Lyme Conservation Commission
Minutes of the 1 November 2004 Meeting
LCC Members Attending – Joan Goldburgh, Paul Klee, Dick Jones, Lee Larson, Vicki May, Laura McDaniel.
Members of the Public in Attendance – Patricia Reynolds.
The Meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by Lee Larson.
1. Approval of Minutes from the October 4, 2004 Meeting
The minutes of the October 4, 2004 meeting of the LCC were moved (Joan/Vicki) and approved.
2. Old Business
a) Update on Tree City Project
No report this month
b) Update on Post Pond Water Level Issues
Dick distributed a copy of Town’s Summary Statement as submitted to the Superior Court. He reported that there is to be an attorney’s conference on the matter this week. Lee noted that DES has not yet submitted their report on the mean high water level, but that it was expected within the month.
c) Trail Maintenance
(i) puncheon installation at the Chaffee Sanctuary
The last of the hemlock plank puncheons were installed at the Chaffee Sanctuary on Saturday, October 23. Many hands made light and quick work. There may be a need for one or two more sections in the future.
(ii) bridge cabling at Whipple Brook/Town Forest
Lee did the cabling at each end of the newly built bridge. In addition, he cut up a large pine that had fallen in the parking area. John O’Brien has replaced the missing “Tree Farm” sign.
d) Repair of road to Trout Pond Forest parking area
Lee reported that he had called Dick Drew two times to get him to go look at the job (pot holes needing filling in), but Mr. Drew has been unresponsive. Joan, who knows Mr. Drew, offered to call him and see if she could get him to go look at the project.
e) Forestry tour by Ben Hudson
Laura reported that she and Lee had met with Ben Hudson to plan the Forestry Workshop to be held on November 6 from 9AM – 12 Noon. Approximately 6 to 8 people had signed up as of the meeting. In addition, Lee, Laura, Vicki and Joan plan to attend. Lee will send a reminder email out on Friday to all who have signed up.
4. Wetlands
a) Crossroads site visit report
Lee reported that four LCC members attended the site visit on Saturday, October 16 for the purpose of reviewing the gravel pit reclamation project. A resulting letter has been sent recommending that the site work be done to retain a grade which directs the runoff away from the Hewes Brook wetland buffer on the west side, and that this work be done in such as way as to keep to keep any heavy equipment out of the undisturbed buffer area so as to prevent soil compaction. Further, it was discovered that a set of cross-country ski trails had been constructed on the site without proper permitting (Town or DES|) for the crossing of wetlands. LCC has sent a letter to the Zoning Board on this issue; no response has been received to date.
b) Stam Pond project
Lee noted his observations regarding two questionable aspects of the Stam Pond project, namely that where there was to be a vegetative buffer there was now a clearing with apple trees, and that there appeared to be quite a bit of excavation close to the banks around the fire hydrant. After some discussion, the Commission decided that Lee should make another courtesy call to Jim Kennedy to see if he is still involved with this project, and that the questions then should be referred to DES for their inspection and enforcement of the approved plan for the site.
5. New Business
a) Possible Vernal Pool workshop
Joan brought up the idea of repeating the successful Vernal Pool Workshop that was sponsored by the LCC approximately 8 years ago. At that time, John O’Brien and a biologist from the UNH Extension Service had worked with Joan to develop the program. It was decided that Joan would approach John again, and that a date would be set for early May 2005 for the workshop.
6. Publicity
An article on ice safety and possibly on hypothermia will run in the December church newsletter.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM (Paul/Dick).
Respectfully submitted,
Laura McDaniel
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