Lyme Conservation Commission
Minutes of the 4 April 2005 Meeting
LCC Members Attending – Joan Goldburgh (Associate Member), Dick Jones, Lee Larson, Vicki May, Laura McDaniel, Matt Stevens.
Members of the Public in Attendance – Judy Barker, Earl Strout, Freda Swan.
The Meeting was called to order at 7:29 PM by Lee Larson.
First, Lee welcomed Matt Stevens as a new member of the Commission. Matt is taking the spot which became available when Joan Goldburgh resigned. [Joan has subsequently been made an “Associate Member” of the Commission.]
1. Visit by Planning Board member Freda Swan, Regarding the Crossroads Academy project
Freda attended the meeting on behalf of the Planning Board to present the most recent drawings for the Crossroads Academy project. Many changes have been made since the LCC last reviewed the drawings during our site visit in late fall 2004. The change of most concern presently relates to the relocation of the access road and its impingement on the wetlands.
The Planning Board would like for the LCC to revisit the site and review the area in question. It was determined that the site needed to dry out some, but that a site visit would be scheduled for the week of April 18th. In the meantime, Lee will send a note to the Planning Board that the LCC will visit and submit their findings.
2. Approval of Minutes from the March 7, 2005 Meeting
The minutes of the March 7, 2005 meeting of the LCC were moved (Dick/Laura) and approved.
3. Old Business
a) Update on Tree City Project
No report this month
b) Update on Post Pond Water Level Issues
Dick noted that the State of NH has now been added to the lawsuit filed by the Barkers against the Town. All scheduling of any discussions is now on hold pending the State coming up to speed on the issues.
Lee noted that the draft revised Post Pond Water Release policy (as distributed to the LCC members) has been recommended and approved by the Town’s attorney. The LCC discussed future record keeping for any requested water releases. A motion was made and seconded (Laura/Vicki) that (1) any beaver dam related activities, including water release requests), will be included in the minutes of the next regularly scheduled LCC meeting, and (2) that reasonable effort would be made to post notice of permitted releases on the Town’s website. The motion passed unanimously.
The public hearing to discuss the draft revised Post Pond Water Release policy is scheduled for Monday, April 11th at 7:30 PM in the Town Offices. The draft policy will be available for the public as of noon Wednesday, April 6th.
c) Vernal Pool Workshop
Joan reported that, to date, fifteen (15) people had signed up for the workshop, which will begin at 2:30 PM on Saturday, May 7th at the Academy Building.
d) Green Up Day
Green Up Day is also scheduled for Saturday, May 7th. Joan will hang the banner (Laura will take it down) and arrange to have bags available at Nichols for the public to collect trash. Joan, Laura and Vicki will make the calls to the “captains” to remind them of the event. Dick reported that the Selectmen had voted to waive any fees associated for the Green Up Day trash brought to the transfer station on Sunday, May 8th.
4. Wetlands
See Crossroads notes above.
5. New Business
a) Approval of dues for NHACC and UVTA
A motion was made and seconded (Laura/Dick) to pay the $175 annual dues for the NH Association of Conservation Commissions, as well as the $25 annual dues for the Upper Valley Trails Alliance.
b) Trails Day event for June 4
It was agreed that the LCC would again sponsor one or more projects for Trails Day on Saturday, June 4th from 9:00 AM until 12 Noon. Particular sites still to be determined.
6. Conservation Projects
a) Lee reported that Marcia Armstrong who currently owns the Mayo Farm property had approached the UVLT about a conservation easement. Peg Merrens of the UVLT has subsequently approached Lee to say that the UVLT would support the project if the LCC would also support it. Discussion focused around the historic nature of the barn on the site; the connection with Pinnacle Brook that runs through the site and which is protected on the opposite (East) side of Route 10; and the public location of the property. It was agreed that each LCC member would visit the site, complete a rating sheet and submit the sheet to Lee by April 15th. Lee would then summarize the LCC comments and report back to the UVLT.
b) Lee also reported that the UVLT has had tentative inquires from Mr. Hodes who owns the barn and fields on the South side of East Thetford Road, just opposite the Roisman property. UVLT wanted to inform the LCC that they may possibly put in a grant application to study this property, and may approach the LCC for some funds.
7. Other Matters
Earl Strout asked what constituted a “non-public” session of the LCC. Lee responded that it had to do with negotiations with a landowner about their property, and as money was to be discussed, the meeting was required to be held in confidence until such time as the transaction was completed.
Mr Strout also asked what is the definition of a wetland? Lee responded that the Town of Lyme regulates wetlands that are greater than 2,500 square feet, including a 100 foot buffer, and that wetlands were covered under the Zoning regulations. It was noted that DES regulates wetlands with no buffer. Lee also pointed out that it is at times difficult to determine what was a wetland, and that soil specialists should be consulted if there were any questions.
8. Publicity
An announcement about Green Up Day will appear in the April issue of The Church Newsletter.
9. Dick moved and Laura seconded a motion to go into non-public session under the authority of RSA 91:A-3 II(d) to discuss the purchase of an interest in real property. The motion was approved by a unanimous roll call vote and the LCC went into non-public session at 8:35. At 8:53 it returned to public session having voted to authorize the expenditure of up to $1,000 for legal services from the Conservation Fund.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:53 PM (Laura/Matt).
Respectfully submitted,
Laura McDaniel
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