September 18, 2008

Present:

Curt Springer-Forestry Committee Chairman

Betsy Sanders-Forestry Committee

Andy Ward-Forestry Committee

Chris Lauria-Forestry Committee

Chris Giordano-Conservation Commission Chairman and Selectman

Judy Jervis-Conservation Commission

Fred Borman-Rockingham County Forester

Chris McKee-NH Fish and Game

Bruce Schwaegler-NH Audubon representative

Ellen Snyder-Ibis Wildlife Consulting

David Phillips-Eagle Scout candidate

Dave Knight-resident

Phil Emilio-resident

Janet Denison-Conservation Commission Clerk

The meeting opened at 7:00pm and was televised.

Introduction

Curt opened the meeting by welcoming the members of the Forestry Committee, Conservation Commission, Board of Selectman and other guests. Curt thanked all those involved, especially Ms. Snyder, for their participation.

Stewardship Plan

Curt explained that there have been several meetings to review the draft of the Stewardship Plan and this meeting will successfully conclude the project. He asked if there were any final questions or comments. Chris G. asked and Ms. Snyder concurred that this is will belong to Danville and it can be reviewed and revised as the town sees fit.

Curt spoke with Charlie Moreno regarding the Stewardship Plan. Their conversation will continue at a later date as the connection was poor. Curt said he believes Charlie is accepting of the final draft. Mr. Schwaegler mentioned that the Easement holder should participate and be apprised of any changes to the Stewardship Plan. Also the Easement requires a thorough review every ten years; however, it can also be reviewed and updated more frequently.

Chris G. mentioned the lack of references to snowmobiles. He said that initially it was thought that they were in a separate category than ATV’s as they are of lesser impact. Mr. Schwaegler said that most Easements mention low-impact non-motorized recreation but the latest version for Danville lacks that wording. Mr. Schwaegler expressed surprise that the wording is not there. The different trails for such recreation were discussed and the fact that some of the trails are too wet for any vehicle.

Chris G. asked Ms. Snyder if she had an issue with including snowmobliles with motorized vehicles. She said she believed the way it is written, snowmobiles are only allowed along the powerline corridor and Tuckertown Road. The Forestry Committee agreed that the Stewardship Plan and Easement should correspond to each other regarding this issue.

Ms. Snyder said that she wrote “Historic Commission” when she meant “Heritage Commission.” She will change that. She said she also would like to have the historic district overlay as a PDF. Curt said he will supply that to her.

Curt moved and Chris L. seconded a motion by the Forestry Committee to accept the Stewardship Plan as written. The motion passed unanimously.

Shooting in Town Forest

Mr. McKee said that it is up to the town whether or not to allow target practice on town owned property. The local police will be the ones to enforce this. He said there is nothing to enforce if there is no ordinance against it. As it is, if he is called to the Forest in response to a call about target practice, he tells them to pick up their casings and leave, but a citation cannot be written for reckless endangerment, for example, since there is no ordinance.

Mr. McKee mentioned that he’s seen the gravel pit. He mentioned that it has a nice bank as opposed to the shooting along the powerline corridor, which would allow the bullet to travel a greater distance. He said that the gravel pit is “trashed” with shells everywhere and a refrigerator. He said this does need to be monitored.

Mr. McKee will supply a template for specific wording of a warrant article. There was a question of including bow and arrow are considered firearms. Mr. McKee said bow and arrow are usually differentiated from firearms, and when they write about firearms, they include the words “bow and arrow”. He explained that felons cannot be in possession of deadly weapons, which include bow and arrow.

Mr. McKee mentioned an ordinance in Newton in which only bow hunting is allowed. The reasoning behind this was that the area is smaller, homes are closer to the area, arrows don’t travel as far as bullets, and bow hunting is quieter. The target has to be closer for archery than for guns.

There are rules for distances at which firearms can be discharged are 15’ off a road and 300’ from a permanently occupied building and public area. Mr. McKee said that private property must be posted as such or else people can come onto the property. It was agreed that an ordinance needs to be passed first, and then signs can be posted at the forest. Mr. McKee said that he will also supply samples of the wording regarding bow hunting.

