The Town of Northwood, New Hampshire - Conservation Commission Minutes 09/11/07

PRESENT: Steve Hampl, Loren O’Neil, Alternate Wini Young, Alternate Pauline Lemelin, Board Administrator Linda Smith, and Board Secretary Lisa Fellows-Weaver. Steve Roy arrives at 7:45 p.m. Jim Ryan arrives at 8:02 p.m.

VOTING DESIGNATION: Vice Chairman Jim Ryan, Steve Hampl, Loren O’Neil, Alternate Wini Young, and Alternate Pauline Lemelin. Chairman Steve Roy 7:45.

ABSENT: Michael Matson

MINUTES:
August 7, 2007: Pauline Lemelin makes a motion, second by Steve Hampl, to approve the minutes of 8/7/07, as amended as follows:
Page 1: Appointments: Add map and lot. Conservation Fund.
Page 2: Applications: Change: Photographs showing existing conditions should have their locations delineated.
Page 4: Add: NH Fish and Game…
Page 5: Add: Northwood Area…
Motion passes; 3/0/1.

APPOINTMENTS:
Dan Kern, Bear-Paw Regional Greenways
Dan Kern and Lucy Edwards are present from Bear Paw Regional Greenways. Mr. Kern explains that Bear Paw is currently working with a parcel on Saddleback Mountain, Cowdrey, Map 241; Lot 5. Mr. Kern explains that the Cowdreys have offered to donate a conservation easement on their 42 acre parcel. He states that this would surround the house area and would be approximately 40 acres. He further explains that the area is connected with another conservation easement and this addition would close off further development beyond this property. Maps of the general area are reviewed.

Mr. Kern explains that Bear Paw would be asking the commission to assist with the transaction costs, estimating $7000. $10,500 is the total for the entire project. He adds that there may be a possible grant match.

Additional discussion is held. Members present support the project however, are requesting input from the Vice chair and chairman before voting to expend any funds on the project or committing to the project. Loren O’Neil makes a motion, second by Pauline Lemelin, to table this item to next month’s meeting. Motion passes unanimously; 4/0.

Steve Roy arrives at 7:45. Ms. O’Neil rescinds her motion, and Ms. Lemelin rescinds her second.

Further discussion is held regarding the Cowdrey project. Mr. Roy explains that the conservation land fund can absorb the amount to support the Cowdrey project. Mr. Kern states that the location of the property is bounded by conservation land on three sides. Mr. Roy states that the associated costs would be for transaction costs only. Mr. Kern states that no language has been drafted to date.

Additional discussion is held regarding the primary easement holder and the executive interest. Mr. Kern states that Bear Paw would be the primary holder and the matter of an executive interest has not been discussed to date. Mr. Roy states that he is inclined to support the project and notes that the town should have a role in the easement with an executory interest. Mr. Kern offers to speak with the land owner. General discussion continues regarding the conditions of the land and surrounding areas.

Loren O’Neil motions to approve the spending of $10,500 for the Cowdrey project to cover easement fees as long as the NCC is the executory interest holder, at a minimum. Pauline Lemelin seconds. Motion passes; 4/0/1. Wini Young abstains.

Appraisals & Land Projects: Johnson; Low; Graves.
A discussion is held regarding the Johnson property. Mr. Kern states that the appraised value was $620,000. Mr. Roy states that the location has recently reconstructed their septic system in the back field of the restaurant. He believes that 2 acres has been affected within the prime agricultural soils. Now, the area could be perceived differently and this acreage should be subtracted from the easement. Further discussion ensues relative to the grant programs as that too could be affected. Mr. Kern states that the grant could be $330,000 and it is a project that could be pursued through LCHiP, which could fund up to 50% of the project. Mr. Kern states that this would need to be a warrant article.

Mr. Kern explains that with the farm program, the money needs to be committed when the application is done. The next deadline would be April or May and would need to be a warrant article at the next town meeting. He states that negotiations need to be completed with the two owners prior to meeting with the NCC.
A discussion is held regarding the Graves property. Mr. Kern states that he does not have any additional information relative to the Graves project, at this time.

