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Warner Conservation Commission Minutes of Meeting August 6, 2008
Attending:
Nancy Martin, John Dabuliewicz, Peg Bastien, Russ St.
Pierre, and Jim McLaughlin (recording). Also Sue Hemingway
Approval
of Minutes of July 16, 2008
The
minutes of the meeting of July 16, 2008 were approved with two
capitalization corrections.
Wetlands
Issues
Peter
Ladd presented a proposed NHDES minimum impact expedited
application project for Conservation Commission approval. The proposal
is to restore a small area of spillway on an existing milldam in the
Warner River, near West Roby Road. The dam has existed in its present
form since the early 1800’ and is registered with the NH Dam
Bureau. This is a very low profile ‘diversion’ type dam, with most
of the low flow volume routinely passing, unimpeded, over the
spillway. Much of the year the dam and spillway are completely
submerged by the river. The impoundment is minimal - about 50’ by
50’ at full pond. This is a ‘run of the river’ type dam which
does not impact water quality of wetlands.
The
minor section of spillway that has been broken out by flooding will be
replaced to original dimensions, with concrete and fieldstone. A
sluice, as originally in place, will be constructed. Less than a cubic
yard of material will be used and the footprint of the repair will be
20 square feet in size. Work is to be done by hand, in dry conditions
in early fall to minimize impacts.
Peter
said that his intention is to restore a power generator on the
existing diversion channel with a new type of turbine developed in
Europe which has little if any impact of fish passage. He hopes this
will be a demonstration of this new technology.
Following
a discussion of this project, the Commission voted to give its
approval. Nancy scheduled a site visit for Thursday, August 14 at 6:00
PM at the site on West Roby Road.
Jim
reported on a call from a resident on Tom Pond about a house
construction project at 43 Tom Pond Lane where many of the trees on
the steep bank were removed and the silt fence meant to contain
erosion had failed, allowing a considerable amount of top soil to
enter the pond. Jim advised the Town Administrator and requested a
visit by the building inspector. The Town learned that NHDES was
making an inspection of the site at about the same time. The building
inspector will visit the site to see if erosion control measures
ordered by the State have been implemented.
Nothing
to report on the two Town road projects.
Natural
Resources Inventory (NRI)
Russ
distributed copies of his edited version of the NRI report,
incorporating comments from several members. The section on scenic
resources had not been edited and it was suggested that Chris Connors
should provide her comments before changes to this section are sent to
Dan Sundquist.
Land
Protection
No
report from Brian, other than in his email, that the Bound Tree parcel
has been purchased by the Stone’s who are interested in a
conservation easement.
Jim
said that the current balance in the Conservation Fund is $194,995.
He
also reported that the Selectmen voted on Tuesday to take a parcel of
land off Dummer Road (map 2, lot 5) for failure of the owner to pay
taxes. The parcel is landlocked.
Old
Business
John
has sent his article on Shoreland Protection Act regulation changes to
the Town for inclusion in its next newsletter.
Peg
offered to do an article on storm water as a way of educating the
public about do’s and don’t’s to prevent pollution of the river.
One suggestion for an initiative in this regard was to place warnings
next to road storm drains alerting people not to put anything down
these structures. Simonds School might want to be involved in this
type of environmental protection project as a way of achieving an
educational objective as well.
Peg
also mentioned being in contact with Joan Beaulieu about their
attempts to locate the source of high e-coli sampling in Tom Pond this
summer.
Planning
Board
Jim
reported that apparently the Wagner subdivision application has
received the NHDOT permit that has stalled its consideration by the
Planning Board for the past year.
Other
Matters
New
WCC members: Several names of potential members were discussed.
Jim will make some calls to gauge their interest.
A
letter was received from Sarah Allen resigning her position as a
member of the Commission.
Discussed
updating the digital version of the Town tax map.
The
next meeting is September 3, 2008.
Meeting
adjourned at 8:24 P.M.
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