Warner Conservation Commission

Minutes of Meeting

October 7, 2009

Attending:  Brian Hotz, Russ St. Pierre, Doug Allen, Peg Bastien John Dabuliewicz, and Jim McLaughlin (recording). Also Margaret Watkins.

Approval of Minutes of the September 2, 2009 Meeting

The minutes of the meeting of September 2, 2009 were approved as submitted.

Conservation Plan

Margaret Watkins, consultant, distributed copies of a draft guidance document, entitled “Policy for acceptance of land or a conservation easement . . .”, including a goal statement and criteria for evaluating the importance of parcels of land for protection. One suggestion offered was that protecting agricultural land in town should be mentioned in the goal statement, in view of the Courser easements and the potential Bower easement. Ag land in town is very limited and should be given stronger emphasis. Margaret showed a map that represented wildlife corridors between major blocks of protected land in Warner. Brian advised that the protected lands layer being used isn’t up to date and recommended using the NRI layer, plus the Bound Tree land. Discussed a policy of putting certain Town-owned land under conservation easement.

Members were asked to review the draft and submit comments to Margaret, prior to the November meeting, so that the process of finalizing can be expedited.

The next item was a draft of a “Policy for acceptance of land or a conservation easement in an open space development.” Discussion followed on the importance of the Commission’s being involved in open space designation as part of a major subdivision review by the Planning Board. Brian described the position of several conservation organizations that refuse to accept oversight of such dedicated open space land. He suggested that Town ownership of an open space tract would be a better option than having it remain under an association. Again, members were asked to review and send comments to Margaret.

The third document distributed was a draft containing natural resource conservation goals  Aspects of this draft were discussed. Comments are to be sent to Margaret - finalization in November.

As far as including a map with specific focus areas delineated, the Commission was leaning toward word descriptions; final decision yet to be made.

Land Protection

Bower Property

Brian reported that the preliminary appraisal of the conservation easement value has come in at $240,000. Brian plans to meet with Bob Bower tomorrow to find out if he (Bob) is willing to go forward foe that amount. The Commission toured the farm with five members of the Sutton CC on Saturday. All were impressed with the property and with the prospect of protecting it through an easement. Brian reviewed a suggested budget which calls for a Warner contribution of $70,000, and LCHIP grant of $142,000.A $27,000 boundary survey will be necessary as part of the project, since no survey exists. The deadline for submission to LCHIP is October 16, so members will have to review and comment on the application by email within the coming week.

Wetlands Issues

Russ reviewed DES wetlands permits in process, including dry hydrant installations at Mason Hill, Newmarket, Poverty Plains, and Pleasant Lake Estates. DRED has started logging off the old Henniker Road. 

Planning Board

Jim reported the Planning Board considered an application for a two lot subdivision on Newmarket Road, that was withdrawn by the applicant after being told that this constituted a major subdivision due to previous subdivision of the same within a five year period.

Other Business

After some discussion, the Commission voted unanimously to ask the Selectmen to include in their 2010 warrant an article requesting $30,000 to be placed in the Conservation Fund as part of the Town’s contribution of the Bower easement.

 Brian will do an article on the completed Bound tree conservation easement for the Town’s October newsletter.

Brian also asked members to consider dates for a winter snowshoe tour of Bound Tree. He will send around some suggested dates.

The next meeting is November 4, 2009.  

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 P.M.