APPROVED
Sutton Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
April 12, 2006 @ 6:30 pm
Present:
Betsy Forsham, Tim Davis, Jean LaChance, Charlie Whittemore, George Wells, Bill Curless, Rick
Goddard, Gerry Putnam, and Don Davis.
(Leslie Ward was absent.)
Also in attendance was an interested citizen, Garrett Evans.
Chair Betsy Forsham called the meeting to order at 6:45 pm.
Due to illness Dan Sundquist was unable to attend. He will reschedule his presentation.
Betsy distributed the 2006 roster of SCC members.
Review of March 8, 2006 Minutes:
It was unanimously moved, seconded, and approved to accept the minutes as written.
There was a motion by Bill to reappoint Betsy as Chair, seconded by Tim. It was unanimously approved.
Financial:
Betsy reported the Town account has a balance of $2,574.74, and the Conservation account total, as of March 31, was $138,178.86 (approximately broken down into $13,000 in the KHR fund and $125,100 in the Conservation fund). The balances reflect a change in use tax of $836.33 that was recorded on March 20.
Correspondence:
A Notice of Decision from the ZBA to Peter McGrath, Hearing Case # 06-02, T/L #09-038,192. The request for a motion for Rehearing was denied.
There will be a NH Municipal Workshop in June.
Notice of a plant sale by Merrimack County.
April 26th is the Annual Community & Environmental Studies Expo at Colby Sawyer.
Other miscellaneous correspondence was distributed.
Betsy read a letter dated March 13 from Leslie Norman of the New London Conservation Commission regarding concerns of storm water runoff into Lake Sunapee from the proposed development on Stonehouse Road. Betsy will respond that the SCC shares the concerns.
Sutton Conservation Commission 1 April 12, 2006
Betsy read a letter from Alice Perry regarding a driveway permit (given by Robert Eaton of the Department of Transportation) and damage from the neighbor’s runoff. It was discussed. The Board all agreed the matter was a civil issue.
The Central NH Regional Planning Commission is still looking for representatives for the “R2C2”. Betsy asked if any board member was interested and stated she would ask Leslie.
Review of Wetlands Applications and Permits:
A Notice of Administrative Completeness was given April 3 for the standard dredge and fill application to NHDES Wetlands Bureau for work on the bridge at Chalk Pond/ Main street.
Betsy updated the Board regarding a notice of violation from DES, dated February 9th, file #2005-01614, T/L #7-968-357. This concerns a dock owned by the MacPherson’s on Kezar Lake. MacPherson complied and submitted a standard dredge and fill application. A Notice of Administrative Completeness was received in March. In a letter dated April 6, DES is now requesting more information.
The standard dredge and fill application by the Town to replace two culverts on French Road East has been given a request for more information from DES as of April 9.
Review of Intents to Cut:
The Kidder& Cleveland Family Trusts, on Mountain Road, New London, T/L #09-044&366. Shaun Lagueux is the logger. This operation impacts Sutton at Baker Road. A complete forestry notification for wetlands crossing has been received.
Scott Gallagher on North Road, T/L #5-532,189. Eric Lake is the logger.
Patriot’s Trail Girl Scout Council, Brown Road, Wrights Hill Road and Old Blaisdell Road, T/L #02-663256, 02-798-448, 04-742-037, 04-712-217. The logger is Allan Oxman. This intent was originally received in January, although no work was performed at that time. This is a resubmission of the same intent to cut.
Gordon Manning, Nelson Hill Road, T/L # 06-610,001. Gordon Manning is the logger. This is an ongoing project Gordon does every year for firewood. There are no wetland issues.
Old Business:
Betsy announced that at the March 13th Selectmen’s meeting three members were reappointed to the SCC Board, Jean LaChance, Don Davis, and Leslie Ward.
The Feins subdivision on Stonehouse Road is continued again. The next Planning Board hearing date will be May 9th at 8:30 pm.
Also on May 9th at 7:30 pm with the Planning Board will be the Middle School.
Betsy updated the Board regarding the clear cut on Route 114. The owner, Mr. Begin was absent at the Planning Board meeting. He had sent an agent who had few answers to the Board’s questions. The Board had stated they could not proceed until wetlands permits had been received from the State. This item was tabled.
Sutton Conservation Commission 2 April 12, 2006
Betsy gave an update on the proposed gift of land from Douglas G. Morton. Betsy mailed a package to Town Council, Jay Whitelaw, on March 20th. There should be a quitclaim deed forthcoming.
