Warner Conservation Commission

Minutes of Meeting

February 4, 2009

Attending:  Nancy Martin, John Dabuliewicz, Russ St. Pierre, Chris Connors, Peg, Bastien, Doug Allen, Mimi Wiggin, and Jim McLaughlin (recording).

Absent: Brian Hotz.

 

Approval of Minutes of the January 7, 2009 Meeting

The minutes of the meeting of January 7, 2009 were approved as submitted.

Natural Resources Inventory (NRI)

Jim reported that the public presentation of the NRI by Dan Sundquist is set for tomorrow evening at 7:00 P.M.

Conservation Plan

Jim distributed copies of a draft outline for the Conservation Plan. A number of suggested changes were offered. One was to organize the summary of natural resources by watershed within the town. Chris urged that recreation be a major component in the plan. It was suggested that the plan include an analysis of the Town’s open space development regulations. Following this discussion, Jim agreed to revise the outline and send it around for further comment. It was understood that this is only a preliminary guide for the consultant who will be hired to assist the Commission in developing the plan. Brian and Jim will prepare a letter to a number of consultants to request proposals. 

 

NH Water Resource Primer

Peg gave a brief explanation of a new initiative by DES to inform policy makers and residents about the state’s water resources and the challenges of sustainably managing them. This is a primer and survey available on DES’ web site. Peg said the Primer identifies four primary challenges to sustainable water management in NH: 1) Landscape changes and increased demand for water related to population and economic growth; 2) Climate change - increasing temperature, more frequent and intense storms, etc.; 3) Aging and inadequate water infrastructure, in wastewater, drinking water, stormwater and dams; and 4) Information needs for water quantity and quality data collection, analysis and management. 

Land Protection

Courser Phase 3 - Nancy read a letter of thanks from the Courser family to the Conservation Commission for its financial support in securing conservation easements on the Courser farmlands.

Bound Tree Parcel - Brian’s report was that the survey on this property is almost complete and no real boundary problems have surfaced. The walk on this property is set for February 14, at 9:00 A.M.

McCausland - Nancy reported that road work in connection with the rebuilding of the Connors Mill Road will not impact the parcel of land on which the Town holds an conservation easement. Bank grading will occur on the opposite side of the road.

Other Business

Newsletter article - Peg offered to do an article on the State’s water resources primer.

Planning Board - Jim described a request from the Planning Board that the Commission review areas in the land use regulations which need to be looked at and revisions suggested. One major area of concern mentioned was groundwater protection. They want comments by the end of February.

The next meeting is March 4, 2009.

Meeting adjourned at 8:23 P.M.