Washington Conservation Commission

Minutes – June 22, 2021

 

Assembly time: 7:00 PM, Meeting conducted online using ZOOM.

 

Members present: Arin Mills, Jed Schwartz and Nan Schwartz.

Visitors: None

 

1.0    Approval of Minutes: the May minutes were approved as written.

 

2.0   Permits Committee  -

New: Karpowski/Fillio, TM 25-90, 1949 Valley Road, DES Notice of Complaint for installing a dock without a permit, We received the copy of a letter to DES from Fillion stating that the dock was existing and they were refurbishing it. They also have a Shoreland permit on file to demolish and restore the existing house on the property.

Previous:

Barkie -– Standard Dredge and Fill, TM 14-39, Ashuelot Drive, DES asked for more information on 4/29

*Johnson/Kimball – Notice of complaint, dredging in Highland Lake, TM 25-93

*Bologna – Notice of complaint, dredging in Highland Lake, TM 24-91

*Barkie/Colette - Complaint of violations, TM 12-69, over clearing of waterfront zone

Mensch – follow up letter on notice of violation from DES, 38 Lookout Point Road, TM 24-59, expanding a deck without a permit. Follow up letter from DES saying they are now in compliance.

*Cordeiro – Notice of complaint from DES concerning excavation violations (no permit or erosion control), no follow up notice.

Mill Pond dredging – Jed received some historical pictures of the pond that he forwarded to Aaron Weschler and Anthony Costello for use in the planning for the pond restoration.

Longval – no news.

 

Arin has contacted Jeff B at DES to ask him the status of the above * complaints. She hasn’t heard back from him yet.

           

3.0   Committee and Board reports:

3.1   Land Protection Committee – The Johnson property was approved as a Town Forest at Town Meeting and Jed read our statement about the gravel excavation plans. He had it added to the minutes of the meeting for future reference. Nan asked if we should send the Johnson property into Granit for inclusion in the mapping layers as a town forest. We will check to see if it is too late for this year.

3.2   Energy Committee – No news.

3.3   Planning Board – No big news, they are looking at several LUO updates.

3.4   Forestry Committee – No news.

3.5   Legislative update  - No news.

 

4.0   Public Presentations and workshops: Nothing planned yet.

 

5.0   New Business:

5.1   Trail Map Sales – We received $41 for trail maps sales, Nan left 11 more maps for the Town Clerk and Tax Collector to sell. We will be replacing the map with our Trails and Recreation Guide when they sell out.

5.2   Trash Pickup – We planned our first Adopt-a-highway trash pickup for June 27^th, Sunday at 9AM. We will meet at the Library parking area and reschedule if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

5.3   Arin said she had an email from Ed Thayer about a new conservation easement on Sumner Dole’s property on Ayers Pond Road. We weren’t involved with the easement, held by USDA, but are happy to know about it. Jed commented that Fish and Game did a fish count last year in the Woodward Brook which crosses the property.

5.4   Arin would like to hike McKinnon Rd. sometime soon. She wants to visit all the Town Forests (doing 2 a year). Jed will reach out to the Forestry Committee.

 

6.0   Other Business:

6.1   Trails and Recreation Guide Booklet – We will continue working on it with a goal to publish the booklet this summer.

6.2   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/  

6.3   Master Plan goals for 2020 – This is a placeholder.

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

6.5   The ATV/UTV road usage map budget for printing was approved at Town Meeting. Jed will coordinate with the BoS on getting it printed and whether to put it up on the Town Website or Facebook page.

 

7.0   What’s Happening in Nature?

Johanna sent word that they have seen a young beaver frequently, maybe setting up a new home. Both she and Lindley saw humming birds. Her Ravens are very active and vocal. She has lots of dog ticks in her front yard.

Jed saved several turtles from the road. He saw a Baltimore Oriole.

Arin said that 5 loons were spotted swimming together on Ashuelot Pond, she wasn’t sure if it was a family group or not.

Arin reports that the very dry weather continues but we have had a few showers to help the gardens. Nan saw a male and female Cardinal in the cherry tree (feasting on cherries). They usually only see Cardinals in the winter at the bird feeder. She said they have Barn Swallows nesting in the barn and they have 5 babies in the nest. To learn more about Barn Swallows, click here: NewinNature.html

 

8.0   Correspondence:  

            DES copy of letter to Mensch, TM 24-59, now in compliance

Letter from Patricia Fillio regarding a letter of complaint from DES regarding installing a dock without a permit.

           

 

9.0   Adjourned at 8:37PM, the next meeting is Tuesday, July 20^th at 7PM, at Town Hall.

 

Respectfully submitted,           

Nan Schwartz, Secretary