TOWN OF FARMINGTON
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday - August 15, 2007
356 Main Street, Farmington, NH
Members Present: Chairman Kristie Marquis, David Connolly, Randy Orvis and Jim Horgan
Members Excused: Mickey Fisher, Mark Seaver, and Joel Chagnon (Selectman's Rep.)
Public Present: Art LeClair, Sam Reed, and Cynthia Copeland
1. Strafford Rivers Conservancy Presentation: Sam Reed from the Conservancy reacquainted the commission with the conservation project on Sheepboro Road that has been under discussion for a few months now. There are four property owners on Sheepboro Road (the Fernalds, the LeClairs, the Stuarts and the Brocks). The conservancy is currently looking for this commission to contribute $3000 towards the $8000 needed for an appraisal for all four properties. The city of Rochester is paying the other $5000.
Once the appraisal is completed the Conservancy will negotiate with the landowners on a price and then will seek funding to purchase the properties for conservation mostly through the State. Jim asked what committment Mr. Reed is looking for from Farmington. Mr. Reed replied nothing besides the $3000 for the appraisal. Jim Horgan motioned to donate $3000 out of the Land Acquisition Fund to the Strafford Rivers Conservancy for the purpose of appraising four properties on Sheepboro Road for conservation, 2nd David Connolly. Motion carried with all in favor.
2. Final Bill for French Management Plan: Kristie stated that she spoke with NH Soil Consultants and substantiated the previous bill. She also learned that this commission will be receiving the final plan soon and then will get a final bill from NH Soils for approximately $900 with a copy of the original contract.
3. Management Plan for the French Property: Kristie explained that this commission needs to get bids for the tree clearing that needs to be done every 5 years in the French property so the cost can be put in the 2008 budget. Randy offered to get a per acre verbal price for the cutting. The commission continued to discuss how it would be helpful to create a calendar in which the projects that needed to be completed on the different parcels were tracked for convenience and organizational purposes. Kristie agreed to set-up a 10 year calendar for the commission to keep track of the management requirements for the different management plans.
Cynthia Copeland of Moose Mountain Greenways questioned if the commission has ever thought about flagging the boundaries of their parcels with the diamond shaped conservation signs that are nailed to trees. Randy replied that he believes the property would need to be surveyed first.
4. Dubois Property: Kristie reminded the commission that they need to locate firms who write Management Plans because the Dubois Property also requires one. Cynthia Copeland stated that there is a Technical Assistance grant through NH Estuaries Project that would fund the creation of a management plan 100% if the Town was granted it. Kristie offered to get a copy of the grant application and start working on it. Cynthia Copeland added that Charlie Moreno is one name she knows of who creates Management Plans.
Jim Horgan questioned if the commission can use the UNH Class Project on the Farmington Town Forest as a management plan for the Town Forest. Cynthia Copeland replied yes if the commission thinks it is what they are looking for.
Jim Horgan motioned to change the September 19, 2007 meeting to September 20, 2007, 2nd David Connolly. Motion carried with all in favor.
Jim Horgan motioned to continue the French and Dubois Property discussions to September 20, 2007, 2nd Randy Orvis. Motion carried with all in favor.
5. Continued Discussion with Cynthia Copeland of Moose Mountain Greenways to locate areas of interest for conservation within Farmington: Cynthia stated that she spoke with Laurie Chase and she agreed that the Mad River Area is very important for conservation. Cynthia gave the commission resources from Laurie on the Cocheco River. Kristie asked what Cynthia does with all the resources she has to make them available to the public and the commission without piling them in a file cabinet. Cynthia responded she has the same problems in her town. Randy said that he believes the library has some of the commissions resources for people to look at. Kristie will talk to the library staff to check on the feasibility of this.
Cynthia brought a number of maps that Dale Abbott of Strafford Regional Planning Commission created for the Town to show different items in the Town so that this commission could easily identify high areas of interest for conservation. The commission reviewed the maps and Cynthia will take their ideas to have one more map made that kind of puts all three maps together for easier deciphering. The commission agreed to remeet with Cynthia at the October meeting (resheduling to the 16th so she can attend) to come up with some more concrete plans for what they would like to see conserved. Cynthia asked for copies of the minutes of the meetings she attended. Kristie will get these minutes to her.
6. Review of Minutes: David Connolly moved to accept the July minutes, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with Randy Orvis and Kristie Marquis abstaining because they were absent.
7. Other: The next meeting agenda should include the 2008 budget; Management Plans for the Dubois Property, French Property and the Town Forest; and the NH Estuaries Grant
Jim Horgan motioned to adjourn, 2nd David Connolly. Motion carried with all in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 8:47pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
| 
