Washington Conservation Commission
Minutes – October 21, 2020
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 September minutes were approved as written.
2.0 Permits Committee -
New: Neubert – Shoreland permit application accepted by DES, 216 Cove Road, TM 24-116
Previous: Arin said she didnÕt think DES had been out yet on the numerous complaints.
Millen Pond Dam work – The pond is drawn down and work has started on the dam. Arin said the coffer dam is in place.
Barkie/Colette - Complaint of violations, TM 12-69, over clearing of waterfront zone, we sent a letter on this, several neighbors also complained.
Mensch - Notice of violation from DES, 38 Lookout Point Road, TM 24-59, expanding a deck without a permit.
Cordeiro – Notice of complaint from DES concerning excavation violations (no permit or erosion control), Arin will reach out and check with DES as there has not been any follow up notice.
Chidester – Arin touched base with DES and they will be coming out soon.
Calabro - Arin drove by and looked at the site. Nan said that Meridian was out to mark the sidelines and found a problem with one abutter.
Camp Morgan Beach and field project – The fieldwork is done and has grown in green. Arin commented that the culvert wasnÕt replaced as it was on the plans. Jed said that the downstream area is filled in and would require digging out to flow properly. They just left the culvert as is. Nan said they accessed the field area from above and didnÕt cross the culvert with heavy trucks. The dredging project is still planned for the future.
Mill Pond dredging – Jed checked in with Aaron Weschler. He is behind on work and hasnÕt focused on this project recently.
Longval wetland issue – Some news.
3.0 Committee and Board reports:
3.1 Land Protection Committee –No news from Anne McBride (Monadnock Conservancy) yet.
3.2 Energy Committee – Johanna said she signed up for a Local Energy Conference and Andrew Hatch is a panelist.
3.3 Planning Board – Nan said the PB is holding a public hearing in the upper hall at Town Hall, on November 17th at 6:30pm, about the changes they are proposing to the LUO. There will be a limit to the number of masked and socially distant attendees and a simultaneous zoom session so people can attend that way.
3.4 Forestry Committee – Jed will speak with Town forester Anita Blakman about the cut.
3.5 Legislative update - No news.
4.0 Public Presentations and workshops:
4.1 Fall Hike – Arin said she promoted the hike lightly but we woke up to snow and wet in the morning so she called it off. We all thought it best to forgo a hike until circumstances with Covic-19are improved.
5.0 New Business:
5.1 NHACC dues for 2021 – Nan said we received an invoice for our 2021 dues for $250. We will wait until next month to vote to pay it.
5.2 NHACC Fall Annual Meeting and Conference - November 7th, it will be online this year from 8AM to Noon, http://www.nhacc.org/annualmeeting50/registration/ If anyone wants to attend we will support it.
6.0 Other Business:
6.1 Trails and Recreation Guide Booklet – Arin and Nan are still working on the booklet. Arin is working on maps and Nan is working on writing and formatting.
Jed and Arin are working on the ATV/UTV map.
6.2 Facebook Page – Arin said she is continuing to post items when she can. To check out the CCÕs 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 – We are past the growth stage but you can still identify plants to report. The reporting sheets and guides are always available here: InvasiveProject.html
7.0 WhatÕs Happening in Nature?
Johanna sent an email to say she has either a juvenile bald eagle or red tailed hawk visiting her property. Her ponds have refilled somewhat from recent rains, to her delight. They had lots of otter activity in the early fall but they are gone now.
Arin said that we have had a beautiful fall and most of the leaves have fallen now. We had measurable snow on October 17th and several frosts and a freeze.
Jed still has lettuce, kale and fall crops growing in the garden.
Arin saw a loon on Millen Pond and saw an eagle fly by. She has seen lots of Wild Turkeys around town.
Jed saw a large Northern water snake near the pond at the Eccardt Farm a couple of weeks ago and he moved it out of the road. He had a Monarch Butterfly visiting the blooming mums along with lots of honeybees and other active pollinators this week.
To find out about the Northern Water Snake, click here: NewinNature.html
8.0 Correspondence:
NHACC – Invoice for dues
DES- notice of acceptance of Shoreland app, Neubert, 216 Cove Rd., TM 24-116
DES – Cyanobacteria Alert for Millen Pond
9.0 Adjourned at 7:55PM, the next meeting is Wednesday, November 18th at 7PM, location to be announced.
Respectfully submitted,
Nan Schwartz, Secretary