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Conservation Commission
January 22, 2013
Approved April 23, 2013
Members Present: Katheryn Holmes, Chair; Chuck Crickman, Deane Geddes, Members; Bill Annable, Bob Stewart, Alternates; Dick Wright, Ex-Officio.
Ms. Holmes called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Minutes
There were no minutes to review.
INTENTS TO CUT
Ms. Holmes reported the following Intents to Cut:
- December 13, 2012, from Daniel Russell, 60 Red House Road, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 031-113-167, for 30,000 feet of white pine, and 5,000 feet of oak, by logger Douglas R. Newton, 483 Newmarket Road, Warner, NH 03278, telephone (603) 456-366.
BUFFER ZONE CUTS
Ms. Holmes reported on the following application for approval to cut in the Buffer Zone:
- December 5, 2012, from David Jenkins, 20 Jenkins Road, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 007-199-336, to remove rotten tree by dock before it falls down on to dock.
WETLANDS/SHORELANDS
Ms. Holmes reviewed the following communications from the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES):
- December 14, 2012, to LOA C. Winter Trustee, P.O. Box 1097, New London, NH 03257, for property located at 125 Bowles Road, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 17-353-BL 370, an Application Returned due to Missing Information, Land Resources Management, DES File # 201204450.
- December 21, 2012, to NH Fish & Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301, RE: Wetlands Bureau File # 2008-02755, Birch Grove Road, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 019-401-244, acknowledging receipt of a copy of revised plans.
- December 15, 2012, to NH Fish & Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301, RE: Lake Sunapee Public Boat Access Facility, Newbury, NH, Tax Map 19, Block 401, Lot 24, a letter issuing RSA 485-A:17 Alteration of Terrain Permit AoT-0510.
- December 14, 2012, from Laurel Marion & Martha Ann Matthews, 1313 Washington Street, #332, Boston, MA 02118, for property located at 150 Bowles Road, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 017-598-443, a Wetlands Permit Application to remove and replace dock structure….with no change in size, dimension, location, configuration or type construction.
- January 3, 2013, to Laurel Marion & Martha Ann Matthews, 1313 Washington Street, #332, Boston, MA 02118, for property located at 150 Bowles Road, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 017-598-443, a Wetlands and Non-site Specific Permit 2012-03296, to repair two 28 foot 4-inch x 9-foot permanent docks supported by two 8-foot x 8-foot cribs and connected by a 10-foot x 10-foot walkway in a “U” shaped configuration on Lake Sunapee, Newbury.
- December 18, 2012, to Robert Remillard, P.O. Box 675, Croydon, NH 03773, for property located at 186 Bowles Road, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 017-546, a Wetlands and Non-site Specific Permit 2012-02711, to impact 23 square feet of lakebed to remove four rocks adjacent to the existing 6-foot x 30-foot crib pier on an average of 106 feet of frontage along Lake Sunapee, Newbury.
- December 17, 2012, to Augustine W. Scannell and Elmer & Patricia Frechette, a Notice of Violation RE: File # 2010-01999, for property located at 52 Lake Avenue, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 16A-317-421, for a beach measuring approximately 300 square feet that was constructed on the property without a permit or approval from DES. DES requests that, by June 15, 2013, the property owner remove the sand and pea stone/gravel and establish the ground cover previously existing in 2001.
Newbury Conservation Commission (NCC) NOTIFICATION LETTERS (Re DES Approval)
NCC notification letters were sent to the following:
- January 20, 2013, to Laurel Marion & Martha Ann Matthews, 1313 Washington Street, #332, Boston, MA 02118, for property located at 150 Bowles Road, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 017-598-443, referencing Wetlands and Non-site Specific Permit 2012-03296.
- January 20, 2013, to Robert Remillard, P.O. Box 675, Croydon, NH 03773, for property located at 186 Bowles Road, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 017-546, referencing Wetlands and Non-Site Specific Permit 2012-02711.
