Washington Conservation Commission

Minutes – February 17, 2022

Assembly time: 7:00 PM, Meeting at Town Hall.

Members present: Arin Mills, Jed Schwartz, Nan Schwartz

Visitors: Doria Kutrubes

1.0 Approval of Minutes: November minutes were tabled from last month. Arin commented that Reid and Cody should be moved to the Visitor list and asked Nan to edit down the section on the Le Ellen Chontos and Tom Carr discussion. Nan will make the changes and all voted to approve the minutes as edited.

Arin asked Doria if she is a landowner or a resident. Doria said she is a landowner but lives in Massachusetts. Arin stated that she has to be a resident to become a member. Doria said she is fine not being a member but wants to offer her services as a hydro-geologist to the board. She is interested in protecting and preserving land.

2.0 Permits Committee – Arin finally got some feedback from Jeff B at DES on several of our outstanding complaints and violations. She will send the email from Jeff to members.

New: LaPlume, 23 Harrison Road, Wetland PBN, incomplete

Previous:

DeMarco, TM 25-117, 1669 Valley Road, Documented violation, no permit for primary structure.

Barkie, TM25-116, 1681 Valley Road, reported violation, construction of 2 garages and altered an existing structure in protected shoreline.

Cote, TM 24-58, 46 Lookout Point Road, installation of dock without a permit.

Town of Washington, Camp Morgan Beach, Millen Pond Road, Standard Dredge and Fill permit application, beach sand replenishment project, permit approved.

Mensh, 38 Lookout Point Rd., TM 24-59, Shoreland PBN, Impact 1392 square feet of protected shoreland in order to raze existing 1016 square foot cottage and build a new 1016 square foot cottage on existing footprint.

Mensch, 38 Lookout Point Rd., TM 24-59, Wetlands PBN permit application, DES approved to fix existing retaining wall.

*Johnson/Kimball – Notice of complaint, dredging in Highland Lake, TM 25-93, letter of deficiency and steps to mitigate, dredging will be addressed separately by DES. No new news.

*Bologna – Notice of complaint, dredging in Highland Lake, TM 24-91, letter of deficiency sent July 8^th with mitigation requests. No new news.

*Colette - Complaint of violations, TM 12-69, over clearing of waterfront zone, no follow up yet

Longval – no news.

* these are complaints with no follow up by DES, we are waiting for more information.

3.0 Committee and Board reports:

3.1 Land Protection Committee – Jed said he spoke with Steve Hanssen and invited Forestry Committee members to come tonight to talk about the Camp Morgan conservation easement. None came tonight. Steve said that the members are supportive. Arin and Jed met with the Selectmen to discuss the easement and give them more information. Arin made a new map and ran it by the School staff and School Board. They still want to do 3 outdoor classrooms. Arin will do an 18X24 map for Town Meeting. Jed will get it printed.

3.2 Energy Committee – They have not been meeting but Andrew is doing some work with the BoS and getting an audit done on Camp Morgan Lodge.

3.3 Planning Board – Nan mentioned that the Planning Board will have a special ballot for Town Meeting with LUO changes.

3.4 Forestry Committee – Jed spoke with Steve Hanssen.

3.5 Legislative update – Nan said that NHACC sent out a list of items they are watching.

4.0 Public Presentations and workshops:

4.1 Snowshoe Hike – Arin arranged with Kelly to do a snowshoe hike on February 25^th, Friday, just before February vacation.  Arin said that Kelly had some suggestions for the different age groups. We will do a sensory walk and look for animal tracks and signs. Arin will send details and times to us.

5.0 New Business: None

6.0 Other Business:

6.1 Trails and Recreation Guide Booklet – Arin and Nan will continue their work on the booklet. We will continue working on it with a goal to publish the booklet this winter/spring.

6.2 East Washington Town Forest – Arin asked that we keep this on the agenda.

6.3 Facebook Page – Arin said she is continuing to post items when she can. To check out the CC’s Facebook page go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2173271309586226/

6.4 Master Plan goals for 2022 – This is a placeholder.

6.5 Tracking Invasive Plants project – The reporting sheets and guides are always available here: InvasiveProject.html

6.6 ATV/UTV road usage map - Jed will talk to printers after Town Meeting.

7.0 What’s Happening in Nature?

Arin said we have had good snow then some ice on top and it has been very cold.

Jed said the ice Fishing Derby is this coming weekend and the ice is 20”+ deep on Millen Pond.

We all have had a lot of birds at the bird feeders and some red and grey squirrels.

Jed saw a Porcupine wandering around.

Jed said that they are tapping the Maple Trees now and the sap is starting to run.

Arin said she saw more owls on Faxon Hill Road and on Rte. 31 but hasn’t seen the moose that was around earlier on Faxon Hill.

Jed commented that the days are getting longer. To find out more about longer days and spring’s arrival, click here: NewinNature.html

8.0 Correspondence: None

9.0 Adjourned at 8:10PM, the next meeting is Wednesday, March 16^th at 7PM, at Town Hall.

Respectfully submitted,

Nan Schwartz, Secretary