WASHINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Minutes- September 5, 2002

1.0 Assembly: Time 7:00 p.m.

1.1 Present: Sandy Robinson, Carol Andrews, Rich Cook, John Tweedy, Marv Jager, Don Richard, Lionel Chute, Jed and Nan Schwartz, Maura MacNeil, Tom and Gerry Taylor, Doug Kellogg.

2.0 Approval of Minutes: Jed moved that we approve the minutes as printed. Second by John. Motion carried.

3.0 Old Business:

3.1 Dredge and Fill Committee:

Mike and Rich looked at a property on East Washington Road last week.

3.2 OHRVs:

Sandy spoke with Rufford Harrison regarding the latest decisions regarding ATV use in town. The Selectmen have only given permission for ATV’s to operate on a specific section of Valley Road (from the old red store to the Stoddard line). No map has been given to the Selectmen. No other requests have come before the Selectmen. Guy Eaton’s understanding (and reportedly Steve Marshall) is that ATV’s can use class VI roads at their own risk. This opinion is counter to what John Tweedy found out when speaking with Sgt. Bonifant at Fish and Game..

The August 23 issue of the Contoocook Valley Villager reads “The Henniker Selectmen will request the help of town counsel to decide if their decision to allow ATVs on any class VI roads is wise, and if any restrictions can be made. They are concerned the agreement signed at their meeting on August 6 with the ATV club might actually give the town more liability without any means of enforcement.” If the town specifically gives permission, then a 2 million dollar state liability policy applies.

3.3 Adopt-A-Highway:

We have been accepted under the Adopt-A-Highway program for the 2.35 mile section of Route 31 from Lempster Mountain Road to Mad Road. Carol has been in contact with Jim Mitchell of the NH Department of Transportation. We need to have a safety briefing before we can start cleanup. Carol, Sandy, are willing to act as safety coordinators. The safety briefing will consist of a 10-minute session to go over all the rules and regulations that apply to highway cleanup, then he will answer any questions we might have. Jim Mitchell is willing to come to Washington for the briefing. Signs have been ordered for our section of Route 31. We will be required to remove litter 4 times per year under this agreement: April, June, August and October. The agreement expires August 31, 2004. Carol will contact Jim Mitchell to see if he will come to the next meeting.

3.4 The biologist with Natural Heritage Inventory is going to be in Washington sometime late next week. Lionel is suggesting that he look at the area north of Ashuelot, Advent Bog, north end of Halfmoon Pond, and the town property along the brook leaving Halfmoon Pond.

4.0 Natural Resource Inventory:

4.1 Carol mentioned that a fish count for some of the lakes in town might be available soon.

4.2 Lionel mentioned that a bat specialist spent a day studying a property near Twin Bridges. The Small-Footed Bat was found. Lionel to get results of the study.

5.0 New Business: none

6.0 Correspondence:

NH Department of Transportation re: Adopt-A-Highway Program

The National Arbor Day Foundation Video “Tree City USA: Greening America”

NH Department of Environmental Services Wetlands Bureau

· Enforcement action on Cove Road

· Liotta beach replenishment

Deep Conservation News

Statewide Program of Action to Conserve Our Environment newsletter

NH Office of State Planning outdoor recreation survey

NH Lakes Association

UNH Cooperative Extension re: Forest Laws Field Workshops for Municipal Officials

e-mail from Marjory Swope re: dock permits- Con Coms will no longer be notified

7.0 Adjournment: 8:00 p.m.

7.1 Next Meeting Date: October 3 at 7:00 at the Town Hall

Respectfully submitted,

Carol K. Andrews

Secretary

cc: Board of Selectmen

Planning Board