Washington Conservation Commission
Minutes
– May 21, 2008
Assembly time: 7:00 PM.
Present: Carol Andrews, Sandy Robinson, Nan Schwartz, Jed Schwartz, Arin Mills, Tom Taylor, Rich Cook, Don Richard
1.0 Approval of Minutes: April minutes, Jed motioned to accept as written, Sandy seconded, the vote was unanimous to accept.
2.0 Old Business:
2.1 Dredge and Fill Committee –
Jed, Rich and Nan went out to check the site for the Standard Dredge and Fill
application from DES for the Art Scarneo property on Highland Lake, Tax Map 25
Lot 85. They felt the
project was as presented and did not feel the need to comment.
2.2 Energy Committee – Johanna was not in attendance but mentioned earlier that the Energy Committee was sponsoring another green movie night at Camp Morgan on Friday, June 6th at 7PM. They will be serving popcorn and ask that people bring a dessert to share. They are showing – "Kilowatt Hours". Their meeting minutes will be posted later when available.
2.3 Barbara Scully from LAE called Carol about whether a DES permit had come to the Commission yet for the Riggerio property. Carol told her the application hadn't come to us, yet. The issue is for a shared driveway that had been permitted previously but the permit had elapsed unused, so they need to go through the permit application process again. Carol was going to look for the previous permit, which should be on file. She asked if anyone knew where the wetlands permits were kept and Tom thought in the file cabinet next to the safe in the selectmen's office. Nan checked and they weren't there. We will ask around to see where they are on file.
2.4 Tom spoke about an issue with the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary property out on King's Street. They have constructed a 150" bridge over 2 streams. Meridian did the work and told them it is not in violation of the State wetlands regulations and not in need of a permit. There was no disturbance of stream banks or waterways. DES said they could put in a permit after the fact if the town was concerned. The Selectmen have asked them to put in a building permit for a shed they built holding electrical equipment next to the power pole near the road. The bridge was built to give them a way to get the power out to their buildings. They are coming in to see the Selectmen about the issue.
2.5 NRI Maps and Conservation Plan
– Carol, Nan and Sandy will plan to meet with Chris soon to let him know
we are unhappy with the rate at which things are getting done. We need to move
things forward more quickly and finish them up.
Carol spoke about doing a
printed piece about the Conservation Plan. We could use something for
contacting landowners within the conservation areas and also for
fundraising/marketing. Sandy will take a first stab at the writing and send it around
for comments and we will work together to get something done. The goal is to
have it done to send out in early August. We could also do some outreach to the
lake associations in town by attending their meetings or inviting everyone to a
meeting that we could hold. You can still view the newest maps here: http://www.washingtonnh.org/WCC_Html/NRICP.html
2.6 Adopt-a-Highway trash pick up date
– We chose Saturday, June 14th for our first outing. We will
meet at the Town Hall at 9AM. Carol will contact the state to get more blue
bags.
2.7 Sandy is drafting 2 letters, one
about tax parcels not being sold at this time and also about the Twin Bridges
issue.
3.0 New Business - None
4.0 What's Happening in Nature?
Jed
mentioned the resident swans in Mill Pond in East Washington, to learn more
about them and what they are doing there go here: http://www.washingtonnh.org/WCC_Html/grant.html
and
here: http://www.washingtonnh.org/WCC_Html/Pond.html. Tom saw an immature bald eagle, who
flew into a pine tree outside his house on Lake Ashuelot. He went to the
Audubon Center with his grandson and learned that eagles can swim by paddling
with their wings if they get a fish that is too heavy to take off with. Arin
saw a big grey fox near the dump on Route 31 and a large hare near Lake
Ashuelot. She reports seeing lots of deer feeding in open areas.
Rich brought in a "false" morel (mushroom) that Lynn found and he said it is deadly poisonous. It certainly bore a good resemblance to the edible morel.
Carol reports that the Bradford Bog is about to bloom. You will have to go in the next 2 weeks to see it in its glory. Don said that he went out there for the NRCS last week to take bog samples. They are working on recreating a bog in Lee to reclaim a quarry site. Don also reports that the humming birds have returned for the summer. It's time to put your feeders out for them or plant your yard with nectar bearing flowers and bushes. For more information on "hummers" click here: http://www.washingtonnh.org/WCC_Html/NewinNature.html.
Tom
mentioned an area on Route 9 between 114 and the next blinking light where
there are always lots of hawks to observe.
Don
spoke about Leila Pinchot from the American Chestnut Foundation came out to
look at his Chestnut tree. They are going to bag the blossoms and then
hand-pollinate the tree and collect the resulting seeds.
5.0 Other Business –
5.1 Carol spoke about the upcoming "All Boards" meeting. She wants to offer our help to the other boards in town for research and oversight (commenting on major subdivisions, storm water, watershed issues, etc.) for any projects going on in town.
5.2 She also spoke about a new RSA 36-A
which will require us to put 2 warrant articles on the ballot next March. This
bill will allow land trusts to accept money from Conservation Commissions out
of their conservation fund to do projects. It will also allow CCs to put money
into projects taking place outside of the town that may have a direct impact on
the town.
5.3 Tom spoke about the new Shoreland
Protection laws (CSPA), he thinks we need to speak to our local excavation,
tree clearing, construction guys to let them know what they need to be aware
of. We can target them at the building permit stage. The assessors know when a
lot changes hands and we could get he information to the property owner at that
point.
6.0 Correspondence:
Supply Lines – DES magazine
Urban Forestry Center and
Advisory Council
7.0 Adjourned at 8:30 PM, our next scheduled meeting is June 18th at 7 PM at the Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Nan Schwartz
Secretary