LYME CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes – May 3, 2004
1. The regular meeting of the Conservation Commission convened at 7:30 PM. The following members of the Commission were in attendance: Joan Goldburgh, Dick Jones, Lee Larson, Laura McDaniel and Adair Mulligan. Members of the public attending parts of the meeting were: Judy Barker and David Roby.
2. The minutes of the 5 April meeting were approved as submitted.
3. Judy came in to discuss the water level of Post Pond and its impact on Loch Lyme Lodge. Currently the pond is high, and its level is about 8 inches up on her seawall – leaving the lodge without a beach. Lee reported that the lower beaver dam on Clay brook has not been rebuilt by the beavers, however the upper dam has been. He then went on to briefly discuss the results of Pathways Consulting report “Post Pond and Trout Brook Flood Study”. A discussion followed which reached the following general conclusions: a) high water benefits some pond-front landowners and lower water levels benefit others; b) there is no
consensus among pond-front property owners as to what the water level should be; and c) the required size of beaver pipes to control the water level makes their installation impracticable. Lee concluded the discussion by asking if Judy would, and she agreed to, “host” a meeting of all pond-front property owners to see if they could reach a consensus on a desired water level for Post Pond.
4. Adair brought in a draft of a letter further commenting on the proposed Stout driveway off Baker Hill Road. She said that the Commission’s earlier comments did not consider that there is a large abutting parcel of federally protected forest land and that a recent wildlife summit sponsored by NH Fish and Game urged that towns try to discourage fragmentation of such contiguous blocks of forest for the benefit of interior forest-nesting birds and other wildlife, not just for deer, although the deer yard is indeed spectacular. (The Commission’s previous comments had been limited to the impact of the proposed project on wetlands in the
Shoreland Conservation District.) Dave urged the Commission to expand its previous comments to the ZBA and expressed his concerns on the project’s potential adverse impacts on wildlife habitat, deer yards, the Appalachian Trail, and fragmentation of a large area of undeveloped woodland. He also said that in his opinion NH Fish and Game did not adequately evaluate the potential adverse environmental impacts in their site visit and comments to the ZBA and that the Commission was better able to evaluate local concerns. In the discussion that followed, the Commission was divided on whether additional comments were appropriate. Adair moved and Joan seconded a motion for the Commission to submit additional comments on the proposed project to the ZBA. Joan and Adair voted in favor of the motion, Dick and Lee against and Laura abstained. The motion did not carry failing to get the three votes needed for approval.
5. Other business:
a. Adair moved and Joan seconded a motion to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that Vicki May be appointed to the vacant position on the Commission. The motion carried unanimously.
b. Dick moved and Adair seconded a motion to elect Lee chair and Laura vice-chair of the Commission for the upcoming year. The motion carried unanimously.
c. Dick moved and Laura seconded a motion to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that the Trout Pond Management Committee be disestablished. After a short discussion on the need to retain the committee and that it could be reestablished at a future date if needed, the motion carried unanimously.
d. Joan briefly reported that Green Up Day was successful again this year.
e. Lee reported that the Selectmen had signed the conservation easement on the former Shelby in-holding in the Trout Pond Forest, but was awaiting legal review of some changes in the deed and results of the title search before accepting the gift of additional land to the Big Rock Nature Preserve.
f. Lee led a brief discussion of trail maintenance projects. The Hulbert Outdoor Center will lead a group of the Youth Environmental Corps in a minor relocation of the Lower Grant Brook Trail on 22 May; Trails Day potential projects include a possible bridge over Whipple Brook in the Town Forest and general spring trail maintenance; and trail signs have been prepared for installation on the Western Forest and Waterfall trails in the Town Forest.
g. Dick led a discussion on the Commission’s draft web page and the proposed form and rules for camping in the Town Forest. Laura moved and Joan seconded a motion to approve the proposed form and rules. The motion carried unanimously. (See attachment.)
h. Lee requested approval of the expenditure of $70.00 from the education account to pay the registration fees for Paul and his attendance at a conservation conference in Weare. His request was approved unanimously.
6. The meeting adjourned at 9:02 PM.
R. G. Jones
Recorder pro tem
Attachment: Town Forest Camping Permit form
Attachment to Conservation Commission minutes of 3 May 2004
Town of Lyme
Application and Permit for Camping in the Lyme Town Forest
Name: ___________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________ Telephone: ____________
Organization: __________________________________ Number in Group: _______
Camping Date(s): _______________________________________________________
By signing this application, I agree to abide be the following rules for camping in the Lyme Town Forest:
· I will camp only in the designated camping area between the branches of Whipple Brook;
· I will leave the campsite in as good or better condition than I found it;
· If I cause any damage to the campsite or its structures, I will repair such damage;
· I will carry out all trash – “carry in / carry out”;
· I will cut no standing dead or live trees for firewood;
· I will only kindle a campfire or wood cook fire in the designated fire place(s); and
· I will obtain a fire permit from the Town’s Forest Fire Warden before kindling any fires (including stoves and lanterns).
Signature: _________________________________________ Date: ____________
applicant
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Approval
Approved: _____ Disapproved: _____
If disapproved, reason for disapproval:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Signature: _________________________________________ Date: ____________
approving official
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