Washington Conservation Commission

Minutes – April 15, 2009

 

Assembly time: 7:00 PM.

 

Present: Carol Andrews, Johanna Young, Lindley Rankine, Arin Mills, Rich Cook, Nan Schwartz, and Tom Taylor

Guests: None

 

1.0    Approval of Minutes: Minutes from March, Rich made a motion to approve, Johanna seconded, all voted in favor.

 

2.0   Old Business:

2.1   Dredge and Fill Committee – Journey's End/WLA cove dredging project is ongoing. Carol reported that they have decided to go forward with the application but they are doing it without the help of their consultant. Dick Bulman is working on it himself.

        Kimball – The permit was found incomplete by DES.

        PSNH has applied for a "permit by notification" wetlands permit to replace a utility pole and support wires on Washington Drive, with 3 square feet of impact. The work will be done from the road. Rich will go take a look at the site on Thursday the 16th.

        Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary – We sent a letter to DES asking for more time to get out and look at the site because there was too much snow pack last month. A committee will go out to look at the site ASAP.

2.2   Adopt a Highway – We set dates to pick up trash on our route for the entire season. Sunday April 26th, Sunday June 28th, Saturday August 22nd, and Saturday October 17th. Nan will send out reminders for each date.

2.3   Vernal Pool Visit – We set the date for our visit for May 2nd, Saturday at 11 AM rain or shine. Arin scouted around and found a good possible spot on Faxon Hill Road at Old Haying Road. She asked if anyone knew of another good one. Tom said he had seen one on the Montfort Retreat property. Carol will contact the landowner and see if they will allow us to visit their property. Carol shared that the Harris Center is conducting a vernal pool workshop on April 25th and she may attend it. Carol asked everyone to keep a lookout for Spotted Salamanders. Carol has a good field guide to vernal pools and Arin had some great printouts that she will copy for handouts for the kids. Arin made a poster to put up around town and post on the website. She will also make copies to hand out at the Elementary School. If everyone could bring any nets, buckets and magnifying glasses you have for the visit that would be helpful. Also, bring cameras to take pictures of the event.

2.4   Planning Board – Nan mentioned the PLAN NH charrette application that was submitted. We should hear the verdict in anytime now. Rich talked about abutter sales and that Brian Dingham and Phil Barker were in to the selectmen inquiring about a lot on the corner of Route 31 and East Washington Road. Tom said he doesn't think that we should be picking and choosing at this point which lots to sell or save because there is no policy in place yet. We all discussed the problems with this and the need to set policy on transfers, mergers, storm water retention, etc. We will send a letter to the Selectmen to ask them to continue the moratorium on the sale of these lots. Nan will draft something and we will send. Nan made a motion, Rich seconded. All voted in favor.

2.5   Energy Committee – Johanna reported that EC members are going to attend the first annual Energy Conference on June 20th put on by the Carbon Coalition. More information here: http://www.carboncoalition.org/Conference/ They have recently bought some DVDs to lend out. National Geographic Society's – "Six Degrees Could Change the World" and a NOVA about solar energy called "Saved by the Sun". They may put them at the library and also ask the Librarian if they would have room for a section of "green" books.

2.6   Carol found out that no new commission appointments needed to be made this year.

 

3.0   Other Business –

3.1   Forestry Committee – Tom discussed the Town Forests and that they in need of having conservation easements put on them in order to fully protect them. We support this idea and are willing to work with them to make it happen, if the Forestry committee wants go forward with this. The Forest Society is working on conservation easements in our area and Carol can request that someone come talk to the Forestry Committee about it. Tom had another issue to discuss about 2 parcels not yet designated as town forest, one is a piece on Nuthatch Way and the other is the meadow piece off Main Street. He feels if they don't qualify as Town Forest they could be designated as conservation land. The Forestry Committee took a big group out to the town forest on Old Marlow Road near Farnsworth Hill. They are considering making some hiking trails out there. He asked our opinion as to whether it is best to put a trail right on the property line or a little further into the property. Carol advised that she thought it was better to stay off the property line and to put them within the property. They want to visit the Bartlett Pond area next. Tom will send out an email next time they go in case anyone would like to join them. Al Krygeris is checking on the deeds for the Town Forest lands for the committee. We also discussed the idea of a merger of the Forestry Committee and the Conservation Commission – the Forestry Committee will continue to discuss at future meetings.

3.2  Nan brought up a notice that was in the local paper about a timber cut that the state is planning to do up in Pillsbury State Park. They are seeking comments from the public. Tom commented that Pillsbury gave the land to the sate with a restriction that it be used for research only and that there may be deed restrictions on the land. Carol will look for the deed. They are looking to do some clear cut areas and provided a map of these areas. We need to comment by April 23rd. Carol will draft a letter about the timber cut. She proposed to do it as an inquiry so they will have to respond. Another issue about Pillsbury was Tom feels that the town provides services (fire and rescue) to Pillsbury and Washington residents have to pay to use the park. We feel this isnŐt fair and hat residents should be able to go there for free or at least at a reduced rate. Rich will have the Selectmen approach NH DRED about the issue.

 

4.0   What's Happening in Nature?

Carol has heard wood frogs chirping and the peepers are starting peep, too.

Erin saw a "Mourning cloak" (a butterfly) near Rochester, NH.

Lindley saw river otters in their pond and said that they had cleaned out the trout they had stocked.

Johanna said that their mallard couple has returned, they come back every year.

Tom said that Ashuelot is teeming with bird life again including herons and loons. He reported that the ice is almost gone.

Rich saw fox in East Washington.

Nan reported that they have lots of new lambs on their farm in East Washington. All are welcome to come and take a look at them.

Johanna saw an owl.

Earth Day is on April 22nd, Wednesday. Go celebrate!

We talked a lot about Vernal Pools, the creatures who rely on them to reproduce and what you might see there. For more information about vernal pools go here: http://www.washingtonnh.org/WCC_Html/NewinNature.html

       

5.0   New Business – None

 

6.0   Correspondence:

   New England Forestry Consultants, Inc. brochure and list of services

   UNH Watershed Ecology Institute brochure

   Nongame program Annual Fund Campaign

   DES notice of Administrative Completeness Standard Dredge and Fill Application file #2009-00460 Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Map 15, Lot 13 & 54

   Statewide Program of Action to Conserve Our Environment newsletter

   NH DOT Adopt-a-Highway program forms

   UNH Cooperative Extension CD entitled "The Importance of Hydroperiod in Wetland Assessment: A guide for community officials, planners, and natural resource professionals

   UNH Cooperative Extension Spring Wildlife Workshop Series:

   Improving Your Land for Wildlife, Friday April 17th, Tamworth

   Vernal Pools and Wetland Wildlife for landowners and professionals, Saturday, May 16th, Gilmanton

   Managind Forestland for Migratory Birds for landowners and professionals, Friday, June 5th, Gilmanton

   Managing Fields for Wildlife for landowners and professionals, Friday June 19th, South Tamworth

   DES notice of Administrative Completeness Standard Dredge and Fill Application file #2009-00418 Adam and Pamela Kimball Map 15, Lot 93

   Email announcement Merrimack River Watershed Wetland Restoration Strategy now posted on the internet www.restoreNHwetlands.com

   Email announcement registration for New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission conference in Portland, ME

        

7.0   Adjourned at 8:35 PM, our next scheduled meeting is May 20th at 7 PM in the Town Hall.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Nan Schwartz

Secretary