 |
Conservation Commission
October 13, 2009
Approved November 10, 2009
Members Present: Katheryn Holmes, Chair; Bill Annable; Chuck Crickman; Suzanne Levine; Deane Geddes
Ms. Holmes called the meeting to order at 4:45 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Minutes
The Commission reviewed the minutes of September 8, 2009 and made no corrections. Mr. Crickman made a motion to approve the minutes of September 8, 2009. Mr. Geddes seconded the motion. All in favor.
Sunapee Conservation Commission
Mr. Crickman noted that, per his request, he received 2008 and 2009 minutes from the Sunapee Conservation Commission (SCC) and said they contain a great deal of useful and interesting information about their projects and financial allocations.
Ms. Holmes suggested that Mr. Crickman prepare a synopsis of the SCC activities and present his findings to the Commission at the next meeting.
Mr. Geddes noted that the Newbury Conservation Commission produced a year-long comprehensive conservation summary costing over $10,000. Ms. Holmes said the feedback from that project was been very positive, particularly in the area of easements.
Ms. Holmes discussed the variety of recreational areas in Newbury namely The Fells, Mt. Sunapee, and Sunset Hill Trail. A project that is of interest is securing a trail head for the Andrew Brook.
INTENTS TO CUT
In Eric Unger’s absence, Ms. Holmes reported that there were no “Intent to Cut” notices to report. However, Ms. Holmes reported on a formal complaint that was sent to the DES the Pickman tree harvesting that occurred on the Pickman property. Ms. Holmes contacted DES to follow up on the letter.
WETLANDS/SHORELANDS/DES
Ms. Holmes updated the Commission on the seasonal dock request from The Fells (described in the Conservation Commission minutes of September 8, 2009) and noted that The Fells received notification from the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) requesting additional information/compliance. Ms. Holmes said she contacted Karen Zurheide, executive director of the Board of Directors of The Fells, and asked her for information on the project. One of the concerns was rest room facilities for the rowing club members. Ms. Zurheide said The Fells existing rest room facilities are opened early in the morning to accommodate the rowing club members’ needs. Additionally, Ms. Zurheide said the project was a trial project and the dock would be in place for this season only. Ms. Holmes said she is awaiting further contact
from Ms. Zurheide on the status of the project.
Ms. Holmes said the Commission received a Shoreland Impact Permit for the Emerson Cottage Trust, 336 Bowles Road, Newbury, NH, and noted that the Emerson Cottage Trust application was scheduled to appear before the Newbury Zoning Board of Adjustment on October 19, 2009.
COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Holmes reviewed the following communications with the Commission:
- Lake Sunapee Watershed Infrastructure Project Stakeholder Forum on October 28, 2009, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Newbury Town Hall. The Forum examines the potential risk to storm water infrastructure due to increasing runoff from development and natural storm intensities.
- NH Association of Conservation Commissions 39th Annual Meeting on November 7, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Rundlett Middle School, Concord, NH. Ms. Holmes invited the Commission members to attend the conference.
- A letter from the Newbury Planning Board (PB) to Baker Hill Golf Club on September 18, 2009, notifying the latter of the PB’s approval, with conditions, of the Final Site Plan application for the following property: Newbury Tax Map 038-758-501.
- From NH Department of Environmental Services:
- September 16, 2009 to John Greenwood, 48 Lake Avenue, Newbury stating Mr. Greenwood’s Wetlands File Number 2009-02097, Tax Map/Lot # 16A/324-426, Minimum Impact Expedited application was found “administratively incomplete”.
- On September 18, 2009 the Town of Newbury received a letter from DES in response to Newbury’s decision of reconsideration concerning the Wild Goose Boat Ramp. The letter indicated that DES reaffirmed its decision to issue an approval of the project.
- September 24, 2009 to John Greenwood, address and information above, notifying Mr. Greenwood that the application “has been accepted as administratively complete”.
- September 21, 2009 to Newbury Station Boat Club, 985 Route 103, Newbury, NH stating Wetlands File Number 2009-02128, Tax map/Lot # 20/270,364, Minimum Impact Expedited application was found “administratively incomplete”.
- September 24, 2009 to Newbury Station Boat Club, address and information above, notifying that the application “has been accepted as administratively complete”.
- September 30, 2009 to James & Phyllis McDonough, 56 Gerald Drive, Newbury, NH, stating Wetlands File Number 2009-02151, Tax map/Lot # 29 A/130,437, Minimum Impact Expedited application was found “administratively incomplete”.
- September 22, 2009 to James & Phyllis McDonough, address and information above, notifying Mr. McDonough that the application “has been accepted as administratively complete”.
- On September 28, 2009 to Susan York, York Revocable Trust, 40 Echo Cove Road, Newbury, NH, granting Ms. York a Wetlands and Non-Site Specific Permit 2009-01696 to repair an existing “Y” shaped docking structure.
- On October 2, 2009 to Bill Goetzenberger, 179 Bay Point Road, Newbury, NH, acknowledging receipt of Mr. Goetzenberger’s Shoreland Application # 2009-02260, Tax Map/Lot # 6/072,068.
OLD BUSINESS
Workshop
Ms. Holmes reported on the success of the Commission’s first workshop, “Love Your Land Forever: Conservation Options for Newbury Landowners” on September 12, 2009. Ms. Holmes said she received positive feedback from both attendees and interested parties who were not able to attend the workshop. About 20 people attended the two-hour session and heard presentations from the Society for the Protection of NH Forests, UNH Cooperative Extension, the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation, and Newbury property owners who established conservation easements.
Ms. Holmes suggested that the success of the workshop might lead to providing future workshops on trails, application processes, and other conservation efforts.
Wild Goose Boat Ramp Project Summary
Ms. Holmes reviewed the opposition activities thus far: The Town of Newbury’s letter to the DES Wetlands Bureau regarding the wetlands permit for dredging; a meeting between the Town and the NH Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding the traffic safety issues (scheduled for October 28, 2009); the Newbury Planning Board wrote a letter in opposition; the Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA) has spent over $80,000 in legal fees to fight the project; and, the upcoming NH Legislature Meeting on October 20, 2009 (described below).
Revenue
Ms. Levine reported that the Commission’s Newbury Trail Map sales netted $69.00.
NEW BUSINESS
NH Legislature Meeting October 20, 2009 re Wild Goose Boat Ramp project
Ms. Holmes invited the Commission members to attend the meeting. Mr. Crickman reported to the Commission on an email notification sent by the LSPA regarding the upcoming public information session on the Wild Goose Boat Ramp project scheduled for October 20, 2009 in the Legislative Office Building, Concord, NH. The session is being held by Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, Chair of the Senate Energy, Environment and Economic Development Committee, and Rep. Judith Sprang, Chair of the House Resources, Recreation and Development Committee. Individuals from Fish and Game, DRED and DES will be presenting on the Wild Goose Boat Ramp project and will be taking questions from the public. The email invited all citizens opposed to the project to attend.
Ms. Holmes, Mr. Crickman, Mr. Annable, Mr. Geddes, and Ms. Levine said they will attend the session.
Mr. Geddes made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Holmes seconded the motion. All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Meg Whittemore
Recording Secretary
| |
