CONSERVATION COMMISSION

MINUTES OF January 17, 2008

Present: Chris Giordano (Chairperson), Judy Jervis, Sheila Johannesen, Jason Holder.

The meeting opened at 7:40 and was televised.

There was a discussion of the internet difficulties experienced by several board members.  Apparently some had not received the minutes of the January 3^rd.  Copies of the minutes were made for everyone to review.  Those minutes were discussed.  Other than correcting the date from 2007 to 2008, there were no changes.  Judy made a motion to accept the minutes as amended and Sheila seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

Easement

Due to internet difficulties, the easement draft was not sent to the Selectmen, Heritage Commission, Recreation, or Forestry Committee until the 14^th.  It was decided to allow a month for other boards to review the draft before it’s sent for legal review.  The other boards’ comments will be addressed during the February 21^st Conservation Commission meeting.

Stewardship Plan

After a lengthy discussion it was decided that the spreadsheet from Curt Springer was indeed a feasible workplan provided the dates are flexible and not set in stone.  There was a discussion of how to pay for the Stewardship Plan.  There is the Lester Colby fund as well as the Conservation fund.  It was the general consensuses that grants should be researched in order to fund the Stewardship Plan, but if none are available, then either the Lester Colby fund or the Conservation funds can be used.  Judy made a motion to accept the workplan presented via email by Curt Springer.  Sheila seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Grants

Looking for grant money to help fund projects is an ongoing process.  Sheila had found something through the Humane Society that may work for conservation.  Laura Games will hopefully put together a spreadsheet with the deadlines for submission of other grants.  Chris mentioned that this is the time of year in which to submit applications for grants.  There are five types of projects which are currently of interest to the Commission:

1. Easement
2. Survey
3. Stewardship Plan
4. Wildlife Inventory
5. Wildlife Action Plan

Board Membership

This year will see Jason’s and Chris’s terms expire.  How many seats exist on a committee does not need to go before the town as a warrant issue.  Chris wanted to see the membership increase to seven members and two alternates.  The board agreed to leave the membership at five regular members and have two alternates.  Janet will write a letter to be submitted to the Carriage Towne News and the NH- Eagle Tribune advertising the openings on this committee.

Wildlife Inventory

Judy was able to contact NH Association of Natural Resource Sciences.  She will try again with more specific questions.  Emily Brunkhurst gave Chris three more names of people to contact.

Other Business

There was a discussion of how to obtain and also where to place a bulletin board for the Conservation Commission.  No final decision was made.

Chris contacted the land owner who wanted to donate a parcel to the town.  Apparently the lawyer was unaware of how many parcels his client owned.  There was a discussion about how the man can be taxed when the exact property location is undetermined.

Judy mentioned a walk through a property in Kingston that is being conserved.

Correspondence

• from Pro Bark Inc.: Advertisement of an alternative to silt fences
• from the Planning Board: this was sent to the CC through RPC to CTap.  There is money available that will pay 100% for the development of a stewardship plan.  Chris will fill out the necessary paperwork concerning this.
• a copy of the letter to Eben Lewis from Chris acknowledging receipt of the denial of the recent dredge and fill request for property owned by Linda Gorton, located at map 3, lot 21-16.
• from NH Esturaries Project: they will provide up to $3000.  This is a possibility for helping fund the Easment.
• an advertisement for the Federal Grant Management handbook from Thompson Publishing Group.
• From NHDES: approval of the dredge and fill for Linda Gorton at map 3 lot 21-16.
• a 2008 calendar from DES
• a copy of the selectman’s letter thanking the owner but rejecting the aforementioned land donation.
• from LChip: Deborah Turcott is the new director at the Land and Community Heritage investment program.
• from Keach and Nordstrom: the revised wetland crossing plan for the property at map 3 lot 21-16.

Jason made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Judy seconded.  The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 9:17 pm.

*****Next Meeting: February 7, 2008 at 7:30pm****

Minutes are prepared by Janet S. Denison, clerk