Conservation Commission

Minutes

September 1, 2009

Official as of October 6, 2009

Chairman Steve Roy calls the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m.

Present: Chairman Steve Roy, Vice Chairman Steve Hampl, Jim Ryan, Wini Young, Paul Lussier, and Board Secretary Lisa Fellows-Weaver. Loren O’Neil arrives at 7:11 p.m.

Absent: Mike Matson

Minutes
August 4, 2009
Page 2: Add: General consensus of the commission is that they will be supportive with the LRWA and will look forward to communications from Mr. Hadley. 
Page 3: Add: … around all wetlands…
Page 4: Delete: …and explains that once there is elevation on the land the overburden goes away and in some cases it is bald.
Page 4: Add: …that…
Page 4: Change: …slope… to …material…
Page 8: Change: …tie… to …time…
Steve Roy makes a motion, second by Steve Hampl, to approve the minutes of August 4, 2009, as amended. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

Financial Reports
2009 and 2010 Budgets
A current expenditure report for the commission is provided reflecting the expenditures through August. Ms. Weaver notes that all funds allocated for Discovery Day have been appropriated. The commission reviews the report and discussions are held regarding the purchase of a GPS unit for the commission that would be helpful for super imposing for maps. Mr. Hampl will review different units and bring in quotes for the next meeting for further discussion.

Additional discussion is held regarding the budget for 2010 and members are asked to begin planning for next year’s budget. Ms. Young notes that funds will need to be appropriated under the Special Day line for the Kelsey Mill plaque. Mr. Roy notes the possibility for a Discover Day next year.

Appointments
Northwood Area Land Management Collaborative (NALMC)
Carl Wallman is present to meet with the commission and states that Northwood Meadows Discovery Day was a huge success. Mr. Wallman provides the accounting spreadsheet for Discovery Day noting that all costs of the event were covered by donations and book sales.   

Mr. Wallman states that an ecological assessment has been completed and a draft report has been created. Mr. Wallman explains that the Lamprey River Watershed Association will be using this assessment as part of their application for their nomination to begin the process of this area being recognized in the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program. If the request is approved, the assistance will help complete the NH Department of Environmental Services application to expand the Lamprey River Watershed and other sections of the Merrimack River Watershed.

Mr. Wallman states that another item discussed as a part of the ecological assessment was the control of invasive plants. He adds that a GPS could also be helpful in mapping invasive plants in Northwood and for monitoring. Mr. Hampl notes that this could be a great project for a Coe Brown student for a senior portfolio as well as community service.

Mr. Wallman also mentions the stewardship of the Northwood Meadows State Park and explains that since the state does not have any funds available to manage state parks there is a group of volunteers being created for the future protection, maintenance, and management of the state parks. This meeting will be held at the community center, September 10. Mr. Roy states that he and Ms. Young attended the August meeting hosted by Will Abbott, Vice President of the National Forest Society and the intent is to form a friends of the park group. Mr. Wallman adds that Ted Austin, the director of DRED was also present as well as Johanna Lyons. Mr. Wallman states that the purpose is to try to find other ways to manage the parks and Mr. Abbott has implied that Northwood has become a model and a viable group since the event of Discovery Day, which may become an annual event.

Mr. Wallman notes that there are many entities that could play a roll in being a part of the friends group to support the park. Mr. Roy states that he would like the conservation commission to play a role in this group and suggests that the recreation commission attend as well. Mr. Wallman notes that the Boy Scouts have expressed an interest as a part of the group too. He states that this area is a large conserved area and an asset to the town. Mr. Hampl mentions that the Boy Scout property is a tax exempt entity and they have recently posted the entire area as “No Trespassing” and he is very disappointed as the area was great for hiking, and other outdoor recreation. Mr. Wallman states that the Boy Scouts have been very generous in offering the use of their facilities. He notes that there have been conversations also relative to the Gulf Road access. Ms. Young notes that there could be liability issues now which may explain why the area is now posted. Mr. Wallman feels that these concerns can be addressed as he believes that the Boy Scouts are an asset to the community.     
Mr. Ryan notes that he believes that the Boy Scout camp is a part of the PILOT program, Payment In Lieu of Taxes. He explains that the PILOT program was in existence in town and he feels that the PILOT program is not being used as much, yet these entities are still using the town’s facilities, fire, police, transfer station, etc. Mr. Wallman encourages discussions to address these concerns at this meeting though the friends group. 
 
Mr. Wallman states that the next meeting to address these issues is scheduled for Thursday, September 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Northwood Community Center. Mr. Roy states that he and Ms. Young generally attend the meetings and do not make any decisions on behalf of the conservation commission or the town. Commission members are supportive with participating in the group, focused on the management of the state park. A few members are planning to attend. 

