Conservation Commission Minutes August 8, 2011
Chairman Sam Demeritt called the meeting to order at 7:04. Other members in attendance were Deb Stevens, Peter Landry, Celia Abrams and Susan Mooney.
Vision and Mission Statements: There was some confusion as to who would be reworking the Mission and Vision Statements for the Commission. It was determined that the Vision should be a statement that “envisions” what the future would look like and the Mission statement would state those tasks that would provide the means of reaching the Vision. Mooney will continue to work on these statements.
Minutes: The minutes of the July 7, 2011, Workshop was accepted as corrected. Mooney made the motion, it was seconded by Abrams; four votes were in favor, there was one abstention.
The minutes for July 11 were accepted as corrected. Motion was made by Mooney, seconded by Landry; all five votes were in favor.
The minutes of the July 19 Workshop were accepted as corrected. The motion was made by Stevens, seconded by Abrams. Four votes were in favor, there was one abstention.
Corrections will be made and the minutes sent to the BOS Secretary to be posted on the Town’s web site.
Correspondence:
Intent to Cut: For Michael and Lynn Peterson, 239 Old Turnpike Road, Tax Map 16, Lot 12A. To cut 2 acres on a 5-acre lot. White pine, 10 MBF, Oak 15 MBF, Beech and soft (sic) maple 2 MBF, 60 cords of pulpwood and 60 cords of fuel wood. The logger is David Porter, and the start date is 07/12/11.
Dated 7/18/11, received 7/25/11, to Harbor Street Limited Partnership, Joseph Falzone, re: Alteration of Terrain (AOT) Permit Application #110603-070 for Rocky Hill on Ledge Farm Road, Map 58, Lots 4 & 6-2A, from Ridgely Mauck, PE, AOT Bureau, a request for more information on 13 items to be addressed before a final determination on the application can be made. Deadline for supplying said information is 11/15/11.
Approval date 7/29/11, to Faye and Patrick Castonguay, 122 Kelsey Road, from DES Wetlands Bureau, a Wetlands and Non-site Specific Permit, #2011-01426, to permit an impact of 2,330 ft2 of wetlands to construct a pond, including dredge of 2,210 ft2 of pond and fill of 120ft2 for pond berm. The applicant is to follow 5 project specific conditions and 8 general conditions.
Dated 7/14/11, received 7/18/11, to C. Minot Granbery, 306 Stage Road (Route 152), Nottingham, from Vanessa Burnes, DES Forestry Permit by Notification Specialist, re: File # 2001-01579, a Complete Forestry Notification to start work located at Map 31, Lot 1 provided that 4 conditions are met.
From W.C. Cammett Engineering Inc., to Frank Deluca and Sons (USA Springs) and the Conservation Commission, Field Reports for June 9, June 13, June 27, July 11 and July 26, with environmental comments and photos of the site. The July 11 Report noted that a new silt fence has been installed around the stockpile area and all slumped soil has been removed from the settling area. The upper settling area has been cleaned up and new riprap placed at the entry to this area. The silt fence beyond the settling areas has been fortified and the silt fence at the back of the settling area along the emergency access drive has been repaired. The excess soil spillage from the foundation has been removed and riprap has been placed in the ruts created by storm water runoff. The July 26 Report noted no environmental concerns.
Bear-Paw Regional Greenways Report: Demeritt said that there are two possible speakers for the Annual meeting, January 28, 2012. The speaker will either be Davis Jacke on the topic The Edible Forest or Chris Rynes who will speak about moose.
Conservation Easements: There was a discussion about the several Wetland Reserve Program WRP properties in town. Financial details are still being considered with the Tasker and Merriam/Daggett properties due to the results of the recent surveys and back taxes paid and future taxed to be paid on the newly created lots. The Commission attended the Board of Selectmen meeting on August 1, 2011, to give them an update on the conservation properties along the North River. Demeritt noted that the Tasker property overlays an aquifer and that they were now looking for a fee purchase from the town for $11,750. Also mentioned was that these properties are well situated for a trail system from Freeman Hall Road all the way south to the Municipal Office Complex property. A few years ago, a trail system to connect the school property to
Nottingham Center was proposed to the Commission by the two year Economic Development Committee. Commission members recently discussed a possible trail system with the Recreation Department director and the Boy Scout leader as a multi year project for the community.
An announcement was received for the 9th Annual Woods, Water and Wildlife Festival on Saturday August 13 in Milton Mills.
In cleaning out old files, Traci Chauvey found Blister Rust Maps from NH Records and Archives sent to Linda Hoyt in 1990. There were six old reports as well. Chauvey gave the maps and reports to Demeritt.
Invasive Species: Landry made several smaller format maps of Nottingham so members can note were particular invasive plant species are located. Landry will also be responsible for a logbook to note species, describe locations and size of patch, with accompanying photos and possible remediation/control measures. The Commission will work on details at the next Workshop meeting. There was also a brief discussion on grant money for the removal of plants such as the knotweed on McCrillis Road at the North River Bridge.
Other/New Business: Mud Bog Application before the Planning Board: Landry reported to the rest of the members that he is doing some plan work for the applicant. The property is owned by Greg Gentile, Map 4, Lot 1-1, along Route 4 and is 31.6 acres in size. There appears that there would be a small wetland impact to extend the driveway. The plans include a parking area for 125 vehicles and the number of spectators would be about 1200. There would be a total of 7 races scheduled in one year from April to October. Members had some concerns including where does the water come from for the mud, is it pumped in, where does it drain to, is the effluent polluted, will it be treated, what about noise?
Stevens also said that there is an application for a propane distribution site that will be submitted to the Planning Board on 8/10/11.
It has been determined that the Farm and Rangeland Conservation Easement to protect the Butler Farm at Nottingham Square has been abandoned at this time. Stevens moved to unencumber the sum of $200,000 from the Town’s Conservation Fund that was voted to support the Butler Farm easement. Abrams seconded the motion and all five votes were in favor.
Abrams brought a potential conservation easement to the Commission’s attention. This property would be about 109 acres and includes uplands, streams, wetlands and at least one protected plant species and one protected animal species (Blandings turtle). This proposed easement includes road frontage on both sides, and abuts additional easement and potential easement properties as well. Abrams will continue to follow up on this project.
Stevens left the meeting at 9:30.
Abrams and Mooney have picked up the turtle crossing signs that were placed around town for the critical nesting months.
Mooney picked up the river crossing signs and delivered them to Dan Debutts for the Boy Scouts to put up.
Abrams moved to adjourn the meeting; Mooney seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:35.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan P. Mooney, Acting Secretary.
These minutes were accepted as corrected at the meeting held on September 12, 2011. Corrections have been made.
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