CONSERVATION COMMISSION

 

MINUES OF OCTOBER 8, 2003

 

 

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

 

Others Present:  Mike Asselin, Betsy Sanders, Curt Springer and Shawn O’Neil.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00PM and was not televised.

 

MAIL/ANNOUNCEMENTS/DISCUSSIONS

 

1.      Town Web Site – Shawn O’Neil discussed having a Conservation Commission web page on the Town’s web site.  The group discussed items that may be appropriate such as past and present minutes of meetings, a mission statement, statutes and other links.  Laura will talk to Sheila about getting all past minutes to Shawn on disk.  Commission members will bring their ideas to the next meeting and a decision will be made.

 

2.   Zoning Board of Adjustment Hearing – Chris S. stated that the ZBA granted a variance for a resident to encroach into the wetland setback with a garage.  However, an issue arose as to how the owner should stabilize soils adjacent to the wetland.  Laura suggested that the owner immediately install silt fencing and place loam and seed to stabilize the soils.  The owner should then consult the Shore Land Protection Act’s recommendations for plantings.   The information is on the NHDES website as one of their fact sheets.

 

3.      Conservation Easement Information- Brian Hart, Executive Director of the Rockingham Land Trust, discussed the history of their organization and the various requirements regarding the Town placing an easement on town-owned land with them.  He also stated that the organization conducts a site walk and meets with the Selectmen and the Commission to establish goals and restrictions.  He passed out information as well as an example easement.  He also stated that for the Danville Town Forest easement the costs would be about $5000-$10,000, which can be paid over time.  The money is placed into a conservation easement stewardship fund.  The interest from the fund is used to pay for monitoring activities.  If there is any logging to be done a forest management plan must be in place.  Laura asked about survey requirements.  Brian stated that if boundaries were apparent there would be no survey requirement.  The whole process could take as little as 3-6 months or up to 1.5 years.

 

Laura will try to get a representative from Rockingham County Conservation District to come to the next meeting to discuss conservation easements with their organization.

  1. Consolidation Plan – Carl Schlicte -  The Commission discussed the lot line adjustment, which was proposed within an existing cluster subdivision.  The result of the adjustment was an increase in the open space buffers.  The Commission had no problems with this plan and transmitted a note to that effect to the Planning Board.

 

  1. Forest Management Plan/ Forest Management Implementation Plan- Laura asked the Commission for comments on the proposed implementation plan and supporting documents that were distributed to the members.  It was decided that members would forward their comments to Laura via email after they had more time to review the documents.  Laura stated that comments were due October 15, 2003 and that a special meeting of the Forestry Committee would take place on October 16, 2003. 

 

  1. 2004 Budget – Laura presented the 2003 budget and stated that all boards would not be allowed more than a 4% increase.  Laura asked the Commission to consider giving Sheila a 4% raise since that would probably be the maximum town personnel would be given.  Sheila’s hours would also have to be increased.  Everyone agreed. 

 

  1. Regional ATV Issues- Laura brought up the fact that neighboring communities were banning ATVs from town-owned land.  She, Judy and Mike attended a regional meeting of conservation commissions to discuss this issue.  Mike stated that Plaistow, Atkinson and Hampstead had put into place an emergency ban because of widespread destruction caused by ATV use on town-owned lands.  When local towns ban ATV use on their land Danville will see increased usage on their land.  Enforcement is difficult now and may be even more difficult with increased usage.  The Selectmen are putting together an ordinance that would only allow town residents to use ATVs on town-owned land. 

 

  1. New Hampshire Everlasting – Laura passed out a memo to each member inviting all board members to the November 6 meeting of the Forestry Committee.  Peter Moore will be giving a presentation at 6:30 regarding this initiative. 

 

  1. Rules of Procedure- Chris G. asked if this could be placed on a future agenda.  The Commission agreed. 

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:30PM.

 

*****NEXT MEETING NOVEMBER 5, 2003****

 

MINUTES OF OCTOBER 8, 2003 WERE PREPAIRED BY LAURA GAMES, CHAIRMAN

APPROVED BY:

(Signature, Title, Date Approved)