Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes May 4, 2015
Approved June 1, 2015
Present were members Tom Seidel, Brian Byrne, Larry Siebert, Dave Matesky, and Pam Smillie. Other attendees were Bill Terry, George Howard and Hank Benesh filmed the proceedings which can be viewed on jacksonflicks.com
The minutes of April 3rd were approved as amended to clarify the last sentence regarding Doublehead parking.
George Howard brought in a copy of , “ Outdoor Exploration in the Mt. Washington Valley”, which has an historical piece on Prospect Farm.
Tom felt that we could take this year to work on a plan for trails or an historical path. George Howard thought that increased parking would have to be in any discussion going forward that will increase public use.
Tom wondered if we could approach JXC or the Ballantines about summer use of their parking lot. He also needs to inform JXC that someone has driven a path through the woods to get around the snow bank at the end of the road. At the same time someone needs to inform Jay that the gate needs to be locked, Larry volunteered.
Next on the agenda is scheduling a work session for Saturday, May 16th at the Fall’s area to plant the 70 seedlings we ordered back in March.
Tom suggested that we take a look at where we would like to put a small kiosk at the Falls.
Tom suggested we draft a temporary small sign in the meantime, describing our re-vegetation efforts, while we further study the history of the dams and pipes etc. in the area
Brian felt that we need to get more stakes and he felt that the green gardeners string has looked and worked the best to deter people from trampling over our previous plantings and seedings.
An important part of moving forward with removing parking along Valley Cross Road will be to sit down with the Road Agent and see what he can and can not do for us, as the road crews help is essential in keeping costs from becoming outrageous.
Larry felt he could set up a meeting with Jay and possibly Selectman Bob Thompson and he would try to see if the new chairman could make it to the meeting.
This would also be a good time to approach the town about letting us create a cage inside Gray’s Inn garage for our seed, stakes, signs and hopefully a few tools in the future.
Tom suggested that we take a look at the knotweed at Gray’s Inn while it is just starting to come out, and we advertise for help from residents to pull it or cut it. Everyone agreed that we could make it part of our June 1st meeting.
Tom will put this on the website and e-news prior to our June meeting.
Tom updated us on the coffer dam at Whitney’s pond and it seems that the sandbags were removed already and the DES is working with Black Mt. on a plan for future use of the pond for snow making.
Tom also asked Larry, Brian and Dave if they would continue being the point people for expedited wetlands permits, they all agreed.
Finally there was some discussion about parking around the Falls area, and Brian thought that JXC may be creating a parking area near the fire pond on Valley Cross Road for the newly donated Kendall property, which we could ask if this would be available for summertime usage. Also Margaret reminded us to ask Jay about No Parking signs for the section of Valley Cross Rd. that we are shutting down.
Larry felt as a Planning Board member who is working on the Master Plan for the town’s next 10 years parking is an issue throughout town that needs to be addressed amongst the board.
Respectfully submitted,
Larry Siebert
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