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Conservation Commission
September 8, 2009
Approved October 13, 2009
Members Present: Katheryn Holmes, Chair; Bill Annable; Chuck Crickman; Deane Geddes
Ms. Holmes called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE MINUTES
The Commission reviewed the minutes of August 11, 2009 and made corrections. Mr. Geddes made a motion to accept the minutes. Mr. Crickman seconded the motion. All in favor.
WETLANDS/SHORELANDS
Mr. Geddes reported on the following:
- A Permit by Notification (PBN) from the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) Wetland Bureau regarding repairing an existing dock on the property located at 57 Lakewood Manor Road; Tax Map ID 019/634/452, owned by Virginia Mars, 702 Belgrave Road, McClean, VA 22101. Dick Butterfield (agent) is replacing the existing crib dock and finger dock. Mr. Geddes did a site visit.
- A Minimum Impact Expedited Application from the NH DES Wetland Bureau from The Fells, property owner. The agent is W. Michael Todd, Esq. for the Lake Sunapee Rowing Club (LSRC). There are two letters of appointment: one from Karen Zurheide, executive director of the Board of Directors of The Fells; and, one from Mary Lee Verdi, member of the Board of Directors of LSRC, appointing W. Michael Todd, Esq. for the aforementioned Application to DES. The Fells wants to install a seasonal dock near the existing dock on the Fells waterfront property for use solely by the Lake Sunapee Rowing Club during the fall of 2009. Ms. Holmes said she has received several calls from concerned parties regarding this proposed project. Concerns include available bathroom facilities, inherent disruption to the waterfront, noise, and using a designated
preserve for public access.
- A Shoreland Impact Permit 2009-01768 from the NH DES to John & Lynn Gilbert, 156 Bowles Road for a tear-down and reconstruction and it has been approved. The permit impact is 17,200 square feet for the purpose of removing an existing single-family dwelling and constructing a 5940 square foot single-family dwelling with a patio, reconstructing an existing walkway, and converting an existing driveway to a previous driveway. Ms. Holmes said she believed the property owners will need a building permit from Paul LaCasse before constructing the new dwelling and if they change the footprint at all, the property owners will have to appear before the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Mr. Geddes said the property owners will need two permits from the Town of Newbury: a permit for the demolition of the existing house; and, a permit for building the
new dwelling. Ms. Homes voiced concern about oversight.
INTENTS TO CUT
In Eric Unger’s absence, Ms. Holmes reported that Mr. Unger was in the process of responding to several phone calls regarding the approved tree harvesting that occurred on Gillingham Drive (Map 49, Lot 416/06), the Pickman property. (See Conservation Commission Minutes, August 11, 2009). Ms. Holmes said that it appears that the cut is down to the brook. Unger made a site visit but was restricted by legalities surrounding accessing private property.
Ms. Holmes said she intended to discuss the issue of private property access for Commission members at the Board of Selectmen meeting on September 8, 2009. Specifically, she wants to find out what the Town’s procedure is regarding the issue of private property access for Commission members who must conduct site visits or follow up to a submitted complaint.
COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Holmes read a letter from DES Wetland Bureau concerning Susan York of Echo Cove who was doing a dock repair. The letter stated that the DES Wetland Bureau has reviewed Ms. York’s Minimum Impact Expedited Application and that additional information is needed.
OLD BUSINESS
Final preparations were discussed for the Commission’s workshop on September 12, 2009. Titled, “Love Your Land Forever: Conservation Options for Newbury Landowners”, the two-hour workshop features in-depth information on conservation easements. Presentations include experts from the Society for the Protection of N.H. Forests, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, and the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust. Newbury property owners who established conservation easements will also participate in the program.
Ms. Holmes reviewed the workshop mailing preparation and follow up, public poster placement, and the workshop program. Ms. Holmes and Mr. Geddes planned to contact by phone a core group of property owners prior to the workshop to remind them of the event.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Holmes said that she was asked by the Planning Board (PB) to visit the Baker Hill Golf Club in connection with the Club’s request for a new addition to the facility’s kitchen. She said the proposed new kitchen was clearly needed.
Mr. Geddes said that Ms. Holmes’ invitation by the PB for a site visit is part of the PB’s standard operating procedure when reviewing a proposed site plan. Mr. Geddes explained that when the PB receives a proposed project for review, the PB notifies all the municipal department heads – Police, Fire Department, Conservation Commission, Zoning, etc. – giving each department head the opportunity to visit the site in question to ensure there are no problems with access, etc.
Ms. Holmes raised another concern regarding the Town’s procedures of follow-up and enforcement to citizen complaints regarding intents to cut, abutter rights, buffer zone violations, and shore land protection violations.
Mr. Geddes made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:43 p.m. It was seconded by Ms. Holmes. All in favor.
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