The Town of Northwood, New Hampshire - Conservation Commission Minutes 01/10/06

MINUTES: James Ryan makes a motion, second by Steve Roy, to accept the minutes of December 5, 2005, as written. Vote: 2/0/1. Stephen Hampl abstains as he was absent. James Ryan makes a motion, second by Steve Roy, to accept the minutes of December 6, 2005, as amended. Vote: 2/0/1. Stephen Hampl abstains as he was absent.

PUBLIC INPUT: Wini Young reports that she went to the master plan committee meeting and that they will be working to provide input on the water resources study for the planning board. They will also work with the NCRC to gather data on historical resources/historical preservation with the goal of beginning this work, which was identified by the master plan committee in 2005. Jim Ryan asks for further explanation and Ms. Young explains that the master plan committee had recommended the implementation of a heritage commission. After meeting with the planning board, it was agreed to begin the work through the existing committees, rather to establish another commission. Chairman Roy adds that he attended a master plan meeting at the request of planning board chairman Eric Reitter. He notes that part of the funding request for the water resources study has been retained in the proposed planning board budget for 2006, although the full amount was not recommended by the board of selectmen. Chairman Roy states that part of the mission of the conservation commission is preservation of water resources and he feels that a possible subcommittee of the planning board could be formed with town citizens involved to complete this project. Ms. Young adds that economic development is another area that is being prioritized and will become a focus of the master plan committee. Chairman Roy states his concern that the NCRC may spread themselves thin if there is too broad of a scope for the number of people involved. James Ryan requests a copy of the master plan goals relative to historical preservation (Heritage commission).

MAIN BUSINESS:

Internal Business

1. Kelsey Mill property. James Ryan states he would like to define the goal for the use of the Kelsey Mill property. It is agreed to request staff to provide copies of the easement language of the Kelsey Mill property and include as an agenda item for next month. This information will be provided to members to review. Mr. Ryan asks if there is a state registry for historic mills and suggests this may be an area of interest for the NCRC to pursue.

2. Zoning changes. Chairman Roy states that he attended the planning board public hearing on zoning changes and explains the discussion on the water body setback that occurred at the hearing. Ms. Smith adds that she received a legal opinion on the planning board’s interest in whether there could be a change in this setback. It is the opinion of town counsel that Northwood cannot change its water body setback to any other setback other than the state setback of 50’. It may retain the current 20’ setback. Discussion is held on the recommended change to the open space ordinance that is based on a formula to calculate the number of lots that can be created in a subdivision. Further discussion is held on cluster vs. standard development and zoning matters in general.

3. Halloran file. Discussion is held on the Halloran file relative to processing of the subsurface application by health officer Don Arsenault. It is agreed that Ms. Smith will inform Mr. Arsenault that the conservation commission has sent correspondence to the subsurface bureau; and to thank him for notifying the commission of his concern in this matter.

4. Town Forests. Discussion is held on the status of the town forests and the forest management plan. Motion is made by Stephen Roy, second by James Ryan to authorize Loren O’Neil to contact Charlie Moreno to discuss the status of the forest management plan and to gather more information on this matter for the commission. Vote: 4/0.

Staff to provide Mr. Moreno’s phone number to Ms. O’Neil.

5. GOALS 2006. Commission goals for the coming year are discussed. The following areas are agreed to be goals for further action/review:

* Create warrant article for 2007 that will allow the commission to secure the funds derived from town forest management.

* Low property. It is agreed to follow up on this matter in February by contacting the Low sisters.

* Review and/or draft watershed protection ordinance for Pleasant Lake.

* Investigate invasive species.

* Create strategy to review waivers from subsurface discharge permits.

CORRESPONDENCE:

* Sexton dredge and fill application. Discussion is held on missing information noted in NHDES letter.

* Hitchcock dredge and fill application. (Piers on Bow Lake, “Gaviat Green&rdquo Wink . NHDES letter is reviewed for information missing and requirements for more information to be submitted.

* Grant funding. Stone Environmental letter regarding grant funding through NH Estuaries is reviewed. Discussion is held on the grant and what projects are eligible for funding. Ms. Young notes that the commission utilized Rick Van de Pol for creation of the Prime Wetlands

Inventory some years ago with grant funding from this source. Discussion is held on potential projects to be considered for this

funding including water resources study or conservation easement on Fletcher property. After further discussion on grant funding, motion is made by James Ryan, second by Stephen Hampl to authorize Chairman Roy to work on grant request and bring back his recommendations in February. Vote: 4/0.

FOLLOW-UP ITEMS ON AGENDA:

1. Stephen Roy states that he has called in to NHDES on the Merrill and Quinn matters and these items should be deleted from the agenda.

2. Chairman Roy states that he left a voice mail message at the Boy Scout camp but did not receive a response to date. Stephen Hampl states that he did go and look at this property. He states that it looks like a standard dirt road development. He reports that he did not see anything critical that was done; the area was basically flattened out. James Ryan suggests the commission take another look at this property in the spring. Motion is made by Chairman Roy, second by James Ryan to follow-up on this matter in April 2006, weather permitting. Vote: 4/0.

3. Alukonis property. Discussion is held on whether to re-visit the site or send another letter to either code enforcement or NHDES on this matter. Discussion is held on the concern of the potential hazards that could end up in the lake, as well as the sand replenishment of the beach area. It is agreed to do a follow up site walk with the code enforcement officer as early as weather permits (March-April). A memo is to be sent to Mr. Hickey by staff in February, noting the commission’s concerns of the potential hazards and a request to do a joint site walk in early spring.

4. New item to add to follow-up list is Kelsey Mill/Schroeder. Picture to be taken at this location with Mr. Schroeder and a press release to be done for local newspaper and NHACC newsletter.

Motion to adjourn is accepted at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Smith,

Board Administrator

Town of Northwood

Conservation Commission Minutes

January 10, 2006

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