Conservation Commission

Minutes

March 3, 2007

Official as of May 1, 2007

Chairman Roy calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

PRESENT: Chairman Steve Roy, Vice-Chairman Jim Ryan, Steve Hampl, Loren O’Neil, Alternates Wini Young and Pauline Lemelin, and Board Secretary Lisa Fellows-Weaver.

VOTING DESIGNATION: Steve Roy, Jim Ryan, Steve Hampl, Loren O’Neil, Alternates Wini Young, and Pauline Lemelin.

PUBLIC INPUT:
Mary Armstrong is present representing the Bessettes, 168 Harmony Road, Map 123; Lot 9 for a minimum impact expedited application. The commission agrees to review the application later in the meeting.

MINUTES:
January 2, 2007: Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Steve Hampl, to approve the minutes of 1/2/07, as amended as follows:
Page 2: Docko: Add: “Big Woods Conservation Overlay District”
Page 2: Docko: Add: “she”  
Page 7: Low: Add: “/per acre”
Page 7: Low: Change: “offer was presented to the Lows, the Lows refused to present a counter offer”
Page 8: Low:  Add: “financially” Ms. Young states that she is a customer of the water district; however, she is not an officer of the Northwood Ridge Water District.
Page 8: Low: Strike: Any help that she has provided the water district has been under duress.
Motion passes unanimously; 4/0/2. Alternate Pauline Lemelin and Loren O’Neil abstain, as they were not at the meeting.

January 16, 2007: Steve Roy makes a motion, seconded by Jim Ryan, to approve the minutes of 1/16/07, as written. Motion passes; 2/0/4. Jim Ryan, Steve Hampl, Loren O’Neil, and Pauline Lemelin abstain, as they were not at the site walk. 

February 6, 2007: Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Loren O’Neil, to approve the minutes of 2/16/07, as amended as follows:

Page 2: Docko: Change: “fractions to fractures”
Page 3: Graves: Change: “for the cost of the easement”
Page 3: Graves: Change: “conservation easement holder”
Page 5: Other: Change: “after her discussion with Shelley Bobowski of the NCRC, it was decided that…”
Motion passes; 4/0/2. Jim Ryan and Pauline Lemelin abstain, as they were not at the meeting. 

APPOINTMENTS:
Dave Allain: Koenig, Rochester Rd. Map 232; Lot 32. Mr. Allain is not
present. 

David Docko: Quarry
David Docko is present. He explains that the Allenstown quarry has closed for approximately 3 months. He provides aerial photos of the area and explains.

Mr. Docko explains that there is limited information on quarries and permits. A discussion is held regarding the process of a reclamation plan that he did on the gravel pit on Winding Hill Road and the level of bonding that he had to obtain for the town for the gravel pit. Additional discussion is held regarding bonding for the quarry and how bonding amounts are determined. 

Ms. Young states that she has done some research regarding quarries and the area proposed. She provides a sheet of questions that she has regarding the wetlands in the area, the drainage from the property, watershed and water resources in this area, and other issues that the planning board will need to address during the site plan process. Mr. Docko notes that all setbacks and wetlands will be protected.

A lengthy discussion is held regarding the process of how to proceed with the project and go forward. Mr. Ryan states that the NCC is focused on a small part of the process. He states that the NCC requires items in order to make judgments. He adds that he does not feel that the commission can make any decisions without information.

A straw poll is taken to see if members are comfortable with what has been discussed and if they could proceed and support the project. The board is split 3/3 based on the need for more information.

The commission requests that the following information be provided by Mr. Docko to further proceed with the project:
• Wetlands delineation within 1000’ of the boundary of the quarry
• Site plan should state the limits of what the intent is to take for materials
• A buffer for the limits
• Topography plan
• Delineate the access to the site and where wetlands crossings will occur and the impacts anticipated
• Wetland mitigation proposed
• Water quality monitoring
• List precautions for erosion control, i.e. berming
• Provide a text description of how the quarry will be left
• List soil erosion control measures and locations
• Delineate the limits of water that may be impacted
• Show how the ground water monitoring requirements will be met, if required by the 155 E permit
• Location of fueling station, if proposed 
• Adequate bonding precautions and process
• Environmental impact plan 
• Long term and short term maps

Mr. Roy notes that there will be a conservation easement on the property and there will be a site walk done yearly to be sure the easement is being honored, performed by Bear Paw Regional Greenways. Mr. Roy states that there is no existing condition or easement on the Big Wood area. He adds that the Master Plan’s meaning and determination is for a development restriction only in this area, not development prohibition.

