Washington Conservation Commission
Minutes
– February 17, 2010
Assembly time: 7:00 PM.
Present: Carol Andrews, Nan Schwartz, Jed Schwartz, Arin Mills
and Rich Cook
1.0 Approval of Minutes: Minutes from January, Rich made a motion to approve, Arin seconded, all voted in favor.
2.0 Old Business:
2.1 Permits Committee – We sent a
comment letter on the Kimball permit to DES. We would like to rethink our
commenting procedure. We should put perspective on our comments and go to the
wetlands rules and make them site specific and cite the Wildlife action Plan
and Conservation Plans. Nan will make a list of wetlands rules we can call on
for points to make. We will also look at our permits committee parameters and
maybe tweak them if needed. We should reach out to the BOA and do some wetlands
education and help advise them on more on wetlands variances.
There
was a minimum impact wetlands permit for Delorey out in LAE, TM 14-200, at 38
Garfield Road. It was for a retaining wall on the shore of Ashuelot. we will go
out and take a look at it.
Also
a Standard dredge and fill for Otto Svitok, TM 14-365, on Stowell Road, in LAE.
We will go take a look at this one too, if we canŐt see what we need to because
of snow cover we will write a letter to DES stating this.
2.2 Energy Committee – Johanna wasn't in attendance but Carol reported that they did get their energy grant application in by the deadline, however they didn't have an electronic copy. We send our congratulations to them, this was a major undertaking done with very short time constraint. They put in for a large grant to retrofit town buildings for energy efficiency, the town will know on March 10th whether they were chosen to receive the grant money. Johanna mentioned to Nan that Lindley would like to continue as an alternate member to the CC. Carol said she had talked to Al K. about doing a display for town meeting on energy facts and how to cut costs. Arin told us that the Library has two kilowatt meters that anyone can check out to check their homes for energy use. Carol suggested that this would be a good "Did you know?" for the Selectmen's minutes.
2.4 Town Meeting - The brochure is
going to the printer and should be ready in time for Town Meeting. Carol said
that there are 2 articles we need to be ready to address. On the Town Forest
land article Carol wants to bring up permanently protecting the town forest
lots. The other warrant article is to sell the small lots (<10 acre) that the town has taken for taxes, we
have advised the Selectmen to continue their moratorium on selling these. We
felt that the Selectmen (Rich and Ken) spoke well on this at the Budget hearing
when asked about it. She asked if we want to make a statement. Rich feels that
LAE needs some education on stormwater issues. Carol wants to do an analysis on
the retained lots for natural resources and wetlands, the lots with low ratings
in these areas the town could let go. These tend to be really marginal lots
with low financial value for the town if sold. We should take time to study the
lots. People should understand that residential development costs the town and
there are many desirable lots available for this already in town. Some of these
empty lots contribute to water quality and storm water retention making
abutting lots more valuable. Carol will circulate some information by email.
Arin volunteered to map all the retained lots showing the tax map with a
wetlands and flood plain overlay to help illustrate the issues. We will use the
lot numbers mentioned in the town report (Rich will check for any newer pieces
that came in this year).
Arin asked about the article that seeks unrestricted alternative energy. Nan said that we don't restrict alternative energy systems now except for height, you would need a variance to go higher than 2 1/2 stories (or 35 feet).
2.5 Land
Protection Committee – The appraisals are in the works and should be done
sometime in March.
3.0 What's Happening in Nature?
Carol
has heard a lot of coyotes recently and they sounded close, although she said
that the sound does carry over the pond. For more information on coyotes in New
Hampshire go here: http://www.washingtonnh.org/WCC_Html/NewinNature.html
Jed
cut a trail up in the woods and now it has become a major route for animals,
evidenced by all the tracks and scat. He mentioned seeing moose tracks that
showed that the moose crossed E. Washington Road, crossed the brook, entered
his pasture, walked right over a 5 foot high fence and snacked on his blueberry
bushes, then wandered in the back yard before going off into the woods. The
tracks told the whole story.
Rich
has seen a moose in the wetlands across the street from his house. It could be
the same moose.
Arin
wants to think about setting a date for the spring vernal pool outing. She will
contact Mrs. Lull about having a presentation for the kids at school to help
repare them for the outing. Carol thinks we could apply for some Jenkins Fund
money to do some educational materials or outreach.
4.0 New Business: None
5.0 Correspondence:
Stivok,
Standard Dredge and Fill Wetlands Permit copy
Delorey
Minimum Impact Expidited wetland application copy
Letter
from Mr. Kimball to Kirsten Pulkkinen at DES
Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission draft of an implementation plan for the 2006 Ashuelot River Corridor Management Plan
Litter-Free
New Hampshire and Sponsor a Highway Program invitation
Upper
Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission Newsletter
The
Source DES Drinking Water Source Protection Program Newsletter
Lakeside
newsletter of the NH Lakes Association
6.0 Adjourned at 9:30 PM, our next scheduled meeting is March 17th at 7 PM in the Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Nan Schwartz
Secretary