Washington Conservation Commission

Minutes – November 18, 2020

 

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

 

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

Visitors: None

 

1.0    Approval of Minutes: the September and October minutes were approved as written.

 

2.0   Permits Committee  -

New: Steiner – PBN Wetlands permit, boathouse pier replacement, beach replenishment

Prentiss – Shoreland permit under review, Ashuelot Drive, TM 10-21

Pellegrini – Shoreland permit, 2191 Valley Road, TM 25-45

Previous: Neubert – Shoreland permit approved, 216 Cove Road, TM 24-116

Millen Pond Dam work – Project is complete.

Barkie/Colette - Complaint of violations, TM 12-69, over clearing of waterfront zone, no follow up notice.

Mensch - Notice of violation from DES, 38 Lookout Point Road, TM 24-59, expanding a deck without a permit, no follow up notice.

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

Calabro – The driveway is in.

Chidester, Millen Pond Road, wetland permit for driveway – They found siltation but it was minimal, vegetation is now in place.

Mill Pond dredging – Jed will check in with Aaron Weschler again. He is behind on work and hasnÕt focused on this project recently.

Longval wetland issue – no news.

           

3.0   Committee and Board reports:

3.1   Land Protection Committee –No news from Anne McBride (Monadnock Conservancy) yet. Jed spoke about someone buying a large lot that might be interested in putting a conservation easement on it.

3.2   Energy Committee – Johanna wasnÕt able to attend the Local Energy Conference but Andrew Hatch was a panelist for it. She hadnÕt heard any news about it.

3.3   Planning Board – Nan said the PB held a public hearing by zoom on November 17th about the changes they are proposing to the LUO. No one attended but they are seeking comments before their December 1st meeting.

3.4   Forestry Committee – Jed will speak with Town forester Anita Blakman about the cut.

3.5   Legislative update  - No news. Arin said that an Alteration of Terrain permit now requires a wildlife study.

 

4.0   Public Presentations and workshops:

4.1   We arenÕt able to do anything with the school or the public for the foreseeable future.

 

5.0   New Business:

5.1   NHACC dues for 2021 – Nan said we received an invoice for our 2021 dues for $250. Johanna made a motion to pay the invoice, Jed seconded, all voted in favor. Nan will give the invoice to the treasurer to pay.

 

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 and have it very close to done. We will include the map and information in the Trail and Rec Guide.

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

6.5   Arin said she went to a Flood plain management presentation, which was very good. She said there have been some changes to the FNIP since the Town passed their ordinance in 2008 an there are new building codes. She said the town should be issuing a Flood plain permit for new building or land disturbance in the flood zone. Arin will send the link to the presentation to Nan.

 

7.0   WhatÕs Happening in Nature?

Johanna said her otter is back in the pond and she sent Nan a picture of him. She saw a Barred Owl this morning along with a Raven. She also had moose foot prints in her driveway.

Jed said it has been really cold this week after some very warm temperatures last week. It was 70¼ for about 5 days (from Nov. 5th to 10th). He saw some small ducks and Mergansers in the pond recently. They were just moving through as they are gone now.

Arin has her bird feeder out now. She has noticed that they usually have only red squirrels around her neighborhood but this year they have gray squirrels too.

Jed said he saved a bunch of seeds from produce to plant next year and they were packed away on a shelf in the greenhouse. He checked the box and something got in and ate a bunch of his seeds. Arin said she has had a mouse problem at her house this year and Nan agreed it has been a problem for her too.

Arin said we have had a few small snowstorms but the ground is bare now around town.

Do you keep seeds to plant next year? To find how best to do it, click here: NewinNature.html

 

8.0   Correspondence:  

DES- notice of notice of administrative review of Carpenter file #2020-01389   

 

9.0   Adjourned at 8:20PM, the next meeting is Wednesday, December 16th at 7PM, location to be announced.

 

Respectfully submitted,           

Nan Schwartz, Secretary