Consideration of Applications
Minimum Impact Expedited Application: Gregory George, 57 Fiore Rd. Map 116; Lot 53. 

The application is reviewed and is a renewal from the previously approved
permit, which expired April 2009. The prior application is reviewed and it is
determined that all information being provided is the same information and the
proposed work has not changed. Loren O’neil makes a motion, second by
Paul Lussier, to sign the application. Motion passes unanimously, 6/0.

Other Business
Guptill
Mr. Roy explains the location of the property and states that the area is an asset to the town. He states that a site walk was conducted in December.  A letter was sent to the Guptills inquiring as to the land and a response was received. Mr. Roy provides copies of a proposed response letter offering $1,200. per acre instead of $1,000. The letter is reviewed and a discussion is held regarding the value of the property. The commission agrees that a response letter needs to be sent out; however, other town properties are discussed for comparability and past practice. Mr. Hampl notes that an appraisal has not been completed. Ms. O’Neil states that she does not feel that the land is that useful or has qualities to justify the increase of the offer from $1,000. to $1,200. per acre. She notes that there is only 9’ for access and the subsequent lot would need to be purchased for frontage. Ms. O’Neil feels that the parcel is not worth offering the additional $200. Ms. Young supports the offer and notes that there is a lot of wildlife on the property, the parcel abuts the state park, and there are potential future uses for the town as the soccer fields abut the parcel.

Ms. O’Neil left at 8:50 p.m.
 
Mr. Lussier states that he would not offer anything higher and feels that the letter explains what the town’s opportunities of the property are. Mr. Hampl states that the commission can not offer anything higher. Mr. Ryan supports sending the letter and supports the increase to $1,200. per acre. Mr. Lussier asks about the option of an easement. Mr. Ryan makes a motion, second by Mr. Lussier, to send the letter to the Guptills offering an increase to $1,200. Discussion is held regarding adding a notation relative to the portion for an easement. Mr. Hampl makes an amendment to the motion, second by Mr. Ryan, to add wording relative to the sale of an easement on the property at a lesser price per acre and would require a separate land appraisal. Amendment passes; 5/0. Original motion passes; 5/0. (Ms. O’Neil left at 8:50 and was not in favor of the offered price). 

New Business
Forester Contract
Ms. Weaver states that letters of acceptance and rejection were sent out to the bidders for the forester position. She adds that the selectmen have requested the commission to develop the contract with Bean Hill Forest Services. Ms. Weaver states that the current contract will be emailed out for members to review and revise and discussions of any amendments will occur at the next meeting, October 6.

Pending Files
Sharon Smith Purdy, Route 107 and Blaisdell Drive.
Ms. Weaver states that the letter was sent out to Ms. Purdy along with a copy of the conservation exhibit that was created for the Low purchase and a copy of the “Conserving Your Land” publication. 

Complaint: North River Lake, Rochester Rd. Map 232; Lot 40.
Ms. Weaver states that nothing has been filed. 

Intent to Cuts
The intent to cut file is reviewed. 

Mr. Roy provides an overview of the August ZBA meeting relative to Docko. He explains that the variances were granted; however, the vote was not unanimous, it was 3/2. He states that he spoke to the variances relative to commercial activity in the conservation district. He states that he spoke to Mr. Moreno at the meeting regarding the forester position as well as the Hamm property, Little Bow Pond. Mr. Moreno states that all are welcome to walk this parcel as it is for public access, that is what the intent is. As far as the ZBA application, Mr. Moreno, representing Ms. Hamm, did not support the application due to the impacts to wildlife and the noise of the operations. Mr. Roy notes that there were no conditions applied to the approval.
 
Mr. Ryan left at 9 p.m.

Mr. Hampl makes a motion for Mr. Roy to make the necessary changes to the Guptill letter and forward to staff for mailing. Mr. Lussier seconds. Motion passes; 4/0.

Correspondence
All correspondence is reviewed and no actions are required.

Adjournment
Mr. Lussier motions to adjourn. Mr. Hampl seconds and the motion passes at 10:15 p.m. 4/0.

Motion and second to adjourn are rescinded.

Correspondence
Ms. Weaver notes a memorial check has been received from NH Fish and Game as a memorial representing Pauline Lemelin’s years of service as a member on the conservation commission. A discussion is held regarding how to allocate   these funds. Members agree that the discussion should be continued to the next meeting so that Mr. Ryan is able to participate.

Adjournment
Mr. Lussier motions to adjourn. Mr. Hampl seconds and the motion passes at 10:30 p.m. 4/0.

Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Fellows-Weaver
Board Secretary