TOWN OF FARMINGTON
CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
356 Main Street, Farmington, NH
Committee Members Present: Dave Connolly, Art LeClair, Kristie Holtz, Jim Horgan and Randy Orvis.
Committee Members Absent: Jill Tozier
Selectmen’s Representative: Gerry McCarthy
Public Present: Neil Johnson, Anna Boudreau and Kevin McEneaney
At 7:00pm, Chairman Dave Connolly opened the meeting.
- Strafford Rivers Conservancy (SRC):
The Strafford Rivers Conservancy came forward to present a donation of an easement in Farmington on R06, lot 2 and 3 which consists of 110 acres and is currently owned by Don Whittum. There are two homes on the lots and these homes and five acres or so around each home will be pulled out of the acreage donated in the easement. At this point Strafford Rivers Conservancy is unsure if the easement will allow public access. The total cost to complete the easement will be $24,522 and they are hoping to be awarded a grant for $4,000 to help offset the cost. The estimated value of the easement is $150,000 and Strafford Rivers Conservancy asked if the Conservation Commission would be willing to donate up to $24,522 towards the closing of the
easement.
Gerry asked if all the acreage is in Farmington and Kevin replied yes. Kristie asked who the easement holder would be and Kevin replied that Strafford Rivers Conservancy will hold the easement but the Town of Farmington will be the executor. Jim commented that he would not be comfortable voting to donate any money until the Commission is made aware of whether or not public access is allowed. Art asked if Mr. Whittum has been involved in any type of conservation on the land and Kevin replied he is not sure at this point but that he would look into it, but that there might be a forest management plan. Art then stated that he would like to know what types of soils are on the property because it is hard to detect how much of the land might be
wetlands by the photos. Gerry questioned if the properties that attach to the forested area on the back are posted because this might provide public access. Anna replied that the Conservancy can look at this also.
- Randy Orvis motioned to accept the minutes of April 14, 2010 as amended, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with Kristie abstaining.
- Randy Orvis motioned to accept the minutes of May 12, 2010 as written, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with all in favor.
- French/Ronci Survey – Randy noted that it took 8 weeks for his company to be paid the final payment from the Town. Gerry will follow up with this.
- Town Forest Survey Proposals – Randy recused himself.
Jim opened the sealed proposals for surveying four tracts of town owned properties known as “The Town Forest” The said properties are Tax Maps are R61-001; R61-004; R62-001 and R62-003 and the proposals were received from:
Richard D. Bartlett and Associates, LLC $15,000
McEneaney Survey Associates, Inc $14,500
James Verra & Associates, Inc $22,500
David W. Vincent, LLS $12,920
Eric C. Mitchell & Associates, Inc. $13,500
Norway Plains Associates, Inc. $6,800
White Mountain Survey Co. Inc $26,500
Berry Surveying & Engineering $15,970
Jones & Beach Engineers, Inc. $10,710
Geometres Blue Hills, LLC $19,500
TriTech Engineering Corp. $11,800
Ambit Engineering, Inc. $14,290
MSC Civil Engineers and Surveying, Inc. $18,440
The Board reviewed the proposals and after Geometres Blue Hills, LLC was taken out of consideration Randy Orvis rejoined the meeting. Art LeClair motioned to accept the proposal from Norway Plains Associates, 2nd Gerry McCarthy. Motion carried with all in favor.
- French/Ronci Recording Fee – Dave explained that Randy offered to bring the survey sheets to the Registry of Deeds but the cost is approximately $103. Gerry McCarthy motioned to allow Randy to record the French/Ronci survey at the Strafford Registry of Deeds and have the Conservation Commission pay for this out of the Conservation Fund, 2nd Jim Horgan. Randy stated he would contact the Registry to confirm the amount and then have Pam cut the check to the Registry. Motion carried with all in favor.
- Management Proposals – Dave provided the members with a copy of the Request for Proposal ad for their review. It was discussed that the companies that put forth a proposal will be asked to come before the Board for an interview so the scope of work is clear. Neil Johnson put the management plan in a PDF form so that it is available for review. Art asked if town’s are able to get funding from NRCS and Dave replied he just got paperwork last week and this grant is for private landowners at this time. Randy noted that a good company would work to find grant funding and such because then they would earn more money from a commission of timber sale and such. The proposals will be due by September 1,2010 to allow firms the ability to review the management
plans. Jim Horgan motioned to post the RFP for the management proposals, 2nd Randy Orvis. Motion carried with all in favor.
- Fees for Maps – Dave informed the Board that he spoke with Strafford Regional Planning Commission and they provided an estimate of $1,420 to prepare the maps the Board has been discussing for the past several months. Dave would like to approach the Planning Board for assistance with this cost and the Board agreed this would be a good idea. Art LeClair motioned to authorize the Chairman to request the funding from the Planning Board for the fees for the maps at 100% but allow the Chairman negotiation rights for up to 50% of the cost, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with all in favor.
- Hay Day – Dave created a brochure for the Commission to review for distribution on Hay Day.
- Other Business – Art informed the Board that the Strafford County Soils District will be coming forward regarding a plan to create a shallow pond on his property for wildlife.
At 9:03pm, Kristie Holtz motioned to adjourn, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with all in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
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Chairman, Dave Connolly
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