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Warner Conservation Commission Minutes of Meeting May 6, 2009
Attending:
Nancy Martin, Brian Hotz, John Dabuliewicz, Russ St. Pierre, Doug
Allen, Chris Connors, Mimi Wiggin, and Jim McLaughlin (recording).
Also Margaret Watkins.
Absent:
Peg Bastien.
Site
Walk on Ashendon State Forest
Prior
to the regular meeting, beginning at 4:30 P.M., members of the
Commission participated in a site walk at Ashendon State Forest with
staff of three State agencies - DRED’s Forest Management Program,
Division of Historic Resources, and Fish and Game. The purpose of this
outing was to hear about the plan for and see the areas that will be
subject to a timber harvest operation beginning in late summer. The
walk concluded at 7:00 P.M.
Approval
of Minutes of the April 1, 2009 Meeting
The
minutes of the meeting of April 1, 2009 were approved as submitted.
Conservation
Plan
Margaret
Watkins described her test of the draft survey of community views on
conservation and natural resource issues with nine persons in Warner.
The Commission discussed and changed the wording of several questions
to improve their clarity and meaning. Jim will alert Dick Cutting on
receiving the survey from Margaret so he can put it on the Town’s
web site. Responses will be forwarded to Margaret.
The
survey will be mailed out to all Warner residents. Drop off points for
completed surveys, include Sugar River Bank, Bookends, Hamilton’s,
and Town Hall Clerk. Brian agreed to pick up surveys the last week of
May, and Jim to pick them up after that. June 22 is the deadline set
for surveys. Margaret said she is still working on a final cost figure
for the survey printing and mailing, but estimated it at $780. She
will finalize this number shortly. The $50 for the prize drawing from
among survey respondents will be charged against the WCC operating
budget.
Margaret
proposed an addition to the scope of the Plan by including the NH
Natural Services Network analysis, a result of work by the Jordan
Institute and the NH Audubon Society. The Natural Services Network
addresses four components: water supply lands, flood storage lands,
productive soils, and important wildlife habitat. This GIS-based tool
identifies lands that provide important ecological services that are
difficult and expensive to replicate. Loss of these services affects
human health, safety, quality of life, and economic opportunity.
Margaret said this analysis would provide a more regional context of
these resources with connections to adjoining towns. The Commission
voted to add this component to the Plan.
Margaret
then proposed adding another piece - a connectivity model component,
also a GIS element, which focuses on mapping wildlife corridors, using
a methodology that has met with much initial success as a predictor of
wildlife movements across the landscape. The cost for the connectivity
model work will be an additional $1,100 - $1,200. The Commission also
agreed that this would enhance the credibility of the Plan and decided
to include it in the scope.
A
motion was made and seconded to increase the total amount of funding
committed to this project to cover the survey and the connectivity
model analysis by up to $2,000. This motion was approved unanimously.
There was general agreement to cover survey mailing costs out of the
operating budget.
Jim
Mitchell Park
Jim
McLaughlin reported that Neil Nevins couldn’t come tonight, but that
he wanted to convey to the Commission the importance of this small
piece of open space in Town.
Ashendon
State Forest site walk
The
group discussed the walk and agreed that the State’s plan for the
harvest was a sensible one and allayed fears of extensive clear
cutting, especially on steep slopes. This site walk was a very useful
experience in explaining the details of the planned harvest to Town
officials so that when the actual timber operations begin, there will
be local knowledge available to address the inevitable questions and
concerns coming from landowners and the public.
Land
Protection
Bound
Tree Parcel
- Brian reported that the survey on this property is still not
complete. There is one boundary segment that is a problem and a site
visit is planned with the Stones, the abutting landowner and the
surveyor to try and resolve it.
Wetlands
Issues
Chris
explained the process she uses to query the DES web site to find out
about permit applications for wetland alterations or for projects
involving shoreland properties that have been filed or are in the
approval process at DES. She emailed this information to WCC members.
Discussed several wetlands issues in Warner that are currently in the
works. Since Chris is leaving the Commission, Russ agreed to assume
the role of wetlands permit monitor.
WCC
Membership
Nancy
advised that Chris’ departure creates a full member vacancy on the
Commission. Nancy has a name of someone who she intends to ask about
their interest in being appointed by the Selectmen. No other names
were suggested.
Newspaper
Article
Chris
offered to write an article on New Hampshire water issues.
Planning
Board
Jim
reported that the Planning Board approved Warner Aggregates’ site
plan review for an occasional construction machine auction. Also
approved was a two lot subdivision on East Joppa Road, abutting the
Bound Tree property.
Chris
reported that the second visioning session held by the Board as part
of the Master Plan update was very positive in balancing the need for
development with preserving the natural and other qualities that make
Warner a special place.
Other
Business
Mimi
suggested that the site walk experience with the State representatives
on Ashendon State Forest could be an example that the Chandler
Reservation Trustees might choose to follow when timber harvests are
planned. This would help educate the public on this important Town
activity. John agreed to ask Steve Hall, one of the Trustees, about
planned harvest activities.
The
next meeting is June 3, 2009.
Meeting
adjourned at 8:45 P.M.
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