Town of Newton
Conservation Commission
P.O. Box 378
(603) 382-4405 ext.17
Committee Members:
Peter Mears, Chairperson (603) 548-4417
Nancy Slombo, Vice Chairperson
Trisha McCarthy, Selectmen’s Representative
Kimberly Lowther, Secretary
Shelia Bergeron
Mary Anne Lapierre
Sandy Estabrook
Brian Valimont
Pat Wonson
Conservation Commission Minutes for January 7, 2010
Attendance:
Peter, Trisha, Sandy, Shelia, Pat, Mary Anne, and Brian
Peter called the meeting to order at 7:33pm.
Kim recorded the minutes.
Minutes Review:
Peter motioned to accept the minutes of December 3, 2009 as presented. Brian Seconded. All in Favor.
Peter motioned to accept the minutes of December 17, 2009 as presented. Brian Seconded. All in Favor, Sandy Abstained.
Correspondence:
- Wetlands Preservation, Inc. Ducks Unlimited 2010 Calendar
- Land Use Change Tax Bill – Check to the Conservation Commission for $21,375.00.
- Discussion: Peter reviewed the Land Use checks. Portion of the monies dating back to 2005 were due to Road Bonds.
- DES complaint –Potential Wetlands filling-via email,
DES seeking pictures. 5 Elm Street, Newton NH.
-Discussion: Conservation was unable to get onto the property when complaint was filed. Currently due to the amount of snow covering the ground we are still not able to obtain pictures of clarity. The property is located at quite a distance from the street. Pictures would be hard to see if taken from the street. The Homeowner had spoke with a member of Conservation requesting a site walk. Peter would like Conservation to send Ms. Kelly a letter asking for a convenient time for a site walk.
Peter motioned to send Ms. Kelly of 5 Elm Street, Newton NH a letter via mail to see what date and time would be best for a site walk on her property. Brian Seconded. All in Favor.
- Hans Mersch via email, would like a member of Conservation to contact him regarding Gale Village Road.
-Peter had contacted him by both email and phone and has not been able to reach him.
- Prior to 1984 Gale Village Road had been voted on by the residents to become a scenic road.
- Possible membership- follow up from last meeting.
An email will be sent to Chuck Whitman encouraging him to attend one of our meetings. However, at this time we do not have any membership openings. Typically Conservation will invite anyone interested in joining the Commission to attend our public meetings, and there we will discuss membership.
6. Check for the remaining 2009 Conservation Budget of $647.50 dated 01-05-10.
New Business:
Peter motioned to send the Board of Selectmen a letter.
- The Conservation Commission has concerns with the Conflict of Interest and Code of Ethics Policies that are suppose to be followed by boards and committees. Conservation wants to know if the Stepping Down Policy is being enforced and if the policy is posted?
Pat Seconded. All in Favor.
Our concerns refer to plans that we’ve reviewed, that have impacted the Conservation Commission. It was noticed during voting, that the members of a couple of boards have not stepped down when they were actively involved in the subject property. In all cases, had a monetary benefit in the subject property. The Conservation Commission had questioned Selectmen McCarthy on several issues.
Selectmen McCarthy responded by asking the committee to send a letter to the Board of Selectmen to discuss this issue at their public meeting.
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Trails:
- Peter had contacted a member of the NH Trails Bureau and they plan to meet in the near future.
- Peter had given keys to the locked gates to the Police Department, Fire Department and Selectmen’s Office. He will have additional copies made for the Road Agent.
Announcements: Our next Conservation Meeting is scheduled for January 21, 2010.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:25 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kimberly Lowther
Secretary
Newton Conservation Commission
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