Chris G. asked if those in attendance were in agreement to move forward in restricting target practice in the town forest. Betsy suggested having a discussion regarding changing the use of the gravel pit and place some consideration on doing a wildlife habitat area before any final decisions are made. Chris G. said that if that one area is changed, those doing the target practice can simply move to a different area. This is a reason for restricting firearms on all town-owned property.

Betsy said to consider an appropriation for enforcement as well as a warrant article for restriction. There was a discussion about this being Chief Parsons’s jurisdiction and that Mr. McKee can enforce this also. There are state grants for the purchase of ATV/OHRV’s for the Police Department. He said Fremont recently purchased two ATV’s with state grant money. He will forward this information to Chief Parsons.

Discharge of firearms is allowed on private property as long as it’s 300’ from the house. There was a discussion of the law regarding minors shooting firearms. Leaving shell casings on the ground was mentioned again. It was reiterated that there is a $500 fine for littering as well as being made to clean up the litter. Charges for destruction of property can also be filed if trees, etc. are destroyed.

The Forestry Committee said they are in consensus that this project can be pursued. Chris L. said a barrier needs to be installed to prevent trucks from entering the forest. Betsy mentioned that everyone needs to take a more active role in taking care of the forest. She suggested a schedule for periodic cleaning of the forest. She also mentioned the flooding acts as a natural barrier preventing people from entering the forest in motor vehicles.

Curt mentioned the town of Windham getting grants to do the Conservation Easement. He explained a grant program and that it does not seem that it would work in our forest. Chris G. said that we can still pursue other properties of value as far as water supply.

Conservation Easement

The issue with ATV’s will be clarified in the wording of the Easement. The next step will be to have the document go before legal council for Danville and Audubon. Curt volunteered to write the legal description, the metes and bounds, of the forest. The powerline corridor and Tuckertown Road will be described. The attorneys do not necessarily need the description.

The attorney fees were discussed. An estimate was received from the attorney in the amount of $700 which falls within the budget. Chris G. asked for an invoice from Mr. Schwaegler. The Easement, a copy of the survey, and the Audubon attorney will probably need a copy of the Stewardship Plan. Mr. Schwaegler said that if he stayed with the Audubon boiler plate for the Stewardship Plan, then his attorney will not have to spend as much time reviewing it as he will already be familiar with it.

Eagle Scout Project

David Phillips is working on his Eagle Project for Boy Scouts. He is designing an orienteering course through the town forest. He had a fundraiser in February and has almost finished construction of a picnic table to be installed at the parking lot of the forest. He mentioned the lettering on the top and said that this can be redone if it is not to the liking of the board members.

His next step is to figure out the different compass points to be used in the course. He will go to the forest with several other scouts and a leader to figure out the compass points and the trees which will be marked for the course. This will not involve any cutting or blazing new trails as this course simulates being lost in the woods.

Mr. Phillips explained that over time there should not be any new trails made because of the course, because, theoretically no one will walk on the same path to get from one point to another. He explained that vernal pools and wetlands will be bypassed as the idea is to judge the distance around these areas in order to get to the next control point.

He further explained that he will stay away from the rookeries and will be using aluminum flashing. There will be ten diamonds, painted yellow that will be tacked onto the trees. He said that the course will be about one mile total distance which would take about 4-5 hours. He would like to do some jigsaw points that would allow a quarter mile course if someone wanted to spend less time on the course.

A map was consulted showing Mr. Phillips an area that could work nicely for the course. Mr. Schwaegler mentioned the map made by Charlie Moreno which indicates vernal pools and wetlands. Mr. Phillips hopes to be able to get the exact degrees on the course and said that control points can be changed if the need arises. He invited the board members to join him and his troop Saturday when they are in the forest.

The Forestry Committee continued with their regularly scheduled meeting.

Minutes are prepared by Janet S. Denison, clerk