Conservation Commission

Minutes

November 6. 2007

Official as of December 4, 2007

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

PRESENT: Chairman Steve Roy, Loren O’Neil, Steve Hampl, Alternate Pauline Lemelin, Alternate Wini Young, and Board Secretary Lisa Fellows-Weaver. Vice Chairman Jim Ryan arrives at 8:00 p.m.

VOTING DESIGNATION: Steve Roy, Loren O’Neil, Steve Hampl, Alternate Pauline Lemelin, Alternate Wini Young. Jim Ryan (8:00).

ABSENT: Michael Matson

MINUTES:
September 11, 2007: Steve Roy makes a motion, second by Wini Young, to approve the minutes of 9/11/07, as amended as follows:
Page 2: Appraisals & Land Projects: Add … appraised value…
Page 2: Appraisals & Land Projects: Add … could fund up to 50% of the project… 
Motion passes; 5/0.

October 2, 2007: Steve Roy makes a motion, second by Steve Hampl, to approve the minutes of 10/2/07, as written. Motion passes; 3/2. Loren O’Neil and Pauline Lemelin abstain as they were not at the meeting.

October 16, 2007: Steve Roy makes a motion, second by Wini Young, to approve the minutes of 10/16/07, as written. Motion passes; 3/2. Loren O’Neil and Pauline Lemelin abstain as they were not at the meeting.

2008 Proposed Budget:
Mr. Roy reviews and explains the proposed budget as approved by the NCC at the October 16 meeting for members that were absent.

NCC/NH Fish and Game/Board of Selectmen Meeting:
Mr. Roy states that he has prepared a memo to be sent to the NHF&G members that were present at the October 16 meeting relating to the Lucas Pond access point and boat launch. The memo is read and a lengthy discussion is held regarding the access area, the purposes of Lucas Pond for recreational uses such as fishing as well as a beach area for residents.

Discussion ensues regarding the purpose of the joint meeting with the selectmen scheduled for November 13. The intent is to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the site noting specific obligations for the selectmen and conservation commission, as well as for NHF&G.

Mr. Roy makes a motion to send the memo to NHF&G requesting information needed for the selectmen’s meeting for November 13. No second is made. Ms. O’Neil expresses concern with the fact that the memo does not mention any restoration plans for the beach area, which she has previously mentioned.  Mr. Roy states that the selectmen will need to determine the involvement of NHF&G, which will affect the outcome of the Lucas Pond Beach area. Ms. Lemelin notes that the location of the old beach lot has been developed. Mr. Roy adds that the area is posted as a town beach requiring a beach pass to utilize. He adds that should the selectmen decide to keep the area as a town beach as it is now posted, the town will be responsible for all of the costs to design, implement an upgraded plan for the erosion problems, NHF&G would not stock the pond with Tiger Trout, which will have an affect locally. Mr. Roy adds that NHF&G would probably enforce eminent domain to get to the dam as it controls the level of the lake.  

Additional discussion is held regarding amending the memo. Mr. Roy withdraws the motion. Mr. Roy makes a motion, second by Ms. Lemelin, to send the memo as amended as follows:
Add (f) Possibility of public beach development of the remaining portion frontage to replace the lost Bennett Bridge Road Beach.

Ms. O’Neil feels that the component of the beach replenishment is not being emphasized in the memo. Motion passes; 5/0.

Secretary to post a public notice regarding the NCC meeting with the selectmen. Secretary to request any information from NH Fish and Game prior to the meeting for NCC members to review, if possible, and make copies for the BOS. Secretary to provide a copy of the meeting outline to the BOS and copy of file contents for their records.

Cowdrey Easement – Map 241/Lot 5:
Ms. Young and Mr. Roy attended a meeting with the selectmen regarding the Cowdrey easement. Also in attendance was Dan Kern of Bear Paw. Ms. Young provides an overview of the meeting in which the proposal was explained and the NCC asked the selectmen if they would be interested in signing the easement as the executory interest for the town. Mr. Roy states that they suggested the easement be sent to town counsel for review and the selectmen agreed. Mr. Roy adds that Mr. Kern is currently in negotiations with the Cowdreys. Brief discussion is held regarding funds for transaction costs. Mr. Roy states that the funds for the Cowdrey easement will come out of the conservation land fund.  

Lows:
No additional information has been received.

Mr. Ryan arrives at 8:00 p.m.
Site Walk – Faucher Lane/Jenness Pond
Mr. Hampl states that he and Mr. Ryan reviewed 3 Faucher Lane along Jenness Pond on October 9, as a result of a concern received from an abutter relative to clearing activities being done. Mr. Hampl provides additional pictures received from the abutter and further explains the activity in the area. Correspondence has been received from NHDES acknowledging the abutter’s concerns. Steve Roy makes a motion, second by Steve Hampl, to send a memo to NHDES along with a copy of the site walk photos. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

OTHER
Ms. Young states that Bear Paw is working on updating the town’s conservation maps and she lists the properties that will be added to the GRANIT database.

CORRESPONDENCE
All correspondence is reviewed and no action is necessary.

ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn is made by Jim Ryan and Steve Hampl seconds. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0 at 8:35 p.m.  

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Fellows-Weaver
Board Secretary