Warner Conservation Commission

Minutes of Meeting 

April 1, 2009

Attending:  Nancy Martin, Brian Hotz, John Dabuliewicz, Russ St. Pierre, Doug Allen, Chris Connors, Peg Bastien, and Jim McLaughlin (recording). Also Margaret Watkins.

Absent: Mimi Wiggins.

Approval of Minutes of the March 4, 2009 Meeting

The minutes of the meeting of March 4, 2009 were approved as submitted.

Conservation Plan

Margaret Watkins led a discussion of the process she intends to follow in developing a Conservation Plan for Warner. A survey of community views with regard to natural resource issues will be sent to town residents. Margaret will send out a list of questions to members for comment. Also discussed having the survey on the Town’s web site. Jim will check with Dick Cutting on the site’s ability to have answers the questions submitted electronically.

John agreed to update the list of WCC members and their addresses, email, and telephone numbers.

Margaret described other outreach efforts of meeting with up to three focus groups. Suggested topics for these groups were: recreational trails, logging issues, shoreline protection and water access for recreation.

There was a discussion about how to present the natural resources inventory in the plan. The conclusion was that rather than use all subwatersheds as the organizing basis, that larger areas would be more appropriate. These were:  the Mink Hills, the Warner River and its immediate drainage area, and Stevens Brook, Willow Brook and Schoodac Brook watersheds.

Brian offered to provide Margaret with a copy of the Schoodac Brook Study done by The Nature Conservancy. Margaret plans on meeting with the Commission in July.

Town Meeting

Discussed the appropriation of $30,000 voted at Town Meeting to the conservation fund. Nancy attended a meeting hosted by Ausbon Sargent of communities they serve. On the topic of town meeting actions, Warner was the only town that voted to appropriate money for conservation.

Brian suggested that one of the factors is that some of these towns have substantial conservation funds and have not been aggressive in using their resources to protect land. Warner’s approach is to spend the money as effectively as possible, thus demonstrating successes to the community.

Land Protection

Bound Tree Parcel - Brian reported that the survey on this property is still not complete. There are a few minor issues to be addressed. All other pieces are ready to go.

Other - Brian has yet to meet with Bob Bower, but plans to after syrup season is over. While the Bower farm is the next major priority, there was some discussion about setting aside a portion of the fund to respond to other projects, such as gifts requiring administrative and/or survey fees to make happen.

Wetlands 

Jim reported that the planning Board will be taking up Warner Aggregates’ site plan review for a construction machine auction activity on the parcel near the Interstate. Chris pointed out that since this represents a new activity, Mr. Herrick needs to apply for a revised alteration of terrain permit. Chris didn’t think that he was aware of this fact and offered to contact him. Jim said he would advise Barbara Annis of this.

The next meeting is May 6, 2009.  Meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M.