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Date: August 26, 2015
Attendees: Carol Irvin, Karen Day, Neal Brown, Janet Renaud, Candi Fowler, Katrina Rosa, Cesar Rosa, and Janet Lutkus
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm.
The following items were addressed:
- Katrina and Cesar Rosa’s concerns about sale of land parcel abutting their property − Parcel has frontage on the Contoocook River.
- Cesar and Katrina’s property (R3-2) abuts a parcel of land, which is for sale. The parcel is L-shaped, 12.5 acres, and surrounds their property. The same parcel also abuts conservation land and protected areas. (Note: Katrina also described another 17.66 acre parcel for sale which abuts their land. This larger parcel is owned by people in California and contains a cabin bolted to rock, visible from the Contoocook River.)
- Katrina identified at least three different critical habitats on parcel: flood plain forest, vernal pools, and lakes habitat. Land is very wet and consists largely of hydric soil. Katrina would like to see this habitat preserved.
- Katrina contacted owner requesting to buy the parcel for $45,000 but owner is asking $75,000. Katrina contacted the Harris Center to see if they could offer assistance in finding avenues to get the property into easement. The Harris Center suggested she contact the Greenfield Conservation Commission.
- Carol explained that the Greenfield Conservation Commission does not typically buy land parcels. The commission can advise them and point them to conservation land trusts that could possibly help them get the property into easement.
- Carol asked Katrina if she had seen the plot plan for the building site and identified where the envelope for the house would be. Katrina has not seen a plot plan but reported that approximately 516 feet of road frontage is located on dry soil which she suspected would be the site for the house.
- Katrina may be interested in joining the Greenfield Conservation Commission. Karen loaned her a copy of an earlier Commission guide. Carol and other members of the commission described the work of the commission and cited specific examples.
Action Items
- Janet Renaud to get Katrina contact information for planning board to pursue more information about the property (plot plan, etc.).
- Katrina to review guide and determine her interest in joining the Greenfield Conservation Commission.
- Removal of Glossy Buckthorn from Ray Cilley’s property – Report by Neal Brown on what he has learned to date.
- The NRCS recommends full eradication of Buckthorn. If chemical treatment is required, implementation will be conducted through a NH licensed herbicide applicator as per an NRCS-approved pest management plan, and all required permits will be obtained prior to treatment.
- Neal found 3 vendors (Eric Radlof from Milford, Lee Gilman from Amherst, and Prescott Towle from Epsom).
- All 3 vendors identified by Neal agree that it is futile to try to eradicate the Buckthorn without repetitive treatment of the affected area with herbicides for a period of time.
- There is a wooded foot trail in a half moon shape at the edge of Powder Mill Pond. Ray has leveled this area with a brontosaurus, cutting down buck thorn, which will lead to regrowth, unless the stems are hit with an herbicide. Waiting a year to begin treatment of the inevitable regrowth is probably best.
- Recommendation is for NRCS to assist with land preparation (stumping/burning/seeding) now while Conservation Commission uses committed funding to cover the cost of the longer term herbicide management (possibly over 4 years). Note: The NRCS agreement has an expiration date of July 2017.
Action Items
- Neal will find out when NRCS is going to stump property.
- Neal will continue to update the commission.
- Incoming Mail: Two pieces of mail were circulated to the Conservation Commission members for review.
- Fundraiser for Piscataquog Land Conservancy.
- New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions newsletter.
The meeting officially adjourned at 9:10 PM. The next meeting is September 23rd.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Lutkus.
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