Conservation Commission

Minutes

June 1, 2010

Official as of July 6, 2010

Chairman Steve Roy calls the meeting to order at 7:13 p.m.

Present: Chairman Steve Roy, Vice Chairman Steve Hampl, Jim Ryan, Paul Lussier, and Board Administrator Linda Smith. Mike Matson arrives at 7:25 and is a voting member.

Absent: Loren O’Neil, and Wini Young

The commission would like to extend congratulations to Mr. Matson for being selected the Conservation Officer of the Year for 2009.

MINUTES
April 13, 2010 and May 4, 2010
Mr. Roy makes a motion, second by Mr. Hampl, to approve the minutes of April 13, and May 4, 2010, as written. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

CONSIDERATION of APPLICATIONS
Expedited Seasonal Dock Notification: Richard, Lakeview Dr. Map 106; Lot 14.

Mr. Roy reviews the application provided and explains that there are specific requirements within the application that must be met. The commission reviews the application and a discussion is held regarding the acreage of Northwood Lake. Mr. Matson states that he believes that Northwood Lake is less than 1,000 acres. Mr. Hampl states that the application requires this form for less than 1,000 acres. Mr. Ryan notes that the application requires that the property must have at least 75’ feet of shoreland frontage and this lot only has 68’. Mr. Roy states that the application notes that there is 78’ of waterfront and the property tax card shows 66’. A discrepancy is noted and Mr. Hampl makes a motion, second by Mr. Ryan, to have the waterfront footage clarified and Mr. Roy will sign if within the parameters or would draft a letter if the footage requirement is not met. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

OTHER BUSINESS
Review of Pembroke Land Fund Documents
Copies of general land fund documents from Pembroke have been provided for review. Mr. Hampl states that he reviewed the website and found the information helpful. Mr. Ryan states that if there is conservation land next to another area he feels that it adds value to the criteria. He adds that this is a good guide and a good job has been of compiling the information. Mr. Hampl adds that this information could be expanded on and this information could  include areas of town that the commission would like to target. Mr. Roy states that the Master Plan addresses this and identifies large areas of conservation in town. Mr. Hampl suggests that the documents could be looked at every few years and updated accordingly. Mr. Lussier adds that he also looked at the website and agrees that there are some good ideas and feels that the commission could adopt some of the basic information provided. He notes that it does need to be kept simple.

Discussion ensues relative to identifying parcels or specific areas, if a feature nearby, and the effect it could have, positive or negative, on land values. Mr. Hampl states that the documents should be open for future changes.

Ms. Smith offers to modify the group of documents to be more specific for Northwood. Mr. Roy states that the Criteria document can be separate. He states that the other two documents could be grouped to a mission statement for the commission with a purpose and authority. Mr. Matson states that the commission should look at the size and location of the property, the access, and the conservation values.
 
SPECIAL REPORTS
Follow Up from 5/25/10 BOS Meeting – School Lot Timber Cut
Mr. Roy states that he met with the selectmen regarding various issues.

Mr. Roy explains that the discussion with the selectmen regarding the School Lot was based on an estimate the town forester Robert Graves sent in for the  boundary line work. Other cuts were noted in the forester’s estimate for town owned property that could be included as they are near the School Lot. Mr. Roy states that the estimate is $800. He adds that the commission budgeted some funds for forest management. Mr. Roy states that the selectmen did give the commission authorization to over expend the line so that the work could be completed. 

Ms. Smith states that the selectmen have given permission for the work to be done; however, the commission must determine where the additional funding would come from. Ms. Smith notes that the commission’s budget is $2,053. Discussion ensues relative to the budget and Mr. Roy makes a motion, second by Mr. Ryan, to take $100. from the Printing and Education line, $250. from Special Day, and $150. from Maps. Mr. Ryan states that the estimate was to not to exceed $800. Discussion ensues as to how this can be handled better in the future and the amount of revenue to be received from the cutting. Mr. Roy states that the commission is responsible to make sure that the town’s forests are managed and that they receive the cuts on schedule.

Ms. Smith provides a history as to how the commission has control over the land and the funds received go back into the general fund. Mr. Matson suggests that the commission support the idea for the cutting and suggests that the selectmen cover the costs of the cutting from the general fund. He adds that he does not understand why the commission is covering the costs of the cutting out of lines that have been established for specific items and the commission does not receive any funds from the cuts. Mr. Roy states that the commission’s budget is funded through the general fund; however, he feels that the commission should request additional funding for next year for forest management and suggests $1,000.

Further discussion is held regarding other items in the budget and continuing to cut lines. Mr. Lussier agrees that maybe the commission should ask the selectmen to help out on the costs this year. Mr. Roy states that the commission will cover the costs this year and if there are other expenditures we could ask the selectmen at that time. 

Mr. Ryan states that he was called by the town forester and attended a site walk with Selectman Alden Dill and Forester Robert Graves. Mr. Ryan states that there is a section of Upper Camp Road that will need to be paved by the town, approximately 150’-300’, in order for the skidder to get to the wood and then get out of the woods. He explains where they will be doing the work and he notes that the expected value is around $6,500. Mr. Matson expresses concern with the fact that the cost of paving could exceed the value of the cut.

