Greenfield Conservation Commission
Minutes
November 16th, 2005
Attended: Karen Day, Karla Allen, Neal Brown, Roger Lessard, Janet Romanelli
Absent: Ray Cilley, Miriam Lockhart
Selectman: Conrad Dumas
Townspeople: Andrea Gilbert, Sheldon Pennoyer
Special guests:
Dick Ober, Monadnock Conservancy (“MC”)
Margaret Watkins, Piscataquog Watershed Association (“PWA”)
Carol Hall, Russell Foundation (“RF”)
Jim Orr, Don Shumway, Crotched Mountain Foundation (“CMF”)
This was a special meeting, so ordinary business was suspended in order to discuss conserving land in Greenfield. This is not exhaustive, but contains paraphrased highlights of each speaker’s comments.
Dick: MC’s goal is to create a green corridor between Temple and Crotched Mountains using voluntary means – easements, donations, etc. He believes open space should be part of Greenfield’s master plan.
Don: CMF owns approx. 1,400 acres. People with disabilities should be part of the community. They have done a Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) with the Forest Society (Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests). Trees, animals and an acquifer straddle the Piscataquog and the Contoocook. Their waste water system needed updating, there is a plan in place. Woodchip fuel system is being developed.
Jim: Goal is to provide outdoor recreation and education to guests. They have contracted with the landscape architect who did the Adirondack Park. They want the trail to connect eventually with the Wapack trail.
Margaret: There are eleven towns in the watershed, including Greenfield. Headwaters Project includes Rand, Cold, and Brennan Brooks. Working with property owners. 5,000 acres, in blocks of 1,000 acres.
Karen (open question): Would we have time to pull a bond together for the upcoming Town Meeting (March 14th)?
Dick: In order to do a bond, you need consensus (beyond the Master Plan), Volunteers (over time for several years), Priorities (using a plan that blends science and the political process), some Money (for legal fees, etc.), Technical Help (surveying, an ecologist), Transactions (real estate) and Stewardship (monitoring the land). For a bond we could do a straight appropriation. There has been $140 million raised by New Hampshire towns in the last four years. Or, a “set-aside” bond - this was done in Marlborough, appropriating up to $1 million which is discretionary. The Open Space Committee identifies parcels and partners with land trusts, then the Selectmen hold an open hearing and get the bond. Swanzey’s Open Space model is 1) what do you want to save? (ex. wooded hillside) 2) what parcels have those
qualities?
Sheldon: Should we put a vote on the Town Meeting ballot to form an Open Space Committee?
Carol: Francestown has a general open space bond - same model.
Following are ideas to promote conservation awareness in Greenfield:
Roger: A map of the town where folks can mark where they’ve seen wildlife - everyone likes wildlife. Sponsor talks on wildlife.
Dick: Information is being gathered by the Forest Society. Present it at a meeting or event - Swanzey did it at their Old Home Days. Get conservation into the heads of the townspeople. Sponsor a survey. Use the planning commission to help.
Karen: Make a year’s plan - snapshot of newly developed property each year on 12/31.
Andrea: Cluster housing, affordable housing.
Dick: Swanzey has targeted certain areas that could be developed.
Karen: Do towns subdivide conserved parcels?
Dick: It is done.
Margaret: You need a plan.
Dick: The Open Space Committee could be represented by members of various groups.
Conrad: The Selectmen can form it and vote on it, i.e., “We okayed the committee, they will do the planning.”
Karla: Can we change how much of the current use tax we get?
Conrad: We would need a warrant article by early January: 1) write warrant article, 2) start committee, 3) come to select board, 4) announce at Town Meeting.
Other ideas to promote conservation awareness in Greenfield:
Reactivate the Trails Association, programs at the elementary school, programs by naturalists, partner with Molly (rec dept.). Fox/woods! Library - a place to put the wildlife map. Powerpoint presentations. Aerial photos before and after, Terra Server. Extension has hard copies. School project. Involve Susan Denehy? Harris Center, who works with the Greenfield Elementary School. Partner with the kids for a project at Crotched.
Submitted by Janet Romanelli
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