CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING

 

DATE: April 13, 2005

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: Larry Cook, Brett St. Clair, Darlene Jarvis, Mel Gendron,

George Holt, Ron Jarvis, Rick Kiah, Matt Lavey, Margaret Watkins  

 

MEMBERS ABSENT: Stan Sowle, Mark Wamser     

 

MINUTES: Minutes from March were accepted

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Road upgrades to the scenic road of Gile Hill

 

Mr. Chan and his lawyer met with the Selectmen on April 7, 2005 to ask what upgrades to the road will be required.  Larry Cook and Brett St. Clair attended this meeting.  Larry reported that the Selectmen eventually decided the travel way should be 18 feet wide with two foot shoulders for a total width of 22 feet rather than the total width of 18 feet agreed upon by representatives of the Planning Board and Conservation Commission on the November 13th site walk.  A scenic road public hearing followed on January 12th where Larry Cook explained the upgrades agreed upon on the site walk and residents in attendance were given an opportunity to voice their opinions.  At the Conservation Commission’s next meeting a motion was made to allow the road to be widened to a maximum width of 18 feet including the shoulders.  (See Conservation Commission minutes from February 9, 2005)

 

Mr. Chan was present due to the Selectmen’s recent decision outlined above.  He said he is concerned that an emergency vehicle be able to reach his home but also stated that he does not want to see the character of the road changed.  He said his family probably enjoys the road more than anyone else as they often walk the length of it to retrieve their mail.  He said the reason he expects to donate his 44 acre lot to the Town/Conservation Commission is to see it preserved as it is.  Mr. Chan then requested that the Commission hold another public hearing in light of the wider roadway requested by the Selectmen.

 

George Holt moved that the Conservation Commission hold another public hearing regarding upgrading Gile Hill Road.  Brett St. Clair seconded the motion and the motion carried.  Notices will again be posted as required.  The hearing will take place on May 11, 2005 at 7:00 PM in the Town offices.

 

Status of local projects/Wetlands Bureau updates

 

NH Traditional Homes/Michael Poirier (Grapevine Road) - minimum impact application has been withdrawn and a standard application submitted.  Having visited the site members agreed that access on the corner at the stream is not the least impacting.  A letter will be drafted to express our concerns.

 

Whittier (Route 13) - Pond was dredged but no application filed with the Wetlands Bureau.  A letter will be sent to Mr. Whittier to suggest he file an after the fact application and suggest that he can get assistance in completing the form from the Wetlands Bureau.

 

GPS Properties, Inc. (Black Brook Road, Powell Lane, Olde Mill Brook Road) – The sixth condition stipulated in the Planning Board’s approval is worded as follows: “Subject to the Wetlands Conservation District boundary verification by the Conservation Commission”.  George Holt volunteered to contact Ken Swayze.

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Tree planting by Cub Scout troop

 

Jim Harris met with the Commission to ask where we would like to see some 200 white pine seedlings planted.  Since the hardwood seedlings planted several years ago east of the Kimball Pond boat launch died out, members suggested replanting that area.  Seedlings could also be planted in a number of spots along the southern end of Legache Hill Road where dumping and camping has been a problem.

 

Election of officers

 

Ron Jarvis moved that the Commission vote to keep the current slate of officers.  George Holt seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

Board appointments made by Selectmen

 

Larry Cook reported that he and Brett St. Clair were reappointed for a three year term along with the Commission’s four alternates.  However, he stated that the Selectmen did not reappointed George Holt to the Planning Board even though George wished to continue to serve.  Members present, dismayed by the Selectmen’s action, commented that an important linkage between the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission has been severed.

 

Blanding’s turtle talk at the Dunbarton Public library

 

Mike Marchand will discuss the life cycle of this rare turtle on Tuesday, April 19th at 7:00 PM.  Larry, Rick and Darlene volunteered to supply light refreshments.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

 

April 14, 2005 (Thursday) – National Grid contractors, Jeff Crosby (road agent) Stan Sowle and any other available CC members meet at the power lines on Tenney Hill Road to review ongoing erosion problem and necessary remedial actions

 

April 16, 2005 (Saturday) – Post signs (No Fires/No Camping) Meet at Kimball Pond boat launch at 8:00 AM. 

 

April 19, 2005 (Tuesday) – Blanding’s turtle talk at the Dunbarton Public Library at 7:00 PM

 

May 2, 2005 (Monday) – Conservation Commission members meet at 7:30 PM at the Dunbarton Elementary School for a special planning session

 

NEXT  MEETINGS:

 

May 2, 2005, 7:30 PM - Planning Session, Meet at Dunbarton Elementary School   

May 11, 2005, 7:00 PM - Public Hearing on Gile Hill Road upgrades, Town offices

                         7:30 PM - Conservation Commission meeting

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: Darlene M. Jarvis