Conservation Commission

Minutes

May 12, 2009

Official as of June 9, 2009

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

Present: Chairman Steve Roy, Vice Chairman Steve Hampl, Jim Ryan, Wini Young, Loren O’Neil, and Board Secretary Lisa Fellows-Weaver. Board Administrator Linda Smith, arrives at 7:35 p.m.

Absent: Mike Matson

Public:  Nelson Sherman

Mr. Roy explains that a work session is not for public comments. He states that he recused himself for discussions relative to the Sherman Minimum Impact Expedited Application; the permit was motioned to not be signed by the commission, and was forwarded to NHDES. Mr. Roy states that the commission is now present to address sending a follow up letter to NHDES and he does not feel it is necessary for him to recuse himself for this issue. The board agrees.

Mr. Ryan provides an overview of the May 4 meeting and states that in many ways it was a rendition of the April 6 meeting. Mr. Ryan states that at the May 4 meeting the commission motioned and voted unanimously to send the application to NHDES with out any signature and also motioned for him to draft a letter to DES to be sent separately. Mr. Ryan reads the letter and all members reviewed the letter.

Loren O’Neil makes a motion, second by Paul Lussier, to accept the letter. Ms. O’Neil states that the letter as written identifies why the commission did not sign the application as well as noting that the commission does not feel that they have the qualifications or power to sign it in good faith. Mr. Lussier agrees and states that it is direct. Mr. Hampl comments that the letter is a good idea due to the legalities that may be associated with the application. Ms. Young agrees as well and feels that the letter clarifies the position of the commission. Mr. Roy makes an amendment to the motion to amend the letter and Mr. Ryan seconds. Amendments are made. Amendment passes; 6/0. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

Steve Roy makes a motion, second by Jim Ryan, to send the letter to town counsel for review. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0. 

Minutes
December 12, 2008
Page 4: Northwood Lake Insect
Change Northwood Lake Insect to Woolly Adelgid
Delete: … found along the shores of Northwood Lake…
Add: …in the area.
Add: …cuttings on their property
Add: …which will be found on the fish and game website. 

Page 5: Old Mountain Road Crossing
Delete: … She adds that the area is also designated wild and scenic.
Add: …the Lamprey River
Amend to state: …the Lamprey River is a designated river further south and the area is the Meadows Pond.

January 6, 2009
Page 3: NALMC
Add: …an ecological assessment and public outreach.
Delete: …the grant and Add: NALMC
SR as amended JR. 6/0.

Page 3: Guptill Property
Add: In attendance was Jim Ryan, Wini Young, Steve Roy, with Bob Bailey as the guide. 

March 3, 2009
Change: …groups… to …landowners…
Change: …disseminate… to …complete…
Change: … requests $1,000. to …suggests that on the order of…
Add: …or another entity might… 

Steve Roy makes a motion, second by Jim Ryan, to approve the December 12, 2008; January 6, 2009; March 3, 2009, minutes as amended. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0. 

April 7 minutes are postponed.

Correspondence
Bear Paw Invoice
Ms. Weaver states that an invoice has been received from Bear Paw Regional Greenways relative to the upcoming land appraisal. She adds that there has been an extension of one month for the grant application. Mr. Roy states that he would like to address this expenditure at a regular monthly meeting as opposed to a work session. All members agree. 

Other
Request for Proposals for Town Forest
A draft of the RFQ is provided. Discussion is held regarding the advertisements. The commission suggests the Suncook Sun, Foster’s Daily Democrat, Concord Monitor, The Forum, and the town’s website along with the update forest management plan.

A discussion is held regarding the commission’s budget. Ms. Smith states that the RFQ project would need to come out of the town forest management budget line. She will speak to the town administrator regarding doing a cost share. She states that she has researched the warrant article of when the management plan was put in place. She explains that it is her understanding there was a desire that management would be handled by NCC. Ms. Smith states that as fiduciary agents, she feels that the selectmen will want to be a part of and oversee the contract. However, in the past, there have been no funds expended as the costs have come out of the revenue generated by the cuts. Ms. Smith adds that the forester’s funds will also come out of the revenue. Discussion ensues. After review and amendments, Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Loren O’Neil, to accept the RFQ format as amended. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

Town Trails Maps
Wini Young asks if the commission will be paying for the banner at the Northwood Discovery Day and asks how much that will be. Mr. Roy states that this has not been finalized. Ms. Young states that there is some question as to the trails shown on the NALMC map. She explains that there are some inconsistencies on the map relative to the town’s trails and she feels that it should be corrected. Mr. Roy will make note of this at the next NALMC meeting.

Adjournment
Jim Ryan motions to adjourn. Paul Lussier seconds. Motion passes unanimously at 7:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Fellows-Weaver
Board Secretary