LYME CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes - June 5, 2006
PRESENT: Lee Larson, Dick Jones, Vicki May, Matt Stevens, Mimi Weinstein, James Graham, Adair Mulligan, CC; Steve Walker, LCIP Program; Earl Strout
1. Visit by Steve Walker, NH LCIP Program: Steve explained that Lyme has 15 properties where the state’s Land Conservation Investment Program is the backup easement holder to the town; more than any other town in the state. It is now known as the Conservation Land Stewardship Program. He suggested checking the GRANIT data mapper (best not on dial-up internet connection) and recommended using a GPS unit when monitoring easements. He offered to put together monitoring field files, which are useful for volunteer easement monitors. Lee manages a team of monitors, contacts landowners, and forwards reports. He feels volunteers shouldn’t have to write much on the forms. Steve suggested that it never hurts to add information where
possible, such as submitting a GPS record of the monitoring visit or record of conversations with landowners. LCIP checks properties every 5 years. He offered GPS training. Some problems occur when properties transition to new owners. Matt spoke of the value of a solid record of monitoring in case a problem later develops.
2. Housekeeping: approved the May minutes on a motion by Vicki seconded by Mimi.
3. Old Business
a. Natural Resource inventory - contract is signed and sent. Lee, Matt, and Vickie Davis will be contact people. Have $3500 from the town, $4500 from Moose Plate grant, $1500 from CRJC grant; need to raise $2500, Dave Roby will help fundraise.
b. Trails Day - 14 people volunteered in the pouring rain.
i. Big Rock - James, Vicki: built new trail section to bypass an eroded area, took out hanging tree, and covered the “trail” next to the stairs with brush. Need to lop back growth by steps.
ii. Trout Pond - Mimi reported Put cut down a big hemlock, went quickly
iii. Town Forest - Dick and Lee cut down a lot of blow downs, some large; removed trash from campsite
iv. Grant Brook - Matt cut a troublesome tree, worked on fencing. Riverbank needs a site visit.
c. Post Pond water policy - have to review policy annually. After recent rains, level is 7" above measured normal mean high water level (set by state), but no one has asked to alter the beaver dam. Lee explained that CC does not do this, but will grant permission under circumstances laid out in the policy. Earl said Chase Beach was under water and beach will be needed in 10 days; asked about beaver pipe. CC members explained that the CC had sponsored an engineering study and learned that because of size and shape of watershed and character of the pond and area around the dam, such a pipe would not be feasible. Conflicting petitions went to the state last fall, and state has not yet responded due to flooding in other areas. Town
recreation commission could request permission to alter the dam. Voted unanimously to add two secondary bench marks for resetting the stake as proposed by Lee, and to add 2005 rainfall data to the policy statement, on motion by Dick seconded by Adair.
d. Cellar Holes project - Adair reported the committee has met and will adopt CC recommendations to use GPS and involve school. Dick advised taking photos. She will report again.
e. No site visits this month.
4. New Business
a. Elections: Lee was re-elected chair and Matt elected vice-chair on a unanimously endorsed motion by Dick seconded by Vicki. Secretarial duty will continue to rotate among members.
b. Purchases - voted unanimously on a motion by Dick seconded by Matt to authorize purchase of 50' roll of turkey fencing to protect plantings from beaver and deer at Hewes Brook cartop boat landing, a gage stake for Post Pond if needed, and duckbill anchors and cable for Grant Brook if needed, from annual operating funds, up to $300.
c. Chaffee Sanctuary - voted to pay for mowing this year from the Conservation Fund after the grassland birds finish nesting, and leaving a 50-75' buffer around Trout Brook, on motion by Dick seconded by Vicki. WHIP program pays 75% of cost.
d. Dry hydrant at Post Pond- agreed that Mike Hinsley should use best judgment on where to put it, avoiding sedimentation to pond. Location in ditch by boat access road is already disturbed and may be best location.
e. Next meeting - July 10, on motion by Dick, second by Matt.
f. New elm tree - Adair reported that Lyme Historians had planted a Valley Forge American Elm at Nichols Hardware on state land with permission from all. Tree has high resistance to Dutch elm disease, very hardy, tolerant of road salt, air pollution, soil conditions. Will use this as town’s Arbor Day project for Tree City program, along with planting of small conifer by Vicki.
g. Wetland info - Lee passed out copies.
h. Publicity - Lee and Matt will send in report on Trails Day, thanking volunteers.
Meeting adjourned 9:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Adair Mulligan, Secretary pro-tem
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