Jim Ryan arrives at 8:02 p.m.

NEW APPLICATIONS:
Minimum Impact Expedited Applications:
1. Town of Northwood, Old Turnpike Rd. Map 108; Lot 102 & Map 215; Lot 14 &
15. The checklist is reviewed and the application is deemed incomplete. The following is a list of items outstanding:
• The North arrow is pointing in the southern direction and is approximately 180 degrees off, and
• The distances of the proposed work is not delineated to the abutting property lines
Steve Roy makes a motion, second by Steve Hampl, to send a letter to the applicant noting the two items missing in the application. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

Loren O’Neil makes a motion, to authorize the chair to sign the application when the corrected information is provided. Steve Hampl seconds. Motion passes; 5/0/1. Steve Roy abstains.

2. Town of Northwood, Old Canterbury Rd. Map 215; Lots 30 & 35.
The application is reviewed and compared to the checklist. The commission
determines that the application is incomplete due to the following:
• The distances of the proposed impact to the abutting property lines has not been provided.

Steve Roy makes a motion, second by Jim Ryan, to send a letter to Underwood Engineering regarding the Old Canterbury Road application requesting the distances of the proposed area of impact to the abutting property lines be shown in the application. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

Loren O’Neil motions, second by Jim Ryan, to authorize the chair to sign the amended application when additional information is received. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

OTHER BUSINESS:
Lucas Pond: Ms. Young states that she and Mr. Matson attended the selectmen’s meeting and the selectmen agreed to place a porta potty at the beach through Labor Day.
A discussion is held regarding the area and having this become a public beach. Mr. Ryan explains that NH Fish and Game Department are involved with the pond. Mr. Roy explains that NH Fish and Game also have a maintenance role with the access point and for NH Fish and Game to continue with this and receive funding, the town has some restrictions. Mr. Hampl states that the actual open area of Lucas Pond that is owned by the town is .38 acres. Ms. O’Neil states that she would like to continue to pursue that this area become a public beach.

Further discussion is held regarding the conditions of the beach area. Mr. Ryan notes that areas are eroding and aggregate would need to be added due to the boulders, fill, drainage, and the steps are eroding. Mr. Hampl notes that there is a liability and safety issue.

The commission requests that the recreation director attend the October 2 meeting to discuss the Lucas Pond beach project.

Milfoil Warrant Article: Mr. Roy explains that the wording of the warrant article will need to be changed along with the purpose for funding. Mr. Roy states that he will propose a language change and contact the presidents of the lake associations for imput. This item to be further addressed at the next meeting.

Town Forester
Loren O’Neil states that she is almost done typing out the town’s forestry document to be a word document in order for it to be electronic. She will send to town hall to then be forwarded to Charlie Moreno, Town Forester. Mr. Roy asks if a quote to update the Forest Management Plan from Mr. Moreno has been received. Ms. Weaver replies no. Mr. Roy makes a motion, second by Mr. Ryan, for Ms. O’Neil to forward the electronic copy of the Forest Management Plan to the secretary who will forward to Mr. Moreno. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0. Mr. Roy makes a motion, second by Mr. Ryan, to send a letter to Mr. Moreno as a reminder requesting a quote to update the Forest Management Plan for the 2008 budget. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

Correspondence
Ms. Young states that Bear Paw will be holding a roundtable relative to wildlife habitat protection. She stated that she will plan to attend and requested the NCC co-host the presentation with Bear paw, October 29 at town hall. Mr. Roy makes a motion to support and co-host the wildlife action plan presentation by Bear Paw Regional Greenways, October 29. Second by Jim Ryan. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.
Intent to Cuts: The Intent to Cut forms are presented as requested last month, and will be kept for informational purposes.

Northwood Lake Beach NHDES Application: Notification from NHDES has been received denying the application to remove rocks from the beach due to the fact that additional information was not submitted. The NCC will further review and discuss this at the next meeting.

All other correspondence is reviewed.

ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn is made by Loren O’Neil and seconded by Jim Ryan. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0 at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Fellows-Weaver,
Board Secretary

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