CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING

 

DATE: January 12, 2005

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: Larry Cook, Brett St. Clair, Darlene Jarvis, Mel Gendron, George Holt, Ron Jarvis, Rick Kiah, Matt Lavey, Mark Wamser, Margaret Watkins

 

MEMBERS ABSENT: Stan Sowle

 

MINUTES: December’s minutes were accepted

 

PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING UPGRADES TO THE SCENIC ROAD OF GILE HILL

 

This hearing was scheduled by the Conservation Commission because it is charged with overseeing scenic roads.  On a scenic road no road improvements that involve removal of stone walls or cutting of trees larger than 15” in circumference or more, 4’ above the ground, may occur prior to a public hearing and permission from the Conservation Commission.

 

The Chan family is seeking approval of a plan to sub-divide their acreage into 5 lots: a lot on which their present home is located, one lot to remain in open space (40+-acres), and 3 buildable lots with frontage on Gile Hill Road.  Jacques Belanger, who has drawn up the sub-division, explained what upgrades to the road are being considered.  These were arrived at by members of the Planning Board, a Selectman, and Conservation Commission members on a site walk on November 13, 2004.  At that time it was determined that it was reasonable to increase the width of the travel way on the Class VI section of road to 18 feet.  Doing so will result in the loss of a minimal number of large trees.  Most stonewalls are outside of this width and therefore would not be impacted.  Only where a turnaround is planned near the Chan’s drive will a stonewall need to be relocated.

 

Three townspeople who live on the road or nearby attended this hearing.  The following concerns were voiced by them and Commission members:

 

The steep grade and narrowness of a portion of the Class V section of the road affects safe passage now.  In general the Conservation Commission has been circumvented in the past resulting in a loss of scenic qualities on other scenic roads throughout town.  In order to preserve these qualities on Gile Hill and other roads the Commission may need to draft a “scenic road standard”.  In addition, to insure that work done on Gile Hill is as specified, at least one resident should monitor the work as it is being done. 

 

Brett St. Clair made a motion to keep the record open for 7 days in order to accept written comments and to deliberate and make a decision at the Conservation Commission’s February meeting.  Motion passed.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Kimball Pond Phase III

 

Brett St. Clair reported that most requirements set forth by organizations funding this purchase have been met.  The commission will have acquired title insurance at a cost of $2375.00.  Paul McDonald has registered the deed.

 

Status of local projects/Wetlands Bureau updates

 

Sanchez (off Old Hopkinton Road) – DES has approved a dredge and fill request to create a wildlife pond in the area the landowner preferred 

 

Flagstone Properties (Everett Dam Road) – DES has approved a wetland crossing to access a new lot 

 

Stich (Long Pond Road) – DES has approved wetland crossing to access a new lot

 

LaMarca (Jewett Road) – DES has approved an after the fact application for dredge and fill of a fire pond

 

Mattil (Gorham Pond Road) – landowner is developing a restoration plan to lessen the impact of removing trees, etc. along the shore of the pond

 

2005 operating budget

 

Larry Cook submitted a budget totaling $4,590.00 in order to cover the cost of gates and hardware for Legache and Whipple Road in addition to annual NHACC dues and the Kimball Pond dam registration fee, trail maintenance, etc.  Larry will meet with the Selectmen on January 13th to review the Commission’s budget.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

February walk in Kuncanowet Natural Area

 

Margaret Watkins asked Commission members if they had any objections to the Piscataquog Watershed Association’s organization of a morning hike on February 19, 2005.  Members had none.  Anyone interested in participating is welcome to join the group which will meet at the Everett Dam Road entrance at 10 AM.

 

Luksza property

 

On December 20, 2004, a foreclosure auction notice appeared in the Manchester Union Leader for Lot D5-1-2, which is located on the west side of the Great Meadows.  The notice listed Brian Little as the mortgage holder and David Pellenz as the attorney handling the foreclosure.  The owner was not mentioned, but Town records indicated that it was Tom Luksza.  Larry Cook stated that he began to investigate bidding at the auction in order that the Commission might acquire the land to annex to the Kimball Pond Conservation Area.

 

On January 6, 2005, Larry met with the Board of Selectmen who expressed their support for bidding at the auction.

 

On January 12, 2005, the Selectmen authorized a $5,000.00 check be cut to enable Larry to bid at the auction and to serve as a deposit contingent upon a successful bid for the property and the Conservation Commission holding a public hearing and approving the purchase.  Larry, George Holt, and Ken Swayze attempted to attend the auction, but were unable to locate the proceedings or reach any of the parties involved until after the auction had concluded.  Brian Little and David Pellenz were the only attendees at the auction.

 

A motion was made that the Conservation Commission continue to pursue acquiring Lot D5-1-2 in order to annex it to the Kimball Pond Conservation Area.  Members approved the motion.  The next meeting is expected to include a public hearing on the expenditure of funds from the conservation fund for the purchase.      

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

Received from Office of Energy and Planning – a letter and monitoring report from Peter Helm who hiked a portion of the area (primarily east of Legache Hill and the northern section of Whipple Road) with Ron Jarvis and Mel Gendron in December.  Peter is sending the monitoring report to DRED and LCHIP

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

January 19, 2005 – Public hearing to accept the Master Plan

 

NEXT MEETING: February 9, 2005, 7:30 PM

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: Darlene M. Jarvis