PRESENTATION
Andrew Brook Trailhead Parking Lot Project
Wendy Weisiger, forester with the Society for the Protection of NH Forests (SPNHF), presented an overview of the Andrew Brook Trailhead Parking Lot project to the NCCC. Steve Perrin, surveyor at-large and formerly with the NH Forest Society, was present as well.
Ms. Weisiger reviewed the project and described the proposed parking for the trailhead entrance and the fundraising efforts to date. She noted that a grant application for $20,000 (plus or minus) has been submitted to the state agency of Recreational Parks & Trails. She said SPNHF will approach local businesses for in-kind donations if the grant is awarded.
She described the proposed parking lot as having a gravel surface and an informational kiosk containing trailhead information. Dogs will be allowed on the trail and the hours will run from dawn to dusk. She said SPNHF will work with DRED regarding rules governing a project like this and will confer with the town regarding appropriate signage.
Mr. Crickman asked if the parking lot will follow the existing slope of the land. Ms. Weisiger said there will be some cut and fill. Mr. Perrin said the fill will come from the site itself. He added that currently there is a 15% slope on the property and the parking lot will lower that percentage to 12% slope. Ms. Holmes asked if the town’s zoning laws are applicable for steep slope. Mr. Perrin said no, the slope is not over 25%.
Ms. Weisiger said plans call for three bog bridges to transverse wet areas.
Mr. Geddes asked if the fundraising is specifically for the parking lot and trail maintenance. Ms. Weisiger said yes. She added that SPNHF wants to ensure that the trail is dry and that soil erosion is dealt with and there is adequate drainage on the trail. She said they plan to use a professional trail layout specialist.
There was general discussion about the current trail, the multiple property owners involved, and the existing parking challenges.
Further general discussion included the proposed stormwater management plans.
Mr. Stewart asked if there will be a vegetated buffer next to the road for aesthetic purposes for the abutters. Ms. Weisiger said the parking lot will be about 40 feet in from the road. She added it is better to be able to see the lot because high visibility reduces nefarious activities.
Ms. Holmes invited Tim Therrian, an abutter, to speak. Mr. Therrian asked how close the proposed parking lot would be to his property line. Mr. Perrin said about 75 feet. Mr. Therrian asked if the old logging road will be the proposed trail. Ms. Weisiger said yes. Mr. Therrian asked if it has been surveyed. Mr. Perrin said yes and added that the benefit to having the trail and the parking lot will be that cars will no longer park on the road and cars will no longer be driving by Mr. Therrian’s house.
Ms. Weisiger said SPNHF will regularly visit the trail site and volunteers will handle ongoing maintenance needs. She added that town residents will be encouraged to serve as stewards and officially monitor the trail and parking lot.
Ms. Holmes said the NCC and the Board of Selectmen are both very excited about this project. She thanked Ms. Weisiger and Mr. Perrin for their presentation.
COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Holmes shared with the NCC the following letters:
- December 18, 2012, a Planning Board Notice of Decision to The Tackle Shack, LLC, Case 2012-014, stating the Board determined that Site Plan Review is not required.
- January 3, 2013, a letter from the Newbury Board of Selectmen to SPNHF in support of the Andrew Brook Trailhead Project.
- January 14, 2013, a letter from the CC to SPNHF in support of the Andrew Brook Trailhead Project.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Holmes encouraged the Commissioners to check on their terms of office and noted that the terms are posted in the Town Clerk’s office.
Ms. Holmes suggested that the NCC hold active memberships in Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA), Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust (ASLPT), and the Society for the Protection of NH Forests (SPNHF). Discussion followed.
Mr. Geddes made a motion that the Newbury Conservation Commission hold active memberships in the Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA), Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust (ASLPT), and the Society for the Protection of NH Forests (SPNHF) for a total membership cost of no more than $150 per year. Mr. Wright seconded the motion. All in favor.
Mr. Geddes made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Wright seconded the motion. All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Meg Whittemore
Recording Secretary
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