FINAL
Present for the Conservation Commission and attending the meeting were: Pam Goff, Sandy Broyard, Dick Smith, Wesley Cottle and Chuck Hodgkinson. Chris Alley, Josh Scott and George Crawford also attended. Caitlin Jones and Donald Poole were absent.
The meeting came to order at 12:30 PM. The Commission sadly accepted Richard Steves’ resignation from the Commission. His tenure and leadership will be missed. After discussion a motion was made to appoint Pam Goff as Chairman and Sandy Broyard as Vice Chairman. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved with four in favor. After appointing Wesley Cottle as a voting member for the day’s agenda Ms. Goff suggested recommending the Selectmen appoint Mr. Cottle as a full-voting Commissioner. The Commission agreed and Mr. Cottle graciously accepted. The site visits for the day’s agenda were made on May 1.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING; NOI SE 12 – 650; CHRIS ALLEY FOR RICHARD LOCHRIDGE; 2 Stone Ridge; AP 25-130: Eligible voters: Pam Goff, Sandy Broyard, Dick Smith, Wesley Cottle. Ms. Goff opened the continued public hearing at 12:40 PM. Mr. Alley summarized the past discussions on the application to construct a detached bedroom in the buffer zone of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland. The closest activity is 63 feet from the wetland edge.
Mr. Alley offered to restore approximately 3,000 sq. ft. of mowed wetland buffer zone that abuts the wetland edge on the south side of the property in exchange for allowing the proposed detached bedroom to be located in the northern buffer zone as shown on the site plan. The Commission commented that the mowed buffer zone should not be mowed as close to the wetland edge as currently done. Their concern is the detached bedroom will adversely impact the performance of the buffer zone and wetland resources and compromise wildlife habitat because of the excessive development of the buffer zone to date—tennis court, garage and shed. The values of these resources were read from the Town’s Bylaws (Section 3.01) as well as Section 1.03 – the no net loss policy.
The Commission recommended relocating the proposed structure outside the buffer zone resource in lieu of the proposed engineered solution. Additional living space in the buffer zone adds pressure to the resource’s performance and the ability to preserve its values. The Commission expressed its opinion that a denial of the application would not be considered a taking of land as there is an alternative location for the structure outside the resource area.
After further discussion Mr. Alley asked for a continuance to May 22 @ 12:30 PM. He would like the time to discuss options with the owner. A motion was made to accept the request. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved with four in favor.
PUBLIC HEARING NOI SE 12 - 652 CHRIS ALLEY FOR WESTON HOWLAND; off State Rd.; Map 34 Lots 1.2, 1.8: Ms. Goff opened the public hearing at 1:16 PM. Mr. Alley summarized the plan to abandon an existing trail located on Map 34 Lot 1.2 that is approximately 4,625 sq. ft. – 675 sq. ft. in a Bordering Vegetated Wetland and 3,950 sq. ft. in the buffer zone of a wetland and the Squibnocket Pond Coastal Bank. The abandoned trail will be allowed to grown over with native species. A new, 2,475 sq. ft. trail is proposed for Map 34 Lot 1.8. It is located in the buffer zones of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland and the top of the Squibnocket Pond Coastal Bank. The activity is within the jurisdiction of the NHESP.
The site visit observations were discussed. Mr. Alley added all work will be done by hand. The Commission and Mr. Alley discussed how the trails will be used. With no public comment a motion was made to close the hearing at 1:28 PM. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved. A subsequent motion was made to approve the plan as presented with the following conditions—assuming there is no significant comment from the NHESP: 1. The existing trail as shown on the site plan shall be abandoned and the native vegetation shall be allowed to grow back over the trail. 2. The new trail shall only have occasional, restricted vehicular access of a tractor for periodic mowing. 3. The existing northern trail shall only be used occasionally by vehicles to launch
boats off trailers. 4. All work on the new trail shall be done by hand. The motion was seconded and with no discussion passed unanimously with four in favor.
ADMINISTRATION:
The April 18, 2012 Meeting Minutes were approved as presented by consensus.
The May 16th meeting will be re-scheduled for May 22 with site visits taking place on May 21.
Ms. Broyard requested she be enrolled in the MACC training classes scheduled for May 12 at Harvard Town Hall.
The following document was signed:
Order of Conditions SE 12 – 652 Howland; AP 34-1.2, 1.8.
With no further business to conduct the meeting adjourned at 1:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Chuck Hodgkinson, C.A.S.
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