Lyme Conservation Commission
Minutes of the 7 June 2004 Meeting
LCC Members Attending – Joan Goldburgh, Paul Klee, Dick Jones, Lee Larson, Vicki May, Laura McDaniel and Adair Mulligan.
Members of the Public in Attendance – Judy Barker, John Chamberlain, Tom Morrissey, Patricia Reynolds.
The Meeting was called to order at 7:34 PM by Lee Larson.
1. Approval of Minutes from the May 3, 2004 Meeting
The minutes of the May 3, 2004 meeting of the LCC were moved (Jones/Klee) and approved.
2. Welcome to Vicki May
Vicki May, the newest member of the LCC was welcomed to the group and told briefly about her background, interests, and how she came to Lyme.
3. Old Business
a) Report on Trail Maintenance
(i) Lower Grant Brook trail; Youth Environmental Corp (Hulbert) May 22
Lee reported that he and Bill Bridge, from the Upper Valley Land Trust, met with approximately 10 children from the Hulbert Youth Environmental Corp program to re-route a section of the Grant Brook Trail. Despite a very rainy start, they completed the work and were uniformly enthusiastic.
(ii) Upper Valley Trails Day, June 5
A group of approximately 20 volunteers met on Saturday, June 5 as part of the Upper Valley Trails Day project. Projects completed included spring maintenance and clipper work on the Chaffee Wildlife Sanctuary trail; the entrance and Ridge Trail in the Town Forest; and the construction of a bridge across Whipple Brook, also in the Town Forest.
b) Report on mailing to shore land owners
Adair reported that the mailing to shore land owners went out, albeit delayed, about May 20. The shore land owners on the mailing list included those who have property on Post Pond, Pout Pond, Reservoir Pond (including those w/land in Dorchester), the Connecticut River, and the pond on the Bayne Stevenson family property.
c) WHIP Program
Lee reported that the LCC application to the WHIP Program had been approved, and that as a result, the Federal government would now pay up to 75% of the estimated cost for maintaining the Chaffee Wildlife Sanctuary. The remaining 25% of the costs is to come from town Conservation Commission funds.
The first two projects to be covered by this program include:
(i) removal of invasive plant species which Lee recommended (Adair seconded) that we hire Ben Hudson to do the work. Motion passed unanimously.
total budget $900
WHIP portion $675
Town portion $225
(ii) mowing, which the LCC typically arranges for every other year in August. Lee moved (Adair seconded) that we hire Alfred Balch to again do the mowing. Motion passes unanimously.
total budget $440
WHIP portion $330
Town portion $110
Dick moved (Laura seconded) that the LCC vote to expend up to $1,000 from the town’s Conservation Fund to cover the Town’s portion of the two WHIP program related projects outlined above. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Wetlands
a) Henszey pond
This application has been approved.
b) Carola Lea dock
Lee reported that Carola had tried for a “permit by notification” but, as she also wants to include a deck (instead of the permitted stairway and dock configuration), that this had been denied. In order for Carola to complete the project as envisioned, she will need to apply for a full “dredge and fill” permit.
c) Kinsler dock
This application for replacement work has been approved.
d) Lewis dock
This application for new construction has been approved.
5. New Business
a) Tree City application
Laura reported that she had received an email from Lyme resident Bob Thebodo asking if the LCC would be interested in pursuing the idea of becoming a Tree City for next year. Dick noted that the Town had done this in the past when planting new trees at the Highland Cemetery. He further noted that he understood the Tree City funds to be for new plantings, and that the Town currently had no plans or budget for new tree planting, but is focusing on maintaining the trees around the Common.
The general consensus of the group, however, was that project might be of interest and that Laura should work with Bob to get more information.
b) Post Pond water level and public hearing
Lee told the four members of the public who were present that they were welcome to listen to the discussion of the LCC regarding Post Pond, but that we had decided not to solicit their comments until the end of the meeting. All present agreed.
Lee then went on to report that the attorney for the Barker’s had contacted the Town’s attorney to request that the Town sign on to a petition to DES being organized by the Barkers requesting that the DES take over all water level decisions at Post Pond. Lee noted that the decision is up to the Selectmen as the Town is the property owner, but that the Selectmen has asked for the input of the LCC in making their decision. Further, the Town’s attorney had recommended against the Town’s signing the petition and recommended instead that the Town continue to develop its own policy with regard to the water levels at Post Pond. Lee said that 10 landowners must sign the petition going to DES.
After discussion, Joan moved (Paul seconded) that the LCC vote to advise the Selectmen that we do not wish to involve the State in the control of Post Pond. The motion carried with Dick abstaining.
The discussion the moved to revising the draft Post Pond water level policy to be presented and discussed at the public hearing on June 9. The LCC members worked through the existing draft, adding comments as reviewed from the Town’s attorney and Steve Doyon at DES. Adair agreed to assemble all comments into a Final Draft to be circulated to the public Wednesday morning, prior to the hearing. Dick moved (Adair seconded) that the LCC vote that the revised draft policy as discussed at tonight’s meeting be presented to the public hearing on Wednesday, June 9. The motion carried unanimously.
With regard to the public hearing itself, the LCC decided that prior to opening the floor for comments that Lee, as chair, would announce that the meeting would be conducted in a civil and respectful manner, with all comments addressed to the LCC and not directly to the public; that those wishing to speak would be given a five minute time limit (Paul to provide timing); and that speakers would be requested not to repeat items already presented. All present agreed on this format.
Lee then opened the meeting to comments from the members of the public in attendance. Tom Morrissey requested that he be emailed a copy of the draft policy when available (Lee will email to all those on the landowners list). John Chamberlain and Patricia Reynolds said they were just present to listen to the discussion. Judy Barker had no comment.
6. Other Business
(a) Lee commented that during Adair's recent vacation, Barbara McIlroy had contacted him as she had some Purple Loosestrife beetles available to be released. She and Lee released some at the southern annex to the Chaffee Sanctuary, as well as near the first beaver dam on Clay Brook. When at the Chaffee Wildlife Sanctuary Barbara pointed out some Glossy Buckthorn to Lee, which will need to be removed.
(b) Dick reported that he and Lee had blazed and signed the Waterfall Trail off Mud Turtle Pond Road in the Town Forest.
7. Publicity
The LCC agreed that it would be appropriate to thank the Trails Day volunteers and report on the completed projects in the next issue of the Lyme Church Newsletter.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 PM (Klee/Goldburgh).
Respectfully submitted,
Laura McDaniel
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