Warner Conservation Commission

Minutes of Meeting

May 7, 2008


Attending:  Nancy Martin, John Dabuliewicz, Brian Hotz, Russ St. Pierre, and Jim McLaughlin (recording).

Approval of Minutes of April 2, 2008
The minutes of the meeting of April 2, 2008 were approved as submitted.

WCC Membership
Jim asked for suggestions of anyone who may be interested in appointment to the Commission to fill Ted Young’s vacant position. Currently there are no candidates being considered by the Selectmen. Several names were offered and Jim will send out an email asking other members for ideas. Also the Selectmen are waiting for a recommendation on moving one of the alternates, Russ or Peg, to full membership. Nancy will check with Peg about her interest, since she is the senior member.

Natural Resources Inventory (NRI)
Brian advised that Dan Sundquist is well along with the written report and should have a draft for review shortly. The feeling was that if this work could be completed within the next month, then a final document and inventory could be completed by summer, so that the next phase, work on a conservation plan, can begin in the fall. Brian also said that a partial bill has been sent out to the Town for payment under our agreement with the Forest Society.

Land Protection
Kearsarge Mountain Road landowner - Brian continues to follow developments on this property.
Mink Hills landowner - Brian has met with landowners of several tracts in the Newmarket Road area about possible conservation easements and is encouraged by their interest. 
He also indicated upcoming meetings with two other landowners about possible land protection.
Discussed the Courser Phase 3 project. Brian said that Ausbon Sargent LPT is working on a corrective easement deed. Any plans for a public event/walk should wait for a final draft of the easement document to be available.

Wetlands Issues
Brian reported on a timber harvest operation near Simmons Pond , part of the property being in Sutton and part in Warner. DES is investigating possible wetlands violations. Also timber was reportedly cut on 20 acres, not belonging to the landowner who authorized the harvest.
A complaint was received by Brian by phone about yard waste dumping near a stream. Jim to follow up.

Meeting adjourned at 7:55 P.M.