DRAFT Sutton Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
June 13, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m.
Present: Betsy Forsham, Tim Davis, Don Davis, Gerry Putnam, Rick Goddard and Leslie Ward. Bill Curless, Jean LaChance and George Wells were absent.
Garrett Evans arrived late.
Chair Betsy Forsham called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m
Rick sat in for Jean and Garrett sat in for Bill.
Review of May 17, 2007 Minutes:
A motion was made by Tim to accept the regular minutes of May 17, 2007 as written. Don seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved.
Financial:
Betsy reported the Town account balance was $2,648.10 as of the end of the month, which is 75.83% of the budget. Expenditures for the month were for secretarial services, map paper, supplies and printing of the KHR maps.
The Conservation Fund account total, as of the end of the month, was $196,139.77, with
$184,982.33 in the Conservation Fund and $11,157.44 in the KHR Fund.
Correspondence:
Let the records show Betsy emailed Dave Brazier on the 18th regarding the Quest hike on the KHR. She added she gave him a revised map and reiterated he should show the Board his Quest before dispersing it. He replied back that he would be happy to.
Betsy read a letter sent to the Town notifying lakefront property owners of water quality issues. The letter contained information pertaining to old septic systems as well as steps landowners could take to help.
Betsy reported she had received a letter from Tom Paul regarding HB383, Changes to Comprehensive Shoreline Protection Act. Tom was asking for letters to Senator O’Dell. Betsy wrote on behalf of the Board.
An invitation from ASLPT to a progressive dinner party in July.
“Knowing the Territory”, notice of publication from the Local Government Center.
Review of Wetlands Applications and Permits:
Z-ventures (Meadow View Farms) Wetlands & Non-Site Specific Permit # 2007-00199 was approved, with conditions. T/L #8-217,478. The Mylar has been signed.
Sutton Conservation Commission 1 June 13, 2007
A Complete Forestry Notification, file #2007-00999, was received for the O’Malley timber cut, T/L #1-192,030, on East Sutton Road. Garrett viewed the land and found numerous problems from a previous cut. Linda Magoon was notified and informed the owner he has been put on notice to attend to the previous problems before beginning the present operation.
Betsy updated the Board on the Pollock bridge project. Linda Magoon has looked at the property and suggested Mr. Pollack reapply for a wetlands permit to be safe.
A Wetlands & Non-Site Specific Permit for Billy Hayes of Shaker Heights, #2007-00067 was approved, with conditions, T/L #9-697,335.
A Minimum Impact Expedited application for Laurence K. Harper III, route 114, was received, T/L #4-126,518. Betsy reviewed the site and, seeing no problems, signed off.
Betsy gave an update on the large community well siting/ large groundwater withdrawal permit from Eastman.
Review of Intents to Cut & Logging Issues:
Harold Buker III, of Nelson Hill Road, T/L #6-800,075, Warren Wesoja is the logger. Cutting 45 of 80 acres.
Old Business:
Betsy gave an update on Planning Board issues. The Begin 2 lot subdivision application was approved with conditions.
Betsy gave an update on the Lefferts/Enroth easement. Beth McGuinn at ASLPT has written the deed and given it to their attorney, Tom Masland, for review.
Betsy gave an update on the Wells easement. The attorney, Tom Masland should have a draft easement for review soon.
New Business:
Leslie reported on an article regarding tax benefits of donating conservation land. This is a federal tax benefit. She also noted that land conservation groups such as the SPNHF are receiving more offers of donated land/easements than they are able to administer.
Leslie suggested the SCC host another land conservation workshop this fall and include a speaker on the tax benefits of donating land for conservation. Betsy said Bryan Hotz touched some on this issue last time. Leslie thought he could go into more detail this time around or better yet, we could find an estate tax attorney to do the presentation. Tim said a break in between speakers would be a good idea. Gerry thought it would be helpful to have people who had already donated available for the prospective donors to talk to. Some names were suggested. There was discussion as to whether the tax benefit should be the main topic. All decided they should pursue this. Leslie will contact Brian Hotz. Betsy will call Debbie Stanley at Ausbon Sargent.
SCC Properties and Greenway Reports:
Betsy reported the signs on KHR access road that stated, “ 4 wheel drive only” have had the words “authorized personnel only,” added to them.
Sutton Conservation Commission 2 June 13, 2007
Betsy reported she spoke with Peter Stanley regarding the mowing of KHR. Tim said there was more than enough money available from WHIP to cover the mowing this year and that he would submit the paperwork to extend the grant.
Don reported on the trail work schedule. June 2nd there were 4 people. There was no one from the public although several people had called and said they could not make it due to conflicts. Most of the trees were cut to allow Peter to get in for mowing. Don said there are boundary signs that were erected by Charlie Ash and Dave Brazier that do not seem accurate. He is concerned because if they are accurate the trail around them needs to be moved. If they are not accurate they will give inaccurate information regarding boundary lines to any prospective landowners of the abutting King Ridge development. Don said when the line was first marked by Ausbon Sargent, the former SCC Chair, Gene Aubert, felt they were inaccurate and had spoken to Debbie Stanley about it. Betsy said the Board needed to look into this concerning all
the lots along the top section. Betsy said she would talk to Debbie and ask who did the monitoring. Garrett offered his services for checking the boundaries.
Don reported there is a short area on the Mad Hatter and March Hare trails that is thick with saplings and needs to be mowed out. He also mentioned a possible new route he has flagged in this area. Don added the March Hare is in rough shape. Betsy asked if it was too steep to mow. Betsy inquired if anyone was available to go up with Don.
The June trail workday will be Saturday, June 30th at 9 a.m.
The July workday will be Saturday July 14th, also at 9 a.m.
The Board will be walking the Enroth/Lefferts property on Tuesday June 19th at 5 p.m. to flag and possibly mow. The meeting spot will be the post office.
8:50 p.m. A motion was made by Leslie to adjourn the meeting. Tim seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Swett
Secretary
Sutton Conservation Commission 3 June 13, 2007
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