CONSERVATION COMMISSION

MINUTES OF OCTOBER 16, 2008

Present: Chris Giordano-Chairman, Judy Jervis, Sheila Johannesen, Jason arrived at 8:50pm.

Janet Denison-CC clerk

The meeting opened at 7:30 and was televised.

1. Minutes:

The minutes from October 2nd were discussed. Judy moved and Sheila seconded a motion to accept the minutes as amended. Sheila abstained. The motion passed.

2. Easement:

The snowmobiles will be put into the same classification as ATV’s under the same restrictions. The Easement draft will be amended again. Under “Purposes” section B, the words “non-motorized” will be added before “outdoor recreational vehicles” on page 2.

There was a lengthy discussion regarding amending the Easement draft into a final copy.

Bicycles and horses were mentioned as non-motorized, however, bicycles may not necessarily be low-impact as they can tear up the ground. Trail systems were discussed and that these need to be designed correctly with someone like Ellen Snyder.

Sheila pointed out that the Stewardship Plan mentions motorized vehicles. Tuckertown Road and the PSNH corridor are not in the Easement and motorized vehicles are allowed on these areas. The Stewardship Plan mentions that it appears vehicles are straying off of these paths which causes rutting and erosion.

This last draft will be sent to Heritage, Forestry, Selectman, and Bruce Schwaegler. Chris will send this Peter Loughlin. Curt Springer had written the metes and bounds. Chris suggested that this was redone because Tuckertown Road was taken out of the Easement. Peter Loughlin can check if this was done correctly. It was mentioned that because of the scope of the work it would be a good thing to have the accuracy checked.

Bruce Shwaegler has yet to respond with his comments about the Easement.

3. Budget:

The budget was reviewed by the Board of Selectman and the Budget Committee. It was agreed that the three projects being planned: tree tags, Milfoil, update of wildlife mapping, although the Conservation Fund can be used, the fund is better off reserved for land purchases. The approved 2009 budget is $5605.

4. New Projects:

Chris said that with the approval of the budget, it is very important that those three projects are consistently pursued. If no grants are found, perhaps money needs to be taken out of the fund. If the default budget has to be used, then probably one project will be able to be done, most likely the milfoil education.

If any leftover funds will be encumbered, there has to be a specific purpose for it. A warrant article would need to be put in this year, if it passes then the next year the leftover in the budget can be put into the conservation fund. Judy will speak with Susan Slack about the wording of the article.

There was a conversation that the leftover money is not a great sum, but it is better than losing it and it does add up. Chris said that once the current use tax money is spent, this will enable the Commission to do some projects that don’t get usually get funded.

5. Wildlife Mapping:

Wildlife mapping was discussed and that land prioritization was done but not with wildlife in mind. Judy contacted Lindsey and the different workshops she does. These can be customized for Danville or presented to several communities. Lindsey asked for dates and times that we would like to have her present a workshop.

It was decided that an update of the wildlife map and the

6. Other Business:

There was a discussion of returning to a three-member board. Judy said she prefers having two meetings per month as the meetings are shorter and it is easier to keep up with correspondence. Sometimes deadlines are missed if correspondence is not reviewed more often.

There was a discussion of email correspondence and if these need to be part of the minutes. Chris said he sends information only via email and waits until a meeting for the board to make a decision.

7. Correspondence:

• NH Association of Conservation Commissions-change in NH law bill SB 381 authorizes towns to contribute conservation funds to projects sponsored by private conservation groups such as land trust without holding legal interest in property.
• NH DES-a 16 question survey of water resources
• NH Association of Conservation Commissions-38^th annual mtg Saturday November 1 8am -3pm at the Rundlett Middle School
• NH DES watershed management bureau-volunteer lake assessment program information for Long Pond. This should be reviewed to see what information can be used as a flyer to the residents. This was given to Jason.

8. Non-Public

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 8:40pm Judy moved and Sheila seconded a motion to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A: 32d. A roll call vote was taken: Chris-Y, Judy-Y, Sheila-Y. The motion passed.

At 9:00pm Judy moved and Jason seconded a motion to close the non-public session and return to public session.

Judy moved and Sheila seconded a motion to seal the non-public minutes of October 16^th, 2008.

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

At 9:05pm Sheila moved and Jason seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion passed.

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

Minutes are prepared by Janet S. Denison, clerk