New Boston Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
June 3, 2010
In Attendance: Chairman Burr Tupper, Barbara Thomson, Amy Elkes-Simon, Mike DePetrillo, Joel Bedard, Mark Brown, Tom Morgan, Ed Gilligan, Rick Searle, Rebecca Balke, Laura Bernard
Interested Parties: None
Minutes: May Minutes Approved as written
Treasurers Report: April Account Balance $718,050.46
Hiking Group: Tom gave an update on the hiking group from the Central School. He suggested that the Conservation Commission should buy something for the Jackie and Jen Moulton ($50/each) to recognize them for their efforts with the group and the trail clearing they accomplished.
Mark made a motion to approve $100 to purchase said gifts, and was seconded by Joel.
The motion passed unanimously.
Mission Statement: Amy had provided some input regarding the Mission Statement that Burr had sent via email. It was decided that we should reference RSA36A & the New Boston Master Plan as a way to describe what we do. Burr also agreed to update the Vision Statement, circulate via email and bring to the July meeting for a vote.
Conservation Signage: The Saunders Hill signage was completed. The next trail to have signage put up will be the Rail Trail in June followed by Lyndeborough Road sometime in July. Rick will coordinate with people regarding installation of signs this month.
Burr reminded everyone of the Culvert Training on June 12th at 9:00am – meeting at the Community Church.
RSA-36-a – Burr mentioned that on reading the RSA he felt that “if the Selectmen so decide, they can appoint a Conservation Commission member to the Planning Board.”
Joel made a motion to have Burr write a letter to the Board of Selectmen requesting (per RSA-36-a), that a member of the Conservation Commission be appointed to the Planning Board.
Rick seconded
Motion passed unanimously
It was suggested that we invite the interns who are working on the Eastern Brooktrout Project to attend either the July or August meeting to provide us with updates on the project. We may consider extending invitations to other organizations as well. The MOU has the Conservation Commission funding for the interns and the SNHPC with handle all payroll, withholding, etc…
Tris Gordon/Twin Bridge: Burr shared a letter from DES regarding the latest request for a roadway. Burr wants to ask for a 100’ setback at the next Planning Board Meeting.
Joel made a motion to support Burr in writing a letter requesting a 100’ wetlands setback (per the New Boston Zoning Board 204.6 c-4), and sending the letter to both the State and the New Boston Planning Board.
Ed seconded the motion.
Motion passed unanimously
Amy provided an update regarding research into Invasive Species plans. The State does not have an official invasive species plan. It was recommended that we create a property-by-property plan rather than attempt to create an overarching plan. Amy suggested we choose a specific property as the test case – work up the plan, evaluate if it’s successful and then move forward with other properties. Burr gave Amy and additional resource – Margaret Haygen – UNH Biologist. Also Lyn Lombard (non-biologist). Laura will provide Amy with the contact information for Carol Andrews at the State.
Rebecca & Ed agreed to be part of the Brochure Committee discussed at the last meeting. They will contact Kim Burkhamer to determine if she has any of the information they worked on last year.
Burr intends to write to the Planning Board regarding wetlands concerns with Locus Subdivision.
Meeting Adjourned Respectfully Submitted,
Laura Bernard
General discussion regarding parking area – it was decided that John Reindeau or Scott Elliot would be contacted.
Update from Open Space Committee: Ken Lombard reported that he has two Farm & Ranch Protection Programs (FRPP), he’s working on. One is for $100k with DeRoth and the other is for $50k with the Marden Trust. He also discussed the ongoing dealings with Thibeault Sand and Gravel over the corn field/gravel pits land and asked for support from the Conservation Commission in pursuing the purchase of those parcels.
Invasive Species: Barbara & Mark worked to put together the framework for an invasive species plan.
A motion was made by Joel to accept the plan as written and seconded by Mike. The following discussion took place:
Gordon from the PLC commented that as the monitor of the Saunders Pasture Conservation land, he was disturbed when he found that there had been spraying done to combat invasive species that had caused injure to non-invasive species.
Burr suggested that there should be a plan for all conservation properties in town.
Mark indicated that the Conservation Commission should not use herbicides or chemicals be used at all.
Joel suggested keeping all options open, but whenever possible try and use non-chemical options.
Joel said he would investigate UNH resources and a committee was formed to help with the New Boston Conservation Commission Invasive Species Plan. Committee members will include Amy, Joel, Mike and Barbara.
The original framework plan was voted on and approved unanimously.
Eastern Brooktrout Project: Burr introduced a discussion about funding a summer intern with a $5,000 grant from the Conservation Commission.
Barbara asked for additional information, specifically what benefits would there be for the Town of New Boston.
Burr indicated that the work would be done in New Boston and would involve monitoring water temps & mapping town culverts.
Mark made a motion to appropriate “not to exceed $10,000 for funding the Eastern Brooktrout Project, pending a budget and time-table.
Tom seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously
Cul-de-Sac Meeting: Joel brought up a discussion about cul-de-sacs based on feed-back he had heard after a special Planning Board meeting on that topic. Joel heard that people at the meeting felt that the Conservation Commission had shifted focus by supporting the Fire & Police department view (ie. no support for any cul-de-sac over 1,000’). Burr indicated he had supported their ‘safety’ concerns but stood by the Conservation Commission singular focus on protecting wetlands. Barbara suggested that Burr put in writing the Conservation Commission view on cul-de-sacs so there would be no room for misunderstandings in the future.
Burr will work on writing up a Mission Statement for the Conservation Commission and will also be working on a Conservation Commission handbook available on CD for all members.
New Business:
Burr would like to strengthen the wetlands section of the New Boston Zoning Ordinance this year and get this to the Planning Board by December.
Meeting Adjourned
Respectfully Submitted,
Laura Bernard
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