CONSERVATION
COMMISSION
MINUTES OF
January 4, 2007
Present: Chris Giordano (Chairperson), Judy Jervis, Sheila Johannesen, Jason Holder, and Ron Comeau
Also present: Andy Ward joined the discussion temporarily.
The
meeting was called to order at
Judy
motioned to accept the minutes of the last meeting. Sheila seconded the motion and the motion
carried.
The
next meeting, February 1st, was discussed. Sheila had a letter drafted in anticipation
of purchasing the Meaney property.
Judy
brought up some concerns over prior email correspondence. This is in regards to the minutes of a
previous meeting regarding an upcoming land purchase and whether or not it was
voted on during that meeting. Chris is
confident proper procedures are being followed.
He’s careful to follow all RSA’s.
A public hearing will be held about this.
Chris
was asked about emails received. He said
he forwards those that are pertinent to other members.
Chris
stated that this is his first purchase as the chairperson and he’s being
careful to follow proper procedures. If
there were any further questions, the questioner should refer to the handbook.
The
logging operation on
Judy
mentioned there are a lot of wetlands where the cutting is happening. She mentioned the issue of the ground not
being frozen, and thus exposing the wetlands to more damage.
Sheila
looked up the lot numbers and the lots in question were reviewed on the
maps. Judy mentioned it’s the responsibility
of the commission to check concerns.
Jason said it’s our responsibility to the landowner as well to keep them
out of trouble.
A
discussion ensued about the recently built barn of Mr. Mike Wheeler. The rear right corner encroaches on wetland
setbacks. It was asked if Russ Pouliot,
the building inspector, knew of this.
Now it seems an addition to the rear of the barn is being built, further
encroaching on the wetlands. A strongly
worded letter to the selectman, advising them to look into the matter, will be
written by Chris. It was voted that the
letter should advise the selectmen to pull the permit for properties on Map 3,
lots 96 and 97. The vote was unanimous.
Judy
filed for project updates with L Chip.
All the properties are confidential at this point. There is a need to update this with photos and Judy asked
if someone has a digital camera. Photos
requested are more of buildings than raw land.
Judy had looked at fund raising opportunities, but a due date had
inadvertently passed. This will be
something to look at more closely for next year since it seems to be a good
opportunity.
Other
fund raising opportunities discussed:
-The
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds priority actions promoting fish and
wildlife habitats with proactive community involvement: a preproposal is due
via the website April 1; proposal is due June 1; a final decision made in mid
November. This involves conservation
grants and matching grants ranging from $25,000 - $250,000 to be spent from
project start to the end designated on the grant application. There are two decision cycles per year, with
April 1st being the first preproposal due date. The other dates weren’t discussed.
At
this point,
Goals
for 2007 were discussed. These include:
°
Finish easement
°
Finish wetlands inventory
°
Have Emily Brundhurst from state come in to speak about wildlife
management, planned for Feb 15 or March
°
Land purchases
°
Pursue grants
°
Get a bulletin board for 2008, possibly with a box in which to place
flyers. The need to get prices this year
to put it into the budget next year.
Size and location were discussed; no conclusion was made for either.
The
town report with prior achievements, due by the 10th, will be typed
by Chris.
The
commission will be looking at prime wetlands and a budget for 2008.
A
discussion of current beaver problems:
It
was decided to ask Emily Brundhurst, from Beaver Solutions, since it is her
expertise. The problems seem to be worse
on
Mike
Callahan was hired to install beaver boxes.
It has looked as if pipes had been tampered with somewhere in town. Andy Ward, who was watching the televised
meeting at home, joined the discussion at the town hall. He suggested that the commission look at an
8’ culvert with an 18” pipe running through it.
This is located on rt. 111.
There’s
more than one problem. The culverts are
too small, the grade on the road needs to be raised, the water level all over
is higher than usual, and the ground hasn’t frozen. It should be left to the professionals what
level the water should be, as well as the installation of pipes, beaver boxes,
or other measures to be taken.
The
need to check the water level on a periodic basis was discussed. Again, this is would be best left to a
professional.
Correspondence:
°
A letter to Conservation Commission/Forestry Committee, attn. Betty
Sanders; this is possibly regarding insurance and trails; from Rowley Agency in
°
Forwarded message from Betty Sanders to Carriage Towne News about the
upcoming town forest walk to be held January 13 at
°
Minutes of planning board meeting from
°
Advertisement from the NH Estuary Project about free technical
assistance.
°
From Land Resource Management. A
workshop is being sponsored by the NH Dept. of Environmental Services on
January 12, February 15, and March 21 in
°
A letter from Dan Siudot, from
°
An account quick report for the conservation budget of
°
A reminder the town report is due Tuesday January 9 and needs to be in
the proper format. This is from Donna.
°
And email from Donna Sullivan—the 2006 Watershed Conference was a
success.
°
A book advertisement: Too Much Water, Too Much Rain-the Story of the
Alstead Flood, published by the Publishing Works, Exeter, NH. $29.95. A history of the Alstead Cold River Flood of
Sheila
motioned to adjourn the meeting. Ron
seconded and the meeting adjourned at
*****Next
Meeting
THESE MINUTES ARE
NOT PERMANENT RECORD AND ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL AT THE NEXT REGULARLY
SCHEDULED CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING, AT WHICH TIME, THE ABOVE MINUTES, AS
CORRECTED BECOME PERMANENT.
MINUTES
ARE PREPARED BY Janet S. Denison, CLERK