Conservation Commission

Minutes

November 4, 2008

Official as of December 2, 2008

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

Present: Chairman Steve Roy, Vice Chairman Jim Ryan, Steve Hampl, Alternate Pauline Lemelin, Paul Lussier, Board Administrator Linda Smith, and Board Secretary Lisa Fellows-Weaver. Wini Young arrives at 7:05.

Absent: Loren O’Neil and Mike Matson 

Minutes
October 7, 2008:
Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Steve Roy, to approve the minutes of October 7, as written.
Page 1: Change: …add ( ) and remove …he…
Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Steve Roy, to approve the minutes of October 7, as amended. The motion passes; 6/0.

Public Input
Mr. Roy welcomes new member Paul Lussier. Mr. Lussier states that he has been a resident of Northwood for 14 years, would like to be involved with the town, and thought that the conservation commission would be a great place to begin.

Financial Reports
Ms. Smith provides the commission with an updated amount in the CC Land Fund account; $364,972.64 as of 10/20/08.

Consideration of Applications
Shoreland Permit Application, Camp Yavneh, Lucas Pond Rd. Map 124; Lot 15.

Mr. Roy explains that the proposal is to re-grade the existing beach and remove excess fill. A retaining wall and drainage swales will be provided to control runoff. In addition, this will help control future sand erosion into Lucas Pond. Further review and discussions are held. The disturbed area totals are 6,400 sq. ft.

Ms. Smith provides the commission with a brief memo from the town administration noting that the board of selectmen has requested that the commission review the application for the town and notes that the town is an abutter. Processing is further discussed as this is a new type of application for the commission. Ms. Smith reads from the Local Government Center Shoreland Protection Act Guide and notes that there is really no process for comments or for the commission to place a hold on an application.
 
Lengthy discussion ensues regarding turbidity controls and the siltation controls as well as the pond elevation data showing that the water mark is 2 ft. higher.

Even though the application is being reviewed by the commission as an abutter, the commission discusses and unanimously agrees that a site walk should be requested. After further discussion, it is suggested that a letter be sent to NHDES and the applicant.

Mr. Ryan states that he feels that the project seems to be a massive project to accomplish something; however, he is unsure as to what they are trying to accomplish. Mr. Roy states that as an abutter the town’s position should be concerned with the quality of the work and the quality of the pond. He adds that this would also allow the town to be able to better understand the project.

Steve Roy makes a motion to send a letter to the state regarding the proposed project for Camp Yavneh along the shoreline. Second by Jim Ryan.
Draft language for the letter: This letter is in reference to Shoreland Permit Application, file 2008-02230, for Camp Yavneh, 18 Lucas Pond Rd. Northwood, NH, Map 124; Lot 15, regarding a proposed project to re-grade, replace, and build a retaining wall on the shoreline of Lucas Pond. In review of the surface water elevation data from the state’s pond elevation data base, Lucas Pond approximate surface elevations indicated to be 433 ft. above sea level in the base or lowest elevation of the proposed disturbed area is below said elevation. As such, the town (as an abutter) would request consideration of including turbidity control in the pond over the duration of the project in addition to the erosion control.
cc: BOS; Applicant; MSC Civil Engineers Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Steve Hampl, for Steve Roy to review the letter prior to it being sent out. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

Jim Ryan makes a motion, second by Steve Hampl, to send a letter to Camp Yavneh requesting a site walk, and draft language for the memo is suggested. cc: BOS; MSC Civil Engineers Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

Other Business
Forester Bid Status
Mr. Roy states that after last month’s meeting he contacted Robert Graves, III regarding the need for additional information for the forester bids by October 20. Ms. Smith states that she received a contract; however, the work was noted to be completed by June 30, 2009. She explains that all work needs to be completed by March 29, 2009 as the funds will be encumbered from the 2008
budget line and a new contract was received which has been corrected. Ms. Smith states that she needs to do a purchase order; she is waiting for vendor information to be generated into the finance system.

A discussion is held regarding sending out a letter to Charlie Moreno thanking him for his input in the bid process. Steve Roy makes a motion, second by Jim Ryan, to send a thank you letter to Mr. Moreno. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0. Mr. Roy makes a motion to review the letter prior to sending it out, second by Mr. Ryan. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

Lows
Mr. Roy states that there are still some errors in the Low deed language. He explains that the planner is waiting for town counsel.

Mr. Roy reviews the process of a public hearing scheduled for November 12, 6:15. He requests a copy of the public notice and a copy of RSA 36-A:4 be accessible along with plans and a map of the area at the public hearing.
 
Mr. Roy also explains that there is access right of way language in the new deed that gives the town full access and capabilities to upgrade the road. He adds that there is also an assigned area for parking off of the right of way, which can probably hold up to 6 cars. This is also noted on the site plan. Restrictions and allowance for the property are other exhibits related to the property and mentioned by Mr. Roy. He also notes the water supply system.

Mr. Roy states that the commission has allocated $6,500 for the parking area in 2010-2011.

Mr. Lussier asks if the area around Acorn Pond could be a scouting area. Mr. Roy replies that the area is a passive recreation area and is very wet; however, this could be another option as well.

