Newbury Conservation Commission (NCC)
April 8, 2014
Approved June 9, 2014
Members Present: Katheryn Holmes, Chair; Eric Unger, Vice-Chair; Chuck Crickman, Bob Stewart, Members; Dick Wright, Ex-Officio.
Ms. Holmes called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Minutes
The NCC reviewed the minutes of February 11, 2014 and made no corrections. Mr. Unger made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Mr. Stewart seconded the motion. All in favor.
The NCC reviewed the minutes of March 11, 2014 and made corrections. Mr. Stewart made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. Mr. Unger seconded the motion. All in favor.
INTENT TO CUT
There were no Intent to Cut applications to report.
Ms. Holmes asked Mr. Wright about the status of the Intent to Cut application submitted from Henk & Mary Oolders on South Road, Newbury. Mr. Wright said he talked with Scott Hill, the logger, who told him he was going to use mechanical harvesting for the job. Mr. Hill was told by the Code Enforcement Officer that only manual cutting could be used on the property and, according to Mr. Wright, Mr. Hill indicated he was no longer interested in the job.
Mr. Stewart said the Oolders intend to continue with their plans to create a view on the property down to Gillingham Pond. However, there are dual issues of snow and determining which trees are alive or dead that must be addressed before proceeding. Mr. Wright said now there is too much water on the property to proceed.
Commissioners discussed the challenge of assessing an Intent to Cut during the winter when there is a lot of snow on the ground and the land cannot be accurately depicted.
BUFFER ZONE CUT
There were no Buffer Zone Cut applications to report.
WETLANDS/SHORELANDS
Ms. Holmes reviewed the following communication from the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES):
Request for More Information
- March 21, 2014, to Cottage Owners Association, Jeff Wachsmuth, 31 Jonathan Lane Street, Bow, NH, for property located at Bowles Road, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 16-247-321, a Request for More Information regarding the Standard Dredge and Fill application, File # 2014-00266, pertaining to the Blodgetts Landing boat ramp.
COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Holmes shared with the NCC the following:
- Information about the NH Association of Natural Resource Scientists, its continuing education opportunities, upcoming seminars, and NCC’s membership benefits.
- The DES Rural Spring Listening Session on April 25th.
- Membership renewal in the Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA). There was consensus among the Commissioners to renew NCC’s membership in LSPA.
- Upcoming events in the Upper Valley sponsored by the Vital Communities news magazine.
OLD BUSINESS
Rails and Trails Project
Ms. Holmes reviewed a letter sent to the NCC on April 2, 2014 from Tim Blagden regarding the status of the proposed “Rails and Trails” project involving converting the railroad grade of the former Concord-to-Claremont Railroad into a hiking/biking/walking trail. The project involves five towns. Mr. Blagden’s letter was an appeal to the NCC to participate in financing a “vision session” with the Citizens Institute on Rural Design. The requested amount was for $1,000.
Significant discussion followed concerning why a vision session is necessary, what specific challenges face the project, how Newbury factors into the overall project, and what happens to Newbury’s financial investment if the project is scrapped.
Ms. Holmes said she will call Mr. Blagden and discuss these areas with him and email the Commissioners with the results of her telephone meeting with Mr. Blagden. The NCC agreed that more information is needed before considering making a financial commitment to the project.
Saving Special Places Conference
Mr. Crickman reported on the conference, noting that attendance was very high and the conference content was strong. He attended two sessions on easements and went to a session on how mobile technology is being used in the field to support conservation efforts. Discussion followed regarding the mobile technology devices currently available for use in the field for mapping, GPS location and use in forestry efforts.
Wild Goose Boat Launch Project Update
Ms. Holmes told Commissioners that June Fichter, executive director for LSPA, will be meeting with the NCC in May to present the LSPA’s collaborative approach to appealing the latest ruling on wild Goose from the NH Superior Court. The LSPA and the Town of Newbury are appealing the recent Superior Court ruling that ruled in favor of CORE.
Sunapee-Kearsarge-Ragged Greenway (SKRG) Trail Plans
Ms. Holmes noted that Gerry Gold, SKRG, will meet with commissioners in May to present plans for the upcoming trail work during the summer.
Fish & Game Club in Bradford
Mr. Wright updated the NCC on the status of the Fish & Game Club being placed into conservation. He said he met with Beth McQuinn, Ausbon Sargent, and they toured the property together. Ms. McQuinn indicated that the acreage was too small for Ausbon Sargent to handle and suggested the Mr. Wright explore the possibility of gathering the adjacent property owners together to see if there is interest in supporting the idea. Mr. Wright said he will continue to explore Ms. McQuinn’s suggestions and keep the NCC apprised.
NEW BUSINESS
Ausbon Sargent Outreach Committee
Ms. Holmes reviewed the topics covered at the recent meeting of the Ausbon Sargent Outreach Committee. The Committee is comprised of the chairs of the conservation commissions throughout the region. Topics covered included the following: information offered at the Saving Special Places conference; the threat of the Emerald Ash Bore and what is being done to mitigate the threat; the Stoney Brook Project; the addition of 54.1 acres in Andover that has been placed into conservation; a discussion about fee ownership versus conservation easement; and a discussion on what is involved in turning over conservation easements.
Ms. Holmes said the meeting included information issued by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) which stated that the 2.1 million acres of shoreland along the Merrimack River has been deemed to be the #1 most threatened watershed in the United States. She said the USFS is planning a large land study on the Merrimack River within the next six months.
Finally, the Committee discussed plans for an upcoming conference on the effects of climate change on wildlife.
Mr. Stewart made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Unger seconded the motion. All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Meg Whittemore
Recording Secretary
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