NEWBURY CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes Dec. 12, 2006
Present: William Weiler, Deane Geddes, Eric Unger, Frank Perrotta
November 13 minutes: Moved Geddes, seconded Unger, approved as read.
Intents to Cut: None
Wetlands:
1. Kenneth Brown, Gillingham Drive (49/273,009). Dredge and fill application to repair existing dam and spillway approved.
2. Harlan H. Page, Fraser Avenue (20/326,425). DES Wetlands Bureau requested additional information for minimum impact expedited application to replace a boathouse on Lake Sunapee.
3. Rothstein. For informational purposes, Mr. Rothstein announced he was going to tear down an existing house and rebuild in the same location and on the same footprint. No permit or waiver is required under a DES exception regarding projects within the buffer zone.
4. Matthew A. Clark, 98 Bay Point Road (7/171-390). Additional information is requested for a plan to replace a boathouse on Lake Sunapee, including a site plan of the entire frontage showing all docking structures.
5. Anthony E. Taglino, 1041 Route 103 (20/324,482). Plan to repair/replace an existing 8- by 28-foot crib-supported docking structure on Lake Sunapee received a wetlands and non-site specific permit.
Geddes noted 22 projects have received DES approval so far in 2006.
Communications:
1. Carbon Coalition. The commission decided not to act on a request to seek a global warming resolution on the 2007 Town Meeting Warrant. The commission felt it was inappropriate for a group to attempt to place a national issue on a local town warrant.
Old Business:
1. Conservation Plan. The commission reviewed the final project description and plan of work submitted by consultant Ann E. Poole and decided it was satisfactory. Approximated time frames proposed by Poole were deemed up to expectations. Weiler noted the Master Plan revision might take longer than expected, with completion now headed for the end of 2007.
2. Trail Maps. Perrotta described an addendum sheet he had developed, to be inserted into the remaining maps yet to be sold. The tentative wording is:
1. Routes. While trail routes are as accurate as possible, some may not be depicted as they actually are on the ground. Therefore, the map should not be used for navigational purposes.
2. Parking. In most places indicated, parking is sufficient for several vehicles. The parking for the Newbury Trail, at the Lake View Avenue trailhead, is minimal. Hikers are asked to use the parking lot at the Newbury Post Office and walk the short distance to the trailhead.
3. Abandoned RR Bed. Much of the abandoned railroad bed shown has reverted to private ownership and is unavailable for public hiking.
4. Fishersfield Park. A 3.4-mile network of trails has been developed at the Fishersfield Recreation Area on Old Post Road. Trail maps are available at Town Hall and the trailhead in the park.
5. Newbury Trail (3). A 2003 re-routing has moved the trail away from the site of the ski club cabin. Much work has been done by volunteer trail maintainers to make walking easier. The Hike New Hampshire web site has an accurate description of the trail.
6. Web Sites. These web sites offer additional information:
a. Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway: msgtc.org
b. Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway Coalition: srkg.com
c. Hike New Hampshire: hikenh.netfirms.com/index.htm
Please send additions and corrections to:
Newbury Conservation Commission
PO Box 296
Newbury, NH 03255
(2007)
Perrotta suggested scanning the map and offering it on the town website. Weiler said he was afraid that would reduce sales of the maps. Perrotta noted New London charges $4 for its trail map, retail.
3. Budget. Weiler noted 20 percent of the 2006 budget of $600 remains unspent. The Conservation Fund, he said, is largely untouched and should be earning a good income.
4. Library Project. Perrotta said he failed to report at the November meeting that he and Suzanne Levine had initiated, with Library Director Rosie Johnson, a Conservation Commission display in the Newbury Library. Various photo, posters and conservation materials, and some conservation-related books from the library, are on view. Perrotta said he would get Levine copy for an information card to be included in the display. The copy includes photos from the poster developed for Old Home Day and an introduction:
MISSION STATEMENT
Newbury is a diverse mix of trails, vistas, ledges, land, and water. Indeed, as stated in the 2001 Natural Resources Inventory, Newbury’s “economy, tax base, recreation, quality of life and water supply are all primarily derived from its natural resources.”
Reestablished by the 1988 Annual Town Meeting, the Conservation Commission is authorized by state statute to provide for the proper use and protection of its natural resources, especially watershed resources. To accomplish that mandate, the commission advises and recommends actions to other town boards, and to the N.H. Wetlands Bureau. The commission continues to conduct research into local land and water areas and seeks to coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes.
5. Town Forest. Perrotta inquired about the Fishersfield Town Forest enabling article the commission had discussed seeking for the 2007 Town Meeting Warrant. Weiler said he understood a warrant, with wording placing the Conservation Commission in charge, would be on the warrant. He said he would check with the selectmen. Weiler raised the question of whether development of hiking trails would disrupt any logging that might be done in the Town Forest, if created. Weiler also noted other areas in Newbury would make good candidates as town forest areas.
New Business: None
Adjourned: Moved Perrotta, seconded Unger, 8:34 p.m.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 9, 2007 at 7:15 p.m., Municipal Building
Prepared by: Frank Perrotta
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