Conservation Commission

Minutes

June 7, 2011

Official as of July 12, 2011

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

Present: Chairman Steve Roy, Vice Chairman Steve Hampl, Paul Lussier, Wini Young, Board Administrator Linda Smith, and Board Secretary Lisa Fellows-Weaver. Jim Ryan, and Mike Matson arrive at 7:07 p.m.

Absent: Tom Chase, and Alternate Loren O’Neil

MINUTES
May 3, 2011
Mr. Hampl makes a motion, second by Mr. Matson, to approve the minutes of May 3, 2011, as amended, as follows:
Page 2: Change: …amend… to …amended…
Page 5: Change: …$10,000… to …$10,800…
    Change: …be… to …been…
    Change: Reword section of Woodman Park
Motion passes; 4/0/2. Mr. Ryan and Mr. Roy abstain. 

MAIN BUSINESS
Guptill, First NH Turnpike. Map 222; Lot 30
Mr. Roy provides an update relative to the Guptill project. He states that
the survey has been completed and the final deed has been received and
reviewed to proceed. Ms. Smith states that the closing date has been
scheduled for June 20, 2011, at 11 a.m. at the town hall.

Mr. Ryan and Mr. Hampl plan to attend the closing. Mr. Roy adds that he may also be able to make it for closing.

Mr. Roy thanks staff for moving this project along so quickly. 

A discussion is held regarding the property taxes and the fact that they will need to be paid. Ms. Smith states that typically this is shared but in this case the town will only own the property for a few weeks before the tax bill is due.

Ms. Smith states that the assessed value is only $7,000 because the property is in current use. She states that she has done some calculations and believes that the taxes for the year are approximately $150. Ms. Smith notes that the commission is still below the appropriation threshold that was voted on for this property. Mr. Roy makes a motion, second by Mr. Ryan, to cover up to $150 of the
tax bill that is pending in July for this property, from the initial appropriation that was previously made to deal with administrative items for the property transfer.

Discussion is held regarding increasing the amount. Mr. Roy amends the motion to increase the amount to cover administrative costs for the transfer to be up to $250. Mr. Ryan seconds the amendment. Amendment passes unanimously; 6/0. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

Tom DeMeritt, Upper Deerfield Rd. Map 235; Lot 2.
Ms. Smith explains that town counsel recommended that the commission have a title search performed on the DeMeritt. She reads an email received form town counsel which explains that the risk to the town is that if the DeMeritt’s do not have a clean title to the property, the easement may be extinguished in any action to clean up the title. Also noted is that since the town is not paying for the easement, the only risk is that the easement may be lost. 

Mr. Roy states that the title search would cost around $300. Discussion is held by the commission members and the general consensus is that based on the amount of time that the commission has been working on this project, members agree to pursue with the title search. Mr. Roy makes a motion, second by Mr. Hampl, to appropriate up to $400 from the Conservation Land Fund established under RSA 36:A4 for a title search for Map 235; Lot 2, relative to the commission moving forward garnering a conservation easement on the property. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

Ms. Smith states that she did speak with Mr. DeMeritt regarding the items he had suggested to be added to the easement language. She states that he had no changes and she moved forward with the previously approved document.

APPLICATIONS
Minimum Impact Expedited Application 
Town of Northwood, Mary Waldron Beach. Continued from 5/3/11

Mr. Roy states that he has reviewed a copy of the application. He also has reviewed the letter that was sent out to NHDES and notes that staff from DES did do a courtesy driveby of the area.

Mr. Roy states that if the proposal is to stay in the ramp area outside o the full lake level, there will need to be a minimum impact expedited permit. DES will not approve the application unless the fill used is a non-erodible material. If materials are in the lake at all, the standard dredge and fill application will be required with an engineered design. Mr. Roy states that he did convey this information to Ms. Smith and the selectmen appear to be proposing the first style of project, just above the water line. Mr. Roy continues to explain the selectmen have asked the commission to assist with the preparing the permit. Mr. Roy makes a motion, second by Mr. Lussier, for Mr. Roy to address the issues relative to obtaining a permit over the next month, with assistance as necessary from staff for materials, in order to submit a complete application. Mr. Roy states that the project is for the section of the ramp where vehicles back down, just above the waterline. He notes that he will need to have a member of the highway department look at the area for an estimate of materials necessary. He adds that DES indicated that a suitable material would be crushed stone that is properly compacted.

Mr. Matson states that he has spoken to John Detrude, the writer of the permit, and Mr. Detrude stated that there was never any intention to fill the hole in the water at the bottom of the ramp as the picture provided implied. The plan was to refill and grade everything above the water. Motion passes; 5/0/1. Mr. Roy abstains.

Holden Engineering, 49 Fiore Rd. Map 116/Lot 49.
Mr. Roy notes that a shoreland impact permit has been issued for the same lot.

The application is reviewed. General discussions are held regarding the impacts and proposal. The commission feels that the application is complete except for the fact that the photos submitted are not dated.

