APPROVED Sutton Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday June 10, 2009 @ 6:30 p.m.
Present: Betsy Forsham, Don Davis, Walter Baker, Gerry Putnam, Garrett Evans, Leon Malan and Leslie Ward. (Jean LaChance and Tim Davis were absent.)
Chair Betsy Forsham called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Review Previous Minutes:
A motion was made by Leslie to accept the minutes of May 13, 2009 as written. Don seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved.
Financial:
Betsy reported the Town account balance, as of the end of May, was $2,002.52, which is 73.22% of the budget. Expenses were for secretarial services. The Conservation Fund Account total, as of the end of May, was $145,272.34, with $134,582.72 in the Conservation Fund and $10,689.62 in the KHR Fund. There is also $2,500 in a LUCT that has been received by the Town but has not yet been recorded in the account. Two more LUCT’s are forthcoming.
Correspondence:
Betsy sent out a thank you letter to Chipper Rowe for the gates he made for the KHR.
A notice of a public discussion with the NH Legislative Groundwater Commission.
Review of Wetlands Applications and Permits:
Betsy received a letter from DES, dated 6/2/09, File # 2009-01057, for Acknowledged Receipt of Application, for a Shoreline Application for Kristina Runquist. Betsy also received an abutter notification, dated 5/28/09 from the applicant via certified letter, T/L # 8/022-363. It involves minor grading to improve drainage. There is no impact to the shore.
Review of Intents to Cut & Logging Issues:
There were none.
Old Business:
Betsy updated the Board on the Meadow View 65 acre parcel with Tom Paul and Roger Wells. ASLPT met with them to discuss the conservation easement on 5/21/09. Betsy and Don attended the meeting. It was apparent at the meeting that the development of the easement is only to go forward if the Town is going to purchase the land. An appraiser is working on figures and an appraisal of the timber value on the land will be done as well. There will then be a rough value established. Betsy also reported on a site view of the property on 6/6/09.
Tim, Leslie and Dan Sundquist were also present. There was discussion of a parking area. Tim agreed to stake out an area which might be used for up to 6 cars. Several configurations were discussed. The stonewall would need to be moved and a pipe put in for drainage. This will need to be run by Paul, the Road Agent. In summary there is nothing controversial in the
easement process and Tom and Paul are open to writing the easement how ever the SCC would like. Garrett mentioned the right to uncover archeological sites should be included. Betsy added the common land is not part of the deal. That would be in a separate deal at a later date. Betsy said there should be a price to discuss at the July 8th meeting.
7:00 Dan Sundquist joined the Board in continuing the discussions on the Long Range
Conservation Plan. Dan passed out an information sheet with all the areas discussed by the Board at the previous gatherings. The list was explained in detail. Dan asked if there were any further areas to include or omissions to be made. The goal was to have a list the Board felt included all areas of importance as well as for the Board members to have a full understanding of each item to be included in the Delphi voting process. The categories include Water Resources, Wildlife Habitat, Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) Habitat Quality, WAP Habitat Types, Farm and Forest Resources, Scenic Resources, Topography and Critical Soils. The Active Agricultural Land Uses map still needs to be produced. It was noted all the lime green color on the maps represents conservation and public land however, this does not necessarily mean the land
is protected. Dan will finish the Agricultural map and then email all members the information packet and the Delphi voting chart. He will meet with Jean to explain the process and give her a hard copy, as she does not have email. At the July meeting Dan will be back with the numbers and a map reflecting the results. He noted the process could still be fine tuned at this point. Certain criteria will still need to be figured in, such as historical points and scenic views. The Board will plan on having an informational meeting on the subject in August for the general public.
Dan explained the Workforce Housing Bill to the Board.
8:15 The Board returned to the regular meeting.
Old Business (continued):
Betsy reported on the May 16th site visit of the Seymour lot. There was discussion. It was agreed that this is a property the Board does not have the authority to use in a land swap.
New Business:
Betsy reported Roger Wells had approached her concerning the issue of invasive species. The Board agreed this was something for an Ad-Hoc committee and not for the SCC. The SCC would be willing to help through the gathering of related information that could be housed at the Town Hall. Betsy will let Roger know. Don will gather some information from the different State agencies. He also suggested that invasive species might be a topic for a public education program this summer.
Sutton Conservation Commission 2 June10, 2009
Betsy reported Rachel Ruppel agreed to fill the vacant alternate member position, which runs until 2010. Betsy will send a letter to the Selectmen.
SCC Properties and Greenway Reports:
Don said he would email the Board regarding a workday at KHR. He added that one of the culverts on Penacook Path will not support heavy equipment. He will talk to Paul regarding this.
There was discussion regarding the rocks at the entrance to the Crowell land. Garret or Tim will speak to Paul and ask him to wait until the ground dries out before placing any more rocks.
Betsy mentioned someone is parking a truck in front of the granite bench on Kezar Lake and that it is creating an unsafe situation. It was agreed Betsy will post a few No Parking signs.
9:10 p.m. A motion was made by Gerry to adjourn the meeting. Wally seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Swett,
Secretary
Sutton Conservation Commission 3 June10, 2009
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