CONSERVATION COMMISSION

MINUTES OF MARCH 6, 2008

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

The meeting opened at 7:30 and was televised.

Minutes:

The minutes of February 7^th were discussed. Judy made a motion and Sheila seconded a motion to accept the minutes as written. The motion passed. The minutes of the meeting with the Forestry Committee were not reviewed.

Joint Meeting:

There will be a joint meeting hosted by the Forestry Committee on April 2^nd. The Heritage Commission, Conservation Commission, and Selectmen will be invited to attend. Ellen Snyder, Jennifer Hunter, Bruce Schwaegler and Charlie Moreno will also be invited to attend.

At this meeting, any last comments regarding the Easement will be addressed before the document is sent to Legal for review.

Stewardship Plan:

Emails from Curt Springer were discussed. Chris’ understanding of these is that Forestry would like to keep the 2002 plan but make an amendment to it. This would be less costly than writing a new plan altogether.

There was a discussion regarding Ellen Snyder needing to consult with a licensed forester. There was also a lengthy discussion regarding the Easement and Forest Management Plan needing to be finished before the Stewardship Plan can be implemented.

The Conservation Commission’s concerns with the Forest Management Plan were found in the minutes of June 7, 2007. These include:

• Vernal pools should be connected
• Wetland buffers need to be increased, especially around the heron rookery
• A general concern about the wildlife management

Emily Brunkhurst can be asked for a recommendation of wetland buffer size.

Other Business:

Judy found in the Carriage Towne News information about an environmental community grant program through PSNH. Cash awards: $250-$1000 targeted toward projects that: protect and preserve the environment, provide education on environmental issues of local interest, or reclaim and rehabilitate damaged natural environments through organized clean-up effort. Applications are due April 15^th.

Judy read from a letter to the editor from Betsy Sanders. She expressed surprise that Betsy would encourage the residents of Sandown to spend, using their current use tax revenue, over $1 million dollars to purchase land, yet does not support Danville to do the same.

Correspondence:

• an email from Energy and Housing: they are accepting applications for grants to purchase technical housing assistance
• from LGC: a workshop on March 24
• the winter 2008 newsletter “The Source”
• from RPL: ensuring that each Rockingham community is represented
• from Office of Energy and Planning: “Flood Lines” newsletter
• from Rinker Storm Water Treatment: workshop April 8-9 in Holden, MA
• SPACE winter ’08 newsletter (Statewide Program of Action to Conserve our Environment)
• The Right to Know Policy from the Board of Selectmen

Since the discussion will involve consideration of land purchase which, if discussed in public, might benefit a party whose interests are adverse to those of the general community RSA 91-A: 32d should warrant nonpublic session, at 8:40 Judy moved and Jason seconded a motion to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A: 32d. The Commission was polled and the decision was unanimous in the affirmative.

At 9:05 Sheila moved and Judy seconded a motion to return to public session and seal the non-public minutes of February 7, 2008. The motion passed unanimously.

Sheila moved and Jason seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm.

*****Next Meeting: March 20, 2008 at 7:30pm****

Minutes are prepared by Janet S. Denison, clerk