Frog Pond Land Request to Cut Trees – View: At approximately 6:45 PM Spencer, Les, Lynne drove up to view the Frog Pond Land alongside Whiting Hill Road, up from the Town Barn. PSNH wants to cut trees to put up new poles for a new house that is going to be built on Stuart Draper’s land (now sold to parties unknown), which parcel is actually in Milford. We drove by several times looking at the trees and at the poles estimating how many feet (width) of trees would have to be cut for the poles. We agreed that we would prefer that PSNH move poles # 19, 21 & 22 (there is no pole #20) to across the street on the Carnival Hill side of Whiting Hill Road and that it would be okay for PSNH to cut trees on that side of the road to put up the poles. Spencer will contact PSNH regarding same.
Back to the Town Hall at approximately 7:10 PM.
Present: Spencer, Les, Lynne, Alan and Laurence.
• Review Minutes: Reviewed minutes from 04 May and 09 May. Unanimously approved. Minutes of 16 May NRI meeting not typed up yet.
• Budget & Expenditures:
o No year-to-date report received yet. Lynne to contact Peggy
or Carla for same.
o Spencer presented a bill from Attorney Wilson Sullivan for work on
the Hamlin’s trail right-of-way. This money to come out of the conservation
fund, not the operating budget. All voted in favor to pay this invoice.
• Maple Street Frog Pond Land Abutters: Mark Gabel, Claire Smith and Joan Salisbury came to discuss with the Commission the possibility of each of them purchasing a small portion of the Frog Pond lower field behind their houses and Viola Paro’s house. We have discussed this with them previously, and it was originally hoped that we could accomplish this and the purchase of the Frog Pond at the same time, but the timing of the sale did not allow for this. They have been using the land for many years, per their verbal agreement with David Blackmer, the former owner, and now they would like to formalize this arrangement. All members of the Commission are in agreement that this makes sense. There is a large thicket behind these four houses which forms a natural barrier between the land they are using and the rest of the hill above it. The proposed boundary line would be at the thicket. Les said that he would like to see a soils map since there are some wetlands around the thicket and he would want to check on the exact location and type of wetlands. WCC would put a restriction on the land that the owners can not build on the land; all of the owners present agreed they aren’t interested in building on the land, they just want to continue to utilize the land for gardening and such. They are using approximately 80-90 feet beyond their boundary, and agreed that that is just about up to the edge of the thicket. Spencer said that in his conversation with Attorney Wil Sullivan, Wil indicated he felt that the purchase would need to be approved by the voters at Town Meeting since the land is now officially owned by the Town. Spencer indicated that the cost would be between $3200 and $4400 for all four houses. The owners would pay all expenses. It was agreed that WCC and the owners would ask to be on the Selectmen’s agenda for their next meeting to discuss this with them so we can move forward.
• ZBA Meeting of 14 June: Chalet Susse appeal (C-128-1-1, and C128-1-2). Hubbard/Warren (J-112-1) request for a variance. Although there is no WCC direct issue, Spencer and Lynne will try to attend.
• Planning Board Meeting of 18 May: Quinn Wilton Center Road property and Quinn Route 31S property issues are of interest. Board decided to have Normandeau look at the runoff issue at the Wilton Center Road property. Spencer noted to them his concern of the runoff possibly getting into the brook across Route 101 and explained how the State is re-looking at storm water retention pond issues. No issued agenda for June meeting at this time, but need to continue to pay attention to both Quinn issues.
• Violations & Complaints:
o Richards Property, B-120. Spencer was notified that it looks
like they are continuing to dump fill in the wetlands. This case
has gone to the State some months ago and we are hoping they will put a
stop to this.
o MacKay, C-43-44. They have been continuing to cut brush into
the wetlands. No formal complaint has been issued, but this is an
ongoing problem. Need to send educational information to them in
order to put a stop to this.
• Route 31 South Clean-up: Clean-up of trash was done by four members of the Souhegan Watershed Association who spent a whole Saturday doing this. Need to send a “thank you”, copy to George May of SWA.
• Route 31 South Limited Salt Route and Tree Cutting Request: The Water Commission is concerned about the amount of salt used on this road in the winter potentially affecting the Town wells. The police shot down a “no salt” idea so now the Water Commission wants to cut trees to allow for more sunlight. Spencer will contact the State Well Protection division to see if cutting down the trees would affect the water quality and/or safety, and he will ask the Water Commission for the last 3 years of water quality analysis (State will need this to make decision).
• Trails:
- Hamlin is finished. Mr. Hamlin has indicated to Spencer
that they will go down to Wil Sullivan’s office to sign the final paperwork.
- Regarding the “private property” sign next to Farrell’s property
right in the middle of our trail: Laurence says that is an old sign
and has been there for a long time. No action needed.
- Pine Hill: Need to get together with Arthur Auer and Bruce
Rafter, find the present trail, decide if and where to move it. Need
to check to see if we can obtain a trails grant like at Four Corners.
WCC could pay deed costs.
• Town Forest Lands: Jon Nute called Les about whether the Potter Road property (H-122) had any restrictions, because it looks like it might be a good candidate for timbering. Jon indicated his full report would be ready by the first of August.
• Possible Purchase of Land by WLC: Lynne met with Gretchen Dunn – just the two of them at this meeting on 07 June. Gretchen had a large map of the property that is for sale and the abutting school land. They discussed possible options and strategies for accomplishing this. Gretchen to set up an appointment for them to meet with Selectmen to discuss this. Spencer reminded Lynne that they need to meet with Lyndeborough Selectmen as well.
• Four Corners Farm:
- Carol Andrews sent e-mail about the metal junk pile which has not
yet been removed. Spencer to contact Steve Moheban.
- Spencer and Les to work up a schedule to discuss long range plans
for monitoring (the management plan). Talk to Lincoln and Anthony
at a pre-meeting around August to set up monitoring for the fall.
• Carnival Hill: Well covers are in place. Spencer talked to NRPC regarding trying to get a sidewalk for the kids walking to and from the ball fields
• Frog Pond:
- Frog Pond baseline documentation meetings have been set up by Spencer.
There are about 7 people who will meet the first and last Wednesdays of
the month for this purpose. Their next meeting will be to start documenting
the species at the land; next meeting hope to have Todd Szewczyk, Conservation
Officer, speak to the group about animals in and about the pond land. Discussion
of tree cutting request by PSNH and the viewing by Spencer, Les and Lynne.
The motion was made and seconded to request PSNH to move poles # 19, 21
& 22 (no pole #20) to across the street on the Carnival Hill side of
Whiting Hill Road and that it would be okay for PSNH to cut trees on that
side of the road to put up the poles. Spencer to contact PSNH.
• NRI: Spencer to have more information next meeting.
• Open Space Update:
- Hoover Land: Spencer to follow-up.
- Dunn Land: Walk in the fall.
• Miscellaneous:
- SRLAC: Next meeting in Milford.
- ROST: Continuing with trail mapping project and website work
by Bob Dillberger of Mason.
- SVLT: Continuing to work on bylaws. More discussions
on various possible land projects.
- R2C2: Lynne did not attend the last meeting due to a conflict
in scheduling.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:40 PM.
Minutes Submitted by Lynne Draper.