Conservation Commission

Minutes

June 5, 2007

Official as of July 10, 2007

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

PRESENT: Chairman Steve Roy, Vice-Chairman Jim Ryan, Steve Hampl,
and Board Secretary Lisa Fellows-Weaver. Michael Matson arrives at 7:03, Alternate Wini Young, and Board Administrator Linda Smith arrive at 7:06.

VOTING DESIGNATION: Steve Roy, Jim Ryan, Steve Hampl, Michael Matson and Wini Young.

ABSENT: Loren O’Neil, and Alternate Pauline Lemelin

MINUTES:
May 1, 2007: Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Steve Roy, to approve the minutes of 5/1/07, as written. Motion passes unanimously; 3/0.

7:03 p.m. Mr. Matson arrives.

NEW APPLICATIONS:
Standard Dredge and Fill Application: Milton, 412 Bow Lake Rd. Map 105; Lot 44. The commission reviews the application and determines that the application is complete. Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Steve Hampl, to accept the application as submitted. Motion passes; 4/0/1. Wini Young abstains, as she arrives after review was begun. 
 
7:06 p.m. Wini Young, and Linda Smith arrive.

Lows:
Mr. Roy states that he attended the May planning board meeting along with the  Lows regarding their subdivision for the back area of 78 acres. He provides an overview of the PB meeting and explains that the planning board did conditionally approve the subdivision. He states that the focal point of the meeting was the pending easements and encumbrances on the deed; a right of way easement needs to be developed between the town and the Lows, a joint use agreement between the Lows, PSNH, and the Village of Northwood Ridge Water District needs to be written to include the town, and the Conservation Exhibit needs to be finalized.

Mr. Roy requests that the NCC consider him to work and draft an agreement with Linda Smith and then come back to the NCC with the results. Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Steve Hampl, to allow Steve Roy to draft agreements for the NCC relative to the Low parcel and present to the NCC when finalized.

A discussion is held regarding the capacity to use an area along the right of way for parking. Ms. Smith asks if there is a reason to not have parking on the site. Ms. Young states that there is only room for one car to pass at a time. Additional discussion is held regarding the parking area and the need to avoid the well head protection area. Ms. Smith states that this parcel will be public land and there should be some type of public access. Mr. Roy adds that there will need to be wording in the deed for parking on the property. Further discussion ensues regarding alternative parking areas; such as along PSNH land or along Rte 4, however, this could be a safety factor. The commission agrees that a preferred alternative parking area would be along the PSNH power lines and then walk in to access the area.

The revised Conservation Exhibit is reviewed and additional wording regarding hunting and fishing that was requested by the planning board is noted as being added. Motion passes; 4/0/1. Steve Roy abstains.

Graves: 
No additional information from the Graves has been received and there has been no further contact. Mr. Roy provides an overview of the LIP grant, the grant for cost share projects which will cover 50% of no more than the appraised value, $48,000.

Ms. Smith states that a public hearing would be required for this project. Mr. Roy states that Bear Paw will be the primary conservation easement holder for the Graves project. He adds that Dan Kern understands that the NCC wants the town to be the executive interest holder in the conservation easement if the NCC is to support the project.

Graves Invoice:
All set to be submitted to the treasurer.

Rooney:
A copy of the official conservation easement deed that has been recorded at the Rockingham County Registry of Deeds has been received and is reviewed. Mr. Roy states that this document is an easement deed that the property owner agreed to allow Bear Paw to be the easement holder. He explains that the town gets the benefit of another conservation easement.

A discussion is held regarding the responsibilities of easements. Mr. Ryan states that the NCC should address the need to have some notification in the NCC’s procedures relative to activities and responsibilities if something should happen to the town’s easements.

Steve Roy makes a motion to approve the Bear Paw invoice for $3500. for survey fee and cost sharing for Rooney, accompanied by a letter requesting the town receive a copy of the annual stewardship monitoring report to maintain a status of the conservation easement. Jim Ryan seconds. Motion passes; 4/0/1. 

Town Forester
Charlie Moreno, the town forester, will be present at the July 10 meeting. Mr. Roy asks that members review the town’s forest management plan. Mr. Roy states that the town has four designated town forests areas. A discussion is held regarding the benefits of a town forest and having a management fund created for foresting funds. The fund has been discussed in years past; however, the selectmen wanted all funds to go back into the town’s general fund. Mr. Roy suggests that the Low parcel be considered as a town forest. Mr. Roy states that he would like to update the table to 2007 figures. Discussion ensues regarding the process of cutting and a maintenance schedule of a management plan.

Town Beaches
Mr. Matson mentions that there has been some erosion in the Lucas Pond area and there may be unsanitary conditions. He expresses concern with the fact that there regarding the area being defecated. Further discussion is held regarding the erosion of Bennett’s Bridge Beach and the progress of repairs. Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Steve Hampl, for Steve Roy to contact the recreation director regarding the town beach erosion and assistance with wetlands permits.

Additional discussion is held regarding the drainage in the Bennett’s Bridge area and the history of the developments that have occurred over the past few years in that area. Mr. Roy states that he will review the subdivision plans of this area for drainage issues to see if the flooding may be due to development.  Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

UNH Survey
Ms. Young states that she has attempted to complete the UNH survey reviewed last month. She has forwarded a copy to Mr. Ryan. Steve Roy makes a motion, second by Jim Ryan, for Wini Young and Jim Ryan to review,  comment, complete, and mail out the UNH survey. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

Northwood Area Land Management Collaborative Committee
Wini Young provides copies of the minutes from the Northwood Area Land Management Collaborative meeting. A discussion is held regarding an ecological assessment being done in Northwood, which led to additional discussion of another option for an additional through road and access into the Gulf area. Maps are reviewed. Mr. Roy suggests that a natural resource inventory should be completed and then determine what area would be appropriate.  

NH Estuaries Conservation Focus Area Maps
Area town maps are reviewed and general discussion is held regarding the three conservation overlay districts. Maps show areas of restrictions within the specific districts. Huge limitations are noted. Areas are noted as to where the town should focus on for conservation/land acquisition. Ms. Young comments that the CC maps were very useful to the Emergency Management Committee during the floods. 

CORRESPONDENCE:
All correspondence is reviewed.

ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn is made by Jim Ryan and seconded by Wini Young. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0 at 9:00 p.m.  

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Fellows-Weaver,
Board Secretary