New Boston Conservation Commission
Minutes: May 1, 2008
Present: Rebecca Balke, Betsey Dodge, Ed Gilligan, Barbara Thomson, Cyndie Wilson
Guest: Ken Lombard, Open Space Committee
Reports: Minutes from April to be approved in June.
Treasurer: $523,368.11 ($334,434.46 avail. for land purchases)
Payments: Unanimously approved—payment of $190 for Att’y Callen for work on 15/15; $60 to reimburse Wilson for Saving Special Places registration fee.
T/M 15/15 Shaky Pond Development LLC: Jed Callen is drafting the deed for the Bell and Bath land donation to the Town. Restrictions were agreed to by both parties.
Open Space Committee: A. Negotiations are ongoing for purchase of property on West Lull Road which abuts the river. B. Swinford property on Tucker Mill Road T/M 2/15: appraisal puts market value for easement on 36 acres (omitting 4 acres, 2 for the house and 2 for an additional building lot) at $175,000, which exceeds available Town funds, given expected needs for other projects. This property connects the Tuthill parcel with other PWA protected land. Ian McSweeney of Russell Fndtn is researching possible grants. C. Map/Lot 10/28 & 31, 31 acres total with six for the house lot. Saving this parcel would protect backland. It is surrounded by NE Forestry land. They have a grant program with a 50% match. The Russell Foundation would put up the other 50% and asks the Town to be the easement
holder. A unanimous vote favored working toward this partnership arrangement. An easement on this property would close the gap separating parts of the NE Forestry holding.
Twin Bridge/Tris Gordon t/m 2/62-12 gravel operation: Follow up discussion about possible over-cutting near the river. Letter from Planning Director, Nic Strong states that no activity within the Shoreland Protection Act (250 ft from river) is possible. The possibility of an onsite by the building inspector will be discussed at a future Planning Board meeting. (letter on file)
Foot Traffic and Safety Committee: Reviewed their schedule of walks during Walk NH Week, first week in June.
T/M 12/19 Lorden Easement: DES has sent Lordens their conditions for construction in and around the wetlands and easement land. (letter on file) Audra has asked CC members to join her in marking the easement boundaries. This would give CC an opportunity to test our new marking system with our signs and blazes.
Housing & Conservation Planning Program: Application filed by Planning Board to OEP.
Boundary Marking: Barbara and Cyndie have drafted the plan. It will be presented to the Commission at the June meeting.
Informational: FRPP grants used in Walpole; Burr to attend Watershed Ecology workshop; Rebecca has been reappointed to NBCC; some discussion about public water supply—information from Rebecca suggests the need is unlikely for New Boston, thus members will not attend the DES workshop on public water source protection.
Respectfully submitted by Cyndie Wilson
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