APPROVED
Sutton Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 11, 2006 @ 7:00 p.m.
Present:
Betsy Forsham, Tim Davis, Jean LaChance, Charlie Whittemore, George Wells, Leslie Ward, Don Davis and Rick Goddard. Bill Curless and Gerry Putnam were absent. Also present was resident Garrett Evans.
Chair Betsy Forsham called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Leslie Ward was appointed to sit for Bill Curless.
Review of September 13, 2006 Minutes:
A motion was made by Tim to accept the minutes of September 13, 2006. George seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved.
Financial:
Betsy reported that as of the end of September the Town account had a balance of $1,366.69, which is 47.45% of the budgeted figure. Betsy added there was an additional $185 in expenditures for membership dues that is not reflected in this figure.
Betsy reported a balance of $187,994.86 for the Conservation Fund and $14,137.01 for the KHR Fund, for a total of $202,131.87 for the conservation account. She added these figures do not reflect $1,800.00 that is still to be paid for the mowing of the KHR and $900.00 to be collected from Fish and Game towards the mowing expense.
Don presented Betsy with a bill for $3,000.00 from Matt Ordway for repair work of the Penacook Path on KHR. A concern was raised regarding a wet area that had not been repaired to the specifications requested. Don will contact Matt regarding this issue and the bill will be held until there is some clarification. The bill, when paid, will draw funds from the KHR fund.
Betsy reported the Town has requested the 2007 budget by October 27th. She stated the proposed budget so far was close to last years. She added the secretary’s figure still needed to be computed and there will be additional expenses over last year associated with the postings of Class VI roads. Betsy requested input from the Board. It was mentioned that the $30,000.00 should be requested in the Capital Reserve Fund. Betsy would like to discuss the budget one more time at the next meeting on November 8th, this would be beyond the deadline so it was suggested if an extension cannot be granted from the Town, Betsy will poll the members by email and phone.
Correspondence:
Betsy reported there were four ZBA decisions noted from the meeting on September 27th, all were granted.
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Betsy read a letter from the Carbon Coalition regarding a Town Meeting initiative regarding global warming.
A notice from DES to Pickman and Sons Development, LLC for a site specific permit to disturb and construct a roadway, DES file # 060929-01, Sutton M/L # 2-912,222 (also includes Newbury M/L # 52-607,064).
A Temporary Surface Water Discharge Permit Application with a site location map for a 48-hour pumping test for a new production well for the proposed Kearsarge Regional Middle School, from HydroSource Associates, Inc. dated September 8, 2006. It was reported the action had already taken place.
Betsy handed out miscellaneous correspondence.
Review of Wetlands Applications and Permits:
Betsy reported on a follow up call to DES regarding a previous Administrative Order, File # WD06-038, dated August 17, 2006, to Begin Homes, LCC on Rte. 114. She reported on a conversation she had with Linda Magoon, of the DES office. There was a letter sent on September 27, 2006 denying Begin’s request for reconsideration of the order. In addition, there was a letter sent by DES dated September 19, 2006 for a Request for More Information regarding file # 2006-01034, Begin Homes request for a Standard Dredge and Fill approval for the same site.
A Notice of Administrative Completeness, dated September 22, 2006, for Wetlands file # 2006-02409. (DOT Project # M214-12)
A Minimum Impact Expediated Application for DOT on Rte. 114. Betsy reported the work is along the Town Wetlands and has already been nearly completed.
Review of Intents to Cut & Logging Issues:
Betsy and Leslie did a site visit for the cut of Ronald Labadini on Shaker Street, T/L #09-687,000. Betsy reported that one of the pole ford crossings did not seem sufficient and that she had spoken to the logger, Shaun Hathaway, and it is being addressed.
There was a Complete Forestry Notification received from DES for Barbara & Roscoe Bartlett, Eaton Grange, T/L #01-272,498.
