Sutton Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
November 14, 2007 @ 6:30 p.m.
Present: Betsy Forsham, Don Davis (came in late), Rick Goddard, Garrett Evans, Leslie Ward, Tim Davis and Jean LaChance. Bill Curless, George Wells and Gerry Putnam were absent.
Public Hearing @ 6:30 p.m. - regarding expenditure of Conservation Funds for expenses related to the acquisition of a conservation easement on the Wells Family Trust properties, Dodge Hill Road. Naia Conrad, abutter to the project, was in attendance. She had no objections.
Chair Betsy Forsham called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Rick was appointed to sit in for Bill; Garrett to sit for Gerry.
Review Previous Minutes:
A motion was made by Jean to accept the minutes of October 10, 2007, as written. Rick seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved.
Non-Public Session – discussion of possible land acquisition.
Financial:
Betsy reported the Town account balance was $1,233.24 as of the end of the month, which is 35.32% of the budget. Expenditures for the month were $381.
The Conservation Fund Account total, as of the end of the month, was $216,489.25, with
$10,425.12 in the KHR Fund and $206,064.13 in the Conservation Fund. These figures do not reflect
$10,000 that was received on November 2, 2007 for a Change in Use Tax. Betsy also noted the
reimbursement from WHIP has not been received yet. (That amounts to $720 that will go into the
KHR Fund.) Betsy also noted that final payment to the lawyer for the Wells easement has not been
received and paid for yet.
The Board approved payment of $175 for the 2008 membership dues for NHACC
(NH Association of Conservation Commissions) and $900 to Matt Ordway for work on the
Hominy Pot Trail, ($300 to come from the Town account and $600 from the KHR Fund.)
Betsy reported on the proposed figures for the 2008 budget. The overall number is down by $452
from 2007. Last year the total was $3,492 and the proposal for 2008 is $3,040. Betsy asked for
suggestions and comments from the Board. The meeting with the Budget Committee will be
November 26th . The Board approved the $3,040 budget as presented.
Betsy read a notice the SCC received, as abutters, concerning a request by Jonathan Feins to upgrade a portion of King’s Hill Road, a Class VI road, for the purpose of providing access to a proposed subdivision. The Public Hearing will be November 19th at 5:00 p.m.
Correspondence:
Betsy passed out an invitation from ASLPT for a holiday gathering at Foxstand.
A workshop by CNHRPC (Central NH Regional Planning Commission) for December 3rd.
Other miscellaneous correspondence.
Review of Wetlands Applications and Permits:
Notice of Administrative Complete Standard Dredge and Fill Application, file # 2007-02420, T/L 1/406,086, J. Blaney, Route 103.
Wetlands and Non-Specific Permit Approval received 10/11/07, file # 2007-01779, Beaver Pond Realty Trust, T/L 3/160,359, Beaver Pond Road.
Complete Forestry Notification, file # 2007-02452, received 10/17/07 for Hibbard timber cut, T/L 3/470,314, North Road.
Wetlands complaint was received for T/L 4/350,083 and 4/385,070, Route 114, South Sutton. There was a site visit on 10/30 by Betsy and Garrett. It was noted there was clearing of existing woods roads with a bulldozer that included two sites where jurisdictional wetlands were affected and needs to be fixed. Betsy has spoken with the owner and reported he was very agreeable and, noting it is late in the season to seed, he is willing to look at the issue with Betsy and Garrett in the spring.
A letter dated November 2nd, from NHDES with comments pertaining to the preliminary report from Environmental and Groundwater Assoc. Inc. regarding the large groundwater withdrawal project, source #5, in Eastman.
A Complete Forestry Notification, T/L 1/576,410, Rogers on Birch Hill Road. Al Hansen is the logger. (The intent was filed last spring.)
Garrett reported on a site visit to the Meadow View Farm property regarding a possible wetlands violation. He stated the areas viewed are acceptable if roads are going to be built soon; otherwise there is a problem. Betsy will walk the land again, to review the situation.
Review of Intents to Cut & Logging Issues:
T and M Hibbard, T/L 3/470,314, North Road, John O’Neil, logger, 40 of 263 acres. There are some wetlands involved. Garrett will review.
Woodlot and Grange, T/L 1/338,510 and 3/406,095, Eaton Grange Road, 9 of 244 acres. It was noted this land is logged yearly.
Old Business:
Betsy reported the Wells Easement is almost ready to sign and that she would like to have a gathering at the Clough Center with George for the signing and urged members to attend. Betsy added a baseline documentation needs to be prepared. This entails a brief description of what the property is like, including any structures. Garrett said there is a footbridge on one of the parcels of land, but it is old and falling down. Betsy will contact everyone with a date and time for the signing.
Sutton Conservation Commission 2 November 14, 2007
New Business:
Betsy reported she was contacted by Jim Ward regarding a proposed subdivision on Baker Hill Road. Ward was asking the SCC to look over and comment on his proposal for an upcoming non-binding consultation with the Planning Board. Betsy answered that was not possible, but she would be at the Public Hearing where questions could be asked and more information gathered.
Let the records show that the road agent asked the SCC to review the annual trapping permit for the Lane River along Wadleigh Hill Road. By a vote of 4 to 3, it was approved to do so, for beaver only. Tim signed the permit on behalf of the Conservation Commission.
Tim mentioned at the class 6 portion of Brown Road, at the Blaisdell end, past Charlie Hosmer’s, is under water, due to beaver activity.
Tim reported there is a beaver dam right up to the road and blow downs on a class 6 portion of Poor
Farm Road.
Tim announced he is putting a Conservation Easement on his land through ASLPT. The lot is 54 acres. He explained his wish to subdivide one house lot off the main lot, and his having to go before the Planning and Zoning Boards to do it the way he would like. Betsy applauded Tim and his wife Lorraine for their decision to move forward with this easement project.
Betsy reported some of the scenic roads in town are being trimmed again by PSNH.
SCC Properties and Greenway Reports:
Tim, Don and Betsy met with Mike Daley on October 18th to discuss his mowing into the KHR land. Daley is an abutter to the KHR. Daley was agreeable to keep mowing his section, but in the future will check with the SCC before mowing any KHR land.
The Board discussed mowing at KHR and decided they are happy with the present arrangement.
Any Other Business:
Don brought up a large parcel of land for sale on North Road, abutting State land on Mount Kearsarge, that he said Fish and Game had rated as prime wildlife habitat. He felt the land needed to be preserved and inquired how to get something started. The land is/was owned by the Lewin Brothers. Leslie said she would check with the Forest Society. It was agreed that the SCC should get together with the Warner CC, Fish and Game and the Forest Society the beginning of 2008 and discuss protection strategies and possible fund raising, as the price tag is for several million dollars.
9:15 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 November 14, 2007
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