LYME CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes for meeting of March 5, 2007 7:30 PM
In attendance: Lee Larson, Dick Jones, Matt Stevens, Vicki May, Adair Mulligan, and James Graham
1. The meeting convened at 7:30 and minutes for the meeting of February 5, 2007 were approved
2. Old Business
a. Lee reports that the Natural Resources Inventory is still in progress, with Watershed To Wildlife reporting that they are actively working on a draft report.
b. Matt reports that he has retrieved information on the past revetment of Trout Brook from the Town Office and will use that as a model for the Grant Brook Revetment Project Plan.
c. No specific plans were discussed for National Trails Day other than the plan to reroute the Town Forest trail.
d. Lee, Dick, and James reported that the snowshoe walk was a success. Eight people participated in the walk from Dick’s house to Pout Pond, across the pond and back to Dick’s house via the logging road. Animal tracks encountered along the way included: Snowshoe Hare, Coyote, Deer, Ermine, and Fisher.
e. James reported that he is working on completing the application for Tree City USA. He is expecting to receive information on how much was spent for the care and planting of trees in town from both Jean Smith of the Cemetery Commission and John Kavanaugh of PSNH. Lee suggested contacting Jim Backus of N.H. Electric Coop if necessary.
3. No wetland permits required action in the past month.
4. New Business
a. James suggested working on a plan to get students at the Lyme School engaged with the work of the Commission. Lee suggested a “Largest Tree” contest and described ways that trees can be measured using the formula: Circumference + Height + ¼ the Canopy. The height can be measured using a clinometer. James also suggested that students may be interested in helping with Trails Day and that the Commission might enjoy having a student representative. Dick cautioned that to be a member of the Commission one had to be on the voter checklist, but that the History Committee had a student associate several years age. James will speak with the Lyme School Principal and possibly the Science teacher about a plan for getting school kids involved.
b. Adair shared some examples of well-detailed maps made from 1930 – 1950 of the spread of white pine blister rust. There are maps of the entire state. Adair said they’ve been useful to the Historians for locating cellar holes and other aspects of Lyme’s historic landscape, and suggested the Commission might also find them useful in its work.
c. In preparation for Town Meeting, Lee suggested using a fold out display provided by the UVLT. Vicki suggested having a sign-up sheet for Green-Up Day. James suggested having photos available of CC events over the past year, especially the installation of the Castor Master. Dick said he would print out large copies of several of the Castor Master installation photos for a display. Adair asked if a model of the Castor Master is available. Matt said he will contact Skip Lisle to confirm that he is available for the spring should the Town wish to try installing another pipe, and will ask Skip if he has brochures or other information that can be displayed at Town Meeting. Matt agreed to be the Commission’s spokesperson with regard to discussion of
Article 26 at Town Meeting. James suggested having the Water Release Policy at hand for reference. Minor edits were made to the Post Pond Fact sheet created by Mimi. Dick will make the edits and print copies for availability at Little Town Meeting and Town Meeting proper. Lee presented a copy of a survey of the Post Pond Ball Field he conducted with Rod Finley. The survey shows that no part of the ball field is at an elevation below the benchmark that determines the 3.0’ NMHW mark of Post Pond. The lowest point of the ball field (deep center field) is about 10” above the 3.0’ benchmark. Home plate is about 2’-9” above the 3.0’ benchmark. Lee reports that a soils expert familiar with the area is doubtful that the field is being flooded from underneath by water from Post Pond.
5. Other Business
a. The Commission requests that Lee Larson and Adair Mulligan serve another term on the Commission. They both agree to do so should they be appointed.
b. Regarding Chairmanship of the Commission, Adair reported that she regrets that she is unavailable to serve as Chair. Lee said that he would be available to serve as Chair but will not be available to manage issues concerning Post Pond. Lee also suggested that electing a new Chair could be a positive step for the Commission and that he would be willing to serve as Vice Chair to assist a new Chairperson. Matt said that he would be willing to serve as Chair but is concerned about having lived in town for such a short time. Those in attendance assured him that was of minor importance with regard to the responsibilities of being Chairperson. James said he was unavailable to fulfill the role. Dick said any action on electing a Chair should wait until
all members were present.
c. No announcement will be printed in the Lyme Town Ministry News for April. Lee reported that the N.H. Fish and Game Department is sponsoring workshops associated with their Wildlife Action Plan. More information can be found at:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15.
Respectfully submitted by James Graham.
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