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 May 6, 2010
Attendance:
Peter, Nancy, Trisha, Sandy, Shelia, Pat, Mary Anne, and Brian.
Peter called the meeting to order at 7:35pm.
Kim recorded the minutes.
Correspondence:
- NH DES – Request for more information regarding Ray Nicol of Nicol Farm Partnership of 26 Merrimac Road, Newton NH 03858.
- Completed Minimum Impact Expedited Application for Marcoux Road. Due to the approaching deadline Peter had signed the application that was discussed at a previous meeting. Brian motioned to accept the Minimum Impact Expedited Application for Marcoux Road and Des Roberts Road to improve failed drainage system. Trisha Second. All in Favor.
- Robert Johnson of 19 Wenmark Road, Newton NH 03858. Letter regarding tree removal on Country Pond. Includes estimates from Mayer Tree Service and Tree Top Swingers. Exisiting retaining wall is deteriorating and falling into Country Pond. According to DES, homeowner does not need a permit if a professional arborist deems the wall unsafe.
Public Service of New Hampshire- A letter form Steve Johnson.
Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.
The NH Municipal Conservation Fund Guidebook. Conservation Members recorded the email address to receive a free copy.
NH DES letter to Mike Treadwell of 80 Wilders Grove regarding tree removal. Root systems will be removed due to the trees compromising state.
- Newton Planning Board Notice of Decision- Metro PCS Massachusetts, LLC of Chelmsford, Ma. Minor site plan for co-location of a telecommunications antenna. 85 South Main Street (Tax Map 13, Block 2, Lot 24T)
- Interoffice Memorandum regarding the Trails Committee. Discussion- Trails committee is a Sub- Committee of Conservation. This is to ensure that the Trails Committee will converse with the Conservation Commission for approval prior to any changes that they may make.
- Unitil Energy Systems, Serge Laprise, Field Energy Supervisor. Trimming on Bartlett Street, a Scenic Road in Newton. Conservation members are comfortable with trimming the trees to help maintain Unitil Service in the area. Peter motioned to send a letter to Serge Laprise allowing permission for the trees to be trimmed in order to maintain the safety of Unitil’s Service.
NH Association of Conservation Commission regarding a workshop.
Newton Planning Board- Wes Gundersen Lot line adjustment. Public Hearing is scheduled for May 11, 2010 at 7:00pm. Conservation was curious if there are any wetlands.
Peter motioned to accepted Gundersen’s lot line adjustment as proposed as long as lot (9-3-15) remains a non buildable lot. Sandy Second. All in Favor.
Updates from Previous Meetings:
- Conservation Dues- Invoice delivered to the town Treasurer on April 26, 2010.
Peanut Trail: Pat updated the board members that she painted the gates at the Peanut Trail this week.
Trails Committee: Sandy discussed the advantages of having the Trails Committee become a Sub- Committee of the Conservation Commission. Trisha suggested that determination should be made after the first Trails Committee is held. Brian and Trisha would like to look into Grants once the committee is formed.
Pheasant Crossing: Marsha Jingleski of 2 Pheasant Crossing briefly stopped by seeking information about a complaint. Commission members informed her that we will be mailing minutes of the site walk to her and their abutter at 4 Pheasant Crossing.
Marsha departed the meeting.
Discussion: Trisha showed pictures of Pheasant Crossing. The water flow is not obstructed. The Conservation was comfortable with the foot bridge. Per our site walk held on April 8, 2010 Conservation agreed that the water ways are not obstructed, and do not have any issues with the walking bridge or parking area. Conservation is requesting that any other issues regarding the parking area are to be consulted with the Planning Board.
44 Whittier Street. (Tax Map Block 5,5,5) Plans submitted by Karl LaCroix.
- Conservation members discussed work being done on the premise. It appears that more land is being filled in than proposed. The land no longer appears to be as low. Peter recalled that Mr. LaCroix did not receive any approvals at the last Planning Board meeting. Members are still curious why the driveway can not be where the trailer is located. Peter motioned to send a letter to Planning Board asking why Mr. LaCroix is improving work on the Whittier Street property (tax, map, block, 5,5,5) without Planning Board approval. Conservation does want to bring it to the attention of Planning Board that there is no erosion control, silt fences or hay bales. Sandy Second. All in Favor.
Pinkerton Trail: There is a well located on the premise that needs to be covered. This is a safety and liability concern for the town. The well is located in the back right corner of the land located on Conservation property near the Pinkerton Farm House. Peter suggested having the well filled. His reasoning is if it is covered then Conservation will always have the liability issue and we will also need to maintain it and replace the cover from time to time. The well is approximately 10-12 feet deep. Shelia would like to cover the well and not fill it in. Peter will communicate with CBI to see if they will be able to make a cover for the well. Once the cover is made, Trisha or Peter will contact Newton’s Road Agent, Mike Pivero to see if he will be able to help cover the well.
Conservation Land:
1. Nancy discussed the request of the Stewardship Committee to purchase property markers and asked if Conservation was interested in making one bulk purchase. The more markers that are purchased the cheaper the cost will be. Stewardship needs 25 markers for the Forest Reynolds property. Peter would like Conservation to mark our trails as well and would like to purchase a total of 250 property markers, donating 25 to the Stewardship Committee. Nancy motioned for the Conservation Commission to purchase 250 property markers that will display ‘ Newton Conservation Area.’ The market will be in yellow and have the fox logo on them. Brian Second. No further discussion.
- Trisha had keys made for the Conservation gates, each member received a key.
Peter motioned to pay Trisha for keys made for the Conservation gates. $ 2.90 for Staples and $18.96 for Home Depot. Shelia Second. All in Favor.
Lewis Builders/ Sargent Woods- Discussed our last meeting, and reviewed Minutes to update members whom were not present during our April 15th meeting. Peter read the most recent letter from DES. Currently they do not have Permits. Brian discussed that when a permit expires an Archeological survey must be performed. Brian suggested that we seek that report. Trisha read Minutes from our January 7, 2010 meeting. Conservation will review everything that comes across the board before a commitment is made. Brian mentioned what may have passed previously, may not pass now with the new regulations. Members will go to the DES website and review their checklists. Then Conservation will address their concerns if any. Peter felt that our most recent site walk looked okay at that time. Brian
motioned to request the Wetlands Application, Stormwater Management Plan, and an Archelogical report from Center Hollow Land Company, LLC for our review. Peter Second. All in Favor. No Further Discussion.
Busch Farm:
- Trisha had maps made and delivered to Paul Taylor, Scout Master for their upcoming annual Camporee. The maps included culverts, gates, trails, etc.
- Peter discussed material needed for post to hang our ‘Busch Farm Sign.’ We will need (2) 4x4’s (2) 6x6’s, concrete and lug bolts. Peter will look into getting the materials.
Announcements:
Amnesty Weekend at Newton’s Transfer Station is June 5-6, 2010. All items will be free of charge.
Minutes Review: Nancy motioned to accept the Minutes of April 15, 2010 as presented. Pat Second. All in Favor except Peter, Brian, and Trisha abstained.
Site Walk Worksheets: Trisha reviewed a Conservation Commission report that discussed the Nature of Properties and would like to reference it, creating a worksheet for future Site Walks.
Water District: Groundwater protection ordinance. RSA: 674; 16. This can be reviewed online.
Non Public Business- The Conservation Commission went into a Non Public Meeting to discuss an alleged Health Issue. Conservation Commission Members will vote to determine if the information presented will later become public information.
Meeting Adjourned at 9:23 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kimberly Lowther
Secretary
Newton Conservation Commission
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