Conservation Commission

Minutes

October 2, 2007

Official as of November 6, 2007

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

PRESENT: Chairman Steve Roy, Vice Chairman Jim Ryan, Steve Hampl, Alternate Wini Young, Alternate Pauline Lemelin, and Board Secretary Lisa Fellows-Weaver. Michael Matson arrives at 7:04, Loren O’Neil arrives at 7:14,  Board Administrator Linda Smith arrives at 7:30 p.m.

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

MINUTES:
The minutes are postponed.

PUBLIC INPUT:
Leah Foley, a student from Coe Brown, is present to meet with the board as a result of a biology project to learn about the environment and research ways to help the environment. Ms. Foley interviews the commission regarding the purpose and jobs of the conservation commission and asks questions relative to goals the committee has reached and what is currently being worked on. Commission members explain the process of applications, land projects that are ongoing, grants, stormwater and drainage issues, and the current milfoil fund to be expanded to be more inclusive to the other lakes in Northwood. Further discussion continues regarding the environment and development in town. Ms. Foley is referred to the conservation maps for additional information and thanked for her interest in the NCC’s duties. 

Mr. Roy left the meeting for a conference with Ms. Smith relative to the Low project. 

NEW APPLICATIONS:
Minimum Impact Expedited Application:
Couch, 151 Lower Deerfield Rd. Map 246; Lot 1.
Ms. Couch explains the proposal is to cross a wetlands and add two culverts in
the existing driveway. The application is reviewed and compared to the
checklist. The commission determines that the application is incomplete due to
the following:
• A scale needs to be provided on the plans
• Delineate the boundary/surface edge of all surface waters and wetlands
• Hatch out the 20’x65’ sq. ft. area to be impacted 
• The distances of the proposed impact to the abutting property lines needs to be provided.
• Provide a list of the type of construction and materials proposed
• Construction sequence needs to be provided
• Incomplete notification of abutters 
• Details of proposed erosion control measures
• Details of the culverts proposed including materials proposed
• List materials proposed for the driveway

Pauline Lemelin makes a motion, second by Steve Hampl, to send a letter to the applicant noting the deficiencies of the application. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

Steve Hampl motions, second by Pauline Lemelin, to authorize the vice chair to sign the amended application when additional information is received. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

APPOINTMENTS:
Kathy Boudreau, Recreation Director
Kathy Boudreau is present along with Chris Andrews, Recreation Commission Chairman, to discuss the Lucas Pond area and the possibility of proposing a town beach area.

Mike Matson provides an overview of the property. He states that he works for NH Fish and Game Department (NHF&G) and has searched to locate an agreement between the state and town relative to fishing and swimming and was not able to find anything. He explains that NHF&G has been maintaining this property since the 1940’s and the area belongs to the Town of Northwood. There is no type of easement that he was able to find and believes that there may have been some type of a verbal agreement for maintenance of the area.

Pictures of the beach area are reviewed. Mr. Matson explains the conditions of the beach area and states that with the area eroding and in disarray, it is a liability and safety issue.

Ms. O’Neil states that she would like to use the Lucas Pond area as a town beach since the town has lost the Bennett Bridge Beach area and Northwood Lake has had bacteria problems and needed to be closed during the summer. She states that this area has plenty of parking and could make a nice beach area. She would like to see the town work with NHF&G. 

Mr. Matson states that the area needs to be addressed due to safety factors and health issues. He explains that he and Ms. Young met with the selectmen relative to placing a porta potty in the area. It was approved by the BOS; however, was never followed through. Mr. Matson offers to assist the recreation director to create an agreement for the town and NHF&G. Mr. Matson notes that there is a rock in the area that honors a WWII Air Force officer. He adds that there is also placement for a 12” x 9”plaque that has been removed. He would like to see that the area be restored, the plaque replaced, and the area dedicated.

Mr. Matson states that this is a town resource and is worth more attention than what it is getting. Mr. Ryan notes that at one time there was a full time lifeguard on duty at this beach. Ms. O’Neil states that she would like to see all of the resources from Bennett Bridge Beach be shifted to Lucas Pond Beach. Mr. Ryan feels that any actions are out of the jurisdiction of the conservation commission; however, the NCC would fully support actions from the recreation commission to improve the area. He adds that this is a suitable replacement for the Bennett Bridge Beach. In addition, he explains that NHDES is now requiring an engineered plan to guarantee that flooding, which has occurred twice within one year, will not happen again.

Further discussion is held regarding beach access and a boat launch. Mr. Matson states that the area is for non motorized boats only. He offers to have an associate from NH Fish and Game come to the next NCC meeting to address an agreement and funding.

Mr. Ryan mentions that he believes that all funding would be a line item in the recreation department’s budget. Mr. Andrews adds that there could be some grant programs available and he will check into this.

A work session is scheduled for October 16, at 7 p.m. to further discuss the Lucas Pond beach project with the recreation director and recreation commission chairman.

Correspondence
A letter of concern has been received regarding potential violations of wetlands regulations (including the shoreland protection act) at Faucher Lane, Map 103; Lot 9. After review, a discussion is held regarding scheduling a site walk to view the area and members will report back to the commission at the October 16 work session. Ms. Smith has replied to the abutter noting that she would forward to the code enforcement officer. Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Loren O’Neil, for Jim Ryan and Steve Hampl to conduct a site walk at Map 103; Lot 9, Tuesday, October 9 at 10:00 a.m. with access through the abutter’s lot once 6permission has been granted. Report to be provided at the 10/16/07 work session. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

Cowdrey, Map 241; Lot 5:
An example of wording of an easement has been received from Dan Kern of Bear Paws and is reviewed by the commission.
Ms. Lemelin and Ms. O’Neil left at 9:20 p.m.

Budget:
Ms. Smith provides a budget worksheet for member to review. To be discussed at the October 16 work session.

All other correspondence is reviewed.

ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn is made by Mike Matson and seconded by Steve Hampl. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0 at 9:31 p.m.  

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Fellows-Weaver,
Board Secretary