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Warner Conservation Commission Minutes of Meeting September 2, 2009
Attending:
Nancy Martin, Brian Hotz, Russ St. Pierre, Mimi Wiggin, John
Dabuliewicz, and Jim McLaughlin (recording).
Public
Hearing - Bound tree Conservation Easement
A
public hearing was opened at 7:10 P.M. on the expenditure of $100,000
from the Conservation Fund to purchase a conservation easement on 371
acres of the Bound Tree parcel, in cooperation with the Society for
the Protection of NH Forests. Brian gave a brief description of the
significance of this parcel and of the easement structure. The Town
would pay for the purchase of the easement at a bargain price and the
Forest Society would cover all other expenses, including a new survey,
related to the project, estimated at $45,000. The Forest Society will
assume Grantee interest (primary) and the Town will hold Executory
(backup) interest. Brian said that the boundary line issue has been
resolved and an agreement between the landowners signed. There being
no questions from the public, the hearing was closed at 7:20 P.M.
A
motion was made and seconded that the Conservation Commission
recommend to the Board of Selectmen that the Town expend $100,000 from
the Conservation Fund to purchase a conservation easement on the Bound
Tree (Stone) property, with the Town accepting Executory interest and
the Forest Society to hold the grantee interest. This motion was
passed unanimously by the Commission, with Brian Hotz abstaining from
the vote.
Brian
stated his intention to meet with the Selectmen on September 16th to
request their approval of the easement agreement and commitment of
Town funds.
Related
to this project, Brian advised that the cost of printing and mailing a
post card to all residents of Warner announcing the completion of this
easement has been estimated at $1,244. He said that the Society wanted
to send an announcement to the donnors, and the Commission had
suggested mailing to all residents. Discussion followed on the
advisability of spending this much. A consensus emerged that it may be
better to target those individuals who donated funds to the project.
Other means of advising the larger public, such the Town’s
newsletter and the Newpaper, would be cheaper and just as effective.
Approval of
Minutes of the August 5, 2009 Meeting
The
minutes of the meeting of August 5, 2009 were approved with one
correction to the spelling of Mimi Wiggin’s name.
Conservation
Plan Focus Group
Nancy
explained her role in obtaining contacts for the three organizations,
Fish & Game, Kearsarge Trail Snails, and Parks & Recreation,
to be invited to participate in the focus group discussion on
recreation. Margaret will do the actual inviting for a meeting date
yet to be set. Brian asked about contacting those who indicated on the
survey an interest in talking to someone regarding land conservation.
The consensus was that the Commission should be responding, rather
than Margaret Watkins. Brian said he would touch base with Margaret to
get her understanding on this.
Land
Protection
Bower
Property
Brian
reported that he has met with Bob Bower on several occasions to
discuss land protection on his property. Brian will meet with the
Sutton Conservation Commission on September 9th to see what their
interest is, since this project will only happen if LCHIP funding can
be obtained and if Sutton participates. He will propose that Sutton
contribute $400 toward a preliminary appraisal of the property’s
value. Brian went into some detail on the value of the property,
especially its class 6 road frontage which would limit its value for
development.
Other
Land Protection
Jim
asked that members who may have files of information on easements
bring them to him to be put in the reorganized filing cabinet in the
Planning Board Office.
Wetlands
Issues
Jim
advised that the Burke application for dredging the small pond on
Pumpkin Hill Road has been resubmitted to DES with the correct site
location and information from the NH Natural Heritage Inventory.
Warner
Aggregates
Russ
reviewed his draft of a letter to DES concerning Warner Aggregates’
alteration of terrain permit for a new road to their gravel pit. In it
he pointed out the construction equipment auction that is also to be
served by this road, but which was not mentioned in the permit
application. Russ also advised that in discussions with the Planning
Board Chair, the Board was not aware of the cited subdivision of land
on the property that will be the site of the new road. John offered to
review the letter before it is sent. Also the members agreed to send a
copy of the final letter to the Planning Board with a covering memo
providing the basis for it. Also agreed to send a copy to Warner
Aggregates.
Planning
Board
Jim
gave an update on Planning Board activity in considering minor
subdivision of the Face lot on Main Street. He reported that the
Planning Board continues its work on the master plan, with a focus
currently on transportation.
Other
Business
Brian
will do an article for the next issue of the Town’s newsletter on
the completion of the Bound Tree easement. Also submit a longer
article on this topic to the Newpaper.
Nancy
advised that ASLPT is holding an outreach meeting on September 21 and
wants a representative from the Warner CC. Jim said he would try to
attend.
The
Commission approved the expenditure of $225 from its operating budget
for annual dues of the NH Association of Conservation Commissions. Jim
reported that this leaves a balance of $210 in the this year’s
annual budget for the Commission.
John
suggested that the Commission offer $100 to the Forest Society to help
defray the expense of mailing the post card announcement of Bound Tree
project. This idea was put in the form of a motion, seconded, and
passed.
The
next meeting is October 7, 2009.
Meeting
adjourned at 8:30 P.M.
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