Mr. Docko requests that a member of the NCC come to the ZBA meeting and speak regarding the project. Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Wini Young, for Steve Hampl and Steve Roy to attend the ZBA March 26 meeting and represent the NCC. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

A site walk is scheduled for March 31 at 9:30 a.m.

Robert Graves: 90 Green St. Map 231; Lot 24.1
Robert Graves II is present. Mr. Roy states that the appraisal has been completed for $48,000 with the floating 2 acre lot or $118,000 without the floating lot. Mr. Graves states that they plan to reserve the 2 acre lot.

A discussion is held regarding the grant application for fish and game. Mr. Roy explains that the parcel is ranked very high from NH Fish and Game Department and states that the grant is a land owner incentive grant program. Grant guidelines are reviewed and the grant is for 50% of the appraised value if the other 50% is matched.

Mr. Graves states that he is planning to get an assessment on the farm with the 2 acre lot. Mr. Graves states that the farm has not been split yet. Mr. Roy asks if the appraisal is for the house and two acre lot. Mr. Graves replies no, it is just the 55 acres. Mr. Roy states that the conservation easement will note a two acre lot that the Graves will retain the development rights.

Mr. Hampl states that he and Mr. Ryan have walked the property and the parcel seems highly valuable in terms of conserving with the water resources and wildlife resources.

Mr. Roy states that the grant is a federally funded grant and the money is administered by NH Fish and Game. He adds that the window has not opened for the grants. Further discussion continues should the grant process not occur. General consensus of the NCC is that the process should move forward. The parcel is a valuable resource. Additional discussion is held regarding neighboring properties.  

A discussion is held regarding the easement holder process. Mr. Roy explains that the town does hold easements. Mr. Roy states that there are primary and executive easement holders.

A letter of intent is provided and reviewed. Mr. Roy reads the letter into the record. Mr. Graves grants permission to the chair to amend the letter. Mr. Roy  states that the NCC needs to know if Bear Paw will be involved in the grant process and who will be submitting the grant application. He requests that members of Bear Paw attend the NCC meetings if Bear Paw will be involved. 
Steve Roy makes a motion, second by Loren O’Neil, to amend the letter of intent to state for the amount of up to $48,000. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0. Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Steve Hampl, for Steve Roy to sign the agreement with the Graves and the NCC to solidify the town’s interest with the Graves property, 24 Green Street, Map 231; Lot 24. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0. Mr. Roy and Mr. Graves sign the letter of intent. 

9:15 – Loren O’Neil and Pauline Lemelin left the meeting.

Minimum Impact Expedited Application:
Manseau, 144 Lynn Grove Rd. Map 113; Lot 26. Mr. and Ms. Michaud are present along with David Docko regarding this application. A letter was sent to Ms. Manseau requesting additional information. A letter was received in response to the NCC’s letter with explanations and notes. With no further discussion, amendments are made to the application by the applicants. Mr. Ryan makes a motion, second by Mr. Hampl, to accept the application as complete with the letter provided as an addendum. Motion passes unanimously; 4/0.

OTHER:
Ms. Young states that she will be attending the Northwood Area Land

Management Collaborative information session regarding habitat management, managing lands, forest management plans, and looking into resources and the benefits to wildlife.

Mr. Roy states that the Low survey is 90% completed. An invoice has been received from TF Bernier, Inc. for $9640. Mr. Ryan makes a motion, second by Mr. Hampl, to pay TF Bernier $9,640 as specified on invoice #3069 for services provided through January 31, 2007, for partial payment for surveying of the Low property, to be paid out of the conservation land fund. Motion passes unanimously; 4/0.

CORRESPONDENCE:
All correspondence is reviewed.

ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn is made by Jim Ryan and seconded by Steve Roy. Motion passes unanimously; 4/0 at 10:00 p.m.  

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Fellows-Weaver
Board Secretary