Lyme Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 by Chair Matt Stevens. In attendance: CC members Dick Jones, Matt Stevens, James Graham, Adair Mulligan, Vicki May, and Lee Larson, and members of the public: Russell Hirschler, Scott Williams, and Tom Morrissey.
1. Scott Williams from Pathways Consulting described the proposed project at 12 Baker Hill Rd. The existing house will be razed and the house will be rebuilt on a new site outside the wetland setback. The septic is the only portion within the wetland setback. The main issue before the CC is the existing 5’x5’ stone culvert. The two steel beams spanning above the culvert are deteriorated and the granite slab is cracked – the culvert needs to be replaced (or rebuilt). A DES wetlands permit is required but since it is a replacement a minimum impact permit should be sufficient. Two alternatives for replacement are being considered (a buried culvert
and a concrete arch) – open channel flow will be maintained with both alternatives. Adair noted that Atlantic Salmon are being stocked in that area; she also recommended that the owner contact Nadine at the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) about inventorying and preserving the historic stone culvert.
2. Dick moved/Adair seconded that the minutes from 1/07/08 be approved – they were unanimously approved.
3. Matt introduced Russ Hirschler who is interested in volunteering on the Conservation Commission. Lee moved/Adair seconded that Russ’s appointment to the CC be recommended to the Selectboard to replace Mimi Weinstein. Dick will follow-up with the Selectboard.
4. The CC had made two site visits since the last CC meeting: to Alden Inn and on River Road. Letters of opinion were sent to the Zoning Administrator.
5. Dick distributed copies of the three Recreation Committee warrant articles. James asked if the RC had voted on the articles and asked to see the RC minutes (Dick will follow-up on getting minutes posted to the town website). Lee recommended that the CC outline the history/context of the water level and that members of the CC meet with Fish & Game and the DES Wetlands Bureau – and have them write a letter stating the conditions under which a permit will be granted (and what the 2’ and 3’ water levels mean). Adair asked that Attorney Jae Whitelaw be invited to town meeting. In addition, she recommended that we ask Jae to write a 1 page
summary of her interpretation of the law that we can read (or distribute) at the town meeting.
6. John and Elise from Watershed to Wildlife submitted a proposal to independently assess the water level and wetland conditions in the Chaffee Sanctuary (for $3940). John and/or Elise will attend the March meeting to discuss their proposal. Matt will ask them to send an electronic copy of the proposal for the CC to review before the March meeting.
7. Other business.
a. James talked to Penny at the Lyme School about working with students on conservation projects. One proposed project is planting seedlings. James also asked if CC members would help with projects one afternoon. He also asked if it would be possible to have a student participate (in some capacity) on the CC. Lee stated that there used to be a “junior commission” in Lyme. Russ recommended that rather than simply sitting in on meetings, their participation be tied to an assignment or project.
b. Adair discussed the possibility of a trail from the Village to near the new town offices. Maybe older students at the school could help scout out a new route (possibly behind the horse sheds?). Don Cooke might be willing to let the students use his 20 GPS units to get them excited about the project.
c. Lee reported on public access to the NRI maps at the library. The computers at the library are too old to run the necessary GIS software but Lee is working on getting newer computer(s) for the library.
d. Snowshoe walk is scheduled for this Sunday – meet at 1:30pm at Stellas/Nichols. James will advertise the snowshoe walk on the listserv on Wednesday.
8. Publicity – NRI maps will be available at the library in the coming weeks. Lee delivered a new color laser printer to the library.
Meeting adjourned at 9:03pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Vicki V. May, recorder
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