CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING

DATE: May 12, 2004

MEMBERS PRESENT: Larry Cook, Brett St. Clair, Darlene Jarvis, George Holt, Matt Lavey, Margaret Watkins

MEMBERS ABSENT: Ron Jarvis

MINUTES: April’s minutes were accepted

At 7:30 PM Larry Cook opened the required PUBLIC HEARING to discuss plans by Public Service of NH (PSNH) to trim and remove trees along scenic roads. PSNH representative, Dave Crane, was present. Mr. Crane is supervising the work in Dunbarton and explained the specifications which PSNH uses in deciding which trees shall be removed. He provided everyone with the list of “hazard” trees on scenic roads which are over 15” in circumference and scheduled for removal. Dave said he is happy to leave the lower portion of a tree standing if it is being used by wildlife (i.e. nesting site). Asplund, the company which is cutting for PSNH, has been instructed to contact every landowner in an attempt to honor their wishes. Dave made note of the fact that Line Hill Road needs to be added to PSNH’s list of scenic roads. He stated that only along Guinea were there a number of healthy trees which would be cut due to a new pole location. Guinea Road landowners have already given PSNH the necessary approval to cut. Residents in attendance were invited to ask questions after which the Conservation Commission (CC) unanimously voted to allow PSNH to trim and remove the trees on scenic roads as long as landowners were contacted and wildlife was taken into consideration.

OLD BUSINESS:

Development of local golf course

Don Lane of the Watch Hill Development Group informed the CC that development plans should be coming from the Department of Environmental Services (DES) soon. He stated that a decision will need to be made regarding who will oversee the easement on the natural area. Therefore, Don suggested that he lead the CC on a site visit. (See upcoming events)

Status of local projects/Wetland Bureau updates

Keefe development

A letter has been drafted to the building inspector regarding conditions of approval that have not been met. The CC has not been provided a copy of an easement nor any baseline documentation yet lots are being marketed.

Milfoil

Brett St. Clair and George Holt handed out a policy draft on milfoil control. Margaret shared information gleaned from Ken Warren of DES who feels that not treating Gorham Pond until 2005 is acceptable. Ken stated that DES believes that only Gorham Pond is presently infested. However, he explained that Kimball Pond is particularly vulnerable because it is very shallow.

Alternate members

Four residents attended the meeting in response to an article expressing the commission’s need for alternate members to serve on the commission.

NEW BUSINESS:

Wetland Bureau application

NH Traditional Homes wishes to construct a long driveway to create access to a single family home off of Montelona Road. The site has been visited. The commission has concluded that impacting 12,600 square feet of wetland is excessive.

Erosion on Tenney Hill Road

Lee Martel discussed the presence of sedimentation in the stream and his pond which stems from the point where the power lines intersect Tenney Hill east of his home. The large volume off water running down the access road under the power line seems to be the culprit. George Holt volunteered to assess the problem and bring it to the Selectmen’s attention.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

May 15, 2004 – site walk of Countryside Golf Course with Don Lane of Watch Hill Development, meet in parking lot at 8:00 AM

NEXT MEETING: June 9, 2004, 7:30PM

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: Darlene M. Jarvis