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Town of Francestown
Conservation Commission
APPROVED MINUTES
May 2, 2011
A regular meeting of the Conservation Commission was held in the Town Offices on Monday, May 2, 2011 and called to order at 7:35 p.m.
Conservation Commission members in attendance: Carbee, Crooker, Danforth, Hardwick, Holmes, Lindgren, McClary, and Shuffleton. Secretary Lindgren took the minutes. The minutes of the 4/4/11 meeting were approved.
Old Business
- Chair Hardwick talked with Brian Hotz at SPNHF about completing the old ski area easement. The SPHNH review is nearly completed and the easement nearly ready to be finalized.
- The Commission received a $11,000 check from the Quabbin-to-Cardigan grant for deposit into the Conservation Fund.
- Town Forester Ron Klemarczyk submitted a quote for $600-750 for marking the new boundaries on the Chase Easement. Holmes made a motion to expend up to $750 from the Conservation Fund for boundary marking. Carbee seconded the motion. All in favor. Klenarczyk also submitted an estimate for a potential timber harvest in the Shattuck Town Forest, for Stand #3 as marked on the survey map, which would potentially yield a net income of $18.450.
- The status of various easement projects and protection opportunities was discussed
New Business
- Brian Fouchet, from the Harrisville-based telecommunications company WiValley, presented a proposal to operate a wireless internet service out of the existing HEW Communications facility located on top of Crotched Mountain within the Conservation Commission-managed Crotched Mountain Town Forest. The company seeks to provide “last-mile” “fixed wireless” internet connectivity to local homes at speeds of 10Mbps and above. They would locate their electronics in the existing 8’ x 10’ building located around 50’ from the old fire tower site, and would utilize the existing 35’-high antenna tower, which facilities are operated by HEW Communications. The current easement for HEW Communications allows for two radio facilities at the site, and because only one facility there
is currently operational, a second facility would be permitted by the easement. The only structural change that WiValley would propose to make would involve the addition of guy wire anchors for the existing tower to enable it to support the additional antenna elements. The Commission was tentatively supportive of the proposal, but would want to schedule a site walk to view the proposed anchoring. The Commission advised Mr. Fouchet to have HEW Communications submit a letter to the FCC and the Board of Selectmen outlining the changes proposed, and the Commission would schedule a future site walk and hearing.
- The NRI maps have been finalized as the town tax map shape files from Normandin Associates were integrated with the NRI data. The maps will be submitted for the town’s Master Plan update. Linda Kunhardt volunteered to work with the update committee to develop the Land Use Recommendations. The Board recommended working with the Monadnock Conservancy for the visioning section.
- Freese, Holmes and Crooker distributed tree seedlings at FES, along with a handout.
- Shuffleton moved to adjourn at 9:30 p.m. Crooker seconded the motion. All in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bob Lindgren, Secretary
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