LYME CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes - October 4, 2004
PRESENT: Lee Larson, Dick Jones, Paul Klee, Joan Goldburgh, Vicki May, Laura McDaniel, Adair Mulligan, CC; Ben Hudson
1. Housekeeping: Approved Sept. 27 draft of minutes of September meeting, on a motion by Laura seconded by Paul.
2. Old Business
a. Snowmobile trail in Town Forest: maintenance was well done. Laura went out with Paul to see site. Trail is steep but slope is worse elsewhere.
b. Tree City: Laura reported no new information.
c. Post Pond water level: Dick distributed graph of water level. No word from DES on mean high water level, or on progress of suit.
d. Invasives: Vicki reported that Jamie Seidel and Lee had marked invasives at Chaffee and Ben removed them the next day. Agreed to burn the pile after Christmas, with s’mores. At Post Pond, the initial report of Eurasian milfoil is probably of a very similar plant identified a few years ago. There is milfoil at the mouth of Clay Brook, which will probably be kept out of the pond by the beaver dams.
e. Trail maintenance: Will add puncheons at Chaffee Sanctuary on Oct. 23. Dick has done mechanical raspberry control on Big Rock Trail near Route 10. Should ask Boy Scouts to repair small puncheon bridge in Town Forest. Lee will buy 100' cable and fittings to secure new bridge in Town Forest.
f. Road to Trout Pond Forest: Lee has asked Dick Drew to look at repair of a few potholes.
3. Wetlands:
a. Dry hydrant approved for Pond View and Albert Pushee’s. Will be installed this fall.
b. Wray project: site visit set for October 6 at 5 pm.
c. Crossroads Academy: site visit tentatively set for 10 am Oct. 16. Members should email Lee on their ability to attend.
d. Wetlands complaint has been received regarding logging job at Dartmouth Skiway; woodchips have reportedly filled a wetland. Lee will call Doug Holler to find out more.
4. New Business:
a. Ben Hudson expressed concern that the CC should know what constitutes a logging infraction, and noted that while the town’s zoning ordinance encourages forestry and timber harvesting, complaints reflect a general ignorance among the public of forestry practices. He offered to provide a field view and discuss rules and regulations that apply to forestry. Agreed that this would be of great public benefit, and that the CC should sponsor a morning (9-12) field trip on November 6 or 13.
b. Bill for invasive species removal at Chaffee: approved payment of $285 from Conservation Fund on motion by Dick seconded by Joan. Will be 75% reimbursed by wildlife habitat management grant.
c. Budget for 2005: reviewed figures from last year ($200 for dues, postage $150, Education $100, Monitoring $200, Environmental Monitoring $150, Maintenance & Management $500 (total $1300). Voted to make no changes to the budget request, on motion by Laura seconded by Paul.
d. Possible zoning change for docks: agreed with zoning administrator that if a dock qualifies for a permit by notification, it should not need a special exception from the ZBA. Approved this position on a motion by Dick seconded by Laura.
5. Other
a. Shelby Lands: Lee updated the CC on the status of the appraisal and on the possible transfer to the town of the 135 acre piece.
b. Big Rock: town has signed deed for the extra 12 acre Guyre parcel addition to Big Rock Natural Area.
Respectfully submitted,
Adair Mulligan, Secretary pro-tem
Approved: November 1, 2004
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