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Newbury Conservation Commission (NCC)
September 16, 2015
Approved January 12, 2016
Members Present: Katheryn Holmes, Chair; Eric Unger, Vice-Chair; Chuck Crickman, members; Bill Annable, Alternate.
Ms. Holmes called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
INTENT TO CUT
Mr. Unger reported on the following Intents to Cut:
- James E. Savage on Fairgrounds Road, Tax Map/Lot # 51-608-311 for 15,000 feet of white pine.
- Margie A. Michie for Tax Map/Lot # 30-275-316. Ms. Holmes noted that this application is currently under review. She added that the Code Enforcement Officer will join her and Mr. Unger on a site visit to the property. Mr. Unger added that he will meet with Mr. Michie.
BUFFER ZONE CUT
Ms. Holmes reported on the following Buffer Zone Cut:
- Eric Scholl for property located at 42 highland Road, Tax map/Lot # 18-318-124. A site visit was completed by Ms. Holmes and Mr. Unger and the application was deemed acceptable.
WETLANDS/SHORELANDS
Ms. Holmes reviewed the following communications from the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES):
Permit by Notification (PBN)
- For Kuusisto, 191 Bay Point Road, Tax Map/Lot # 006-078-093 for repairs to the dock and boat house. Ms. Holmes noted that NCC Commissioner Dean Geddes conducted a site visit and filed an extensive report that indicated the need for the repairs.
Wetlands Permit Application
- For Robert Vail, 83 Malia Place, Tax Map Lot # 18-208-260 for a seasonal boat lift.
Letter of Deficiency
- For Augustine W. Scannell, Jr., and Elmer & Patricia Frechette, 52 Lake Avenue, Tax Map/Lot # 16A-317-421, regarding restoration of beach, gravel, pea stone to its former state and the removal of a boat lift. Letter referred to the lack of permits to permit the aforementioned.
Shoreline Impact Permit
- For NH Department of Fish & Game, for Wild goose property on Birch Grove Road.
COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Holmes shared with the NCC the following:
- The New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions conference on November 7, 2015. She invited all Commissioners to attend this 45th annual event.
- The New Hampshire Association of Natural Resource Scientists (NHANRS) Soil Mapping Workshop on August 28, 2015. Mr. Stewart noted that the workshop is aimed mostly at soil scientists and not wetland scientists.
- A letter from the Mason Conservation Commission regarding concerns surrounding a natural gas pipeline project.
- Ms. Holmes noted that she will be speaking at a NH DES conference on September 29, 2015 on the topic of stormwater management.
- Ms. Holmes invited Commissioners to the LSPA Watershed Committee meeting on September 24, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. to review the Watershed Compliance Process document currently under discussion.
- Commissioners reviewed the Autumn 2015 issue of SPNHF’s Forest Notes.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Minutes
The NCC reviewed the minutes of August 11, 2015 and made no corrections. Mr. Unger made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. Mr. Crickman seconded the motion. All in favor.
OLD BUSINESS
- Land Use Joint Meeting on September 10, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Ms. Holmes asked that all Commissioners forward items they would like discussed at the meeting so the Planning Board Chair can get them on the agenda.
- Ms. Holmes noted that Roger Rodewald, working for Robert Vail, is meeting regularly with the Code Enforcement Officer to get into compliance. There was further general discussion about forestry strategies, tree cutting regulations, setbacks, buffer zones, and the long term effect of limbing and tree topping.
- There was discussion concerning the LSPA non-viable loon egg and the findings of heavy metals and DDT chemicals in the egg.
Wild Goose Boat Launch Project
Mr. Annable shared with the Commissioners a report containing his recommendations for addressing the specific concerns surrounding traffic hazards, destruction of mature pine growth, and the presence of crosswinds at the boat launch site. Discussion followed.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Holmes noted that a number of sightings of cyanobacteria have been reported on lake Sunapee this summer into fall. Discussion followed regarding the long term effects of this harmful algae on lakes, including the negative impact on property values.
Ms. Holmes informed Commissioners of the annual bulb sale offered by the Merrimack County Conservation.
Mr. Unger made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Crickman seconded the motion. All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Meg Whittemore
Recording Secretary
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