Present: Laura Games (Chairperson), Chris Giordano, Judy Jervis and Michelle Tingley.

The meeting was called to order at 7:40PM and was televised.

The Commission reviewed the minutes of February 7,2001. Michelle made a motion to accept the minutes as amended. Chris G. 2^nd the motion. The vote was unanimous.

1. Town Forest Warrant- Laura said that the town forest warrant article had passed and the Conservation article had failed. The Conservation warrant article vote was 566 NO and 381 YES. Elisabeth Sanders joined the meeting to discuss with the Commission the possibility of money to be used for the Town Forest management plan. Elisabeth is a committee member of the Town Forest Committee. Elisabeth explained that they already have $3,000 dollars from the Lester A. Colby fund and that Phil Auger, from the Rockingham County Forester will be helping the Town Forest Committee. Laura asked if they had applied for any matching grants to develop the plan? Elisabeth said that it could take up to nine months and that they had not. Elisabeth was asked what the hurry was? She responded that they wanted to get this done as soon as possible. Elisabeth asked the Commission if Conservation had a plan, she said some other Conservation’s had a plan? Laura said that the Natural Resource Inventory maps which show the natural resources within the town is a plan, also we are doing comparative evaluation wetlands study. Elisabeth said that on April 5^th, at the Town Hall there will be a Forestry Committee meeting at 6:30PM. The purpose is to meet the newly hired Town Forester, Rockingham County Forester and to make the public aware, also to get ideas and goals from all the Boards. Chris G. asked if the Forest Committee could apply for the matching grants and pay the Conservation Commission back? Laura explained about the matching grants and how they work. Elisabeth did not know about the grants or how they worked, only that Phil Auger will be helping out and they were leaning on his guidance. Laura asked if there is a plan to do a survey of the town to see what is important to the town people? Such as do they want to keep the rural character? Elisabeth said that we should attend the meeting on April 5^th. Laura reminded Elisabeth that the Town Forest is Town owned property. Laura said that the voters should be allowed to vote on the plan before it is implemented and the town voters were led to believe that the Town Forest Warrant Article would not cost tax payers money but it is. Elisabeth said that no taxpayer money is going to be used, the money would come from Lester A. Colby fund. Laura explained where our money comes from, and that the Commission’s Warrant Article which was not recommended by the Budget Committee failed. These funds are used to purchase land easements, development rights and possible land for the town all to which keep the taxes down. She explained that the Commission would apply for matching grants and when its asked for the Commission to give $3,000 dollars that money has a potential for a matching grant so its like giving up $9,000 dollars. Elisabeth again said she urged the Commission to attend the April meeting to share common goals and talk about the differences. Laura asked if the Forest Committee were given the money by the Conservation Commission, would they be opposed to a requirement that the Town vote on the plan before it is implemented? Elisabeth said she could not answer for the Committee. The Commission took this under advisement till the April 5^th meeting. Elisabeth thanked the Commission for letting her talk. Chris G. said that he felt that they should go the route of applying for grants as that is how we would have to. Chris G. thought that they should get the grants and wait the nine months or whatever time it would take. Michelle asked how much money do we have in our funds? Laura said $7,000, which is not much. Laura asked the Commission if they would like to change the next meeting of April 4^th to meet after the Town Forest Committee meeting on April 5^th? The Commission agreed to meet April 5^th, Sheila the Clerk, will notify the other Commission members of this change.
2. Budget Committee-The Budge Committee cut the budget by $600.00. Laura said that it was amended at the Town Meeting and we have it back.

 

3. Planning Board Letter on "Structure"-Chris G. said that Town Counsel stated a road is not a structure but a driveway is. Laura said that the road is not a structure because the Planning Board has typically approved roads to be placed within the 75-foot setback. Chris G. said that Iron Wheel still has not given the Planning Board a drainage calculation.

 

4. Wetlands Workshop- Laura asked the Commission if they would like to schedule a workshop or wait? Michelle asked what kind of workshop? Laura explained about the wetland’s evaluation workshop that was done in the fall.

 

5. Exeter River Alewife Festival- May 19^th 10:00AM-2:00PM at Founder Park, Exeter

 

6. UNH-Cooperative Extension-There will be a workshop in April at five different locations. The workshop is called "Forest Laws Workshops for Municipal Officials." The dates are April 3^rd, 4^th, 6^th, and 20^th.

 

7. Forest Committee Meeting-There will be a public meeting at the Town Hall on April 5^th 6:30PM. The purpose is to meet the newly hired Town Forester, Rockingham County Forester and the Town Forest Committee. The public is invited and it will be televised.

 

8. Planning Board- Laura said on March 22^nd, the Planning Board will hold a meeting for ordinances amended site plan review and also on proposed zoning changes

 

9. Video-Preserving Rural Charter Through Agriculture- Chris G. sent away for this package and brought it in for the Commission to review. The Commission agreed to adjourn the meeting and watch the video.

Judy made a motion to adjourn. Chris G. 2^nd the motion. The vote was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 9:15PM.

The Commission watched the video, Preserving Rural Charter Through Agriculture. The meeting lasted till 9:30PM.