CONSERVATION COMMISSION

MINUTES OF OCTOBER 2, 2008

Present: Chris Giordano-Chairman, Judy Jervis, Jason Holder, Janet Denison-CC clerk

The meeting opened at 7:30 and was televised.

Minutes:

The minutes from June 5^th were discussed. Jason moved and Judy seconded a motion to accept the minutes as written. The motion passed.

The non-public minutes from June 5^th were discussed. Jason moved and Judy seconded a motion to accept the minutes as written. The motion passed.

The minutes from August 7^th were discussed. Judy moved and Jason seconded a motion to accept the minutes as written. The motion passed.

The minutes from September 4^th were discussed. Jason�s name will be added as being present. Janet�s name will be moved to the correct location. Jason moved and Judy seconded a motion to accept the minutes as amended. The motion passed.

The non-public minutes from September 4^th were discussed. Judy moved and Jason seconded a motion to accept the minutes as written. The motion passed.

Stewardship Plan:

Once the Stewardship Plan is accepted by the Board of Selectmen and the Conservation Commission, it can be forwarded to legal for review. Jason moved and Judy seconded a motion to accept the Danville Town Forest Stewardship Plan as prepared by Ellen Snyder and dated September 8, 2008. The motion passed. It was mentioned that this plan can always be updated.

Easement:

Chris mentioned that there is only one minor change to the Easement before it is sent to legal for review. The snowmobiles will be put into the same classification as ATV�s under the same restrictions. The Easement draft will be amended again.

Chris McKee from NH Fish and Game will be contacted to see if he can send information regarding the ordinance language regarding discharge of firearms to the Conservation Commission, Board of Selectmen, and Chief Wade Parsons.

Marking Forest Bounds:

Chris got a quote for a surveyor to walk the bounds and place tree tags. The estimate he received was $2500-3500. The surveyor would like to go a day ahead to GPS the coordinates. There are change of direction pins are in place but the flags on the trees placed a few years ago are probably gone by now.

There were two boxes of tree tags in the Selectman�s office. These are not the correct tags for marking the forest boundary. It was agreed that new tags would be made to say �Town of Danville NH Town Forest Boundary, Protected Open Space, Do Not Cut.�

Budget:

Judy mentioned that the problem with the budget is not with the town. She said if people think there is a problem with the budget, then they need to start paying attention to the school budget. She mentioned the agreement with the SAU dating from the 70�s is archaic.

The budget was reviewed. There was a discussion of using the Conservation Fund to fund projects other than purchase of land. Judy explained that the Conservation Fund is a general term for all money to be used by the Conservation Commission. She said that if there is a portion of those funds specifically noted for a certain item, then that money should be used for that purpose only. There was a discussion about how the warrant article was sold to the public and that the funds should be used for the purposes described.

The budget will be amended to add the surveyor fees and the purchase of tree tags. The information board will be purchased for the Town Hall.

Other Business:

Updated manuals (handbook for New Hampshire�s Municipal Conservation Commissions�August 2004) were given to the members.

Judy brought a poster for placement at the boat launch. This illustrates with color pictures invasive plants to be pulled off of boats and trailers.

Judy highlighted items she learned from the recent workshop he attended:

Lindsey Webb from NH Fish and Game can host a workshop on resource inventories.
When a subdivision plan submitted it should be obtained in digital form so it can be updated.
Motion cameras can be used to discover the natural flow of wildlife.
Ms. Webb can help with a bio-blitz, which is a 24 hour period in which volunteers watch an area or cameras are used and the animals seen are recorded.
Easements include the air space.
Mineral rights have to be evaluated first before the land is bought or the rights are gone.
�Shooting ranges are attractive nuisances.�
Any portion out of the easement should be clearly marked, such as the road.
A site walk is a continuation of a meeting
There is an RSA that whatever is left over in the Heritage Commission fund can be put back into their general fund. Other commission can do that but there has to be a warrant for it. Judy got this information from Susan Slack.
Prime wetlands evaluation: University at Dartmouth, Plymouth State, SNHU, Franklin Pierce and St. Anselms should be contacted to see if they have this program.
HB 1408-Right to Know was discussed briefly and that it has been recently updated.

The land prioritization from March 2000 was reviewed. Names and locations are listed as well as reason, source, and priority. These are areas next to protected land and prime agriculture land. This does not necessarily prioritize the parcels because of wildlife. It was agreed that a little more needs to be done to prioritize the properties listed, such as what wildlife crossings exist on those properties.

The Warrant Article regarding land use tax was discussed. It was put into the ballot to deposit 100% annually of the revenue collected to no cap into the fund. Chris said that the problem lies with the wording on the first page of the RSA with nothing specific. Judy said that it was okayed because we said it would be used a certain way. Chris said if it was written into the warrant pursuant to the rsa for land purchase only, he can defend it to the Budget Committee.

Correspondence:

From Dept. of Resource and Economic Development. Grant round 24 has begun. This could be used to purchase property to add to the forest. Chris will look into this.

Rockingham County Conservation District. New brochure for horse and large animal owners-protecting water quality.
NH Dept of Environmental Services watershed conference November 15^th.
SCA NH Conservation Corporation. Engages volunteers for conservation services. This was given to Jason.
Michele Tingley�s resignation letter
Article about milfoil problem in Rhode Island�they�ve used the same herbicide recommended for Long Pond. They are trying to get the Sierra Club�s stamp of approval.
NH Community Forestry Advisory Council-Sept 08
DES Caleb Corners-permit subject to conditions listed that must be met
Budget schedule
Ideal Block Co. advertising permeable pavers

At 9:00pm Jason moved and Judy seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion passed.

*****Next Meeting: November 6th, 2008****

Minutes are prepared by Janet S. Denison, clerk