LYME CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes from
March 6, 2006
Present: Lee Larson, Laura McDaniel, Dick Jones, Adair Mulligan, Paul Klee, Matt Stevens
Chairman Larson calls to order 7:32 p.m.
1. Transfer Station Committee – Greenup Day
Committee members Steve Maddock, Maya Klee, and Simon Carr were present to address the CC regarding potential problems with residents exploiting fee amnesty for Green-up Day. At last year’s event the transfer station was inundated with used automobile tires that were not associated with Green-up day and for which no fees were collected. Discussion included ideas to prevent same from happening this year and in future. Committee members and CC agreed that tires would not be mentioned in publicity materials and special bags would be used for Green-up day to distinguish them from regular Lyme bags. Laura will follow-up with Simon to obtain a supply of [blue] bags free from NH the Beautiful.
2. Dartmouth Skiway – Future Plans
Ellen Arnold, General Council’s office at Dartmouth; Doug Holler, Dartmouth Skiway; John Gilbert and Mike Redding, GeoInsight were present to address progress and plans for stormwater runoff and surface water protection at Dartmouth Skiway. Mike Redding outlined the principal activities on the parking lots and slopeside areas that will ameliorate erosion and subsequent siltation of streams adjacent to the parking areas. Dartmouth will develop a maintenance plan as soon as desired conditions are achieved and understood. Redding and Arnold also addressed DES permitting process for septage lagoon design and operation.
3. Approval of minutes of meeting February 6, 2005
Approved (McDaniel, Jones; no discussion)
4. Old Business
a. Natural Resource Inventory – CRJC Partnership Proposal?
Lee suggested submitting a grant proposal to Connecticut River Joint Commissions by which the CC would obtain some money to pay local folks to contribute to the town’s NRI. Adair suggested a public presentation be a part of this proposal and the process. Matt and Lee will work together on a proposal which is due at the end of March.
b. Report on Snowshoe Walk
10 people participated in the walk up the Quintown Road to Jasper Day’s property.
c. Report on reduced salt spreading request
No report. Dick will speak with road agent .
d. Tree City update
Laura spoke with Mary Reynolds who mentioned that we should hear (regarding funding?) in late March or early April.
e. Grant Brook Trail rerouting
Matt reported that the trail will not be rerouted but rather fencing will be moved to keep cattle out Grant Brook as much as possible. Matt will speak with farmer and landowners to secure permission and guidance. There may be need for streambank stabilization in the vicinity of the fencing project, but no trail work is needed. Matt will update CC as project progresses.
f. Conservation Commission membership for 2006
Laura McDaniel’s move to Orford effectively terminates her membership after April.
Paul Klee’s term expires with the April meeting. Paul’s schedule dictates that he’ll miss several meetings and he has chosen not to renew for another term. This leaves two vacancies.
Lee would like to develop a list of potential candidates and a “job description” will be included in the church newsletter to attract other interested folks. An announcement will also be made through the selectmen’s list of vacant committee positions.
5. Wetlands and Easements
a. Site Visit Requests: Jenks property, High St.; Fowler property (Vivian Piper), Pony Hill
Site visits are scheduled for March 9 at 9 a.m. starting at the Jenks property.
6. New Business
a. Town Meeting Plans
CC will distribute Town trails maps, Northern Woodlands “The Place You Call Home” guide, and UVLT information at town meeting.
b. Trails Day projects?
Lee will identify projects and sign up interested members of CC.
c. Greenup Day Plans
Laura has Green-up day participant list and will give it to Vicki May for editing/updating. Banner for hanging on the Common is in Laura’s garage. Paul agreed to do organizing if Laura can’t do it.
d. Support for HB1495 which increases the landfill to river setback from 100 ft to 1500 ft?
Lee received request from Frank Tupper for a letter of support for the bill from the town of Lyme (via CC). Members agreed to have Lee draft the letter. Dick abstained based on his objection to towns, as opposed to individuals, lobbying (in effect) for particular legislation.
e. Request for a joint meeting with the Planning Board March 23
Meeting will be held at the town office at 7:30 p.m.
f. Forest fragmentation sheet – should we do something similar?
Hartford CC published a fact sheet about forest fragmentation and how it affects the town of Hartford. This is a concept that the Lyme CC could employ for Lyme specific (and general) conservation topics. Members agree to concept, no particular publishing schedule is needed (as possible/appropriate). Lee will check with Chuck Wooster (Hartford CC) about using the Forest Fragmentation sheet for Lyme.
7. Other Business
None.
8. Publicity; Don’t walk or ride mountain bikes or horses on muddy trails?
Information and request to avoid muddy spring trails will be included in the next church newsletter.
Family Potluck for CC members and town conservation easement monitors Sunday April 2, 6:00 pm at the Academy Building; Ben Kilham will do a program after we eat. Details to follow.
Submitted (draft) by
Matt Stevens
March 7, 2006
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