Washington Conservation Commission
Minutes
- June 15, 2011
Assembly time: 7:00 PM.
Present: Jed Schwartz, Arin Mills, Sandy Robinson, Ken Eastman, Nan Schwartz and Johanna Young
1.0 Approval of Minutes: Minutes from May, Arin made a motion to approve, Johanna seconded, all voted in favor.
2.0 Old Business:
2.1 Permits Committee – We sent a letter to DES reguarding our concerns with the Feeney wetlands permit application. We also sent our comments to the reviewer on the shoreland permit application. Arin asked what would trigger the need for a stormwater plan. Jed said that we can suggest the need for one and DES can make it a condition of the permit. We can request copies of any engineering report or other documents asked for by DES. We will have to check on whether a condition is met and plans are executed as they say they will be.
There were no new permit applications.
DES sent notice that if we want to comment on the Feeney's Dredge and Fill permit application we need to do so by June 2nd.
DES sent notice that Feeney's Shoreland permit application was accepted on May 19th and will be processed within 30 days.
DES sent notice that Feeney's Shoreland permit application was approved for their project with conditions.
DES sent notice that Capra Shoreland permit application was approved for their project with conditions.
2.2 Adopt a Highway – Frank Linnenbringer joined us to give us a safety update
and bring us our new sign. He gave us a little background about the program. He
is the coordinator for District 4, which includes Cheshire County and 3 towns
in Sullivan County and some in Hillsboro County. There are 75 groups in his
area picking up trash on 166 miles of road who last year picked up 686 bags of
trash, which adds up to 6.5 tons and 350 hours of group time. There were 46
tons of trash picked up statewide last year. We have been members for 9 years.
Nan asked if there were forms available on their website, we havenŐt always
been good about filing out our status report and sign up sheets and submitting
our forms, Frank stated that they are available there. They also want to know
about any large or hazardous items because they will pick them up for us. Jed
stated that we have been taking our own trash to the recycling center but we
will let them know if there is something we need them to pick up. He spoke
about the safety check list and went over the items with us. He mentioned a
potentially hazardous item that has been showing up in some towns – items
left from methamphetamin production. These can be explosive and toxic so
everyone needs to be aware of the danger and call DOT and the police to deal
with it. He spoke about watching for traffic, the state has no responsibility
if anyone gets hurt and the liability is our own. Ken asked if there are resources
for lake associations or other town groups doing cleanup. Frank said the
program is for state roads but he will make bags available to the town for
distribution to these groups. Johanna asked about Rt. 31 South and Frank said
that if there is a group that wants to take it on, the application process is
very simple. It was suggested that maybe the Energy Committee could partner
with Parks and Recreation or some other group to do that stretch of road. Frank
delivered our new sign and a box of bags and we thanked him for making the long
trip to Washington to give us a safety update and answer our questions.
2.3 Energy Committee – Johanna
reported that ribbon cutting for the solar panels at the town garage was on
Monday. The company that installed the array did an educational program with
the school kids prior to them attending the ribbon cutting. The Energy
Committee recently met with Mike McCrory from the UVLSRPC to learn what they
could do to assist the EC. They are tracking the energy use of all municipal
buildings. he said that Ed Thayer is interested in installing an alternative
heat source in the town garage. Arin suggested putting up a sign at the
Recycling center giving facts about recycling and energy savings, she feels we
should brag about what the town is accomplishing with our efforts in both
areas. Maybe a white board could be installed and updated monthly or quarterly.
Ken will bring the suggestion up with Ed. Johanna mentioned the Carbon
Challenge and said maybe the town could do one.
2.4 Tax Lot Assessment – Nan
updated us on the progress being made on the tax parcel assessment project. We
discussed the site visits and Nan scheduled the first one for Saturday, June 18th
at 9AM, meet at the Town Hall then we will carpool out to LAE and do as many
lots as we can in a few hours that morning.
2.5 Whip-poor-will survey outing - Arin
said that the outing that we previously planned for last weekend was rained out
so we are going to try for June 18th, meeting at the Town Hall at
8PM. Arin said she is putting together a fact sheet, survey protocol and some
maps to pinpoint any sightings (or hearings). We all hope for nicer weather
that day.
3.0 What's Happening in Nature?
Johanna
ran into a bear and her 2 cubs while out for a run on Rt. 31, She backed away
when she saw them and was unable to finish her run because the bear was between
her and home. She was able to flag down a car and get a ride home. She spoke
with a neighbor from Bailey Rd. who had also seen the bears.
Ken
said he got a picture of a bear with his wildlife camera, it was standing up
looking for seed in the birdfeeder.
Ken
said there are 2 nesting loons on Millen Pond but no hatchlings yet, maybe in
July.
Johanna
saw a fisher out in the afternoon, walking along her pond. Her beaver pond is
getting too high and she may have to put in some drains to control the water
height.
Ken
said there are 2 beaver dams on Millen Pond Rd., across the road from
BachandŐs.
Arin
saw a moose on Rt.31, in the low area and said there are lots of deer being
spotted in LAE.
Johanna
saw a gray fox and a red fox recently near her house.
Jed
mentioned a ring-necked pheasant in his yard running along the fence line.
Arin
and Johanna both saw a big snapping turtle on Rt. 31, in the same location.
Ken
mentioned that he didnŐt think that the state had stocked Millen Pond this year
but recently someone caught a very large trout in the pond. The state stocks
many ponds with trout in Washington and there is good fishing to be had all
over town. For some tips and helpful links for fishing, click here: http://www.washingtonnh.org/WCC_Html/NewinNature.html
4.0 Other Business:
4.1 Jed mentioned that the property we
bought out on Twin Bridge Road could use a trash pickup. The previous owners
were camping out there and left all sorts of junk on the property. We will
schedule something for a day this summer.
4.2 Arin asked Ken about water testing
in Ashuelot and who was responsible for getting it done. Ken thought that the
LAE board probably took care of it. Arin said she would be willing to help by
doing the testing or bringing it to Concord to the lab since she goes in to
work everyday. Ken suggested she contact the LAE board and offer to help.
5.0 New Business: None
6.0 Correspondence:
DES
Shoreland Permit approval for
Capra, TM 14-406, 104Ashuelot Acre Road.
DES
Shoreland Permit approval for
Feeney, TM 11-48, 648 Millen Pond Road.
DES notice of application acceptance for Shoreland Permit application for Feeney, TM 11-48, 648 Millen Pond Road and notice of need for comment by June 2nd for Feeney's Dredge and Fill permit application.
Copy of Standard Dredge and Fill
permit application, Feeney, TM 11-48.
6.0 Adjourned at 8:25 PM, our next
scheduled meeting is July 20th at 7 PM in the Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Nan Schwartz
Secretary