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Conservation Commission
April 18, 2012
Approved May 9, 2012
Members Present: Katheryn Holmes, Chair; Chuck Crickman, Deane Geddes, Members; Bill Annable, Alternate.
Ms. Holmes called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Minutes
The Commission reviewed the minutes of February 14, 2012 and made no corrections. Mr. Geddes made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Mr. Crickman seconded the motion. All in favor.
INTENTS TO CUT
Ms. Holmes reported that Mr. Unger reviewed and approved the following Intents to Cut:
- March 11, 2012, from Scott Falvey, Briott LLC, 1153 South Road, Hopkinton, NH 03229, Tax Map/Lot # 051-694-483, for 200,000 feet of white pine, 40,000 feet of hemlock, 30,000 feet of red pine, 5,000 feet of spruce & fir, 5,000 feet of hard maple, 10,000 feet of white birch, 10,000 feet of yellow birch, 80,000 feet of oak, 10,000 feet of ash, 10,000 feet of beech & soft maple, and 80,000 feet of pallet or tie logs, by logger Robert Braves, Forestry Solutions, P.O. box 487, Northwood, NH 03261, telephone (603) 988-8046.
BUFFER ZONE CUTS
Ms. Holmes discussed the newly implemented Buffer Zone Cut application process that was published in the town newsletter in March 2012 and on the town website. Discussion included fine-tuning the process to ensure the Code Enforcement Officer includes the ConCom in his distribution list when submitting reports and photos. This would ensure a timely review of the application by the ConCom.
Ms. Holmes suggested a summer workshop on developing a standardized approach to buffer zone cuts among the three towns surrounding the lake – Newbury, New London and Sunapee. Suggestions included inviting Code Enforcement officers from all three towns to weigh in with suggestions on how to achieve a more consistent approach to the issue. Inviting the tri-town tax assessor was also recommended.
There was significant discussion regarding an application to cut dead trees that was submitted by David Goodard, 49 Blodgett’s Landing, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 16A-233-395, on March 21, 2012. Ms. Holmes said Mr. Unger visited the property in question and determined that all the trees indicated in the application were dead. Mr. Geddes indicated that the application did not contain clear coding information to allow the ConCom to accurately review the application. There was further discussion about how to improve the application process in the future.
Ms. Holmes noted that there was a lot of tree cutting occurring along the lake front on the Route 103A side of the lake. She added that overzealous thinning of trees increases the risk of a blow down.
Mr. Geddes said he followed-up on an anonymous complaint about tree cutting on Great Island. He said he went to Blodgett’s Landing and noted that he couldn’t see any cutting but that it was difficult to determine without a site visit to Great Island.
WETLANDS/SHORELANDS
Ms. Holmes reviewed the following communications from the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES):
Shoreland Impact Permits
- March 29, 2012, to Jeffrey Estella, 19 High Street, Southborough, MA 01772, for property located at 6 Stoodley Road, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 20 / 139, a Shoreland Impact Permit 2011-03108, revised plans received March 27, 2012 to impact 9,600 square feet in order to raze existing house and move 8 feet westerly to build a larger house with a deck, steps, driveway, septic system, and pathway toward the reference line.
Wetlands and Non-Site Specific Permit
- April 5, 2012, to Davis 2000 Revocable Trust, 36 Roslyn Avenue, Warner, NH 03278, for property located at Newbury Heights Road, Newbury, Tax Map Lot # 20 / 072-043, a Wetlands and Non-Site Specific Permit 2012-00377,to permit dredge and fill 1,397 square feet of palustrine forested wetlands and intermittent stream for access to a proposed 34-unit elderly housing facility.
OLD BUSINESS
Wild Goose Boat Ramp Update
There was discussion regarding the status of the Wild Goose Boat Ramp project, specifically the article that appeared in the Concord Monitor, April 11, 2012 regarding same. There was discussion regarding the status of the DES Alteration of Terrain application regarding the Wild Goose project.
“Saving Special Places” Update
Mr. Crickman reviewed the “Saving Special Places conference that he attended, noting that the conference offered numerous sessions on a wide range of conservation topics. Of particular note were sessions on trails through conservation lands and handicap accessibility on trails. The latter topic was of interest because of past discussions regarding handicap accessibility for Fisherfield Park. Mr. Crickman said he obtained a copy of the Forest Trail Accessibility Guidelines for future use. The conference emphasized a proactive role for local communities regarding contacting landowners regarding land conservation. Mr. Crickman noted that it interacting with landowners was an area that required experienced professionals.
General discussion followed regarding the abutters to Fisherfield’s and the possibility of placing that land into conservation.
There was discussion regarding the Town Forest and the concern that it is not in conservation. Commissioners discussed the Forestry Management Plan for the Town Forest.
Trail Map Update
Mr. Crickman reviewed the status of Trail Map sales as of April 17, 2012. Total sales from 2008 to date are $363; there are approximately 306 maps left in inventory; and the Tackle Shop and the library are the most active points of distribution. The annual sales rate is about 90 which means there is a 2 ½ to 3-year supply left.
NEW BUSINESS
Newbury Times Newsletter
The Recording Secretary discussed the ConCom page in the quarterly town newsletter, The Newbury Times, and encouraged the Commissioners to consider how to best utilize the space to communicate its goals, information and educational outreach. Ms. Holmes suggested an over-reaching theme of “Building Community Through Conservation”. Additional specific topics for future coverage included the following:
- What is Conservation?
- Shoreline Septic Systems
- Fertilizing Next to the Lake
- Shoreland Planting
- Understanding Trees
- The Suburbanization of the Waterfront
The Commissioners agreed to look into partnering with the Recreation Department to explore ways to mutually enrich and expand current programs.
Upcoming Events
Ms. Holmes noted the following:
- A Chemical Reaction, The True Story of a Green Revolution, Tracey Library, April 20, 2012 (relationship between chemical pesticides and health issues)
- DES Drinking Water Source Protection Workshop, Grappone Conference Center, May 2, 2012
- Statewide Conservation on Water Sustainability, New London, May 8, 2012 (Ms. Holmes to present on the use of bubblers in Lake Sunapee)
Mr. Geddes made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Annable seconded the motion. All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 8:59 p.m.
Ms. Holmes re-opened the meeting at 9:00 p.m. for the re-appointment of officers.
Mr. Geddes made a motion to re-elect Ms. Holmes as chair and Mr. Unger as vice-chair for the upcoming year. Mr. Crickman seconded the motion. All in favor.
Mr. Geddes made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Annable seconded the motion. All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Meg Whittemore
Recording Secretary
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