Lyme Conservation Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
June 2, 2008
1. Chair Matt Stevens called the meeting to order at 7:30. The following members of the Commission attended the meeting: Blake Allison, James Graham, Russell Hirschler, Dick Jones, Lee Larson, Adair Mulligan and Matt Stevens. No members of the public attended the meeting.
2. The minutes of May 5th were approved as submitted.
3. Trails Day (meet at 9:00 AM on south side of the Common, Saturday, June 7th):
a. After reviewing various reports of the condition of the various Town trails it was decided to concentrate our maintenance efforts on:
i. Trout Pond trail – remove a couple of blow-downs and brushing,
ii. Ridge trail – remove major blow-downs, and
iii. Western Forest trail – relocate the eastern section.
b. A discussion followed of how to maintain several trails in Lyme (not currently maintained by the Commission) that are not being properly maintained. It was agreed that the Conservation Commission lacks the resources to take on the responsibility for their maintenance, but that the Commission would re-examine this in the future.
4. James reported that approximately twenty 6th, 7th and 8th grade students participated in a tree planting and honeysuckle-pruning project in the Big Rock Conservation Area.
5. Adair gave a follow-up on Green-up Day. New Hampshire the Beautiful will be providing the Town with 800 daffodils this fall. A discussion of potential planting sites followed. She will contact the Lyme Gardeners for advice and assistance.
6. The site visit to the Lawless property (corner of Goose Pond and Rennie roads) was reviewed. It was agreed that this property had limited conservation value (scenic views) and scored low on the Commission’s evaluation form. (Average score of 24.3 of a possible 55.) It was unresolved if the Commission would recommend Lyme’s participation in acquiring a conservation easement with Hanover (where the vast majority of the developable land is located).
7. Matt and Lee reported that they had reset the “beaver deceivers” in Clay Brook over the weekend. The Post Pond water level is currently at 2.29 feet on the gauge. They saw only limited evidence of beaver activity around the down-stream dam and none around the up-stream dam. Additional adjustments will be required to meet the 2.00-foot goal for the pond’s water level. Matt agreed to co-ordinate with Dan Quinn for use of the Transfer Station personnel for additional work. Lee requested and authorization was granted to expend operating funds to acquire an inexpensive digital camera to document activities as required
by the “Post Pond Water Release Policy”.
8. Russell reported that the Upper Valley Trails Alliance has a new web site and asked about links from it to the Town’s site for information on Commission trails. Dick moved and James seconded a motion to grant permission for the link. The motion passed unanimously with Russell abstaining. The Commission agreed to monitor trails over the next few years to see if such publicity is affecting trail conditions.
9. Adair reported that local Audubon Society volunteers are planning to better maintain the Lyme Hill trail.
10. The proposed “Boat Launch Ordinance” was reviewed. It was agreed that the “general regulations” should have a section added requiring all boaters to remove all vegetation from their boats, motors and trailers when launching or retrieving their boats.
11. Lee updated the Commission on a possible conservation project in Lyme Center on a high-value parcel. Dick moved and Russell seconded a motion to authorize the expenditure of funds from the Conservation Fund for an appraisal of the property with the landowners’ permission for the appraisal. The motion carried unanimously.
12. The meeting adjourned at 8:45.
R. G. Jones
recorder pro tem
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