 |
Conservation Commission
July 12, 2011
Approved August 9, 2011
Members Present: Katheryn Holmes, Chair; Eric Unger, Vice-Chair; Chuck Crickman, Members; Bill Annable, Alternates; Dick Wright, Ex-Officio.
Ms. Holmes called the meeting to order at 4:42 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Minutes
The Commission reviewed the minutes of June 14, 2011 and made corrections. Mr. Wright made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. Mr. Unger seconded the motion. All in favor.
There was general discussion about the old railroad (RR) bed and the necessary steps involved regarding the possibility of converting it to a walkable trail.
INTENTS TO CUT
Mr. Unger reported that site visits were conducted on the following Intents to Cut:
- From Virginia Mars, 57 Lakewood Manor Road, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 019-644-457 to remove three dead trees in the waterfront buffer zone, one maple, one hemlock and one yellow birch. (Approved by the Board of Selectmen)
- June 21, 2011, from Kevin & Patricia Girard, 188 South Gate Road, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 044-096-229, for 10,000 feet of white pine, by forester/logger Brad Wheeler, P.O. Box 582, South Sutton, NH 03273, telephone (603) 491-7961.
- Date, from Gwendolyn Ware, 57 Woodbine Road, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 041-310-007, for 65 feet of whit pine, 12 feet of oak and 100 feet pine, by logger/forester Devin Willett, P.O. Box 543, Bradford, NH 03221, telephone # (603) 938-2776. Mr. Unger noted that there were no wetlands or steep slope areas.
There was discussion regarding timber clear cutting and the tax returns to the Town of same. Mr. Wright noted that the amount of timber tax paid to the Town depends on the market prices, which fluctuate.
WETLANDS/SHORELANDS
Ms. Holmes noted that the Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act (SWQPA) was passed and added that the bill appears to have a more relaxed approach to applications. There was discussion concerning the current and past complicated applications.
There was discussion about the public’s perception concerning environmental protection versus actual regulations designed to protect the environment.
Landscaping at the Water’s Edge
Mr. Wright discussed his upcoming presentation, Landscaping at the Water’s Edge, at the LSPA. He said the purpose of the presentation is to help people understand that the best way to landscape is to mimic nature – to plant and landscape using the same kinds of species that are found along the water’s edge in a natural setting. He called it “planting in sequence”, which means the various species interact in growth, root systems, blooming time and density to maximize protection against soil erosion and creation of filtration.
There was discussion concerning the need to better educate home owners along the water about the alternatives to cutting away existing vegetation to open up a view.
COMMUNICATIONS
Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust (ASLPT)
Ms. Holmes said that she attended a recent meeting at ASLPT and noted that the group is planning to hold a conference in October, with details to come.
There was significant discussion about existing and potential easements in Newbury and surrounding towns, with particular attention paid to ASLPT activity. Ms. Holmes noted that there have not been any easement inquiries in Newbury. Mr. Wright said Newbury has a lot of land already in a protected status through groups such as the Audubon Society, the Society for the Protection of NH Forests, The Fells, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the State of NH (state park).
Ms. Holmes noted that Star Lake in Springfield is one of ASLPT’s latest accomplishments and indicated that there might be a site visit scheduled in conjunction with the group’s October conference. Mr. Wright said there is a significant working farm at that location.
There was general discussion about existing working farms and the potential for increasing the number of such farms in the area.
OLD BUSINESS
Commission Display Topics
Ms. Holmes showed the commission a tri-fold portable display panel on loan from the LSPA that could be used to display Commission information and news on an ongoing basis in the Town office meeting room. She said the portable display unit could be used by any of the Commissioners when they are giving talks elsewhere or attending other conservation related functions. She said she intends to look into the cost or purchasing a similar unit for the Commission’s use.
Commissioners raised a number of topics informational pieces that could be placed on the tri-fold unit including:
- Current information regarding culverts.
- Intents to Cut Procedures
- Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act
- Timber Cutting regulations
Workshop Topics
The Commissioners discussed a number of possible topics for consideration as a workshop including:
- Andrew Brook Trail
- Forest Laws Workshop for Municipal Officials
- Intents to Cut
- Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act
- Wildlife Stewards for Bobcats & Bears (NH Fish & Game)
There was discussion regarding using the old railroad (RR) bed property as a possible secondary emergency access route to the proposed Newbury Elderly Housing Project.
There was discussion concerning the status of the proposed Wild Goose Boat Ramp Project and Mr. Wright reviewed the history of the project.
Mr. Unger made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Wright seconded the motion. All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Meg Whittemore
Recording Secretary
| |
