LYME CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes - March 7, 2005
revised 3/10/05
PRESENT: Lee Larson, Dick Jones, Paul Klee, Joan Goldburgh, Vicki May, Laura McDaniel, Adair Mulligan, CC; Nancy Grandine, Charlie Hirshberg, Jim and Pat Brown, Bob Barnum
1. Proposed Brown Property, River Road: Nancy Grandine passed out a copy of the revised building plan for the parcel. She said that more has been learned about the property: the 100' floodplain limit is closer to the river than in the previous plan, and the shoreland conservation district is 40' closer to the road. There is a set of steps in the drainage swale, and she suggested that the swale may have been built. The previous owner stabilized the riverbank with tires. Nancy said she plans to treat the lot as a nonconforming vacant lot, since the town has been taxing it as a buildable lot, so it would not be subject to as many restrictions. Charlie Hirshberg said that the bank is undermined but can be stabilized through a combination of stone riprap and vegetation. Jim Brown, the prospective buyer of the lot, said
that he is prepared to do what stabilization is necessary, and would do it when other construction is done. Nancy said that if the lot is not developed, no more riparian buffer would be planted. Charlie said the soil is permeable, with thin lenses of silt. He proposes stone drip edges around the roof so there will be no eroded channels.
Lee explained the experience with drainage changes for a pond just up the road, and the sudden creation of a massive gully by underground movement of water. Adair asked if DES would indeed issue a permit for riprap for a property where there was no pre-existing infrastructure to protect. Charlie said he thought the erosion present on the property would justify the stabilization. Adair cautioned that when stone riprap is not tied in to another stable point, such as ledge, new erosion can start on previously stable shores, and that she has seen such a situation in Chesterfield on a similar property in the Vernon impoundment. She said that riverfront property, like a barrier island, is expensive but ephemeral, and that unlike a lake, a river moves and erodes its shores. Jim
said that when his lakefront lawn became eroded, he trucked rock to place along it. Adair cautioned that applying riprap could start erosion on the neighboring property. She provided the applicants with a copy of “The Challenge of Erosion” guidance from the Connecticut River Joint Commissions. She emphasized that the building setback established by Lyme was as much to protect the owners from the river as to protect the river from the effects of adjacent land uses.
Jim said that he does not plan on having a lawn, and no ornamentals, and would limb up the pine trees for a river view. He said that the property could also be used simply as an access point, with a driveway, picnic table, and access to the river. Dick commented that while the first new landowner may be conscientious, the next one might not be, and might create a lawn and remove the trees. Bob Barnum said that he has no problem with the proposal, and that it would be more desirable than the present use, since there is much trash on the site. He riprapped his bank at a cost of about $5000 for 100' and found very well drained soil. Dick brought up the erosion gully, and it was agreed that while it appears to be altered with steps for the purpose of access to the river, it may
have existed before.
Lee commented that the town’s voters established a 200' shoreland district for a reason, and that it should mean something. Joan agreed that the rules should not be arbitrarily applied. Paul and Laura had questions about whether the development could improve the situation on the lot. Voted unanimously on a motion by Adair seconded by Joan to revise the wording on the letter regarding the erosion gully, but to keep the previously drafted letter to the Zoning Board otherwise unchanged, including the final statement recommending that the lot not be built upon.
2. Housekeeping: Approved March 7 draft of minutes of February meeting, on a motion by Laura seconded by Dick.
3. Old Business
a. Tree City: no new information.
b. Post Pond water level: The selectmen are currently in discussions on this topic. Based on the outcome of these discussions, a possible next step would be to write to Fish and Game Executive Director Lee Perry requesting that if Fish and Game plans to issue a permit to anyone in Lyme to alter the beaver dam at Post Pond, that this should be done in writing with a letter of approval signed by the Executive Director in accordance with RSA 210:9 I., and notifying Mr. Perry that a civil action is in progress and that DES has determined the location of the natural water level of the pond. A copy of this letter of approval should be sent to the Lyme Selectmen.
c. Vernal pools - Joan has placed a notice in the church newsletter.
d. Land Use Change Tax - no further discussion
e. Trail connections between Town Forest and Breck Hill - Lee reported that UVLT is working with the landowner.
4. New Business:
a. Post Pond Water quality - Joan reported that the pond tested satisfactorily, and the pond seems to be maintaining itself well, with the exception of an increase in cyanobacteria. Joan will check with DES on what can be done. DES wants to monitor the pond in August instead of May, and Warren and Joan are willing to do this. DES is also concerned about a general rise in conductivity observed in NH ponds; this can indicate a rise in general pollution, including road runoff.
b. CRJC Partnership program grant - did not decide on an idea for a proposal
c. Hiker guidelines - Adair passed out a draft for the upcoming library program and asked for suggestions. Lee will provide a trail care article for the church news.
d. Membership - Joan’s term will soon be up and she wishes to step down. She was showered with statements of gratitude and appreciation for her service and urged to reconsider. She agreed to help organize Green Up Day this year. Voted unanimously but quite reluctantly to recommend that Joan become an associate member, and that a new member be recommended to the selectmen, on a motion by Dick seconded by Laura.
5. Non- public session: At 9:04 pm, voted unanimously to go into non-public session, on a motion by Dick seconded by Adair, under RSA 91-A:3II(d). Returned to public session at 9:17 pm, on a unanimous vote with motion by Dick seconded by Laura.
Meeting adjourned 9:18 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Adair Mulligan, Secretary pro-tem
| 
