Washington Conservation Commission
Minutes
– January 20, 2010
Assembly time: 7:00 PM.
Present: Carol Andrews, Sandy Robinson, Nan Schwartz, Jed
Schwartz, Arin Mills, Johanna Young and Rich Cook
1.0 Approval of Minutes: Minutes from December, Sandy made a motion to approve, Jed seconded, all voted in favor.
2.0 Old Business:
2.1 Permits Committee - The shoreland permit from Kimball, TM 15-93 on Faxon Hill Road, was approved, unfortunately we couldn't comment on it. Arin said she noticed a PVC pipe lying in the streambed, we will take a look at her pictures again. Rich took out the property file, which had plans for the originally proposed septic system and house site. They were issued a permit for a 3 bedroom septic and the system is now servicing a one hole outhouse with a sink, located above it near the existing cabin. Carol asked for a motion to write a comment letter, Rich seconded, all voted in favor. Sandy will draft a letter to comment on the wetlands permit, she will email to everyone for comments/additions.
2.2 Brochure – We looked at a
printout of the brochure and talked about printing a thousand of them. We want
to place them in the Town Hall, store, library and other places around town.
Arin mentioned that the state prison does printing for her office and we should
get a price from them. Jed said he would check with them. He had a price of
$575. for 1000. Carol suggested a cost of up to $600 for getting a thousand
printed, Sandy made a motion to spend up to $600, Johanna seconded, all voted
in favor.
2.3 NHACC dues – Carol gave us
the invoice for our yearly dues. Carol recused herself and left the room while
we discussed and voted. Rich made a motion to pay the dues, Jed seconded, all
voted in favor. Nan signed the invoice and will leave it for Michelle to stamp
and forward to Linda for payment.
2.4 Reappointments – Carol, Jed,
Tom and Sandy are up for reappointment in March, as well as Lindley and Don as
alternates. Nan made a motion for Carol to write a letter of reappointment for
everyone who wishes to continue to the Selectmen, Sandy seconded, all voted in
favor.
2.5 Energy
Committee – Johanna said that the professional audit of the Town Hall was
done and she had emailed out the 24 page report. The auditor is coming to meet
with the Selectmen on Thursday at 6:30PM. She reported that last week they had
filed an intent to apply for grants with NHOEP. There is a grant writing
seminar next Wednesday night at Antioch that people may attend. There is
$400,000 available through grants for retrofitting town buildings to make them
more energy efficient. Carol commented that the town is fortunate because the
Energy Committee has already done so much work in this area, we are well
positioned to get grant money. Johanna explained that there is a bid process to
do the retrofitting and you have to use registered contractors. Projects must
be completed by 2012. The Energy Committee is working closely with the
Selectmen.
2.6 Forestry
Committee – Rich said Tom came in to the Selectmen to talk about a
warrant article for designation of three parcels as town forest.
2.7 Land
Protection Committee – Jed met with the Eccards last week to ask if we
could do a restricted appraisal on the entire farm at the same time the
appraisers are doing the summary appraisal on the wooded piece, they agreed.
The committee had met with Brian Hotz so he could answer questions about grants
and fundraising. Sandy explained that having the appraisals done will help the
Eccards make decisions about easements. The appraisals should be done by March.
3.0 What's Happening in Nature?
Sandy commented that Peter spotted a bear and 2 cubs crossing Rt. 31 in December. Usually they would be hibernating by then. Sandy saw a bobcat walking on the Bradford Road right down the road, it took off into the woods when it saw her. She said going out to Ed's Corner she saw all kinds of tracks, big cat, deer, coyote, moose, mouse, red squirrel and snow shoe hare. Jed talked about going out on XC skis and
seeing lots of tracks also. Johanna saw large tracks that were very far apart
going from her wetlands to the upland on her property, she thought it might be
a moose because the stride was so long. This is a great time of year for
tracking animals in the snow, for more information on that go here: http://www.washingtonnh.org/WCC_Html/NewinNature.html
Arin
saw a moose cross the road near the recycling center.
Carol
commented that there are many wildlife crossing areas all along route 31.
Sandy talked about her one remaining chicken (all the others have been taken by wild animals or died of old age), she calls it "Miss Hen". She has to keep a heat lamp on for her and gave her extra bedding to help her stay warm since she is all alone. Rich volunteered to bring her a few of his older chickens to keep Miss Hen company.
4.0 New Business:
Johanna
asked about Old Home Day and Rich said it is scheduled for August 10th
weekend.
We
discussed doing the vernal pool outing again. Carol would like to do it on Town
Forest land but we have to find a suitable site.
Rich talked about having a community garden in town because some people have shown an interest in this. Carol suggested having a sheet out at Town Meeting to gauge real interest. Rich said Harrisville has one and Nan mentioned Salem's too. We wondered what might be a suitable spot to have one. Jed suggested the land in East Washington (that was bought for a new fire station), he said it is open and well drained. Sandy suggested a patch of land along side the Church near the Common, Arin suggested some place at Camp Morgan but Nan worried that something there would be vulnerable to wildlife or vandalism. We will try to identify some more good spots if there is real interest.
5.0 Correspondence:
DES
notice of Shoreland Permit approval - Kimball
DES
notice of wetland complaint, Ferlin, closed file
DES
receipt of Wetlands Permit - Kimball
6.0 Adjourned at 8:20 PM, our next scheduled meeting is February 17th at 7 PM in the Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Nan Schwartz
Secretary