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Warner Conservation Commission Minutes of Meeting September 3, 2008
Attending:
Nancy Martin, Chris Connors, Russ St. Pierre, Brian Hotz and Jim
McLaughlin (recording). Also a guest, Mara Streberger
Approval
of Minutes of June 18 and August 6, 2008 Meetings
The
minutes of the meeting of June 18, 2008 were approved with a
correction to the spelling of Chris Connors’ name noted.
The
minutes of the meeting of August 6, 2008 were approved with one
correction, namely that Chris Connors was not present.
Natural
Resources Inventory (NRI)
Russ
said he has completed the edits for the entire draft NRI report,
except for the scenic resource section which is in Chris Connors
hands. Chris said she needs to see a large scale map of her field data
on scenic viewpoints, as well as the GIS viewshed analysis. Russ
provided a diskette with the edited text for Dan Sundquist.
Following
further discussion of the NRI, it was decided to have Jim contact Dan
and convey the following points: There is no recreation section with
accompanying maps in the report. The scenic resource section needs
Chris’ review requiring her to get a large format map of this
section. The Commission wants an opportunity to review with Dan the
wildlife habitat co-occurrence map and go through a second round of
this process in light of the resulting first round map.
Discussion
followed of the next step after completing the NRI, a conservation
plan for Warner that will dovetail with the master plan update. Brian
offered to research how towns have gone about preparing a conservation
plan and to identify some exemplary plans for WCC members to review.
It was agreed that the first priority is to complete the NRI by the
end of October. This will allow the Commission to move onto preparing
the conservation plan in a timeframe that is consistent with the
Planning Board’s master plan update schedule. Agreement was also
reached on making a public presentation of the NRI work, probably in
February. Brian asked that the next meeting’s agenda include a
discussion of the conservation plan project.
Land
Protection
Bound
Tree Parcel - Brian reported that not much has changed on this
property. SPNHF has ordered an update of the 2000 appraisal which is
to be completed by the end of September. This will identify the
present value of a conservation easement. The owners are interested in
an easement with the exception of the narrow strip bordering on Joppa
Road East which would be held out as a building lot. Brian said that
the owners are willing to do a bargain sale and that they plan to
devote the funds received in improving the property, particularly for
wildlife habitat. There was a sense of the Commission that this should
be our top priority for use of funds.
Bowers
Property - Brian said that this project would rank very high with
LCHIP and that the focus should be on getting as much in the way of
external funding as possible. Brian offered to see about setting up a
site walk on the property in conjunction with members of the Sutton
CC.
Courser
Phase 3 - Brian reported that Ausbon Sargent Land Protection Trust has
cleared up issues on the easement and is scheduling a closing in
October.
Wetlands
Issues
The
Commission discussed Peter Ladd’s project to restore a small
hydropower dam on the Warner River for which it endorsed his NHDES
minimum impact expedited application in August. According to a letter
from DES, Peter needs to supply additional information in order for
his application to be considered. There was general interest in
learning how DES would deal with this request. Chris will follow up
with DES.
Concerning
Warner Aggregates, Chris advised that the owners have gone to the
Zoning Board for a variance to use the excavated area for a periodic
auction of old vehicles. The next meeting of the Board will take up
this request. The sense of the Commission was that this use was
inconsistent with the character of the land, inasmuch as the land has
been subject to extensive excavation in recent years and consists of
highly permeable soil over one of the most productive aquifers in the
Warner River watershed. Bringing vehicles and storing them for an
auction seems to offer potential threats to the river and its aquifer.
At the least, such use should be limited to times of the year when
flood potential is at its lowest. Chris will write a letter to the
Zoning Board advising them of the Commission’s concerns.
Old
Business
Peg
is on tap to do an article on storm water do’s and don’t’s to
prevent pollution of the river.
Discussed
the ATV club’s proposal to have the Selectmen allow their use of
certain class 6 roads in the Minks. This may come back to public
debate at the March Town Meeting as a warrant article. The general
feeling of the Commission was to take a negative stand on the issue.
Jim suggested obtaining photographic evidence of damage done to the
roads and to private property by the reckless actions of some ATV and
4 wheel drive truck drivers.
Ausbon
Sargent has asked for a representative from the Town on their board.
Chris Connors offered to inquire about the nature of the role of this
rep.
Planning
Board
Jim
reported on the status of Wagner’s subdivision application.
Other
Matters
New
WCC members: Names of several potential members were discussed.
Brian
advised that a new State law has been enacted concerning conservation
easements and he said he would check into its applicability to Warner.
The issue concerns the ability of a Town to devote conservation funds
to a project in which it has no interest. Brian reminded the group
that all of Warner’s easements have involved the Town as a primary
or back up interest holder in the easement, so this law shouldn’t
affect us.
Brian
urged that members conduct the monitoring of easements to which they
were assigned. It was pointed out that with Sarah’s resignation
there is a gap in this activity.
Brian
said there is nothing further to report on SPNHF’s taking over
monitoring responsibilities for the Reis and Contoocook easements.
The
next meeting is October 1, 2008.
Meeting
adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
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