Chichester Conservation Commission
11/08/04 Meeting Minutes
7:00, Chichester Grange Hall
Present: Jeff Andrews, Gordon Jones, Bob Mann, Walter Sanborn, Deb Soule, and Lee-Ann Valotto
Also attending: Mike Marchand
General Items
Minutes from last month were unanimously approved.
Land Protection Subcommittee
No news to report.
Goals for the CCC for the next year
This item was moved to next month’s agenda.
Remaining CCC Goals – Are we on target?
The remaining unfinished goals were reviewed to see what progress has been made. Note: Goal #3 –“Seeking funds for purchasing (or gaining donations of) conservation land and/or easements” is reviewed every month as a regular agenda item and has been removed from the list below.
2) Coordinating with the Planning Board on environmentally related rules.
A proposed wetland zoning ordinance has been drafted by the Planning Board with assistance from CCC members. It contains a graduated setback based on size of the wetland. Following one more meeting of the wetlands ordinance committee on 11/15, the draft goes to the planning board next for review. The ordinance must have 2 hearings with the planning board in order to appear on the March ballot.
5) Beginning the process of designating prime wetlands.
Jeff distributed a draft RFP. Bob suggested we limit the scope of the RFP to screening of wetlands in the southern portion of town plus recommendations on wetlands to be designated as prime. After much discussion, the group agreed. Jeff will continue refining the RFP and will have it ready for the next CCC meeting for the group’s review. The goal is to receive proposals by January 20th, have a public hearing on whether to hire a consultant during the February meeting, and if appropriate have a selection committee~interview the top three consultants later that week.
7) Implementing the Sanborn Cray Conservation Area management plan.
Jeff received 5 estimates for surveying the Plummer property. The costs ranged from $6000 to $13,000 and there was some variety in terms of total services provided. Jeff has been negotiating a sales price for the back 6 acres of the Plummer property – assuming this would be the total area deeded to the town contingent on minimum lot size requirements and other factors. Bob motioned for Jeff to draft a purchase and sales agreement for the property and to expend funds as necessary for surveying, performing deed research etc. The motion was unanimously carried.
Other
The Town and the owners of Hillcrest Campground received a letter from the Dam Bureau regarding the dam on Marsh Pond. The dam was damaged during the hard summer rains. Bob will be meeting with the Selectmen tomorrow night to discuss the next steps for the dam.
Lee-Ann stated that the new librarian is willing to set aside space in the library for our books and materials. We need to tell her what we intend to display and make available.
Deb mentioned that she still has not received a response from Jason Weir regarding the CCC’s proposed web site material. Patty Wooster will be checking with him on her behalf.
Jeff mentioned that the monitoring reports for the conservation easements went out after the last meeting.
Bob suggested moving the next meeting to December 6th since he had a conflict with the 13th. The group agreed to change the meeting date to the 6th.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:10.
Upcoming Meetings
12/06 @ 7:00 PM in Selectmen’s conference room – Regular CCC meeting
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