CONSERVATION COMMISSION

MINUTES OF March 15, 2007

Present: Chris Giordano (Chairperson), Judy Jervis, Sheila Johannesen, and Ron Comeau

Also present: Chris Frey

The meeting opened at 7:30 and was televised.

The minutes from March 1 were discussed. A few changes were made. Sheila made a motion to accept the minutes as amended. Judy seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Chris Frey of Lewis Builders presented to the commission a copy of an application and plans for a dredge and fill. These plans have minor changes from the previous plans presented. This was for the north end of Caleb Commons, for the same location with the same impact: 2820 square feet. Chris G. asked to have clarified the reason for a reapplication—that the question originally was whether this dredge and fill plan would work. Mr. Frey reviewed with the board that there was a letter approving the plans, but the application is also sent to the Fish and Game Department and it was that department that wanted to see a box culvert. The differences between bottomless culverts or box culverts were discussed. The conclusion being simply a box culvert is more structurally sound having four sides; the bottomless culvert is more of an arch. The issue that Fish and Game have with this particular location is the fact that the stream is about 5’ or 6’ wide.

Chris G. read a portion of the letter from the Non-Game and Endangered Species Program. Essentially it says their recommendation is for a box culvert to be installed. A permanently protected, maximize no-cut buffer is designated along any wetland intermittent stream to allow small creatures to cross without drowning. Mr. Frey indicated the previous application only had an 18” culvert there. This new application has a much larger culvert in the plans. The Fish and Game department likes to see the installation of box culverts whenever there’s not a bridge over an intermittent stream or permanently running stream.

Another item of business from Mr. Frey is that a 100’ flood plain is added to the plans that will be recorded with the registry. This is something else that came up when planning the subdivision. Also there’s a historic conservation easement which is not to be disturbed except for a 10’ wide access for foot traffic between lots. It’s also understood that these will be recognized in transfer deeds.

Mr. Frey requested the commission write to the Wetlands Bureau as a follow-up, stating that the Conservation Commission supports the application. Chris G. said he can send an email to Mr. Frey and cc the planning board. Mr. Frey will then forward that information to Frank Richardson, the area wetland bureau inspector.

Mr. Frey expressed some interest in joining the Conservation Commission. He said he’d get an application and fill it out.

A wetlands inventory, the Official List Of Public Waters, -used to designate prime wetlands to be protected- was discussed. The difficulty of getting UNH students to help was discussed. There is still the fall semester that will hopefully have students enrolled who can help with the inventory. What the students do was explained: they look at the soil and vegetation, the size of the area, whether the area should be designated prime wetland, and they report their findings, all for a minimal cost.

The Forestry Committee and stewardship plans were discussed. It was noted that Janet had emailed the Forestry Committee, had heard from Curt Springer whose response was, the members of Forestry lack the proper skills to write a stewardship plan and also lack the funds to hire someone else to write it. Janet had asked about their plans to resolve the impasse, to which Mr. Springer simply acknowledged that it is a dilemma. It was brought up that the Conservation Commission could fund it, but it is a matter of cooperation between the town committees. The idea of grants was also mentioned. Judy said estimates can be made. Chris said it’s better to take one project at a time and that right now Conservation is trying to finish the Easement.

Chris mentioned the recent land purchase. Closing was last Thursday. There was a question about the tax stamps. It’s the purchaser’s responsibility to pay the tax stamps but the seller was willing to pay for half. The town is exempt from having to pay the tax.

It was proposed that a walk through the property be organized for sometime in the spring. The survey would hopefully be done so the property can be tagged.

Correspondence:

from the Dept. of Environmental Services: per RSA 541-A:17, they had received an application from Centerview Hollow Land to make a 16 lot subdivision in town. 124,000 square feet, Caleb Commons is the name of the project.
From NHDES: Natural Heritage Bureau changes to environment review process
An application from Michele Tingley sent on January 4, 2007 asking to be appointed to the Conservation Commission. This will be kept with other requests for appointment to be reviewed when terms are up on April 15 of this year.
From LGC: a Local Officials Workshop
warrant paid back to White Rock Realty Trust about map 3-4: $215.76 April 1, 2006 through March 31, 2007 taxes had been prepaid. The town owed Bob Meaney for his prepaid taxes.
NE Land Trust conference in New York in April 19-21.
Planning Board Minutes

Since the discussion will involve consideration of land purchases which, if discussed in public, might benefit a party whose interests are adverse to those of the general community RSA 91-A: 3 II d should warrant nonpublic session, Sheila made a motion to go into nonpublic session per RSA 91-A: 3 II d and Judy seconded. The motion carried, a roll call was made. Sheila made a motion to close the public hearing and Judy seconded. The motion carried and at 8:22 the session went into non-public.

The motion to adjourn was made by Judy and seconded by Ron. The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.

*****Next Meeting April 5, 2007****

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