Washington Conservation Commission

Minutes –November 20, 2019

 

Assembly time: 7:00 PM, Town Hall

 

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

Visitors: None

 

1.0    Approval of Minutes: October minutes - No changes were suggested, Jed made a motion to approve the minutes as amended, Arin seconded the motion and all voted in favor.

 

2.0   Permits Committee  - New: None

Previous: Chidester - Arin received a copy of a letter from DES saying that they needed a date on the attached check, the application is under technical review. She noticed activity on the site, across the stream and will let the BoS know about it.

Camp Morgan Beach and field project - Jed reported that P&R intends to do the field work next year. Aaron Weschler reached out to him for information. They are still coordinating with DES and trying to figure out the best way forward on the dredging question.

Mill Pond dredging - Jed said that Aaron Weschler is going to speak with DES about options and have a meeting with them. Arin said she thinks it would be best if someone from the town attending the meeting, she would be happy to go if needed.

Ayers Pond Bridge project - Jed said that Ed has put the project off until next year. We should check the site to make sure it is ready for winter.

Ashuelot Pond Dam project - Arin said it was permitted and Jed said it is done.

Longval wetland issue –We are working on a better outcome.

           

3.0   Committee and Board reports:

3.1   Land Protection Committee – Jed said that he heard from Sophie at NEFF and they have passed on the Barker project, she suggested he speak with SPNHF about it and he called Brian Hotz who will get back to him. Nan said that we should speak with Anne McBride from Monadnock Conservancy about it.

3.2   Energy Committee – Johanna reported that all members attended the Local Energy Solutions conference. She attended sessions on siting EV charging stations and community projects such as solar for low-medium income residents and non-profits. The others attended different workshops. She will bring some of the material she got at the conference to share next month. Andrew is coordinating with Eversource to have an energy audit done on the old Schoolhouse to come up with energy strategies for the building. Johanna said she road tested an electric vehicle at the conference.

3.3   Planning Board – Nan reported they are holding a public hearing on a petitioned addition to the LUO concerning RVs. They got a petition article to allow people to live in RVs on their property for 183 days a year (if they put in a septic system). The hearing will be held on Monday, December 16th at 7pm.

3.4   Forestry Committee – No news.

3.5   Legislative update  - No news but Arin reported that she heard an NHPR report about interest in changing the current use law; we should keep our eyes on the issue.

 

4.0   Public Presentations and workshops:       

4.1   Annual NHACC Meeting and Conference - Nan said she didn't attend the annual meeting and conference because she had a conflict but they have some of the presentations online.

 

5.0   New Business:

5.1   Merger of Chute and Old Meadow Town Forest properties – We are holding off on this for now.

5.2   Johnson property in East Washington – Arin asked Jed about the status of the tax-hold property. Jed said that there may be a lien on the property and he will look into it. Arin asked if all the other properties sold in the tax sale, Jed said that all sold except a buyer backed out of one sale.     

 

6.0   Other Business:

6.1   Trails and Recreation Guide Booklet – Nan said she and Arin didn’t get together yet because of a time conflict. She will get the materials out and look at where we are with it. Jed will talk to Don and Tom about the Snowmobile chapter and see what they might want included. Nan said we should at least have a map of the state feeder trails included. Nan and Arin will get together after the holidays.

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 2019 – This is a placeholder.

6.4   Tracking Invasive Plants project – Arin said DES was supposed to come out and pull the Spotted Knapweed but she looked and it is still there. This is not a good time to do it now so maybe they will come out in the spring.

The reporting sheets and guides are always available here: InvasiveProject.html  

6.5   Arin said she would like to come up with a way to keep track of what we need to do according to the new rules on wetland permitting. She also said that the ‘Trails for People and Wildlife Planning Guide’ that we received a copy of is a wonderful new resource about planning and siting trails.

 

 

7.0   What’s Happening in Nature?

Jed said it is cold and we had a few days of temperatures in the single numbers.

Arin said what snow we have had so far is sticking around.

She said that Shayne and Phil saw a bobcat with a housecat in its mouth on Faxon Hill Road. She saw a big buck on Rte. 31.

Johanna reported seeing bobcat scat on her driveway and she met the two newest members of the beaver family when they popped out of the water. She also saw a bald eagle when it flew over her car on Rte. 202 after it checked out some road kill.

Nan said it is time to put out your birdfeeders again. To find out more about timing on hanging your bird feeders, click here: NewinNature.html

 

8.0   Correspondence:  

DES Notice of acceptance of Shoreland permit for Callender

            RFMI response to DES Re: Millen Pond beach project (#2019-01669)

            ‘Trails for People and Wildlife Planning Guide’

            Copy of DES - Chidester wetlands application correspondence

Adopt-a-Highway thank you for renewing and copy of signed forms

 

9.0   Adjourned at 8:25PM, our next meeting will be Wednesday, December 18^th at 7PM at TH.

 

Respectfully submitted,           

Nan Schwartz, Secretary