The Town of Northwood, New Hampshire - Conservation Commission Minutes 07/10/07

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

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

ABSENT: Michael Matson and Board Administrator Linda Smith.

MINUTES:
June 5, 2007: Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Loren O’Neil, to approve the minutes of 6/5/07, as written. Discussion is held and changes are suggested. Mr. Ryan and Ms. O’Neil retract the motion and second.
Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Loren O’Neil, to approve the minutes of 6/5/07, as amended, as follows:
Page 3: Town Forester Change: …designated town forests areas
Motion passes; 5/0/1. Loren O’Neil abstains as she was not at the meeting.

Lows:
Mr. Roy states that the commission authorized him to work with Linda Smith to address the outstanding items with the Low project. Mr. Roy adds that he spoke to Emily as well. Mr. Roy states that there are three outstanding items for the Low project:
• Right of way language
• Joint use agreement with the Lows, PSNH, Village of Northwood Ridge Water District, and the town
• New right of way easement

Mr. Roy states that Emily Low is not inclined to support parking in the power transmission corridor. Further discussion is held regarding the process of the paperwork. Mr. Roy states that PSNH needs to determine if the use being proposed by the NCC is a change of use. If it is, then PSNH will need to modify the agreement.

Additional discussion is held regarding the parking area. Mr. Roy states that if there is to be parking in the PSNH corridor, then the commission will need to enter into an agreement with PSNH strictly for the parking. He adds that the right of way language can be drafted to include parking in the 80’ wide corner of the property. Mr. Roy suggests that this be pursued as it would not involve PSNH and the area is wider. The area is also closer to the access point.

Mr. Roy states that the commission is still waiting for the deed language describing the metes and bounds of the new right of way.

Graves:
No additional information has been received.

APPOINTMENTS:
7:15 - Charlie Moreno, Town Forester
Town Forester Charlie Moreno is present regarding the town’s forests. Mr. Moreno states that the town’s plan was created in the late 80’s. He feels that there is still accurate information that can be worked from and is relevant; however, the plan needs to be updated.

Mr. Roy states that there was discussion from a town meeting and no forest management fund was ever established. Mr. Moreno states that every town handles the forests and the funds differently. He explains that if the town votes to designate a property as a town forest then the laws state that the NCC has the authority to oversee the management of that land.

Mr. Moreno explains that specific funds can be designated for maintaining boundary lines, and educational programs. He states that the maintenance plans benefit the growth of the trees. He suggests that the NCC has specific designated funds. Anything left over can be invested back into the land and any other conservation projects.

Mr. Roy suggests that the Low property could be transitioned into a town forest by a warrant article. He notes that the town’s current lots are off the beaten track. They are publicly owned lots; however, with no direct access for the public.

A discussion is held regarding a contractual layout. Mr. Moreno explains that the town is the landowner and seller of the timber to be harvested. The buyer is the logger and/or the sawmill. He states that he is contracted by the town and is working for the seller as well as reviewing for the best interest of forest management. He explains that he helps with negotiations according to standards. He adds that this is rehabilitation for better forests for the future and generates a higher forest value. It also makes a nicer looking forest. Forest management creates environmental and monitory values. Mr. Ryan states that this is a small investment to build up a small, renewable resource.

Mr. Moreno recommends that the town use the same four properties as there is a good base to work off of. He feels that the statistical analysis portion needs to be updated for total volumes of timber, based per species. A forest inventory needs to be completed. Mr. Ryan states that the Forest Management Plan should be a formal document accepted and voted upon by the NCC every year and then the direction will be there. Ms. Young notes that there has been some work done over the past few years, i.e. cutting, blazings, etc.

The NCC requests a work scope and estimate from Mr. Moreno to update the management plan. The NCC will then present to the selectmen and budget accordingly to begin the process; present to the budget committee; and begin to draft language for a warrant article for forest maintenance.

Saddleback Mountain Trails
Ms. Young requests permission to reblaze the trail markers on Saddleback Mountain trails. Steve Roy makes a motion, second by Jim Ryan, to allow Wini Young to reblaze the trails on Saddleback Mountain. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

NH Estuaries Conservation Focus Area Maps
Area maps are reviewed and general discussion is held regarding the conservation overlay districts. Maps show areas within the specific districts and discussion ensues regarding proposing revisions, expansions, and/or reducing the town’s conservation overlay districts. This item will be addressed at future meetings.

Docko
Ms. Young states that she met with Dan Kern of Bear Paw Regional Greenways, and Dave Docko regarding the progress of the quarry and explosive site. She states that all land owners have been offered monetary funds and some land will be purchased by Mr. Docko. Ms. Young explains that Mr. Docko plans to pay all of the landowner’s transaction costs for their easements. She adds that there will be only one plan, which will include the quarry and the explosive magazine storage. She notes that Mr. Docko relayed that the land owners within the radius for the explosive magazine storage business are okay with the proposal.

Northwood Meadows State Park
Ms. Young states that there has been some cutting by NH Department of Fish & Game in two areas in the Meadows. The intent is to try to open up two areas for wildlife.

Northwood Area Land Management Collaborative Committee
Ms. Young states that there have been some logging operations ongoing in the Boy Scout camp. She states that there will be some walks scheduled with the intent to teach and show land owners how to manage land and to learn about types of wildlife habitats in the area.

CORRESPONDENCE:
All correspondence is reviewed.

OTHER BUSINESS:
Milfoil: Mr. Roy suggests that the NCC work on revising the $3,000. warrant article allocated for milfoil. He states that he would like to schedule a meeting with the presidents of the lake associations with the intent to broaden the existing language for the funding for milfoil treatment and to add funding of other projects that may impact other water bodies for public use. He explains that he has spoken to Pete Jones, president of the Northwood Lake Watershed, regarding milfoil treatment. Mr. Jones explained that the milfoil in Northwood Lake is located in a few small coves and they will not be treating for milfoil this year and will probably not treat next year either. Mr. Roy further explains the matching funds lake associations have for funding.

Lucas Pond: Mr. Ryan notes that it has been mentioned that the Lucas Pond area is being defecated in and this is a board of health issue that needs to be addressed. Mr. Roy states that he has contacted the town’s health officer, with no avail.

Town Beaches: A discussion is held regarding the town owned public use beaches, including boat launching. Concern is expressed relative to over crowding at the beaches as the number of beaches open is reduced due to E-coli, closings, etc. Ms. O’Neil suggests that the town open up Lucas Pond as a public beach since Mary Waldron is overcrowded and there is an area for boat launching right next to it. She adds that she witnessed gas spilled into the water as a boater was refueling. Further discussion is held regarding the beach at Harvey Lake. This item to be further addressed and added to the agenda.

Future Agenda Items:
Lucas Pond Beach: Why it is no longer a town beach and is it still town owned property.
Milfoil Warrant Article Expansion
NCC/NCRC Budget: Money in the budgets for Natural Resource Inventory.

ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn is made by Jim Ryan and seconded by Loren O’Neil. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0 at 9:19 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Fellows-Weaver,
Board Secretary

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