The Wilton Conservation Commission held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, 14 December 2009, at 7:00 PM at the WILTON FIRE STATION.

All members present

Lynne called the meeting to order at 7:01

• Mill Brook Dam – Informational presentation by Jim Tuttle, Wilton Water Commission
• Jim Tuttle spoke at length about the problems associated with the Mill Brook Dam or the “Old Reservoir” as it is commonly called.  The NH Department of Environmental Services inspected the dam and found it needed repair.  Jim presented a power point describing the damage and the issues DES found.  The town is faced with the question of repairing the dam or removing it.  Jim pointed out that the old reservoir feeds the new reservoir.  Therefore if the old dam is removed then the new reservoir will revert to a valley with and intermittent stream running through it.   After the power point presentation, a discussion was held.  Members of the audience, including WCC members, expressed concern about how much it would cost to repair vs how much it would cost to remove.  Other concerns were about the loss of the habitat and the loss of the reservoir as a source of emergency water.
• Forest Management at New Reservoir -- Informational presentation by Jim Tuttle, Wilton Water Commission
• Jim Tuttle present a plan to conduct a managed cut on town land west of the new reservoir to provide funds for a study of Mill Brook Dam.  This study would explore the cost of repairs vs removal.
• NiSoHiLa – Update and Discussion; Diane Fitzpatrick, Chairperson of Milford Conservation Commission will present new information
• Diane Fitzpatrick present information about a property for sale known as Sherburne Woods.  A small section of this property is in Wilton.  Diane explained that Milford is trying to buy the property. However, the owners want to sell the entire property.  Therefore Diane is hoping that Wilton will buy the Wilton section.  After some discussion, WCC members agreed to discuss the purchase in detail at the next regular meeting.

The rest of the agenda was tabled
• Minutes – Review Meeting Minutes
• Budget & Expenditures – Update on 2009 Budget; Discussion of 2010 Budget
• ZBA – 10 November meeting
• Planning Board – 18 November meeting; 02 December Work Session; upcoming meeting of 16 December
• Label Art Dam – Update
• Community Gardens at Carnival Hill – Update
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• Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) – Update, Review and Next Steps
• Violations & Complaints – McKay, Lots C-43 and C-44 – Update; ATVs at Stephens Forest – Update
• Open Lands – Update
• Local Open Space
• Frog Pond – Update
• Carnival Hill – Update
• Four Corners Farm – Update
• Trails – Update
• Miscellaneous – including but not limited to:
- Souhegan Watershed Association – Update
- Souhegan River Local Advisory Committee (SoRLAC) –Update
- Regional Open Space Team (ROST) – Update
- Souhegan Valley Land Trust (SVLT) – Update