Lyme Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
December 3, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 by Chair Matt Stevens. In attendance: members Dick Jones, Matt Stevens, James Graham, Adair Mulligan, Vicki May, Lee Larson, and member of the public Tom Morrissey.
1. Minutes of the November5, 2007 meeting were approved as distributed.
2. There was a discussion of possible candidates for the unfilled position on the Commission. A number of names were suggested, and Matt will contact these people to see if they are interested. In addition, we will advertise the opening on the Lyme Listserv and by a notice on the town web site, urging those interested to make themselves known.
3. We discussed making the NRI maps available to the public via computer in a format whereby individuals could customize them for their own purposes. Two options are having these available in the library for self-service or having the town office staff trained to provide this service, possibly for a fee. The question was raised as to whether the program could be made transparent enough for a novice user to be productive or whether this might be an unacceptable burden on library staff. Also, a high quality color printer would need to be available. Lee and James agreed to work on the program to see whether it could be made clear enough for a novice user with a single page or two of instruction, and to contact the library for their input on possible staff impact and equipment needs. They will report
back next month.
4. The monthly Post Pond water level discussion included a report that the third Castor Master had been installed in the downstream dam but the outlet pipe is not yet set at a low enough level due to high water and darkness on the installation day. Matt distributed a draft revised water level policy, and the CC agreed to wait until next month to discuss it.
A long discussion was held about management responsibility for the Chaffee Sanctuary. Most members favored returning some or all of this responsibility to the Board of Selectmen. It was pointed out that Post Pond water level will once again be a major discussion issue at the 2008 Town Meeting, and that the Selectmen expect one or more petitioned warrant article(s) to set the pond water at some lower level. The legality of such an article was questioned, and recommendation was made that the Selectmen determine its legality in advance. There was concern about the possible negative impression if the CC relinquishes Chaffee management responsibility. There was question about whether such action was premature. There was strong sentiment expressed that the CC had done all it could regarding water
level management, and that managing the Pond water level for any purpose except wildlife and wetland reasons consistent with good science was outside our charge and purview. Finally, whatever action was taken in the future regarding water releases by either the CC or the Selectmen needed to uphold all the laws of the State of New Hampshire and be consistent with good science. This discussion, including the possible revision of the water release policy, will be continued at the January meeting.
5. Trail reports: Lee reported that he and Peter McGowan cleared 10-15 blowdowns from last April’s storm which had fallen across the future Ridge Trail in the Town Forest. Lee will contact John Taylor to request a bill for the work he did on this trail during the fall.
6. The Annual Report for the Town Report is due soon. Matt asked for suggestions, and was asked to summarize the year’s activities by looking at the monthly meeting minutes.
7. Publicity suggestions: advertise a “last minute” tracking trip when snow conditions are good, possible ice safety.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Larson, recorder
While a first draft of these minutes has been circulated to Conservation Commission members for comments and suggestions and has then been edited, this version is considered to be a final draft until approved at the January 7, 2007 meeting.
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