Washington Conservation Commission
Minutes
– August 20, 2008
Assembly time: 7:00 PM.
Present: Carol Andrews, Sandy Robinson, Tom Taylor Nan Schwartz, Rich Cook
Guests: Jim Bissonette, Craig Gebo, Dick Buhlman
1.0 Approval of Minutes: Minutes from June 18th and June 30th, July 16th - Sandy made a motion to approve, Tom seconded, all voted in favor.
2.0 Old Business:
2.1 Dredge and Fill Committee – Washington Lake Association members Jim Bissonette, Craig Gebo and Dick Buhlman came in as agents for the association to present a Dredge and Fill application for a project to dredge the cove at the beach area of Island Pond. They explained that the original subdivision was done 40 years ago, by Garafoli, and the road, beach and mooring area was constructed at that time. They said the mooring area, which is in an inlet cove for the lake, has silted in over time and boats tend to mix up the silt and weeds when they use the area. They want to do a deep drawdown of the lake and excavate the mooring area 1 and a half to 2 feet deeper. DES has asked them to address the erosion that has caused the silting into that area. They plan to fix the concrete pad on the boat ramp at the same time. They stated that the mooring area has deeded rights for back lot owners (of which there are approximately 60). There are now 15 to 20 mooring sites and they are not looking to increase the number of sites. They stated they may have to cut a few trees to get in with the excavating equipment and they will replant them later. The excavated material will be hauled out at least 75 feet and given to willing homeowners. They see it as a 2-day job, taking out 500 yards of material. They are hoping we will be supportive of the project and they wish to get it done this fall. We discussed going out to take a look at they project. We will meet at 9AM by the beach area. Carol has had some calls with concerns about the project, we wondered if they have a build out plan or if they might put in a dock.
2.2 Energy
Committee – Johanna was sick and not able to report on the Energy
Committee activities.
2.3 Forestry
Committee – Aileen Ruggles Chute sent a resignation letter as chair of
the Forestry Committee to the Selectmen with her thoughts about the committee
and its future. The Selectmen asked for our comments. We think that if they
want to dissolve, as Aileen suggested, it has to go before Town Meeting. Tom
suggested that either the Selectmen should call a meeting and chair it or
select someone to chair the meeting. Carol will write them an email recommending
Tom Taylor be put in as chair for the first meeting so they can meet and make
some decisions. We feel that a viable Forestry Committee is important and we
are willing to help in any way. Tom will contact the present members to see if
they are still active and interested.
2.4 NRI Maps and Conservation Plan – Chris Kane is updating the Cultural/Historical map with all the new information we gleaned from people and will get it to Carol soon. Sandy suggested that we all make edits on Chris's version of the NRI report and get it out there. Everyone should go to our website and check out the newest maps and the report. http://www.washingtonnh.org/WCC_Html/NRICP.html
The sad news on Tipping
Rock, as per Ed Thayer, Charlene Cobb and Phil Barker, is that it is indeed in
Bradford, just over the Town Line. Carol and Rich went out and got a GPS point
for the rock but the perambulators need to do GPS points for the Town Line to
confirm its location.
2.5 DiCaprio subdivision – Our
letter to the Planning Board is about ready to go. Sandy made a motion to send
it, Tom seconded, all in favor.
2.6 Grant writing meeting – We need to plan a meeting about writing a grant for a display at Old Home Day in 2009. Tom suggested we do a trails maps showing all the trails in town also. Meeting could be on September 25th, possibly. The first grant deadline is September 15th but there are two other dates for applications.
2.7 New Shoreland Protection Act
Informational Presentation – It is all arranged to have Jason Aube from
DES come do the presentation on September 6th at 6PM at Camp Morgan
Lodge. Nan put up posters around town. We hope to have a good turnout.
2.8 Adopt-a-Highway trash pick up
– We planned a date to pick up trash for Sunday, September 7th.
We will meet at the Library parking lot at 9AM. Nan will send out an email to
see who else can be there.
3.0 New Business:
3.1 Carol will ask Sandy if she can conduct the next meeting because she knows she will be away that date. If Sandy can't be there we will reschedule.
4.0 WhatÕs
Happening in Nature?
Nan reported that there is a juvenile double crested cormorant living and fishing in the East Washington Mill Pond. He, unlike the Canada geese, is not afraid of the swan decoys and actually loves to perch on their backs. There has been a lot of trouble with Canada geese on the other lakes in town this year. Carol thinks we scared them all away from Mill Pond and they settled in the other ponds and lakes. Check out our '"hat's New in Nature?' page to find out more about the visiting cormorant and some tips to discourage geese - click here: http://www.washingtonnh.org/WCC_Html/NewinNature.html
5.0 Other Business: None
6.0 Correspondence:
Urban
Forestry Center- community Needs Assessment Survey. Carol completed the survey
DES
Notice of Administrative completeness- File #2008-01300 Girard Limited
Partnership, Nuthatch Way
UVLSRPC
Newsletter
Sullivan
County Conservation District- Twilight Pond Clinic in Plainfield July 31st
DES File# 2008-0049 Scarneo application to replace a pre-existing permanent pier with a 6' x 50' seasonal pier and dredge 21.5 cu yd from 1045 sq ft of lakebed or an average of 500 ft of frontage on Highlena Lake will go before Governor and Executive Council
Aileen
Chute's letter of resignation as Forestry Committee Chair forwarded from the
Selectmen
Planning
Board Capital Improvement Plan letter
Saint
Benedict Center letter
7.0 Adjourned at 8:45 PM, our next scheduled meeting is September 17th at 7 PM at the Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Nan Schwartz
Secretary