TOWN OF FARMINGTON
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday - April 16, 2008
356 Main Street, Farmington
Members Present: Kristie Vickers Holtz, Jim Horgan, David Connolly and Randy Orvis.
Members Excused: Mark Seaver
Selectman's Rep: Gerry McCarthy (absent)
Public Present: Jeff Green
Chairman Kristie Marquis called the meeting to order at 6:23 pm noting the meeting got a late start because they did not have a quorum earlier.
Dave Connolly motioned to bring the new business to the top of the agenda to accomodate Jeff Green who was present, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with all in favor.
1. Discussion with Jeff Green:
Jeff Green explained that he is representing the Crawley's on a subdivision off of Pound Road and Paulson Road in an application before the planning board. He stated that he had a wetland scientist delineate the wetlands and the planning board instructed him to come before this committee to determine where the wetlands are to establish the appropriate setbacks. He further stated that when he calculated the worst case scenario for the buffers and setbacks, the area did not effect his building area.
Randy said there would be a higher environmental impact to build a new road/driveway than to be within the 50 foot buffer zone by the old logging road. He further stated that if the area by the logging road does not show up on the National Wetland map it would be a class III wetland and would not require a buffer. Randy believes this area would be to small to show up on the map. Randy said it appears there is an issue with the ordinance for the class II wetlands because there is information missing and that a perennial stream only calls for the Shoreland Protection ordinance requirements.
Jim said that Mr. Green has all the basis covered and the setbacks/buffers cannot get any more restrictive. The committee decided that the only thing the applicant may need is a special use permit to use the logging road for a driveway if it is determined to be in the buffer. Randy Orvis motioned to inform the planning board that the application with the plan presented tonight (dated 4-1-08) meets the waterfront protection overlay zone ordinance requirements if determined there is a class II wetland on the property according to the National Inventory map, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with all in favor.
Jim Horgan motioned for a recess, 2nd Kristie Vickers Holtz. Motion carried with all in favor at 7:15 pm.
Meeting reconvened at 7:27 pm.
2. Old Business:
A. Kristie reported that she met with Cynthia Belowski and they narrowed down a list of property owners to 144 to invite to a educational workshop on conservation. Kristie added that Cynthia is drafting a letter to go out to the residents for the commission to approve.
B. Julie LaBranche forwarded suggestions for use and possible revisions to existing ordinances and regulations to meet the goals this commission identified for land conversation. A discussion was held on these suggestions and the commission decided it would be beneficial to have Julie attend a future meeting to explain them.
C. Kristie also met with Joyce of Moose Mountain Greenways to go over recommendations for the display board they are going to put together for the commission. Joyce is now looking for pictures to put on the board, especially of the Town Forest. Kristie will check with JoAnn Doke of the Puddledock Press for pictures.
3. Review of Minutes:
A. Jim Horgan motioned to accept the 11-15-07 minutes as amended to change the spelling of the name Roland, 2nd Randy Orvis. Motion carried with all in favor.
B. Randy Orvis motioned to approve the minutes of 2-20-08 as amended to reflect Micky being absent and Mark present, 2nd Dave Connolly. Motion carried with Jim Horgan abstaining because he was absent.
C. The March meeting minutes should be changed to a "Record of Discussion" because there was not a quorum.
4. Nominations:
Jim Horgan nominated Kristie as Chairman, Dave as Vice-Chairman and Randy as secretary, 2nd Randy Orvis. Motion carried with all in favor.
5. Other:
A. Dave noted that Channel 26 now reflects the correct meeting time for the commission but the website is still incorrect.
B. Randy informed the Board that he is going to try to get out to the French property to do tree flagging for the maintance cutting this month.
C. Randy stated he is still trying to contact Tracy Tarr from Stone Ridge Environmental for a bid for the Dubois parcel management plan.
D. Randy asked if the commission has considered obtaining a boundary survey for the French parcel because for proper management it would need to be done. Kristie stated she will review the management plan to see if it is required.
E. Dave stated that he recently attended a conference for conservation commissions and learned the commission should probably have a planning board representative on it and that a conservation commission representative should be at planning board meetings. He also asked if the commission could get updated copies of the NH Association for Conservation Commissions Handbook and Kristie said she would get them.
Jim Horgan motioned to adjourn, Dave Connolly seconded. Motion passed with all in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 8:18 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
| 
