Conservation Commission
February 14, 2012
Approved April 18, 2012
Members Present: Katheryn Holmes, Chair; Chuck Crickman, Deane Geddes, Members; Bill Annable, Alternate; Dick Wright, Ex-Officio.
Ms. Holmes called the meeting to order at 4:45 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Term Appointments
Ms. Holmes noted that Mr. Geddes term expires this year and asked if he was interested in being re-appointed. He said yes, he was. Ms. Levine’s term also expires this year and Ms. Holmes said she will contact her to see if she is interested in remaining on the CC.
Meeting Time
Commissioners discussed the possibility of changing the meeting time from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The monthly meeting day (second Tuesday of each month) would remain the same. Changing the meeting time to the evening would offer the opportunity to participate at (or on) the Conservation Commission (CC) to individuals who are working during the day.
Mr. Geddes made a motion to move the meeting time from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. Mr. Crickman seconded the motion. All in favor.
Ms. Holmes said an announcement of same will be made at Town Meeting on March 14, 2012 and the new meeting time will commence on April 10, 2012.
Mr. Geddes said he will notify Diane Jones, chair of the Newbury Beautification Committee (NBC), and request that she announce the new meeting time to the NBC membership and encourage interested individuals to join the CC.
Minutes
The Commission reviewed the minutes of January 10, 2012 and made no corrections.
Mr. Geddes made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Mr. Crickman seconded the motion. All in favor.
There was discussion regarding a complaint received by Ms. Holmes last month from a resident of Blodgett’s Landing regarding what appeared to be a clear-cutting that occurred on Great Island. Mr. Wright said the Board of Selectmen (BOS) was not aware of this complaint. Ms. Holmes suggested that Mr. Wright and Mr. Geddes look into the matter and report to the CC at the next meeting. Mr. Wright and Mr. Geddes agreed.
INTENTS TO CUT
Ms. Holmes reported there were no Intents to Cut to review.
BUFFER ZONE CUT
Ms. Holmes reported the following Buffer Zone Cut:
- January 20, 2012, from Doug & Gloria Whalen, 50 Highland Avenue, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 018-323-149, to thin a small section of treed land in the waterfront buffer to improve the views to the lake from the house. A maximum of four trees to be removed in the northwest corner of the lot. (Sketches and photos included).
There was significant discussion regarding whether or not the code enforcement officer should be involved in reviewing buffer zone cut applications and providing follow up to ensured property owners comply with the town regulations regarding same. Mr. Wright suggested that the BOS review this possibility at the February 27, 2012 BOS meeting and invited Ms. Holmes to attend. Ms. Holmes agreed and invited Mr. Crickman to join her.
There was further discussion regarding the current procedures involved in reviewing Buffer Zone Cuts applications and Intents to Cut applications. Discussion also included how and/or who provides oversight to ensure regulations have been met.
General discussion followed regarding the current state regulations governing which trees are allowed to be removed and the town’s regulations concerning shoreland regulations. It was noted that all Intents to Cut applications and Buffer Zone Cut applications are placed in the applicable property files.
COMMUNICATIONS
Legislation Aimed at Cutting Conservation Commissions
Ms. Holmes reviewed the CC’s response letters to the current House bills aimed at cutting conservation commissions throughout the state – HB1512, HB1515, HB1545, HB1586, and HB1342. Ms. Holmes said the CC’s response letters were emailed to the committee chair and full committee.
Discussion followed regarding the content of the bills. Mr. Wright said he will ask Paul LaCasse, code enforcement officer, about the status of the bills and expressed his thanks to Ms. Holmes for responding to the proposed bills on behalf of the CC.
OLD BUSINESS
Wild Goose
Ms. Holmes reviewed the current status of the Wild Goose Boat Ramp Project noting that the project’s Alteration of Terrain permit has been denied. It was noted that marker flags are on the property locating new test digs. Discussion ensued regarding the likelihood that NH Fish & Game are starting over in the permitting process.
NEW BUSINESS
CAP/HUD Newbury Elderly Housing Project
Ms. Holmes informed the Commission that Mr. Annable reviewed the DES Wetland application submitted by the CAP/HUD Newbury Elderly Housing and found it acceptable. She asked for a consensus from the CC to sign off on the application. The Commissioners voiced their consensus and Ms. Holmes signed off on the application on behalf of the CC.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Mr. Crickman noted that he contacted Robert Wood, assistant executive director for the Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA), regarding where to find the scientific data to support the buffer zone rules. Mr. Wood agreed that there should be such data but noted that there are no applicable references right now.
There was further discussion about how scientific data might be collected and applied to the regulations governing buffer zones and buffer zone cuts.
Mr. Geddes made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Crickman seconded the motion. All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 5:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Meg Whittemore
Recording Secretary
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