Lengthy discussion ensues relative to the paving. Mr. Ryan states that he would support the idea of having any additional funding necessary to come from the revenue received. Mr. Ryan states that a member of the commission should be involved with the discussions regarding the paving.

Mr. Roy states that the commission needs to sign the proposal and it is not to exceed $800. with the stipulation that the selectmen work out the concern over the paving. Mr. Ryan states that he can not vote in favor for the selectmen to take 25% of the commission’s budget knowing that there will be more profit from the lumber and if the area needs to be paved, then the additional $500. can come from the revenues. 

Discussion is held regarding the cutting that occurred in the past. Ms. Smith states that any expenses were deducted from the revenues received. She adds that she does not believe that the town’s accounting practice would allow this to occur now and neither would the policy for purchase orders. She explains that a purchase order must be done now for all expenditures. Mr. Roy asks Ms. Smith to review the contract for payments being issued to the forester. Mr. Roy states that if the commission does not approve spending the $800. nothing would get done as the boundary survey needs to be done prior to the cutting. Ms. Smith states that the selectmen could spend the commission’s budget. 

Access is mentioned and the other lots in the area. Mr. Roy states that any other lots are not related to the boundary identification work. Mr. Hampl states that the commission should get the boundary lines for the School Lot determined. Ms. Smith recalls that the prior forester accessed off of Lucas Pond Rd. and put a landing in. She adds that there are no access problems to the town forest.  
Vote: 4/0/1. Mr. Ryan abstains.

Tom Demeritt, Upper Deerfield Rd. Map 235; Lot 2.
Mr. Roy provides a summary of the discussion he had with the selectmen regarding the easement for the Demeritt property. Mr. Roy states that Mr. Demeritt noted that he would be completing a survey and would be following through with a boundary line adjustment. He states that the selectmen are in support of the project as discussed. Mr. Roy states that Mr. Demeritt should be notified that the BOS are supporting the project and invite him to a special  meeting, June 14 or June 21, to further discuss the proposal and to assist as necessary. Mr. Roy makes a motion, second by Mr. Ryan, to send a letter to Mr. Demeritt briefly stating that the selectmen have preliminarily accepted the concept of a conservation easement on Upper Deerfield Rd. and the commission would like to hold a special meeting to further discuss the process. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

Lucas Pond Appropriation
Mr. Roy states that the work at Lucas Pond has not been done and the appropriation has not been used. He explains that in meeting with the selectmen, they assured him that they do intend to follow through with this project this year.

Discussion is held regarding the fact that the appropriation is now a part of the Facilities Committee Expendable Trust. Mr. Matson states that there was a lot of time spent on this project and it is very frustrating for the people who served on this committee to not see any productivity with the project. Mr. Roy states that the commission should follow up on this and if nothing happens within the next month, the commission should send a letter to the selectmen with a copy to the facilities committee, noting that the commission would be willing to be involved as necessary to obtain costs, site review work, etc., as there is a need to address this issue.

Ms. Smith notes that she believes that the cost is higher than what has been appropriated, $10,800. She reads the warrant article and amended article from town meeting regarding the boat launch area at Lucas Pond. Discussion ensues and she adds that the amendment specifically states that the project must be done if the funds are deposited. Mr. Roy states that there are funds there and some can be done. Mr. Matson explains the work proposed and presented was different than what has been discussed with the facilities committee. Mr. Roy notes that the Bennett Bridge did take a priority and has been completed. He stated that the commission should get back on the selectmen’s agenda in July if there has been no productivity.

Crankpullers Trail Maintenance
Mr. Roy states that the selectmen signed an agreement with the Crankpullers Snowmobile Association for trail maintenance and a right of way to use. He adds that the Crankpullers also received a grant from NH Fish & Game for a substantial bridge.

A discussion is held regarding the installation of signs and gates for safety issues. Mr. Roy states that they intend to have the gates installed by the end of June. He adds that they may create hammerheads on either end of the trail for turn around areas. He notes that additional discussion was also held relative to the fact that this area would then become some type of parking area.

NEW BUSINESS
Sharon Smith Purdy, Route 107 and Blaisdell Drive.
Mr. Roy states that he has received an email from Ms. Purdy Smith noting that she has had an appraisal done and hired an attorney. The attorney said that a third party needs to be designated for the easement for enforcement. Mr. Roy states that he replied that he thought it may be a good practice, but not necessary to his knowledge. He adds that he will introduce Ms. Purdy Smith to Dan Kern, if necessary.

Additional discussion is held regarding the easement process. Mr. Roy explains that an initial site review of the property is done and then either annually or bi-annually a review and report is completed. If there is an encroachment, then they require legal funds to pursue the enforcement of the easement.

Guptill, First NH Turnpike. Map 222; Lot 30
Mr. Roy states that he has not heard anything relative to the Guptill property. He recalls that he did relay that the commission would support an LCHiP application. He will continue to follow up with this project.

NEXT MEETING
Next regular meeting is scheduled for July 6.

ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Hampl motions to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Lussier, at 9:15 p.m. Motion passes unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Fellows-Weaver, Board Secretary