Washington Conservation Commission
Minutes –January 15, 2020
Assembly time: 7:00 PM, Town Hall
Members present: Arin Mills, Jed Schwartz and Nan Schwartz.
Visitors: None
1.0 Approval of Minutes: November minutes - No changes were suggested, Jed made a motion to approve the minutes as amended, Arin seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
2.0 Permits Committee -
New: Quinn Wetland permit application, Arin and Nan did a site visit and Arin drafted a comment letter with pictures. We approved the letter and Arin will deliver it to DES tomorrow.
Previous: Chidester – We received notice that DES approved the wetland/stream crossing.
Camp Morgan Beach and field project - Jed reported that the fieldwork is being permitted and they will do it sometime this year. The dredging was left off the permit application due to too many questions about the project at this time. Arin asked if they will still do a beach sand replenishment and replace the culvert. Jed was not sure if these were included.
Mill Pond dredging - Jed said that Aaron Weschler spoke with DES about options and they have decided that it could move forward as a restoration/reclamation project. This would make the application fee much lower for the town. Jed said that the BoS has a copy of AaronÕs delineation map of the pond and he will get us a copy. Arin mentioned ARM funds that might be available and that they are doing a grant proposal round sometime this year. We will check their website for more information.
Ayers Pond Bridge project - Jed said that Ed has put the project off until next summer.
Longval wetland issue –We are working on a better outcome.
Arin mentioned that the new Wetland Rules went into effect on December 15th.
3.0 Committee and Board reports:
3.1 Land Protection Committee – Nan suggested we speak with Monadnock Conservancy as a last try to find someone to hold and easement on Barker. Jed will contact Anne McBride from Monadnock Conservancy with information about the Barker property.
3.2 Energy Committee – Andrew reported that the committee hasnÕt met since they attended the Local Energy Solutions conference in November. He coordinated with Eversource and had an energy audit done on the old Schoolhouse and the town is awaiting the report. He will be attending the 13th annual Upper Valley Energy Committees Roundtable, held in Lebanon on Wednesday, March 18th.
3.3 Planning Board – They have a new Noise Ordinance that will be on a ballot at Town Meeting, as well as the petitioned RV amendment to the LUO.
3.4 Forestry Committee – No news.
3.5 Legislative update - No news.
4.0 Public Presentations and workshops:
4.1 We talked about a visit to the Elementary School in the spring. We are pleased to hear all the community outreach and activities going on at the school.
5.0 New Business: None
6.0 Other Business:
6.1 Trails and Recreation Guide Booklet – We decided that the guide would be our main focus for the next few months. Jed will talk to Don and Tom about the Snowmobile chapter and see what they might want included. Arin will work on maps and Nan will work on words and layout. Nan and Arin will get together soon to compare notes.
6.2 Facebook Page – Arin said she is continuing to post items when she can. To check out the CCÕs Facebook page go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2173271309586226/
6.3 Master Plan goals for 2019 – This is a placeholder.
6.4 Tracking Invasive Plants project – We are in the dormant stage right now. The reporting sheets and guides are always available here: InvasiveProject.html
7.0 WhatÕs Happening in Nature?
Arin said that we have bare ground and all the snow is gone due to very warm weather.
Jed saw moths flying around on a warm night recently. Arin said there are winter moths so it wasnÕt so unusual.
Jed said with the bare ground none of the birds are coming to the feeder. There must be lots of things to eat in the woods.
Jed commented that the pond has open water again, the Fishing derby takes place in one month. Hopefully the ponds will freeze over enough.
Johanna reported her beavers are still quite active with the freeze thaw, freeze thaw winter and she has seen lots of roadkill on 202. The birdfeeders at work in Concord are very active.
Arin said that someone saw 5 moose together near the Faxon Hill area.
Nan said we are receiving lots of seed and garden catalogs. For information about buying seeds for the upcoming season, click here: NewinNature.html
8.0 Correspondence:
Copy of Wetland permit application Quinn
DES Notice of acceptance of Shoreland permit for Quinn
Copy of DES - Chidester wetlands application approval
Save the Date – Saving Special Places – April 4th, Alton
9.0 Adjourned at 8:37PM, our next meeting will be Wednesday, February 19th at 7PM at TH.
Respectfully submitted,
Nan Schwartz, Secretary