Newbury Conservation Commission (NCC)
April 8, 2015
Approved August 11, 2015
Members Present: Katheryn Holmes, Chair; Eric Unger, Vice-Chair; Chuck Crickman, Member; Bill Annable, Sue Russell Alternates.
Ms. Holmes called the meeting to order at 7:14 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Minutes
The NCC reviewed the minutes of February 10, 2015 and made corrections. Mr. Crickman made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. Mr. Annable seconded the motion. All in favor.
The NCC reviewed the minutes of March 10, 2015 and made corrections. Ms. Russell made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. Mr. Unger seconded the motion. All in favor.
Application Review/Development Committee
Commissioners discussed the value and purpose of the application review process that occurred at last month’s meeting. There was Commission consensus that all application reviews will be in an advisory/educatory capacity only and that the applicants may not use the NCC comments to support any future application efforts with the DES or Newbury land use boards.
83 Malia Place Update
Ms. Holmes reviewed the approved Shoreland Application # 2015-00263 to NH Department of Environmental Services from Robert Vail, 83 Malia Place, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 018-260-208, for the following: Rebuild existing carriage road and existing retaining walls along carriage road. Rebuild existing unsafe steps with proper tread dimensions. Install engineered drainage for stormwater management. Rebuild existing upper retaining wall near house. Re-grade upper lawn area by house. Install new stone walkways (stepping stones) and new stone patio with seating wall using existing boulders. Total impact 14,835 sq. ft. Total new impervious area 664 sq. ft.
Ms. Holmes informed the Commission that she participated in a meeting on April 8, 2015 pertaining to this Permit. Meeting attendees included the following: John Greenwood, Newbury Code Enforcement Officer, Commissioner Bob Stewart, two representatives from Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust, Dan Brezga (db Landscaping), Jason from Chippers, and Mike Seraikas, Beaver Brook Environmental Consultants, who has been hired on this project as a wetland scientist.
Significant concerns were raised concerning the Permit and its potential violation of the Ausbon Sargent easement on the property, extent of tree-cutting activity on the property, extent and type of tree trimming, and the impact of the proposed project(s) on the existing steep slopes and the lake. Ms. Holmes indicated that further meetings regarding this situation will be held and that she will keep the Commission informed.
Ms. Holmes further suggested that the NCC make a site visit to the property located at 83 Malia Place. She agreed to follow through on this suggestion and contact the Commissioners regarding same.
INTENT TO CUT
There were no Intent to Cut applications to review.
BUFFER ZONE CUT
There were no Buffer Zone Cut applications to review.
WETLANDS/SHORELANDS
Ms. Holmes reviewed the following communication from the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES):
Wetlands Permit Application
- For Robert Vail, 83 Malia Place, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 018-260-208, for the following: existing beach (1250 square feet) will be replenished with new sand (not to exceed 10 cubic yards). Existing 15-foot culvert which is rusting out unstable, will be replaced with a 24-foot culvert. This will help mitigate erosion and make the road safer to cross. Headwall will be rebuilt to make culvert stable and usable.
Request for More Information
- From Cosmo Santullo, 1161 Route 103, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 019-277-491, for Standard Dredge and Fill application, file # 2015-00331.
Land Resources Management/Permit Application Acceptance
- From Robert Vail, 83 Malia Terrace, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 018-260-208, RE: Wetlands program Permit Application, DES File # 2015-00695.
Wetlands and Non-Site Specific Permit
- For Robert Vail, 83 Malia Terrace, Newbury, NH, Tax Map/Lot # 018-260-208, for the following: to replace a 6-foot by 40-foot seasonal dock with a “U”-shaped seasonal floating dock with three slips on 292 feet of frontage. All work done off-site, will use existing attachment to shore. No disturbance to shoreline whatsoever.
COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Holmes shared with the NCC the following:
- A Comprehensive Trail Services pamphlet on trail maintenance.
- A book titled Short Hikes to the Biggest Trees in NH by Kevin Martin.
A request for membership renewal from Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA). Ms. Holmes called for a Motion to Vote.
Mr. Unger made a motion to renew NCC’s annual membership in LSPA for the amount of $50 to be taken from the NCC budget. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. All in favor.
OLD BUSINESS
Trail Maps
Ms. Holmes informed the Commissioners that the Board of Selectmen (BOS) reviewed the trail map narrative and voted unanimously to have any reference to the old railroad bed/CLS Rail Trail removed from the narrative portion of the updated trail map. Mr. Crickman objected to the decision, noting that the trail map has, for the past 11 years, made reference to the old railroad bed in the narrative. Ms. Holmes noted that the BOS carries the final say regarding this topic.
Discussion followed.
Ms. Holmes suggested that the deleted paragraph be replaced with the following paragraph: The Newbury Conservation Commission would like to thank Commissioner Charles Crickman for his exemplary dedication and hard work in updating the trail map and trail information.
Ms. Holmes called for a Motion to Vote.
Mr. Unger made a motion to remove from the updated Newbury Trail Map narrative any reference to the old railroad bed/CLS Rail Trail and replace it with the above paragraph of appreciation citing Mr. Crickman. Ms. Russell seconded the motion.
In Favor: Mr. Annable, Ms. Russell, Mr. Unger, Ms. Holmes
Abstain: Mr. Crickman
Mr. Crickman expressed concern that removal of the paragraph referencing the old railroad bed serves to negate the presence of the Newbury Cut, which is an important identity to the town. Ms. Holmes expressed her understanding of his concerns but noted that the BOS carries the final say in this matter. She encouraged Mr. Crickman to meet with the BOS and voice his concerns regarding the matter.
Discussion followed regarding the project printing and editing costs for the trail map. Mr. Crickman presented the following information on costs:
- Printing – $1,595 for 1,500 copies; and $1,664 for 2,000 copies.
- Map update editing - $200 estimate.
There was general discussion regarding a smaller print run and potential locations for maximum distribution.
Ms. Holmes called for a Motion to Vote.
Ms. Russell made a motion to allocate $1,864 from the NCC budget to create and print 2,000 updated Newbury Trail Maps, with an initial payment of $932 and a final payment of $932 upon job completion. Mr. Unger seconded the motion.
In Favor: Mr. Unger, Mr. Annable, Ms. Russell, Mr. Crickman, Ms. Holmes, Mr. Stewart (via proxy)
Opposed: None
There was discussion about possible locations for distribution. Mr. Unger suggested placing them at Mount Sunapee and Ms. Russell suggested having them available at the League of NH Craftsmen Fair.
NEW BUSINESS
Exemplary Forest
Ms. Russell discussed the possibility of having Chris Kane, an independent forester who is informed on so-called ‘Exemplary Forests”, to meet with the NCC and make a presentation. Commissioners discussed the possibility. There was NCC consensus that more information is needed about what comprises an Exemplary Forest before hosting a presentation by Mr. Kane. Ms. Russell agreed to present said information to Commissioners at the next meeting.
Mr. Unger made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Meg Whittemore
Recording Secretary
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