Lucas Pond Report-Underwood Engineering and Budget
The commission received copies of the Underwood Engineering report for Lucas Pond’s erosion issues. There were three different recommendations of phasing provided ranging in costs totaling up to $263,000. Alternative 1 is relative to parking improvements, #2 is for the paved boat launch, and #3 is for a perched beach. Additional information was provided relative to short and long term recommendations. Mr. Roy requests that the information be forwarded to the Woodman Park Study Committee for their review. 

Ms. Smith asks if the committee would like to amend their budget based on the information received from Underwood’s report. Mr. Roy states that $35,000 was proposed for the CIP for 2010 and he feels that something will get done with that money. Ms. Smith asks if there would be a capital reserve account created for 2010 or if the total $35,000 is for a particular expenditure. Mr. Roy states that he would like Underwood to note the more immediate fixes and provide a quote. Discussions ensue regarding the work scope. Mr. Roy comments that he would like specific information noted for the drainage issues across the parking lot, and bring in a grader and materials to make everything fit in the area better. He feels that the overall cost would be between $25,000 - $40,000 for 2010. Ms. Smith agrees and states that the commission should focus on the work that really needs to get done due to the budget restraints. Mr. Roy feels that the amount should remain as originally proposed.

Ms. Smith states that the commission has been scheduled for a meeting with the selectmen regarding the budget for 11/25 at 7:15. She states that at the meeting the commission can adjust their budget if need be; however, she would like additional numbers from Underwood. The contract is reviewed and Mr. Roy states that Underwood has not met the work scope request and a short term relief from the erosion damage has not been provided. Ms. Smith will contact Ben Dryer and discuss this and contact Mike Matson for further completion.

Ms. Smith notes that (based on reading draft selectmen minutes) the recreation department has requested that the rental fee for a portable toilet at Lucas Pond be removed from their budget and charged to the conservation commission since they requested it to be put there. She explains that the selectmen have motioned for the budget line to be reallocated.

A discussion is held relative to if the toilet is still on site. This will be checked into.

Mr. Roy states that it appears that the town’s recreation department is not inclined to support any recreational infrastructure at Lucas Pond. He states that this area is the most visited surface water feature in town. Ms. Smith states that the site is a recreational facility with recreational activities (fishing). 

Mr. Ryan suggests that the funds be added to the budget. Mr. Roy states that portable toilets are within the realm of the recreation department, not the conservation commission. The conservation commission’s mission is different. He adds that if the recreation department does not see it within their prevue to service this recreation facility in the town then he does not understand the purpose of their department. The commission agrees and Mr. Ryan states that the recreation department must want that amount removed from their budget for other items.

Mr. Ryan notes that this should come out of the health department. Mr. Roy states that he recalls Mr. Arsenault addressing this issue with the selectmen in the past and he was declined his request to put the toilet at Lucas Pond. Mr. Roy states that a new line will need to be added to the budget; however, he asks if the commission is willing to adopt the responsibility for the portable toilet. 

Another option is mentioned relative to composting toilets as compared to Veesey Park in Deerfield. Maintenance of the compost toilet is discussed and Mr. Lussier explains that maintenance is done with peat moss. Mr. Ryan suggests that a letter be sent to the health department regarding composting units and if one is acceptable to the health officer.

Mr. Ryan states that he will address the matter with the selectmen; he feels that the recreation department is the entity to address this, not conservation.
After further discussion it is suggested that a memo be sent to the selectmen with copies to the recreation department and health officer and language is drafted for the memo. Steve Roy makes a motion, second by Pauline Lemelin, to send a memo to the selectmen and copy the recreation department and health officer. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

Special Reports
UNH - Federal Work-Study Program
Mr. Ryan explains that he has received information regarding the
work study program and it is different then what he previously explained. He
states that the town would be responsible for 40% of the budget and FICA.

Discussion is held regarding the potential for the work study through UNH and
having an intern target specific sites for the conservation fund adjacent to
other areas. Mr. Ryan notes the use of current use funds and indicates that
there may be an effort to limit the amount of the current use percentage to the
commission or a cap of the funds. He adds that this program may only be a
program for 6 months.

Ms. Smith notes that the selectmen would need to do a warrant article to reduce the amount or cap the fund. She states that she will keep the board informed.

Additional discussion is held regarding the NALMC focus. Ms. Young states that NALMC is not for land conservation but for land management. Mr. Ryan states that he would like to see if there are pieces of land that could be purchased for land conservation. Mr. Ryan states that the NCC does not have an individual piece of property in the focus after the Low project is completed. Mr. Roy states that he will get the letter for the Guptills to see if there is an interest. He notes that Bear Paw Regional Greenways mentioned the Big Woods parcel last month and the fact that there may be an interest in working with Bear Paw. Mr. Roy adds that letters should also be sent to owners of other parcels near the Acorn Ponds area. 

Pauline Lemelin leaves at 9:00 p.m. 

Further discussion is held and Ms. Young states that NALMC focus is on land management for land owners for co-managing properties, logging, and wildlife management; not an easement focus. She adds that this could come out as such but is not the main goal of NALMC. Mr. Ryan states that he believes that there may be areas where conservation areas could bridge parcels into a contiguous area. Ms. Young notes that the Guptill property is an example of one.

Wini Young leaves at 9:25 p.m. 

Mr. Roy states that the letters are a good way to finish out this year and begin next year.

Correspondence
All correspondence is reviewed.

Steve Hampl makes a motion, second by Paul Lussier, to adjourn. Motion passes; 4/0 at 9:32.

Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Fellows-Weaver
Board Secretary