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Conservation Commission
November 8, 2011
Approved December 13, 2011
Members Present: Katheryn Holmes, Chair; Eric Unger, Vice-Chair; Chuck Crickman, Members; Bill Annable, Alternate; Dick Wright, Ex-Officio.
Ms. Holmes called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Minutes
The Commission reviewed the minutes of October 11, 2011 and made no corrections. Mr. Unger made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Mr. Crickman seconded the motion. All in favor.
INTENTS TO CUT
Mr. Unger reported on the following Intents to Cut:
- October 19, 2011, from Peter Metsch, P.O. Box 568, Newbury, NH, for property located on South Road, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 044-776-364, for 2,000 feet of white pine, 2,000 feet of oak, 10 tons of hardwood & aspen, and 40 tons of pine, by logger Scott B. Hill, Box 13, S. Newbury, NH.
- November 5, 2011, from Marc Moran, P.O. Box 644, Newbury, NH, for property located on South Road, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 043-592-097, for 100,000 feet of white pine, 25,000 feet of hemlock, 6,000 feet of oak and 6,000 feet of pallet/tie logs, by logger Charles Rose, 100 Chase Farm Road, Hopkinton, NH.
PRESENTATIONS
Davis Property Wildlife
Ed Rehor, 47 Newbury Heights Road, Newbury, presented documentation of wild life activity in the stream corridors and wetlands located on the Davis property. The Davis property is the site of the proposed CAP/HUD Low Income Elderly Housing Project currently under consideration by the Planning Board. Mr. Rehor shared photos he took this past winter of paw prints of black bear, deer and bobcat and said the property is a very active wildlife habitat. He also presented written documentation describing the habitat needs of wildlife in that area. (See Attachment)
Ms. Holmes said she would make sure that the Planning Board received copies of Mr. Rehor’s presentation materials.
Mr. Wright asked if the CAP/HUD project will drive these animals away. Mr. Rehor said the magnitude of that development will make it much more difficult for the current wildlife to navigate to necessary feeding areas.
There was discussion about why an alternative access could not be considered. Mr. Wright said the access would have to cross private property. There was discussion concerning the RR bed and using it as a possible access road.
There was further discussion regarding the CAP/HUD project and its impact on the wildlife and current environmental status of that area.
Chalk Pond
Charlie Hirschberg and Steve Russell presented a Watershed/Drainage Assessment, Corrective Action Plan and a Stormwater Management Plan on behalf of the Sunapee Hills Chalk Pond Community Association. Mr. Hirschberg reviewed the issues to date surrounding Chalk Pond, namely erosion and sediment movement in the watershed surround Chalk Pond have resulted in large soil deposits in the pond along sections of the shoreline. He outlined proposed methods of addressing this problem in the short and long term.
Mr. Hirschberg said bodies of water are starting to degrade and that is affecting the real estate values along the shoreline and that is a strong reason to be proactive at this time.
He said the Sunapee Hills Chalk Pond Community Association has scheduled a meeting with DES next week and he requested that the Commission submit a letter to DES in support of the plans put forth by him and Mr. Russell regarding this issue. Following their meeting with DES, Mr. Hirschberg said they plan to file an application with DES.
Ms. Holmes canvassed the Commission for their input and there was a unanimous consensus to comply with Mr. Hirschberg’s request for a letter of support.
WETLANDS/SHORELANDS
Ms. Holmes reviewed the following communications from the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES):
Shoreland Impact Permits
- October 18, 2011, to Donna J. Carr, 25 Whitney Avenue, Portland, ME, for property located at 3 Spring Street, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 18 / 311-041, a Shoreland Impact Permit 2011-02566 to impact 4,466 square feet in order to repair and replace existing retaining walls.
Permit by Notification (PBN)
- Holmes Revocable Trust, 167 Bay Point Road, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 006-083-029, to replace a 24 foot x 20 foot dock/crib and a 28 ½ foot x 7 ½ foot dock/walkway with small crib (6 ½ feet x 7 ½ feet) with no change in dimension to what is currently there.
Minimum Impact Expedited Application
- November 1, 2011, to John Greenwood, 49 Granite Street, Holliston, MA, for property located at 48 Lake Avenue, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 16A/ 324-426, a Request for More Information, File # 2011-02632.
CC NOTIFICATION LETTERS (Re DES Approval)
Notification letters were sent to the following:
- November 1, 2011, to Donna J. Carr, 25 Whitney Avenue, Portland, ME, for property located at 3 Spring Street, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 18 / 311-041, referencing Shoreland Impact Permit 2011-02566.
- October 25, 2011, to Ivor & Barbara Freeman, 434 Old Post Road, Newbury, NH, for property located at 414 Old Post Road, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 42 / 515-005, referencing Wetlands and Non-Site Specific Permit 2011-01753.
OLD BUSINESS
Ms. Holmes reviewed the information presented to the Planning Board by Rick Van de Poll, wetland scientist regarding the proposed CAP/HUD project on the Davis property.
She said Dr. Van de Poll indicated that the area under question is a significant wildlife corridor. She added that the Town’s Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) described the same area as a critical wild life habitat. However, Dr. Van de Poll indicated that the area had been compromised years ago by the gravel pit and the railroad ROW, and the CAP/HUD project would not adversely affect the current status of the wetlands and the wildlife.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Holmes discussed the upcoming workshop on Forest Laws for Municipal Officials on December 8, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Town office. There will be a classroom session in the morning followed by an outdoor session in the afternoon at the Hay Estate.
Hosted by the Newbury Conservation Commission, the workshop has a number of co-sponsors including Local Government Center, DES Wetlands Bureau, NH Department of Revenue Administration, NH Division of Forests & Lands, NH Timber Harvesting Council, NH Timberland Owners Association and UNH Cooperative Extension.
COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Holmes shared with the Commission the following letters/announcements:
- “A Shoreland Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater Management”, published by the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES)
- “Supply Lines with the Source”, a newsletter published by the DES Drinking Water & Groundwater Bureau.
- “A Beacon Bulletin”, published by LSPA, in which to GLEON scientists conference was covered
Ms. Holmes, Mr. Crickman and Ms. Whittemore reported on their recent attendance at the annual NH Conservation Commission Association conference. Of interest was the new Shoreland Water Quality Act, marketing outreach programs and easement activity.
Ms. Holmes reminded the Commission of the upcoming Public Information Meeting on November 12, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Town office. Sponsored by the Town Center Buildings Committee, the meeting will discuss several options regarding potential use of Town-owned lands as possible sites for future expansion of the fire and police departments as well as the installation of a Veterans Memorial.
Ms. Holmes noted that LSPA will be hosting a meeting on the Shoreland Water Quality Act on November 29, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at their headquarters.
Mr. Wright made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Unger seconded the motion. All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Meg Whittemore
Recording Secretary
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