There was a Complete Forestry Notification received from DES for Michael David Warren, Roby Road, T/L #01-860,144. Charlie commented there were some discrepancies involved.
Old Business:
Planning Board updates:
1 – It was reported the Feins Subdivision Application is requesting an extension and the
Public Hearing is continued.
2 – It was reported the Delafield 2-lot subdivision on Stone House Road would be continued.
Betsy reported on the Public Hearing for the posting of Class VI roads. She said there were about six people attending with good suggestions for additions to the ordinance. She added Paul Parker, the town Road Agent, requested the ordinance include wording that designated the responsibilities
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of notification and posting were those of the SCC. Betsy informed the Board that volunteers would be needed in the spring. Betsy will get prices for the signs. The Board discussed the wording of the signs and Betsy said she would seek Paul’s input. Betsy is also considering preparing a letter for the property owners at the end of each road where it turns from Class V to Class VI, asking that they be on the lookout for any offenders and that they report them to the police. There are a total of thirteen Class VI Roads, taken from the Town Road Map of 3/21/2002, which will be posted.
The proposed Wells Easement:
Betsy reported on the bids she had solicited. Bristol and Sweet gave a two-part bid. The northern end of the property had no physical evidence and therefore needs a survey by total station (or an instrument survey) and was quoted at $6,500. The southern property can be done with a tape and compass survey and was quoted at $8,600. This gives a total of $15,100. The job could be started around November and completed by late spring of 2007. Evans Land Consulting gave a total bid for each surveying type. Surveying with the total station method was priced at $17,500 and surveying with the tape and compass was priced at $11,500. The job could be completed by May 30th.
Betsy reported on a letter sent to George from Attorney Susan Hankin-Birke, and copied to the SCC, which stated that Hankin-Birke would be available to assist him if the SCC decides to move forward with the conservation easement.
George asked how the Board would feel about a boundary line agreement. Betsy asked for what purpose and George answered to designate the lines. Betsy replied it was not legal to do so when one had deeds and other information available with which to make boundry line determinations.
Betsy said she would like to see a dialogue develop between the Board and George involving the writing of the easement to make sure there were standard provisions included such as reserved rights and use limitations.
Tim asked George if he was interested in helping with the survey costs. George answered he did not wish to spend money in this area.
Tim said it was important to get a written agreement before proceeding with a survey.
Rick suggested a subcommittee be formed to meet with George to develop the conservation easement. A motion was made by Charlie to establish a subcommittee for negotiating the conservation easement with George Wells to include Leslie, Tim and Betsy. Don seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Rick added there must be other towns that have policies and procedures the Sutton Conservation Commission can use as a guide in developing theirs since this is a new area for this Board.
Betsy mentioned she had spoken with Tom Paul regarding the warming hut on KHR. Tom had stated he would bring up the subject at the next snowmobile club meeting to see if there was any interest in keeping the building. There was discussion concerning the condition of the building and liability. It was suggested if it was time to get rid of the building that the SCC could ask the Fire Department to burn it. The Board will wait to hear back from the snowmobile club.
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Betsy said she had contacted Peter Stanley regarding the necessary width to accommodate his mower on trails of the KHR and that he had answered ten feet was needed and twelve feet would be preferred.
New Business:
There was discussion regarding a request from Paul Parker, the town Road Agent, for a Fish & Game permit to trap beaver on Rte.114 and Wadleigh Hill Road. The Chair called for a voice vote and the request was granted by a vote of four to three. Tim signed the permit on behalf of the SCC.
SCC Properties and Greenway Reports:
Don passed around photos of the culvert work on Penecook Path performed by Matt Ordway. It was suggested the development of a before and after book would be an interesting record keeping method.
Tim reported the work on the access road to the towers should be beginning this fall.
Other Business:
There was discussion of a possible land acquisition.
9:45 p.m. A motion was made by George to adjourn the meeting. Charlie seconded it. It was unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Swett
Secretary
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