Washington Conservation Commission
Minutes – February 20, 2019
Assembly time: 7:00 PM, Town Hall
Members present: Arin Mills, Jed Schwartz and Nan Schwartz.
Visitors: Andrew Hatch
1.0 Approval of Minutes: February minutes – Jed made a motion to approve as written, Arin seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
2.0 Permits Committee - New: Shoreland permit for Wickens at 249 Ashuelot Drive – Arin was asked to look at the site on behalf of ARLAC, she stopped by and took pictures and sent her comments to Barbara Skuly. Jed said he had a call from Tom Marshall asking about clearing and possible wetland encroachment on TM 12-181-4. We discussed and decided we have no jurisdiction for intervening.
Previous: Highland Lake dredging – Jed had no update on the dredging or the mitigation or fines. Arin will check with DES for any new information.
Center Pond dredging – Jed reported that the warrant article in for $7K to do planning for the dredging project was passed at Town Meeting.
3.0 Committee and Board reports:
3.1 Land Protection Committee – Jed had email from Whit Beals at NEFF and who has contacted his assessor who has agreed to do the assessing on BarkerÕs property. Whit is scheduling a time for him to come out. When we know more Jed will contact Phil. As we agreed to do previously, we will pay half of the fee.
3.2 Energy Committee – Jed said that the membership to Clean Energy NH was approved by the BoS. Andrew reported that the audit of the school building was done on March 12th. Arin is coordinating with the auditor to get her energy use data for use in her report. Andrw said he is meeting with the BoS tomorrow night concerning the replacement of fluorescent lighting in Camp Morgan Lodge.
3.3 Planning Board – Nan reported that the two LUO items on a ballot for Town Meeting both passed. The Town Center Vision subcommittee had the assessment report and a handout available at Town Meeting and lots of people participated in voting on the poster.
3.4 Forestry Committee – No meetings held. Nan said that Al Krygeris is hoping to pull a meeting together soon.
3.5 Legislative update - Nan sent out a handout of numerous bills of interest and we will keep an eye on those that move forward.
4.0 Public Presentations and workshops:
4.1 Washington Elementary School nature journaling project –We had a wonderful morning with the kids on February 22nd. Arin will reach out to the teachers to decide on our next session for late May or June. Arin asked Jed about the KROCA program that was mentioned in the BoS meeting minutes and he will send her the brochure they provided to the BoS.
4.2 Trails Day –We are keeping the Trail Day (June 1st) on our agenda and speak with John Butcher about any involvement we might have in April.
4.3 Saving Special Places conference, April 6th, $65 sign up by Friday at 5pm to get the cheaper rate. Nan and Arin both decided they canÕt attend this year.
4.4 Cottrell-Baldwin Lecture series – Fox State Forest, Hillsboro, Tuesdays @7PM, March 26 – The Original Forests of NH, April 2nd – NH Loons, April 9 – NH Geology. Jed, Nan and Arin all attended the lecture on Dragons and Damsels and enjoyed it a lot.
5.0 New Business:
5.2 Anne McBride from Monadnock Conservancy will be visiting us at our April meeting.
6.0 Other Business:
6.1 Natural Resource Inventory Map updates –We paid Chris but Nan is worried about the versions Chris provided on the CD. She will check that they are the same as the printed maps. Nan is finishing up the NRI update.
6.2 Facebook Page – Arin said she is continuing to post things when she can. Jed has some trail cam pictures that he will post. To check out the CCÕs Facebook page go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2173271309586226/
6.3 Trails and Recreation Guide Booklet – We will keep working on this through the winter/spring. Arin said she has GIS software at work and can possibly keep making our maps.
6.5 Master Plan goals for 2019 – This is a place holder.
6.6 Barker easement – see 3.1
6.7 Tracking Invasive Plants project – The reporting sheets and guides are always available here: InvasiveProject.html
7.0 WhatÕs Happening in Nature?
Jed said it has been a long cold winter and a long mud season so far. The snow cover is still pretty deep but the sun is warm and working on melting it.
Nan said today is the vernal equinox and there is a super full moon, too. We welcome spring!
Arin said she has ordered her seeds and is looking forward to the growing season. Jed said he has started some seedlings in his new greenhouse.
Jed said he got some pictures of snowshoe hares on his trail camera along with some other woodland animals.
Nan said we have had fewer birds at the bird feeder this winter. Arin said she has had fewer birds at her feeders but the usual varieties; chickadees, tit mouse, wood peckers and nuthatches. Jed said he hadnÕt seen juncos since fall and no gold finches at all.
Jed said the pond is still frozen but starting to thaw at the brook end. Arin said that Ashuelot is still frozen over but she is not sure of the depth of the ice.
Arin said the sap is just starting to run and maple weekend is this weekend. Jed said that Ed has boiled only once so far and Shawn said the sap wasnÕt running up in Washington yet. The weather isnÕt cooperating for sugaring so far.
Jed and Nan observed an immature Red-tailed Hawk stalking their birdfeeder and looking for food. He was a really big bird who caught their eyes when he took off flying from under the feeder and flew into a nearby tree to watch the birdfeeder for a while. To find out more about Red-tailed Hawks click here: NewinNature.html
8.0 Correspondence:
Brochure from SCA NH AmeriCorps offering conservation crews for trail work, etc.
9.0 Adjourned at 9:05PM, our next scheduled meeting will be April 17th at 7PM at TH.
Respectfully submitted,
Nan Schwartz, Secretary