Mr. Roy makes a motion, second by Mr. Lussier, to send a letter or memo to the applicant via mail or email, noting the requirement of the commission that dated photographs must be provided, and for staff to notify the chair to come in, review, and sign when completed. Motion passes unanimously; 6/0.

SPECIAL REPORTS
Woodman Park ~ Mike Matson
Mr. Roy asks if there was a final figure left from the original funding of $10,800. Mr. Maston replies that he believes that there is a few thousand left. However, there will not be enough left to cover labor and materials. He states that the work to be done abuts the shoreline and the facilities committee should submit a permit to do this work. He explains that the work that was to be done was to replace the railroad ties with new ones and backfill. The old railroad ties were not removed, rock was used to fill holes, and gravel was added.

Mr. Matson explains that over the winter the ice did more damage and the railroad ties fell apart even more so than what it was a year ago. He states that the area is in real bad shape. There are exposed spikes from the timbers; one timber is lying in the water. Mr. Matson states that Mr. Bailey and Mr. Wilson have visited the area and agreed that the area is unacceptable as it exists and really needs to be worked on. He notes that they were happy that there was funding for the project and are hoping to see more funds coming forward.

Discussion is held regarding repairs. Mr. Matson states that there was some discussion held regarding using large cement blocks, above the water line and adding a rock or cable in front to avoid vehicles backing up. If this were the case, filling would not be necessary and there would be no costs for the materials.

Ms. Smith states that she asked the finance administrator regarding the funding and the way that the vendors are broken out, she needs to contact Marion Knox for additional information for this specific project. Further discussion is held regarding the accounting process for these types of projects. 

Mr. Matson states that he would like to know what is needed for the project, and the costs necessary. Mr. Roy states that the process would be to meet with the selectmen, and then pursue a warrant article for next year, if needed. He adds that he was under the impression that the original amount of $10,800 was sufficient and is surprised to know that additional funding is necessary. Mr. Matson states that Mr. Bailey would be doing additional research as to the work and funding.

Mr. Matson plans to attend the next facilities committee meeting.  Mr. Matson states that he will continue to work on this mater.

Ms. Smith states that she will research the costs and provide an accounting of the project. 

Mr. Ryan leaves at 8:15 p.m. 

Bean Hill Services
Low Property Forest Plan
The forest management plan for the Low property has been received and provided to members. Copies will be mailed out to members not in attendance and emailed to all.
 
Ms. Smith states that an invoice was received in the amount quoted, $1,000.

Letter from Bean Hill ~ Recommendation for Town Forester
Ms. Smith explains that she has received a letter from John A Conde, Forester. She reads the letter which states Mr. Conde resigns his services with the town and recommends that the town hire Mr. Graves who is now licensed and is a self employed consultant. Ms. Smith states that she spoke to the town administrator, who requested that this item be reviewed by the commission and to make a determination and recommendation to the selectmen.

Mr. Roy states that as of the letter there is no contractual agreement with the town. After some discussion, Mr. Roy states that he would like to open the town forester services for consideration. Discussion ensues and the commission agrees to re-open the forester services for proposals. Mr. Roy notes that the commission is not dissatisfied with the work of the current forester or the motivation. He adds that he feels that it is more than reasonable for Mr. Graves to be a candidate for consideration. Mr. Roy makes a motion, second by Mr. Matson, to recommend to the board of selectmen, to solicit for quotes for a new town forester and schedule interviews. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0. Mr. Roy states that the commission can designate three members for the interviews and the selectmen can all attend or designate a representative. 

Mr. Roy makes a motion, second by Mr. Lussier, if the selectmen concur, staff can utilize prior request for proposal language or draft new language and distribute accordingly. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

NEW BUSINESS
Hannaford Conservation Easement
Mr. Roy requests that this issue be continued to the July meeting.

OTHER BUSINESS
July Meeting
The commission agreed to reschedule the July 5 meeting to July 12.

Ms. Young notes that the plaque has been installed at the Kelsey Mill.

Ms. Young notes that the Red River Theatre will be showing Green Fire, Aldo Leopold movie. Mr. Matson makes a motion, second by Mr. Hampl, for Mr. Roy to represent the commission at the Green Fire movie.

Dues
A discussion is held regarding the Lamprey dues. Mr. Roy states that he does not want to pay these dues as it was not requested budgeted for realized during the budget season.

Mr. Roy states that he has received a request from NALMC representative Carl Wallman for reimbursement for the Leopold Day held at CBNA. He states that the conservation commission did agree to co-sponsor this event. A bill was sent by CBNA in the amount of $225 to cover custodial services. Mr. Roy states Mr. Wallman is trying to have each entity involved pay $50 towards the events fees. Ms. Smith states that an invoice needs to be provided to the commission. The commission agrees to pay $50 as co-sponsors. Mr. Roy makes a motion, second by Mr. Lussier, that once an invoice is received; pay $50 from the special day events line, to cover a portion of the costs for the use of the CBNA facility for the Aldo Leopold Day. Motion passes unanimously; 5/0.

CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Roy will review the correspondence.

ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Roy makes a motion to adjourn. Mr. Lussier seconds the motion and the motion passes unanimously at 8:41 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Fellows-Weaver
Board Secretary