TOWN OF FARMINGTON
CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
356 Main Street, Farmington, NH
Committee Members Present: Dave Connolly, Art LeClair, Jim Horgan and Randy Orvis
Committee Members Absent: Kristie Holtz (excused), Jill Tozier and Jon Wood
Selectmen’s Representative: Gerry McCarthy (absent)
Public Present: Neil Johnson, Barry Keith, Rich Gerard, Samantha Stokes, Shannon Goodwin and Dave Parker.
At 6:02pm, Chairman Dave Connolly opened the meeting.
Jim Horgan motioned to accept the minutes of 9-8-10 as amended to reflect the correct spelling of Jon Wood’s name, 2nd Randy Orvis. Motion carried with all in favor.
Samantha Stokes, Editor of the Farmington High School yearbook, approached the Commission to question if they would like to purchase an ad in their yearbook. The Commission members were in agreement that they would like to purchase a full page ad for $295.00 and would like the editing staff to create the page for them. Jim Horgan motioned to approve a full page ad in the Farmington High School 2010-2011 yearbook, 2nd Art LeClair. Motion carried with all in favor.
- SRPC Update – Dave informed the Board that Kathy Menici and he both just approved the drafts of the maps that they created for the Town and a print should be available for the next meeting to approve.
- Whittum Update – Dave informed the Board that the Selectmen have approved the Whittum project executory interest and the project is moving forward as planned.
- Display Update – Dave reported that the display board is currently at the Farmington Goodwin Library and he will probably move it to the Rec building in November.
- Town Forest Survey – A partial payment bill for $980 was received from Norway Plains for the preliminary site work for the survey of the town forest. There is a line dispute off of Curtis Road with the Abbott Grant and Randy Tetreault is researching the deed and boundaries.
- LWCP Update – Dave explained that he cancelled the grant for the kiosks because the total project is for less than $2000 and he would like to incorporate them into the management plan scope of work that will be discussed tonight.
- Interview with BH Keith: Barry Keith and Rich Gerard of BH Keith and Associates reviewed the proposal they forwarded to the Town for the implementation of the Commission’s management plans. They explained what the Commission can expect from them if they are awarded the bid and then what they would expect from the Commission. Jim asked what they felt the recommended termination of contract length should be and Mr. Keith replied the minimum would be a year but he would like it to be for at least 5 year (with yearly reviews) because of the nature of the work. Jim asked if the timber harvesting should cover the contracted services and Mr. Keith stated he feels the harvesting revenue should be substantial enough to cover their hourly charges and more.
- New Business
- Resignation – The Board received a letter of resignation from Jill Tozier. Jim Horgan motioned to accept Jill Tozier’s resignation, 2nd Randy Orvis. Motion carried with all in favor. The Board currently has one full-time vacancy and three alternates.
- By-Laws – Dave asked if any of the members have recommended by-law changes and Jim gave him a copy of what he would suggest for changes. Dave will forward Jim’s ideas to the rest of the Commission for review for the next meeting.
- School Interactivity – Dave reminded the Board that Art brought up the idea of getting the schools involved with the Commission and educate the students in town about conservation. Art stated that the students could get involved in some gardening or tree planting. (Last month, the Commission discussed having students plant chestnut hybrid trees on the Yates property.) Art stated that a connection with the schools needs to be established first because a teacher/staff from the school would need to be involved. Randy stated he thinks it would be a great idea to have a student member of the Board and the members agreed this would be a great idea. (Art stated maybe this should be a by-law change; to have a student representative.)
Dave will draft a letter to Jim O’Rourke the Principal of the High School.
Dave then questioned if the Board would like to discuss a possible scholarship for a graduating high school student. Art stated that he believes a scholarship should be considered carefully because the Commission should have good idea of what the requirements would be. The Commission agreed they would like to set up a scholarship where the awarded student has made some valuable contributions to conservation in town and that they would need to work on the details.
At 7:24pm, Jim Horgan motioned for a short recess, 2nd Art LeClair. Motion carried with all in favor.
At 7:33pm the Board reconvened.
- Interview with Parker Forestry – Dave Parker of Parker Forestry reviewed the proposal he forwarded to the Town for the implementation of the Commission’s management plans. He explained that his first action would be to make a more complete management plan and discuss his recommendations with the Board. Jim asked what Mr. Parker felt would be a good length of contract and he replied that he would believe a 2 year minimum with a 5 year maximum would be appropriate. He also expressed that the feels both properties have substantial trees on them and a harvest should provide revenue to the Town.
7. Discussion in regards to tonight’s interviews – Art stated that it appears after the interviews that BH Keith has more extensive experience with carrying out management plans and they seem to have a clearer plan for commencement. Jim agreed and added that he felt Mr. Parker is a qualified forester but may not see the whole conservation project. The Commission members discussed that they also weren’t sure what “holes” Mr. Parker saw in the management plans. Art then added that he feels the communication with the Commission would be more precise and to the point with BH Keith; which is what this busy Board needs. Randy added that BH Keith also realizes the importance of grants. Art LeClair
motioned to accept the proposal from BH Keith and Associates for implementing the management plans for the French and Dubois properties, 2nd Jim Horgan. Discussion followed in which it was noted that the next step will be to notify BH Keith that their proposal has been accepted and have them forward their contract to the Commission for review. Motion carried with all in favor.
8. 2011 Budget – Dave put together a proposed budget for the Commission to review. The Commission was in agreement that the “newspaper ads” line heading should be changed to “public notices”, the “Education” line to “Natural Resource Management,” and the “special projects” line to “Technology.” They also agreed to increase the Natural Resource Management Line by $1500 in order to complete all the necessary projects they have in mind for next year. The total Commission budget request should be $4,577 for the fiscal year 2011.
9. 2011 Meeting Schedule – The Commission reviewed the schedule and besides the Hay Day date everything else looked good.
At 8:58pm, Randy Orvis motioned to adjourn, 2nd Art LeClair. Motion carried with all in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
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Chairman, Dave Connolly
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