APPROVED Sutton Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
February 14, 2008 @ 7:00 p.m.
Present: Betsy Forsham, Don Davis, Garrett Evans, Leslie Ward, Tim Davis, Gerry Putnam and Rick Goddard. Bill Curless, Jean LaChance and George Wells were absent.
Chair Betsy Forsham called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
There was a presentation by Dan Sundquist followed by a discussion with the Board relating to the development of a Comprehensive Conservation Plan. Dan showed a series of overlay maps of the Sutton area. The next step is for the Board to come up with a list of areas/content to include. Betsy mentioned the Board would need a facilitator and Dan said he would be happy to work with the SCC. Dan will give the Board a list to begin the process.
Betsy appointed Rick to sit for Jean.
Review Previous Minutes:
A motion was made by Leslie to accept the minutes of January 9, 2008, as written. Don seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved.
Financial:
Betsy reported the Town account balance is unofficial until after Town Meeting but the expenses for the month were $107.75 for the InterTown Record and secretarial fees.
The Conservation Fund Account total, as of the end of the month, was $224,779.20 with $214,104.83 in the Conservation Fund and $10,674.37 in the KHR Fund. Betsy added changes since then include a debit of $151,000 for the Crowell land and a credit of $32,910 for change in land use taxes. The total is therefore really about $96,014.
Correspondence:
Betsy reported she had a call from Connie McAllister regarding 109 acres of land she owned on Pound Road in South Sutton. McAllister was inquiring as to whether the SCC might be interested in purchasing the land. Betsy said she conveyed her appreciation of McAllister’s interest in land protection but said she would need more information, including the asking price, before the SCC could consider her offer. Betsy added she sent McAllister a handout regarding tax benefits of land protection.
Betsy mentioned she received a letter from George Smith Jr. of Hartland Vermont informing the SCC of an upcoming group hike at the KHR. Smith was also inquiring about getting 20 trail guides. Betsy provided maps for the group and invited anyone in their group to participate in our trail work days this summer.
Betsy passed around an invitation to the Banks Gallery private viewing of the” Landscapes for Landsake” show that will be Friday, February 15th , from 5-8 pm.
The Merrimack and Hillsboro County Conservation Districts collaborating to offer a Wetlands Program Improvement Initiative (WPII) Listening Session with Ted Diers of NHDES. WPII is an
initiative to build a 21st Century Wetland Protective Program. The first listening session will be February 19th in Hillsboro from 6-8pm.
Betsy passed around an article from the Concord Monitor describing the Crowell land acquisition and protection.
Other miscellaneous correspondence.
Review of Wetlands Applications and Permits:
Standard Dredge & Fill Application, Begin Homes, LLC, dated 1/29/08, File# 2008-00168, T/L #4/578,390, Brown Road, for driveway crossings. This replaces a PBN filed in 2006. The Board also received a Notice of Administrative Completeness as well as a revised plan.
A Notice from DES, File #080108-01, dated 1/11/08, regarding an Application for Alteration of Terrain from Jonathan Feins, T/L #10/688,134, to disturb 1,546,323 sq. ft. for construction of a 32 lot subdivision on Stonehouse and Kings Hill Roads. Betsy added the Planning Board has reviewed this land parcel.
Garrett will ask Edna Fieghner of the Division of Historic Resources to speak to the Board on review and compliance of section 106 of the federal law and how it relates to DES permits.
Review of Intents to Cut & Logging Issues:
There were no Intents to cut.
Betsy reported she had received a call from Joe Burns regarding the listing for sale of Phase 2 of the Meadow View Farms development. She said Joe thought the SCC and other parties might be interested in working to get the land under conservation protection, which he could help facilitate. The members felt the $850,000 asking price was too steep, but that the property was certainly worthy of protecting.
Betsy announced the Center for Land Conservation Assistance has a workshop, “Saving Special Places” at the Kearsarge High School on Saturday April 5th. Betsy encouraged Board members to participate.
Old Business:
Betsy updated the Board on the Crowell land acquisition. She was pleased to announce the deed was recorded on February 12th.
A Motion was made by Tim to have the wording of the sign for the Crowell land read “Crowell/Webb Woodlot”. Seconded by Don. Unanimously approved.
Betsy added Peter is away but she will email Malcolm Milne to ask Peter about his thoughts on the wording for the sign for the Crowell land.
Sutton Conservation Commission 2 February 14, 2008
New Business:
Let the minutes reflect the March SCC meeting will be Thursday the 6th of March.
There was discussion regarding the alternate position.
SCC Properties and Greenway Reports:
There were no reports
Any Other Business:
Betsy asked the Board whether the Hominy Pot entrance to the KHR should be plowed in the winter. There was discussion. It was decided it was not necessary to plow since the Town keeps opens a space just down the road by the bridge.
There was discussion regarding gates for the KHR and Crowell properties. Garrett will talk to an abutter of the Crowell property about possibly moving some big rocks in front of the entrance. It was mentioned that Chip Rowe builds gates. Garrett will check with Chip regarding the SCC’s needs.
There was discussion regarding a bridge for the Crowell property. A log with cable was suggested by Tim.
9:45 p.m. A motion was made by Leslie to adjourn the meeting. Rick seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Swett, Secretary
Sutton Conservation Commission 3 February 14, 2008
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