Betsy commented regarding the Conservation Easement and Wildlife Corridor on the Meadowview Farms subdivision. Everyone was away at this time and to stay tuned.
There was an update on the Davis gift of land. Don had been on some of the land although it was still very wet and still needs to be walked to establish the boundaries.
New Business:
Betsy reported on “Saving Places” The 5th Annual NH Land Conservation Conference. Betsy and Leslie attended and reported a very worthwhile gathering with lots of choices. It was stated that this conference is always the first Saturday in April. The Board seems to always receive last minute notification, which affects the ability to participate. Betsy therefore recommended the members take note for next year. She will also recommend to the organization that they get their information out earlier. Betsy added that there is another very worthwhile annual workshop in November by the NH Association of Conservation Commissions. This is always the first week in November. It was suggested to make note that November and April are two times a year when workshops will occur.
Betsy reported on the proposed public informational night regarding conservation easements on private land. She mentioned there was a joint informational meeting with the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust (ASLPT) and the Forest Society for the Town of Wilmot. She is awaiting more information regarding this. The SCC feels it would be beneficial for the Town of Sutton to do something similar. It was suggested to check with Warner also since their conservation commission is very active. The Board discussed the month of July as a good time to have the meeting, noting the summer residents could be present. It was specifically requested that the meeting be set up at a time separate from a regularly scheduled meeting. Betsy will talk to Brian at the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests(SPNHF)
and again with Debbie Stanley at the ASLPT and get back to the Board. Betsy requested Board members consider any questions or concerns they may have and to bring them to the next meeting.
On a similar note The Links to the Minks, a proposed collaboration of the Sutton and Warner Conservation Commissions, is still only is the planning stage. Betsy will ask Leslie for an update.
Betsy and Tim reported on a meeting with the Selectmen regarding the posting of Class VI roads. It seems Sunapee does not have ordinances pertaining to this issue, but Springfield does. Betsy had just received the ordinance, will be giving it to Tim to review, and they will be updating the Board.
Tim gave a report regarding a meeting of the Selectmen and the Middle School, specifically about driveways and trails.
There was discussion on a follow up of the Ralph Carroll encroachment issue. Charlie will talk to Ralph and ask if there is something the Board can do to help get this resolved.
A note that April 22 is Earthday.
A note that June 3rd is National Trail Day.
Sutton Conservation Commission 3 April 12, 2006
SCC Properties and Greenway Reports:
Tim led a discussion regarding the erection of signs to identify SCC properties. The following signs were decided on: “Russell Pond Natural Area – Sutton Conservation Land” at Russell Pond; “Enroth Trail – Sutton Conservation Land” at the trail head on Route 114; and “Sutton Conservation Land” at the Seymour property. Dan Sundquist has offered to make the signs and Charlie Whittemore said he will paint them.
George shared a letter regarding “Hop on Board”, the NH Fish and Game Non-game & Endangered
Wildlife Program. It was decided individuals could pursue this on their own and that the Board as a
organization would be interested in this for next year if funds are allotted in the budgeting process.
Don reported he had walked the road into KHR from Stonehouse Road, onto the Quarry Walk and up to the cell towers. There are presently three towers until the old tower is dismantled. Don reported what appeared to be an escaped part, a huge ring, down in one of the trails. He was asked about the access road to the towers and replied he had not walked that area. Tim walked the King Hill access road and stated it needed some work. There are some trees down and a few colverts that need dirt around them. The gate also needs to be fixed. Tim mentioned that Eckman, the engineer for the Palmer subdivision, had stated it was understood and accepted that hikers would park in the hammerhead turnaround they are designing.
Don discussed a work-day before the public trails day and specific trails to work on. KHR, Quarry Trail and Russell Pond were mentioned.
Dan Sundquist has offered to update the SCC trail map. Don will meet with him to verify updated information.
There was discussion regarding the rescheduling of Dan Sundquists’ presentation to the Board on land protection in Sutton. The Board agreed to May 10th at 6:30 pm, if this is a good time for Dan. Betsy will ask him.
Jean reported on the Annual Greenway meeting. The Greenway will be writing a letter to the Middle School regarding the trail through the new building site in Sutton.
It was moved, seconded, and unanimously approved to adjourn at 9:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Swett
Secretary
Sutton Conservation Commission 4 April 12, 2006
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