NEW BOSTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes of September 4, 2008
Members present: Betsey Dodge, Burr Tupper, Mark Brown, Rebecca Balke, and Cyndie Wilson
Minutes: Sec’y minutes of August 7 were approved as submitted.
Treasury: $548,067.12 NBCC General Fund; $354,575.84 NBCC open space fund
OLD BUSINESS:
--Shaky Pond Development LLC: The restrictions on their warranty deed for the 58+/- acres to come to the Town were approved by the Board of Selectmen.
--Middle Branch Forest Stewardship Plan: Site walk report from Dodge—Dan Cyr wanted clarification on the plans for Area 5; those present agreed to pay costs for stump grinding after the cut. Due to Mr. Belanger’s inability to mow the field, it was moved by Tupper, seconded by Wilson that Dodge approach William Dodge who lives near the area to see if he would be interested in mowing both Middle Branch and Saunders and what his cost would be. Roger Noonan has not been mowing Saunders recently.
--Saunders Pasture Management Plan: Resulting from a site walk with Dan Cyr by Tupper and Dodge, the issue of invasive plant species was discussed. Barberry, multi-flora rose and other invasives have made their way into the cleared areas. As the management plan is based on creating habitat and feed for a diverse wildlife population, it was decided to investigate further the type of spray Cyr would use. Once determined to be safe, an accepted motion from Tupper, seconded by Balke, authorized the expense, not to exceed $4,000. New growth on pines and fruit trees as well as new signs of wildlife presence were also noted on the walk. Note: the PLC, stewards of Saunders Pasture, were initially given CC’s management plan which includes language about spraying invasive species.
--Stewardship Reviews: All is well on monitored properties with the exception of Lyndeboro Road where Jean Pierre Valence and Butch Byron have encroached on the LCIP land. During a visit in August, Tupper, Thomson, and Wilson spoke with Mr. Byron who offered to remove the pasture fence from Town land. Valence has made no move to remove his storage shed from Town property since first being asked by Steve Walker of the state in May, 2007. The situation was deemed by the Commission after discussion to warrant a survey with CC members present to do our marking on those bounds. Since Bob Todd was the initial surveyor, Wilson will call him to set up the marking date in October.
Montgomery—Tucker Mill Road: Dodge read a letter to the Montgomerys from DES citing them for working around the mill pond without permits. The letter gives them options and consequences for their impact on the shoreline.
Garretson/Carter Logging Violations on the RR Trail: Tupper spoke with the logger and oversaw the seeding and water bar installations on the eroded section. Due to the geography of the skidder marks spot and after discussing methods of repair, Tupper gave Carter permission to repair the marks using a backhoe. Letters will be sent to the Garretsons and Carter for their promptness. Another letter was received from RCS, the logging company. It needs no response as our culverts on the trail were approved by Bob Spoerl at the State.
South Branch Footbridge Update: Board of Selectmen consulted with Brenda Lind on the bridge approach on the tavern side. It may be more complicated than originally thought.
NEW BUSINESS:
Subdivisions: TM 12/70 Bedford Road Paul Sheatler Site Walk w/ PB 9/13
TM 8/1 & 4/62 Trussell Clark Hill Road same date for Site walk
CIP: Nothing entered for 2009
Town Ordinance for Trail Signs: Discussed buying new signs to alert users of Town properties overseen by CC that these trails are closed between ½ hour after sunset to 7:a.m. Members said that, given the recent push to make New Boston a walkable community, some citizens may wish to use the trails prior to 7:00 a.m. Dodge to see Burton Reynolds about how to change the wording in the ordinance. Once an answer is given, the issue of signs will reappear.
PLC (formerly PWA): Eric Masterson, the new Director, will be on our Oct. agenda.
Joe Nangle: With his 80th birthday approaching, his writing group in Concord plans to send the CC a donation in his name. Grateful for the donation, the CC members discussed possible uses for it. In addition to the gift, the CC decided after a motion from Tupper, seconded by Brown, to name the Mill Pond CA trail “The Joe Nangle Trail”. Further discussion is expected in October.
Respectfully submitted,
Cyndie Wilson
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