Conservation Commission Minutes October 17, 2011
Members present including Dick Bennett, Brian Byrne, Hank Dresch, Mike Dufilho, Larry Siebert and Pam Smillie. David Matesky absent. Don Johnson and one other visitor attended who wished to remain anonymous.
Larry Siebert reported that he gave the letter to the Selectmen, regarding Melloon Road that was approved at the last meeting.
September, 2011 Minutes were approved.
Prospect Farm.
Don Johnson spoke to report that Garland Lumber started cutting about one month ago. Don reported that he had laid out a reasonable haul trail for the timber using the Quail Trail and the Dana Place Trail. Timber harvest halted due to rain and large wet spots. There is 4 acres of cut timber on the ground that is all processed. Many acres remain to be cut but need to wait for cold and snow to go back in. The objective is to try and get as much done in the winter and then be done. Timber is left in large piles and flagged so that the piles can be found in snow to remove them. Only need one week to remove all timber cut if weather is perfect. Six to eight weeks of cutting for remaining timber. Let Selectboard know what the Commission would like to do. The Town voted for the Forestry Plan and the
objective is to continue to catch up with the cutting schedule per the Forestry Plan. After this cut is done, there will be six to eight years without any disturbance. The cut should be done this year and the wood will be good until spring. Larry Siebert will talk to Thom Perkins at Jackson Ski Touring Foundation (JSTF) to report the Commission’s position.
Motion made to propose recommending logging at Prospect Farm proceed as quickly as possible and be done with it per the Forestry Plan. Motion passed.
Don Johnson explained in detail to the Commission what the timber harvest will accomplish to benefit growth and wildlife habitat. Timber harvest will encourage diversity in species and age of trees and provide forage and habitat for moose, beaver and deer. Stands of beech encouraged for deer since there aren’t a lot of deer at Prospect Farm.
Method of timber harvest used by Garland results in lower impact on soil. No old growth going to happen at Prospect Farm because of existing conditions.
Conservation Easement monitoring. Larry handed out Society for the Protection of NH Forests (SPNHF) conservation easement monitoring forms for members of the commission to complete after walking the various private properties subject to conservation easements to SPNHF.
Gray’s Inn.
Dick Bennett and Larry Siebert went to the Selectmen and were authorized to spend up to $500 to hire Greg Howard to review the recent landscape work. Larry will plan on reviewing landscape work done with Greg Howard at the end of October beginning of November.
Motion to contract with Greg Howard for his advice on Gray’s Inn property. Motion passed.
Survey Prospect Farm.
Dick Bennett reported the bids for survey of Prospect based on a more limited survey as follows:
Thorne $4,400
Briggs $4,600
Ammonoosuc $3,450 (assuming it’s done in snow free conditions and by December 1st)
Motion made to accept Ammonoosuc quote and ask Selectmen to authorize survey. Motion passed.
Jackson Falls.
DES took pictures of storm damage and never got back to Larry. Shane Cziki, Mary Anne Tilton and Bill Thomas from _DES_____ and Shane reported back to Larry.
Brian Johnston at US Forest Service gave Jay Henry, road agent, authorization to go to fill in the crater at the Falls.
Nels Lijedahl at Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) recommended a few truckloads of soil for fill, cut off the badly frayed roots of the hemlocks along the river’s edge, use bankrun gravel and loam and mulch top of soils with woodchips. It was unclear if a wetlands permit was required to do the work. It was determined that DES does have to say if a wetlands permit is needed.
Jay Henry moved rocks to protect roots. Jay made path out of gravel. Jay still needs to add soil. Letter sent to DES and Nels Lilejahl confirming work to be done. Town will have to pay for work done because no one else is going to pay for the work.
Start trust fund now for work for plan for Jackson Falls. Discussed need for phased plan for work at Falls. All members are to bring ideas to next meeting.
Bridge to Island at lower part of Jackson Falls. Do we want to replace bridge that accesses island? All members come to next meeting with thoughts.
Gray’s Inn. Remove large granite ledge from stream because plugging up sediment.
Town Hall. Brian raised issue of yearly erosion at parking area behind Town Hall and what can be done about it.
Meeting adjourned 7:05.
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