APPROVED Sutton Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday May 13, 2009 @ 7:00 p.m.
Present: Betsy Forsham, Don Davis, Tim Davis, Walter Baker and Leslie Ward. (Garrett Evans, Jean LaChance, Gerry Putnam and Leon Malan were absent.)
Chair Betsy Forsham called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
New Business:
Leslie reported on her site visit to the Seymour lot. She said the land was steep, narrow and wet with a lot of wildlife signs. She added it is not a build able lot and would require a long boardwalk to access the lake, which would be a disturbance to the site. Dan Sundquist added this lot contains one of the only open areas where the drainage from the hill flows down to Kezar Lake. It was noted the upper boundaries are not clear and need to be confirmed. The Board will walk the property Saturday, May 16, at 8 am. Betsy will contact the other members to let them know.
Betsy emailed Tom Paul and Roger Wells the February 2009 Board minutes where mention was made of Roger’s idea of a land swap. She informed them the Board is awaiting some information in order to proceed with discussions, but that it is leaning more toward a purchase rather than a swap.
Old Business:
Betsy reported Tom Paul called her on May 1st to say he was working on getting
appraiser Marsha Beecy to begin a preliminary appraisal for the Meadow View land which he and Roger purchased. She added Tom had also called today and said he was told that Marsha would be sending something by the end of the week, and that he was hoping to have an easement done by October 31st. He also wanted to know if
the Board was interested in acquiring the common land. It was the sense of the Board that
they would like to. Dan SunDquist suggested the Board look a possibly partnering with
the Kezar Lake Protective Association on this project. It was mentioned that the
Homeowners Association of the Meadow View Farm subdivision has a say in the
management of the common land.
Dan Sundquist joined the Board in continuing the discussions on the Long Range
Conservation Plan. A Data Factors sheet was passed out which the Board reviewed and
discussed. The next step is to take all the presented information and figure the priorities
through the Delphi voting process. There are certain items that don’t work with the
Delphi process, mainly linear and point sites, but they may be added into the co-
occurance analysis map afterwards. Dan also showed the Board a map of the continuous
forestry canopy, Forest Blocks, which is derived from the State Fish and Game. Betsy
mentioned that it did not take the connectivity issue into account. Dan agreed and added
that is something the Fish and Game is currently working on. He also said that can be
addressed by the Board after the Delphi process has been analyzed as an add in factor. At
the next meeting, on June 10th, Dan will hand out the list to be voted on, along with a
briefing paper, which the Board will review for about 15 minutes. Dan will then hand out
the Delphi voting material and the voting may be done there or taken home.
The Board returned to the regular meeting. Betsy introduced two members of the public in attendance, Sue Esposito and Rachel Ruppel, who are interested in the alternate position on the Board. Betsy mentioned that Larry Harper might also be interested but was unable to attend tonight’s meeting.
Review Previous Minutes:
A motion was made by Tim to accept the minutes of April 8, 2009 as written. Don seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved.
Financial:
Betsy reported the Town account balance, as of the end of April, is $2,079.38, which is 76.03%. The Conservation Fund Account total, as of the end of April, was $145,216.88 with $134,531.34 in the Conservation Fund and $10,685.54 in the KHR Fund.
Correspondence:
Betsy reported the Board received notice from the Zoning Board of a hearing for D & M Greene, owner’s of lot 5 of the Meadow View subdivision, regarding a request for the temporary use of a travel trailer on site while they build their house. The meeting will be May 20th at 7 pm.
Miscellaneous correspondence.
Review of Wetlands Applications and Permits:
A Notice of Incomplete Application, J. Dombrowski, T/L # 5/356,486, Mastin Rd, for the cell tower, dated 4/17/09. A Notice of Completeness was then received, dated 4/23/09.
Review of Intents to Cut & Logging Issues:
There were none.
New Business (continued):
Betsy passed out a draft of the conservation easement deed being considered for the Meadow View land owned by Tom Paul and Roger. The language is derived from the easement with the King Hill Reservation. The Board discussed the document. It was mentioned there is no provision for agriculture, only forestry. Tim and Don expressed concern with some of the suggested language regarding buffers from a possible parking area on the lot and possible trails. It was agreed the ASLPT needs to review the document and then the SCC will revisit the issue.
Betsy reported that Garrett had suggested the Board may want to consider advertising the opening for an alternate member on the Town website.
SCC Properties and Greenway Reports:
Betsy reported the cistern fence went up April 29th thanks to Tim, Wally and Rick.
Don mentioned there had been an oil spill in North Sutton that contained the chemical nephaline, and that no one in the Town had been notified. Wally will ask Elly about this.
Sutton Conservation Commission 2 May 13, 2009
Don reported he received a letter from Charlie Forsberg, of the Sutton Ridgerunners Snowmobile Club, requesting a SCC signature on a grant request by the Ridge Runners snowmobile club, from the Trails Bureau, for some trail work at the KHR. Don added he had signed the landowner’s permission slip but had also put in writing several stipulations that must be followed by the club befor work on the trail can begin. It was noted that lack of planning from an outside organization on the management of their due dates should not be a reason for the SCC Board to feel the need to act on something without thorough investigation.
Regarding the Webb/Crowell Bridge, Betsy reported she checked with DES and they reported if the bridge was to go from bank to bank a permit would not be needed. She added it was suggested by the person she spoke with that a permit was only $25 and that it may be wise to apply just to be on the safe side. Tim reported on his site view of the property with Garrett. He said there would need to be a large piece of equipment brought in for the bridge project and that late November would be a good time to do something when the land, which is very wet, will be at it’s driest. Tim added Paul has dropped some rocks in front of the entrance. There will need to be more on the sides and some of the ones in the middle will need to be moved so that the mower can pass through. Tim raised the possibility of gating this
entrance.
Tim reported the gates are up at both entrances to the KHR and they look great. They just need chains and locks. There should also be orange horizontal painting done. A thank you note will be sent to Chipper.
Betsy reported on the status of the mowing grants for the KHR. The total amount is $6,000 over 10 years. The SCC has used $4,655 and there is $1,345 still available. The North side needs to be done. Betsy will apply for the grant after the fiscal year starts, which is July 1st.
The Board decided to wait until June to decide on workdays for the Crowell property and KHR.
9:30 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 May 13, 2009
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