Conservation Commission

Minutes

December 4, 2007

Official as of January 8, 2008

Steve Hampl calls the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

PRESENT: Steve Hampl, Michael Matson, Alternate Wini Young, Board Administrator Linda Smith, and Board Secretary Lisa Fellows-Weaver.
Chairman Steve Roy arrives at 7:15; Loren O’Neil arrives at 7:32 p.m.

VOTING DESIGNATION: Steve Hampl, Michael Matson, Alternate Wini Young, Chairman Steve Roy (7:15), Loren O’Neil (7:32).

ABSENT: Vice Chairman Jim Ryan, and Alternate Pauline Lemelin.

MINUTES:
November 6, 2007: Steve Roy makes a motion, second by Steve Hampl, to approve the minutes of 11/6/07, as amended as follows:
Page 3: Other: Add … … added to the GRANIT database.
Motion passes; 3/0/1. Mike Matson abstains as he was not at the meeting.

PUBLIC INPUT
Ronald Martin is present regarding his property 144 Lynn Grove Rd. Pictures are provided depicting water concerns due to the new construction ongoing at the Manseau property.  He reviews and explains the pictures provided and the layout of the land. He adds that he has cleaned up the area twice and there is still erosion occurring after it rains.

Loren O’Neil arrives at 7:32 p.m.

Mr. Roy states that NHDES subsurface bureau has been contacted regarding the fact that the septic approval had been violated. Mr. Roy recalls that a wetlands permit was requested for a boat slip and he adds that a new leach field has been built. Mr. Roy asks if a complaint form has been filed with DES. Mr. Martin replies no, he has spoken to subsurface bureau though. Mr. Roy states that this is a civil issue and encourages Mr. Martin to contact code enforcement, which Mr. Martin replies that he has contacted Dave Hickey, CEO, who has been to the property. Mr. Martin states that he has also spoken to Health Officer Don Arsenault who has stated that a new “as built” septic plan needs to be resubmitted.

Mr. Martin explains that a 6 ft. granite chip swale was added and the driveway was paved; a 12” berm was added which makes the swale inefficient. All the water now runs into the leach field causing problems. Mr. Roy replies that property damage issues are not for the NCC to address. Mr. Martin notes that the house is 2 bedrooms, 3800 sq. ft.

Mr. Roy suggests a letter be sent to NHDES noting ongoing erosion issues that may be draining into the lake due to new construction.

Loren O’Neil makes a motion, second by Mike Matson, to send a letter to NHDES regarding the erosion that may be occurring at 144 Lynn Grove Rd. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

Forest Management Plan
Ms. O’Neil states that she has completed retyping the town’s Forest Management Plan.

Appraisals & Land Projects~Low
Ms. Smith states that she has received an email from town counsel. Counsel is waiting for documents from the Low’s attorney. Town counsel with then perform the title search. 

Lucas Pond Beach
Ms. Smith states that she has contacted Marion Knox regarding research of Lucas Pond. Ms. Knox does not recall ever seeing a written agreement between the Town of Northwood Board of Selectmen and the NH Department of Fish and Game. Mrs. Knox is continuing to research selectmen’s minutes and will provide any information if it becomes available. 

Additional discussion is held regarding the meeting with NCC members and the selectmen regarding the options for Lucas Pond Beach; purchase, sale, construction, and maintenance. Mr. Roy comments that this project should be within the recreation department’s budget and the recreation department should be supporting the future of the beach.

Discussion continues regarding the existing conditions of the beach area and the need for internal funds to maintain the beach area as the town owns the area. Liability for the town is discussed due to the way the site exists. Mr. Roy adds that it is the responsibility of the board of selectmen to make a determination regarding the liability issue and to make the area safe.

Members of the commission agree that the Lucas Pond area is an asset to the town and the state. Mr. Roy and Ms. O’Neil agree to meet with the recreation department regarding the general perspective of Lucas Pond and to propose that the recreation department fully staff the area as a public beach for Summer 2008.

Mr. Roy states that it is the responsibility of the selectmen to determine the ownership of the Lucas Pond beach area. He adds that it is the role of the NCC to address all water runoff and any water quality issues. Ms. O’Neil requests a cost analysis for the Bennett Bridge beach project.

Complaint ~ Old Mountain Road, Map 228; Lot 5. 
Ms. Young states that she filed a complaint regarding Old Mountain Rd. with NHDES. She states that she walked the road in late October and found that there are some erosion problems and wetland impacts from bulldozing. She explains that she did take some pictures of the wash out as well as dirt that had been bulldozed over the culvert area possibly into an intermittent stream. Ms. Young states that her complaint has been misinterpreted by the DES Wetlands Bureau as her complaint was explaining the actual road area. She provides a copy of her complaint and correspondence. She adds that she will send out another letter tomorrow.  

A discussion is held regarding relief from zoning ordinances for private roads. Ms. Smith states that the zoning board (ZBA) has granted a variance on this property to build on this lot.

Discussion ensues regarding previous issues and the fact that the NCC has previously sent a memo to the selectmen requesting if any information relative to granting permission to upgrade 2,500 of the road, the western end of Mountain Road. It is noted that members have recorded significant sections to the town road have been upgraded from its previous condition. Steve Roy makes a motion, second by Mike Matson, to send another memo to the selectmen regarding permission being granted to upgrade sections of Old Mountain Rd. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

Ms. Young requests that a letter be sent to NHDES regarding activities on Old Mountain Road and requests that NHDES perform a site walk. Loren O’Neil makes a motion, second by Mike Matson, to send a letter to NHDES regarding work on Old Mountain Road. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

CORRESPONDENCE
Underwood Engineering ~ Old Turnpike and Old Canterbury Road:
Mr. Dryer of Underwood Engineering has requested comments from the NCC regarding Underwood’s responses to NHDES. Steve Roy makes a motion, second by Mike Matson, for Mr. Roy to review the packet and comments and approve if complete. Motion passes; 5/0.
 
All other correspondence is reviewed.

ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn is made by Steve Roy and Loren O’Neil seconds. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0 at 9:31 p.m.  

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Fellows-Weaver
Board Secretary