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Warner Conservation Commission Minutes of Public Hearing and Meeting August
4, 2010
Attending: John
Dabuliewicz, Doug Allen, Nancy Martin, Scott Warren, Mimi Wiggin, and
Jim McLaughlin (recording).
Minutes
of the Meeting of July 7, 2010
The
minutes of the Meeting of July 7, 2010 were approved as submitted.
Capital
Improvements Program 2011-2016
The
Commission discussed the Town’s CIP and the request that the
Conservation Commission will submit. Nancy advised that she is aware
of a potential for acquiring a conservation easement on 100+ acres in
the Minks. There are also other land protection opportunities that are
waiting in the wings. A motion was made and seconded that the
Commission request the same amount - $50,000 per year as in the past
several years. This motion reflects the group’s evaluation of the
importance of land protection through easement and the fact that
current use tax penalties alone are insufficient, having averaged
about $5,000 per year over the past three years. The group also
acknowledged the economic difficulties and recognized that the
discussion about the annual appropriation requested may end up at a
different level, as it did in 2010 ($20,000). The Commission voted
unanimously in favor of the motion.
ATV
Use of Class 6 Roads
Nancy
reported on the Selectmen’s meeting the night before which focused
on the request of the ATV Club to utilize Class 6 roads in the Mink
Hills. Their proposal is now for a loop involving 3 miles of roads,
down from 8 miles in an earlier version. The Selectmen are considering
this on a trial basis with an end date of December 1, 2011. The
Selectmen made no decision, wanting to notify certain abutters and the
Towns of Henniker and Hopkinton for their views. There was also
consideration of a monitoring process that would be implemented during
this period to assess the impacts of ATV usage on these roads. Other
concerns raised were potential for detrimental impacts on private
property abutting the roads and possible liability incurred by the
Town as a result of its permitting this use. Nancy agreed to follow up
on the monitoring process, with regard to any input the Commission
might be able to contribute.
Conservation
Lands- Gore Farm Conservation Easement
Nancy
advised that Brian Hotz has been in touch concerning payment by the
Town of a bill for some of the administrative costs, primarily for the
survey. Jim agreed to call Brian for details.
Conservation
Plan-Goals and Objectives
John
discussed his intention to draft a letter to the Board of Selectmen
requesting that they coordinate a meeting between the Planning Board
and the Conservation Commission at a PB work session this fall to
afford the two bodies an opportunity to explore ways the CC can
contribute to or assist the Board’s site plan and subdivision
regulatory process.
Wetlands
Issues
Discussed
a situation on Willow Brook (Children's Brook) that may be a concern, in terms of State
and Town environmental regulations affecting use of land along streams
and ponds. Nancy agreed to contact Peg Bastien for DES relevant fact
sheets that can guide landowners. This information will be included in
a letter to the property owner in question
Planning
Board Report
No
report.
New
Business
Brian
will be asked to write an article for the Town’s newsletter this
fall on the Gore Farm project, once it is finalized.
Jim
reported that the Selectmen have been offered a small piece of land
near Tom Pond, as a gift. Jim suspects that this is one of those
properties that are under water most of the year, adjacent to the
Warner River. The Commission expressed support of the Town’s taking
ownership.
There
being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:55 P.M.
The
next regular meeting is September 1, 2010.
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