Chichester Conservation Commission
03/14/05 Meeting Minutes
7:00, Chichester Grange Hall
Present: Jeff Andrews, Gordon Jones, Bob Mann, Walter Sanborn, Deb Soule, Lee-Ann Valotto
Also attending: Mike Marchand
General Items
Minutes from last month were unanimously approved.
Noteworthy mail consisted of the Department of Environmental Services’ lake survey report for Lynxfield Pond.
CCC Goals Status Review:
1) Land Protection Subcommittee
Nothing new to report.
2) Source Water Protection Education Efforts/Web Site
Fred Shaw has put a first draft of our proposed web pages out on the web (unlinked) for Deb to review. The web site info needs to be updated since the original text was drafted some time ago and some data has changed since then. Deb will work with Fred to make the necessary corrections and then make an appointment with the Selectmen to get their approval before linking it to the town’s web site.
3) Designating Prime Wetlands
Three consulting firms were interviewed on February 16th. VHB was deemed by the review subcommittee to have the best proposal with an estimated project cost of $20,000 to do a functional survey of wetlands 2 acres and greater and a screening of wetlands between 1-2 acres for the southern part of town. A motion was made and unanimously passed to accept VHB’s proposal but to discuss with them ways to reduce the project cost through commission involvement.
4) Warrant articles and 5) Blaze Paint Property Bounds on Conservation Easements
No work is expected on these goals until this fall.
6) Water Quality Monitoring of Marsh Pond
Nothing new. Training will likely be in May and sampling to begin in June (if the pond still exists).
7) Implementing the Sanborn Cray Conservation Area management plan.
The fate of the Marsh Pond Dam is still under consideration by the Selectmen. When a plan for the dam has been made, progress can be made on this project. Recognizing that this dam (and subsequent pond) is vital to the enjoyment of this conservation area, the wildlife (particularly fish) are dependent on it, and the campground owner’s business relies on it, Bob proposed to have a public hearing to discuss using conservation funds to pay for part of the design and rebuilding of the dam with the project to proceed dependent on the campground owner’s participation, obtaining sufficient grant funds, and working in concert with other town boards. Five members approved the motion and one abstained.
The Plummers’ lawyer revised the draft Purchase and Sales Agreement. Bob and Jeff will be meeting with the Selectmen on Tuesday, March 15th and one of the agenda items is to ask why the document hasn’t been forwarded to the town attorney for his review as requested.
Other
The wetlands ordinance revision did not pass. Bob will check with the Planning board to see what their next step is on this.
The DOT’s wetland application for the Route 4 project was reviewed. Jeff motioned to accept the plans subject to the inclusion of a concern over the lack of a sediment trap on the drainage pipe that discharges onto the property proposed to be developed as a golf driving range. All approved the motion.
The bridge on Webster Mills Road over Sanborn Brook will be rebuilt. The consultant (CLD) contacted the commission to see if we were aware of any sensitive plants or animals or had any concerns. Bob will send a letter to CLD with some comments relative to preventing construction related impacts to the brook.
Jeff mentioned that it was time for us to renew our membership with the Friends of the Suncook River organization. Since we do not have a budget (due to the delay of town meeting), this will be taken up at the next meeting.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:22.
Upcoming Meetings
04/11 @ 7:00 PM at Town Hall – Regular CCC meeting and public hearing to consider using some conservation funds to rebuild Mash Pond Dam. The kickoff meeting for the prime wetland study with VHB will be at 8:00 PM.
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