Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes
December 7, 2015
Unofficial until Approved
Present were members: Margaret Graciano, Mike Dufilho, Brian Byrne, Pam Smillie and Tom Seidel. Larry Siebert and Dave Matesky were absent.
George Howard joined us. And Hank Benesh filmed the meeting! Huzzah!
Wetlands Permits
Tom gave the update on the Black Mountain snow making cofferdam on Great Brook: The state did not approve the installation of a permanent damn this year due to concern that if the entire volume of the Brook were diverted into the snow making pond, certain aquatic organisms would be trapped. Black Mountain has approval to install a sandbag dam for the 2015-16 season.
The wetlands permit applicant on Frances Ave received permission from their neighbor for wetlands work adjacent to the property line.
Gray's Inn
In the springtime we will re-locate the trail sign from the lower lot to the upper lot so that it is clearer for people to follow and add blazes and/or arrows as needed.
Jackson Falls and Prospect Farm
Brian feels that Jackson Falls is much better than it used to be and that the erosion control methods we have employed are working. Mike shared that JSTF finally built their new parking lot. He is concerned that if the public is opposed to walking from lower falls to upper falls, they will also object to walking from the Valley Cross Rd. parking lot to the falls. Pam thinks that Valley Cross Rd. will be better because a) it's flat b) it's more scenic and c) has less traffic. Mike wondered if JSTF will allow us to post a sign about how to get to the falls in their lot. Tom thinks we could make a village map showing how to access both upper and lower falls and where the public can park. Mike thought an “additional parking this way” sign on the corner of Carter Notch Rd. and Valley
Cross Rd. would be useful.
We agreed to go separately and remove the twine, posts, and “Welcome to Jackson Falls” signs for the winter.
Pam found the law about reduced speed limit zones and shared that we could propose to lower the speed limit to 20 mph at the falls for four busy months out of the year if the town covers the cost of signs.
Mike commented on the new parking lot at Doublehead and feels that the new no parking signs are slightly confusing. Brian said he would look into it for clarification. Pam wondered why we still haven't been able to get “no parking” signs on Valley Cross Rd and the Doublehead ones went up so quickly.
Kiosk/Sign Planning
At this point in the meeting we broke for small group discussion on a Falls info kiosk and interpretive signs for Prospect Farm. When we returned we reported on our small group plans. The Falls kiosk will include rules, a map, info on the Wild and Scenic River, and natural and cultural history. The Prospect Farm interpretive signs, posted at various locations, will highlight cultural and natural history. The Prospect group also discussed trail condition improvements and sign relocation. Good ideas everyone.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:45pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Margaret Graciano
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