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Conservation Commission
September 14, 2010
Approved October 19, 2010
Members Present: Katheryn Holmes, Chair; Eric Unger, Vice-Chair; Chuck Crickman, Members; Bill Annable, Frank Perrotta, Alternates; Dick Wright, Ex-Officio.
Ms. Holmes called the meeting to order at 4:26 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Minutes
The Commission reviewed the minutes of August 16, 2010 and made corrections. Mr. Wright made a motion to accept the minutes as presented/with corrections. Mr. Crickman seconded the motion. All in favor.
INTENTS TO CUT
Mr. Unger reported to the Commission that site visits were conducted on the following Intents to Cut:
- August 23, 2010 from Donald E. Clifford, president, Northwoodlands, Inc., 29 Alexander Avenue, Newport, NH, for property located on Mountain Road, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 024 / 647-336, for 195,000 feet of various species (spruce & fir, hard maple, white birch, yellow birch, oak, ash, beech & soft maple, pallet or tie logs), by Andrew J. Clifford, logger/forester, 33 Coventry Drive, Sunapee, NH 03782, telephone (603) 763-3307.
- Undated, from Kirk Cruikshank, 57 Pine Cliff Road, Newbury, NH, to remove two trees in the buffer zone. Ms. Holmes visited the site and noted that Mr. Cruikshank did not meet the 50 point criteria necessary to allow for the removal of the two trees in question. She suggested to him that he consider creating a “keyhole” approach to improving his lake view.
WETLANDS/SHORELANDS
Ms. Holmes reviewed the following communications from the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES):
- June 10, 2010, to Patrick & Suzanne Garvey, 24 Highland Avenue, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 18 / 308-072, a Shoreland Impact Permit 2010-01287, to impact 7,765 square feet to update existing septic design and construct four-foot wide path to Lake Sunapee, Newbury.
- August 21, 2010, to Jane Clutterbuck Revocable Trust, 11 Edgemont Road, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 7B / 109-106, a Notice of Administrative Completeness Minimum Impact Expedited Application.
- August 26, 2010, to Jane Clutterbuck Revocable Trust, 11 Edgemont Road, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 7B / 109-106, a Wetlands and Non-Site Specific Permit 2010-02022, to repair an existing 8 foot x 38 foot dock supported by a 6 foot x 8 foot crib with a 12 foot x 8 foot wharf along the shoreline on Lake Sunapee, Newbury.
- August 31, 2010, to Lois Logan Revocable Trust, 22 Great Island, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 16 / 782-047, a Wetlands and Non-Site Specific Permit 2010-02185, to repair an existing 6 foot x 27 foot dock supported by a 6 foot x 6 foot crib on Lake Sunapee, Newbury.
- August 31, 2010, to 185 North Broadway LLC, 30 Great Island, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 005 / 002-227, a Permit By Notification (PPN) Form, for replacement of deteriorating 8 foot x 8 foot crib and dock with 668 square feet of deck surface. All old material will be disposed of by licensed waste handler.
COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Holmes shared with the Commission the following items:
- A recent newspaper article titled “A Gem of a Walk in the Lake Sunapee Area” in which Mr. Perrotta was quoted;
- Information on the upcoming Law Lecture Series;
- The Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust (ASLPT) Outreach meeting on September 20, 2010, with a request for a Commissioner to attend;
- The ASLPT Outreach Committee Quarterly Report questionnaire; and
- A September 15, 2010 meeting of the Messer Pond Protective Association featuring Norman Bernaiche, Tri-Town Assessor, who will demonstrate the Tri-Town On-line Geographic Information System.
The Commission filled out the ASLPT Outreach Committee Quarterly Report questionnaire.
OLD BUSINESS
Trail Maps
Mr. Perrotta and Mr. Crickman reviewed the background and current status of the existing Trail Map, noting the inconsistencies and omissions since its publication in 2004. There was discussion concerning the methodology needed to update and print the Trail Map. Mr. Perrotta noted that each trail should be visited to ensure accuracy.
There was a consensus among the Commission that a new Trail Map is needed. Ms. Holmes appointed Mr. Perrotta to head a committee to look into same. She suggested contacting LSPA, Colby Sawyer College and area printers as possible resources for obtaining the needed software, paper stock quotes and printing cost estimates.
There was additional discussion regarding how to determine the cost of printing. It was decided to confer with Bill Weiler (former Commission Chair) and to research the minutes of the Conservation Commission meetings in 2004 to determine the actual costs connected with the current Trail Map.
Buffer Zone Tree Cutting Application
Mr. Crickman reported that the Buffer Zone Tree Cutting Application has been finalized and approved by the Board of Selectmen and is ready for use. He noted that it will be placed on the Town website. He recommended that the application be made available in the Town Office lobby. Ms. Holmes said she will talk with the Town Administrative Assistant about same.
Ms. Holmes canvassed the Commission on the usefulness of a potential mailing to property owners of informational materials on a range of requirements and regulations in the Town affecting property. Mr. Wright noted that such mailings are costly and often are not read by the recipients.
Ms. Holmes said the Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA) plans to develop an informational pamphlet on tree cutting in the buffer zone for distribution throughout the three towns surrounding Lake Sunapee.
The Fells/The Fells Shoreline Policy
Ms. Holmes read into the record the following letter and policy statement:
- A copy of a letter from Karen Zurheide, executive director, The Fells, to Harvey & Nancy Cohen (abutters), dated June 19, 2010 concerning the outcome of the latter’s challenge to the DES permit granted to The Fells for a seasonal dock installation. (See Attachment A)
- A copy of The Fells Shoreline Policy, adopted June 15, 2010. (See Attachment B)
Ms. Holmes stated that the DES permit granted to The Fells for a seasonal dock has been a complex case. She added that the Commission devoted a significant amount of time to reviewing the permit and advising The Fells and abutters on the issue. She said the above letter and Shoreline Policy represented the conclusion of the Commission’s efforts and that it was appropriate to share said information at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
Proposed CAP Elderly Housing Project
The Commission discussed the proposed Merrimack-Belknap Counties Community Action Program (CAP) Newbury Elderly Housing project that is scheduled for a preliminary site plan review before the Newbury Planning Board on September 21, 2010.
Ms. Holmes noted that the Commission was asked by CAP to review the proposed project and submit written opinions of same by September 10, 2010. The Commission agreed that it was premature to comment on a project that has not yet gained approval from the Planning Board and declined to submit opinions/comments on that basis.
Household Hazardous Waste Committee
Ms. Holmes shared with the Commission a written request from the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission (UVLSRPC) for a member of the Commission to serve on the UVLSRPC’s Household Hazardous Waste Committee. The committee meets two times annually.
Ms. Holmes suggested posting the request in the Newbury Update soliciting an interested citizen instead of a Commissioner to serve on the committee. She suggested any interested parties may contact the Town Administrator for more information.
DES Application Response Letter
Ms. Holmes shared with the Commission a draft of a letter from the Commission to property owners who have received a DES permit. The letter reminds property owners of the zoning regulations and building permit requirements that also apply to any project under consideration.
Ms. Holmes said the DES wetlands supervisor considers the letter a good idea and the Commission members agreed. Mr. Wright suggested that Ms. Holmes include a budget line item for postage.
Mr. Perrotta made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Unger seconded the motion. All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Meg Whittemore
Recording Secretary
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