Lyme Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
September 8, 2008
PRESENT: Matt Stevens, Dick Jones, Lee Larson, Russ Hirschler, Blake Allison, Adair Mulligan, members; Public: Tom Morrissey
1. The minutes of the August 11 meeting were amended to reflect the Planning and Zoning Administrator’s proper title and fact that only the selectmen can appoint committees, and unanimously approved as amended.
2. Trails update:
a. Ledyard Bank is looking for trail work ideas for its company community day in October. Lee has talked with John O’Brien about the trail from the Town Forest Waterfall Trail to Route 10 where logging has been underway. Agreed this was the best project to recommend since it would provide western access to the forest. A CC member will have to supervise the 1-10 people the bank will send.
b. Ben Hudson has suggested that the Grafton County Conservation District could apply for Moose Plate funds for a sidewalk/bike path from the village to the new town office and Post Pond, and has offered to help. Dick observed that there is strong town interest in such a project and suggested a route that could go from the common past the Legion hall or behind the cemetery along the wetland. Russ said that the Upper Valley Trails Alliance could sign on as a supporter. All agreed there is potential here for a good project. Dick advised that the selectmen should appoint a separate committee for this, rather than have it be solely a CC project, to enable liability coverage. Adair recommended applying in Year 1 for design and engineering and in Year 2 for implementation funding, since costs
could vary widely depending on which route is chosen.
3. Conservation properties: no update
4. Chaffee Wildlife Sanctuary / Post Pond:
a. Bill for $448.50 has been received for mowing. Voted to ask Dina to pay the bill from the conservation fund on a motion by Dick seconded by Russ. Lee said there was heavy growth this year and the mowing took a long time, but despite the wet July, the mower did not leave ruts. Lee reviewed the USDA Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program grant which covers 80% of the town’s costs for this. There was one-time money to remove invasive plants (which probably came from a much earlier “conservation mix” that had included honeysuckle and others), annual money to mow a 15 foot strip each year near the trees to benefit woodcock breeding, and money to mow the field every other year.
b. The CC has received a notice of violation from DES for installation of the second and third Castor Masters. DES has indicated that if the CC files an after-the-fact application for a standard dredge and fill permit, it will be approved. Matt will confirm whether a minimum impact or full application is required, and said he could do the former but, while he has successfully written examples of the latter, might not have the time. Lee advised paying a professional to do it. After an initial motion by Dick to authorize up to $5000 from the conservation fund failed, Lee called Jim Kennedy, who is also working on the town’s project at the playing fields. Jim estimated about $1000 to complete the application, and would need photos and surveying information, which the CC already has.
Dick then moved to authorize expenditure from the conservation fund up to $2000, second by Russ, and it passed unanimously.
c. Watershed to Wildlife has finished field work and expects to send the report soon. Agreed it would be useful to know what water level is necessary for successful loon nesting.
5. Subcommittees: Matt asked for discussion on this idea which he hopes will allow the CC to get more done and involve more of the public. Lee consulted the CC’s 1999 bylaws, which authorize standing committees on lands, programs, application review, and easement monitoring. Adair suggested rotating the responsibility for organizing application reviews among the members, as the secretarial duties are handled. Lee saw no reason not to try the subcommittee idea. Will discuss further at the next meeting.
6. Other business: Dick passed along an invitation from state Urban Forester Mary Reynolds to a Tree City luncheon. No one can go. DES is holding climate change action plan public listening sessions, but none are in the Upper Valley. No one can go. Blake asked if the new berm on River Road violates scenic road statutes. Dick said the selectmen are handling it.
7. Bills have come in for water quality testing at Post Pond and Reservoir Pond, one for $120 and one for $100. Voted to pay them from the Environmental Monitoring category of the operating fund, on a motion by Lee seconded by Russ.
8. Publicity: Lee has submitted an article on the Ledge Trail. The Town Forest trail guide has been revised and is up on the web.
Adjourned 8:46 pm
Adair Mulligan, recorder pro tem
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