Sutton Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
April 11, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m.
Present: Betsy Forsham, Tim Davis, Don Davis, Leslie Ward and Garrett Evans. Bill Curless, Jean LaChance, Rick Goddard, and George Wells were absent. Gerry Putnam arrived late.
Chair Betsy Forsham called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. She welcomed new member, Garrett Evans, to the Commission.
Election of the Chair ensued. A motion was made by Tim to re-elect Betsy. Leslie seconded the motion. Unanimously approved.
Review of March 22, 2007 Minutes:
A motion was made by Tim to accept the regular minutes of March 22, 2007 as written. Leslie seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved.
Financial:
Betsy reported the Town account balance was $2,979.94 as of the end of March, which is 85.34% of the budget. Expenditures for the month were $63.04 for supplies and ads for the Class VI roads.
The Conservation Fund account total, as of March 31, was $202,223.48. Approximately $11,000 of this is the KHR Fund.
7:15 Beth McGuinn:
The Board welcomed ASLPT Land Protection Specialist Beth McQuinn. Beth gave the Board a summary of the proposed ASLPT easement for the Lefferts/Enroth gift properties and asked for questions and input. A discussion ensued. Beth will send a finalized copy to Betsy for review. It will then go to the Selectmen and Town Attorney.
Correspondence:
Betsy reported she received two monitoring inspection reports from ASLPT; the Emerson (Clark) easement dated March 22 and the KHR report dated April 3.
Betsy handed around the Granite State Tree Farmer newsletter, an invitation for the CSC Community and Environmental Studies Expo on April 25, and notice of the Central NH Regional Planning Commission “Growing Green” Workshop.
Review of Wetlands Applications and Permits:
There were no wetlands applications. However, Betsy did note she received a wetlands complaint concerning soil going into Thistle Brook, on Rte. 114, T/L 4-126,518. The overseer of the project was notified and the problem was rectified immediately.
Sutton Conservation Commission 1 April 11, 2007
Review of Intents to Cut & Logging Issues:
Betsy reported on an annual intent to cut from Gordon Manning on Nelson Hill Road, T/L 6-610,00. The logger is Gordon Manning.
Old Business:
Regarding the Class VI road signs Betsy reported she replaced the sign on Nelson Hill Road.
Betsy reported on the Wells easement. She said another $4,000 had been given to the surveyors. Garrett added the majority of the surveying work is done. As an aside to the Wells Easement, an abutter, Tom Brown approached Garrett inquiring about how to get information about placing an easement on his land.
Let the minutes reflect the Quarry Walk “ No Trespassing” signs have been removed.
Leslie gave an update on Planning Board issues. The Feins application was approved with 9 conditions so far, with more to come. She added there are still issues with Haynes Road in Newbury. There will be another meeting in April.
Regarding Earth Day and roadside cleanup Betsy reported Walt had agreed to take unsorted refuse at the dump on Saturday, April 21. This was mentioned on the Town website. Betsy will ask the InterTown to mention this date in the events calendar section. Betsy asked if there were any volunteers to make posters for around Town.
New Business:
Betsy reported the NH Association of Conservation Commissions and the SPNHF emailed a survey that she was in the process of filling out.
Betsy said she had spoken to Peter Stanley about mowing KHR this fall. She added Peter wants to walk the property this spring. The Board discussed whether to pay for a days worth of mowing or to list specific trails to be mowed. Betsy asked that the members think about this for the next meeting. She will check with NH Fish and Game about skipping a year of grant money, if we can find a source elsewhere, and if this would jeopardize our standing with them.
Betsy asked whether the WHIP money would be lost if it was not used for 2007 and whether it could be used for mowing. Tim answered the money might be lost. He will look into it and what the money may be used for.
Tim reported on a UNH workshop he attended, “Taking Action for Wildlife”. He handed out an extra copy of materials from the workshop.
SCC Properties and Greenway Reports:
Don distributed a draft map of the KHR trail system. A summary and discussion ensued. Don asked for input. The Board thanked Don for the Great job.
Don passed out a list of projects for the KHR for National Trails Day on June 2. It was suggested that maybe the Board could purchase some T-shirts for handing out at volunteer events. Don will look into this.
Sutton Conservation Commission 2 April 11, 2007
Don passed out a list of 2007 projects for the KHR. There was discussion. It was decided the list should be prioritized and some dates should be added. Don also discussed trail signage, material for blazing trees and possible sources for same.
Other Business:
Gerry asked the Board for input regarding where the Musterfield Farm and KHR trails could be connected. The Board discussed several possibilities.
9:45 p.m. A motion was made by Tim to adjourn the meeting. Leslie seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Swett
Secretary
Sutton Conservation Commission 3 April 11, 2007
| 
