Washington  Conservation Commission

 

Minutes- August 17, 2005

 

 

Assembly time: 7:00 PM.

Present: Sandy Robinson (chairing for Carol), Peter France, Nan Schwartz, Tom Taylor, John Highland.

 

1.0   Approval of Minutes:  approved as printed motion by Peter, seconded by Tom.

 

2.0   Old Business: 

2.1  Dredge and Fill Committee- We received a notice from the state that the minimum impact wetlands permit sought by the Saint Benedict Center & the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was rejected by DES and a standard dredge and fill permit application will be required. No other new business.

2.2 Discussion about the presentation at the Planning Board meeting on August 9th. Several Conservation Commission members were able to attend. Jody Connor from DES spoke about watershed overlay districts and storm water management to protect lake quality. A question for us to research is - what percentage of our tax base is water front property?  Anyone interested in the issue can contact Jody Connor at DES 271-3414, jconnor@des.state.nh.us

2.3 Roadside Cleanup is scheduled for August 19th meet behind the Town Hall at 9 a.m.  Three people have said they can be there. 

2.4  August 29th Conservation Easement gathering at the CookÕs at 6 p.m. Brian Hotz, a land protection specialist at the Forest Society will give an informative talk. Discussion about food and guests- it was suggested that we phone or visit those who are interested in knowing about easements for their properties in order to invite them to the gathering. We decided on serving desserts and maybe some other finger foods. Sandy will arrange who will bring what. Everyone should let her or Carol know who will be attending.           

2.5   WhatÕs happening in nature? July was the 2nd hottest in NH history. Peter took 2 groups on hikes recently on the Williams property up to Stoddard Rocks. One of the kids found 56 Red Efts and 2 Red Backed Salamanders during the hike. They also surprised a sleeping moose along the trail, who leapt up and ran, which was quite a sight. Tom was hiking the north slope of Lowell Mountain and came upon a Goshawk who was nesting nearby. He said it was like Pearl Harbor, the hawk was swooping and attacking to protect its nest. Tom also watched a Loon swimming totally underwater on Millen Pond.

 

3.0   Natural Resource Inventory: Rick Van de Poll will get a proposal to us soon (heÕs been out of town).

 

4.0  New Business: None

 

4.0   Correspondence:

DES Notice of Disqualified Permit by Notification for the Saint Benedict Center- they cannot use the PBN, and must submit a Standard Dredge and Fill Permit.

      Smart Growth Survey from NH Council on Resources and Development

      Weston & Sampson Engineers, Inc.- discarded

      Copy of Minimum Impact Expedited Application for Road Agent project

      Cc of Letter from Donald R. Mellen Surveyor, LLC to DES regarding a revised plan for Map 25, Lot 92, 1903 Valley Road, new foundation in violation of Shoreland Protection Act.

 

5.0  Other Business Š We will ask the Planning Board if they would like a working meeting or some kind of support from the Con Comm.

6.0   Adjournment:  8:00 PM.                   

7.0 Next Meeting Date: September 21st at 7:00 PM at the Town Hall.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Nan Schwartz

Secretary