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

Guests: Todd Welch, Jeremy Fontenault, Jeffrey Marcoux, Chris Peter and Kim Garrison all from U.N.H. Co-operative. Also present was Bill Gregsak from Gregsak Engineering, Inc.

The meeting was called to order at 7:30PM and was televised.

1. UNH Co-Operative Extension Students/Wetlands Evaluation Field Study Project-Laura explained that the Commission had worked with RPC (Rockingham Planning Commission), to do a Natural Resource Inventory of the whole town. She said that the Commission had applied for a matching grant and was awarded the grant to produce an overlay map from RPC using National Wetlands Inventory data and tax map data. Todd Welch said that Frank Mitchell, a UNH teacher, is going to do the training. Laura said that Frank had given some time to the Commission. Laura ask what method they would be using on this project? Todd said that it would be the "New Hampshire Method." Laura said that was the method that needed to be used and that was also the method that the Commission was given instructions for by Frank. Laura asked when they planned on starting this project? Todd replied as soon as possible. Laura said that one of the purposes of the overlay map was to look at the possible need to designate wetlands as prime and critical. A few Commission members brought in their books "NH Methods for the Comparative Evaluation of Wetlands in NH" for the students to use. Laura asked about the project and funds that they might need. The Commission and the students discussed some of the maps that might be of help to them. Todd said that a lot of the maps and tools needed to do this project would be available at UNH. Judy said that what the Commission is looking for is to designate prime wetlands. Chris Peter discussed surveying the wetlands with the use of GPS. Jeffrey Marcoux said this would be time consuming because you would need to walk the entire boundaries of wetlands. Laura gave them a copy of a map that the Commission had used to designate one of the study areas. (See attached map) Todd will contact Laura within the next week with a draft plan of the project. Laura will follow up the draft plan with a letter from the Commission. Jeremy Fontenault asked if the Commission had any deadlines? Laura said it was up to them.

2. Orchard View Estates- Dredge & Fill Application (Map 1, Lots 17 & 18)- Bill Gregsak from Gregsak Engineering, Inc., said that he had attended the Planning Board meeting and that there were more changes. He said that the fire chief had asked them to extend the road at the end of the cul-de-sac. The Commission reviewed the changes again to the plans. Laura asked Chris G., planning board liaison, why the right of way was needed when it was not necessary and the impact on wetlands were not necessary? Chris G. said that they wanted to do this because of future planning and safety was also another concern. The Commission discussed these issues. Bill said that he needed to amend the application because of the Planning Board changes. The Commission will walk the site with Bill on February 16,2002 at 9:30AM and will meet in front of the old farmhouse. Sheila, the Clerk, will email a reminder to everyone also.

 

3. Minutes of January 2,2002- The Commission reviewed the minutes of January 2^nd. Chris G. made a motion to accept the minutes as amended. Judy 2^nd the motion. The vote was unanimous.

 

4. Gerry Drive & Kingston Rd/Application Dredge & Fill (Map 4, parcel 117)- Laura said that some of the Commission members walked with the Planning Board on Sunday. Chris G. said that the road needed to go through because it was a safety issue. Chris G. thought that all the dead ends should connect through, as it is a safety issue. The Commission discussed this issue again. Laura said that the impact of wetlands could be avoided by use of box culverts or by constructing a road with a pervious surface. Chris S. asked how you would do a pervious road? Laura said just a gravel or dirt road. Chris G. said that what they walked Sunday was not flagged and that they did not walk down the middle of the area. Michelle asked where we are going as a town? Are we rural, urban? Chris G. said that we could not stop growth and development of the town. Michelle expressed her concern for protection of wetlands. Laura suggested writing a letter requesting that the property be properly marked and the Commission would re-walk it after this is done. The Commission discussed and reviewed the plans. Chris S. said that a box culvert would not be the answer to the wetlands affected area because you would have to build up the road. Both Laura and Judy suggested that the Planning Board grant a waiver to the cul-de-sac road length requirement to avoid unnecessary wetland impact. Chris G. liaison to the Planning Board, said that they could recommend it but he would never vote in favor of it. A majority of the Commission voted to approve the dredge and fill application.

 

5. Letter to Selectmen/Proposed Forest Management Plan- The Commission discussed the January 29^th meeting regarding the proposed Forest Management Plan along with the recent Stafford timber cut, which was viewed by several members of the Commission. Concerns regarding the amount of slash and the number of damaged trees at the Stafford cut were discussed. IN addition, members of the Commission had several concerns regarding the proposed Forest Management Plan. Laura drafted a letter to the Selectmen regarding these concerns. Chris S. was concerned that one of the paragraphs of the letter was too subjective. Laura changed the paragraph to be more objective.

 

6. Target Shooting/Tuckertown Road-Chris S. said that he spoke to the Selectmen at one of their meetings about the target shooting issues on Tuckertown Road. He said that they were going to talk to town counsel about the possibility of a 1-year ordinance regarding target shooting. Some guidelines would be that the area would be for resident use only. Shooting would be limited to guns and rifles used for hunting purposes. Shooting would be limited to certain hours. Judy asked how it would be enforced? Chris S. said that these were issues that needed to be worked out by the Selectmen.

Judy made a motion to adjourn. Chris S. 2^nd the motion. The vote was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 9:50PM.