMC sees this parcel as a model for conservation in the town. The land was purchased by Ed Burt in the 1960’s who combined the parcels together, made the park, the road, and the lake. Offers were received from many developers during the 70’s; however, Mr. Burt turned down these offers and sold the land through LCHiP and DRED in 1989. Mr. Wallman states that this area is a great demonstration of what good planning can do and how one man’s vision can change an area.

Mr. Wallman states that NALMC would like this event to be a conservation celebration and they are hoping that they will have interest and participation from other town groups such as the conservation commission, snowmobile clubs, Bear Paws, recreation department, etc. and maybe have a bar-b-que. He thought that organizations could set up tents supporting their group and goals.  

Mr. Wallman states that nothing has been finalized at this time and further explains that they received a $20,000. grant. Currently they are working to hire an outreach person to work with the landowners to complete an ecological assessment. Interviews are currently being held and they plan to hire by the end of week. The organization and implementation of this event is one duty that will be funded through this grant.

Mr. Wallman states that NALMC’s goal is to invite people and hopefully help them to understand why it is good to look at a big area and to realize why a big area is important. He adds that there are field areas and the day will be geared to all ages. He adds that he feels that there will be a fair number of people that will use this area year round.

The commission reviews the 2009 proposed budget.

Additional discussion is held regarding interpretive signs along the trail to learn about habitats. Mr. Wallman states that he has spoken with the national heritage regarding preparing signs as another layer of conservation and they plan to contract with national heritage to find appropriate signs. Mr. Wallman states that the grant will be a cooperative venture in terms of each feature. He adds that addressing the 3,000+ acres will be the focus of the ecological assessment.

Steve Roy makes a motion, second by Loren O’Neil, for the NCC to be involved with NALMC’s Ed Burt day inclusive to spending resources related to NALMC’s plans. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

Further discussion is held regarding the proposal for the National Heritage   Wildlife aspect. Mr. Wallman states that there are two separate parts of the grant one being for the ecological assessment and the other is for the outreach person. He states that the person in charge of the event is through the outreach portion. As far as the National Heritage Bureau, it is a part of DRED, and is not a state agency; therefore, they do not provide information for free. He states that the National Heritage will design sign layouts for the day and then NALMC will need to pay to have the signs competed. He adds that an estimate has been received totaling $400. to make the signs and the installation would be done by the committee. Mr. Wallman suggests that on the order of $1000. from the NCC or another entity might cover the cost of the signs. He explains that the signs would be professional, attractive, and be permanent and the placement of the signs would be a joint effort due to land ownership.

Mr. Roy states that he would like to wait to do anything until after town meeting. He adds that it would be nice to see appropriate recognition on the signs accordingly. Mr. Wallman states that he will research as to what the signs should state. 
Dan Kern, Bear Paw Regional Greenways
Mr. Kern is present relative to land properties possibly for sale. Mr. Kern
explains that there are a few large parcels available with some having no access
via public access roads. Mr. Roy states that these lots are within the Big
Woods, Conservation Overlay District. He adds that there are designated prime
wetlands in the area as well. Mr. Kern adds that there may be alternative
funding options available. 

Non-Public Session
8:10 p.m. Steve Roy makes a motion, seconded by Steve Hampl, to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3,II(d).
Roll Call Vote:
Steve Roy – yes
Steve Hampl – yes
Jim Ryan – yes
Loren O’Neil – yes
Paul Lussier – yes
Wini Young – yes
Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

9:00 p.m. Jim Ryan makes a motion to come out of non public session, second by Steve Roy.

Motion to seal the minutes is made by Steve Roy and second by Steve Hampl. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

Motion to schedule a site walk for the Hendrick and MacDonald properties for April is made by Jim Ryan, second by Steve Hampl. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0. Mr. Kern states that he will organize the site walk. 

Other Business
Letters of Land Inquiries - Guptill Property
Mr. Roy drafted a document regarding the Guptill property and the commission reviews the letter. Discussion is held and amendments are proposed and Mr. Roy states that he will amend accordingly. Mr. Roy makes a motion, second by Mr. Ryan, to amend the letter as discussed and forward to the secretary to be mailed. Motion passes; 6/0.

Ms. O’Neil left at 9:02 p.m.

Public Input
Forest Management Plan
Robert Graves III, Forester Technician representing Bean Hill, is present and provides a copy of the updated Forest Management Plan prior to the deadline of March 29, 2009, noting that the electronic version has been sent to the board administrator.

Mr. Graves provides an overview of the plan noting schedules and the maps. He explains that there has been some GPS flagging done. He recommends that the forest be reblazed as it should be done every 10 years and has been around 20 years since it was blazed. Mr. Graves recommends that the school lots be addressed. There has been some damage and the timber will lose value. Mr. Roy notes that there is potential revenue for the town. Mr. Ryan states that the lumber market is low and Mr. Graves replies that the figures are representative of today’s price market value. Additional discussion is held regarding the fact that damage in the school lots is a liability issue and needs to be addressed.

Additional discussion is held regarding the NCC’s position and a plan. Mr. Graves states that Bean Hill would like to represent the town. Mr. Roy suggests that the NCC meet with the BOS in April and stress that the town must follow the plan and one town entity should address the actions necessary to make the plan a working plan for revenue for the town.

Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Steve Hampl, to accept the report as completed. Steve Roy states that he would prefer to review the report prior to accepting it. Motion and second are rescinded. Mr. Ryan adds that the deadline is March 29 and he feels that the plan must be accepted based on the contractual agreement. Jim Ryan makes a motion to accept the forest management report as complete, as submitted, based on the contractual agreement. Steve Hampl seconds. Mr. Graves states that the report is stamped and he will amend accordingly, if necessary; however, he feels that the report is complete. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

Applications
Tim Bernier: Minimum Impact Expedited – Gleason
Steve Roy states that this application was reviewed a few months ago and there was a motion made allowing him to review and sign the application pending receipt of the additional information. He states that there was an ownership issue and the application was held up. At this time, the property ownership has been addressed and the application is now complete. Mr. Roy signs the application.

Permit By Notification, Lucas Pond Map 244; Lot 57
The commission reviews the application and it is deemed to be completed. Mr. Ryan states that there is a correction that needs to be made as the application has entire wetlands marked off and it should be only pond/lake. The commission agrees to make the appropriate correction. 
Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Wini Young, to recommend the application, as complete, and for the chair to sign the application noting the correction to the first page the motion. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0. Mr. Roy signs the application. 

Land Inquiries
A master list was received from the town assessor noting parcels in Northwood exceeding 40 acres. Mr. Roy had asked if letters could be generated electronically. Ms. Weaver explains that letters can be generated through a query.

Low Property
Ms. Weaver states that the Low property closing has been completed; however, the final deed paperwork has not been received.

Correspondence
All correspondence is reviewed. Jim Ryan motions to approve the invoice for dues for the NH Association of Conservation Commissions, in the amount of $250. Paul Lussier seconds. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

Steve Roy motions to review the rest of the correspondence and to address items at the April meeting. Jim Ryan seconds. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

Jim Ryan motions to postpone the minutes to the April meeting. Second by Steve Hampl. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

Adjournment
Steve Hampl motions to adjourn. Jim Ryan seconds. Motion passes unanimously at 9:35 p.m.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Fellows-Weaver
Board Secretary