Lyme Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes April 7, 2008
Attending: Conservation Commission members James Graham, Russell Hirschler, Dick Jones, Lee Larson, Adair Mulligan, and Chair Matt Stevens. Members of the public: Lou-Anne Conroy, Steve Small, Julie Goodrich, Vicki Smith, Robert Couture, Jr., Horace Henriques, Dina Cutting, Tom Yurkowsky, Tor Tosteson, Greg Hanlon, Peter Mulvihill, Tom Morrissey, and Kathleen Henriques.
Matt called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
1. Minutes of the March 3, 2008 meeting were approved with minor corrections.
2. Representing the town of Hanover, Vicki Smith presented an opportunity to conserve land near the intersection of Rennie Road and Goose Pond Road. The Lawless family lives in Hanover near the Lyme town line on Rennie Road, and they are considering a conservation easement on their land. Approximately 1 acre of the 18 acre parcel is in Lyme. It consists of a very narrow strip with 830 feet of road frontage on Goose Pond Lane. This proposed easement would add protection to a major tributary to Hewes Brook, protect some wetlands and a scenic viewshed. The proposed easement is awkward because of the land in two towns. Vicki asked if we would consider an easement on this land and making a contribution from the Conservation Fund. We suggested she talk to the Upper Valley Land Trust
about holding such an easement, and to get back to us once an appraisal is complete so we have more facts.
3. We briefly discussed a canoe/boat storage rack at Post Pond, and whether there was a suitable place for this on the conservation land just south of the state road to the boat launch. Others are working on this issue, but we agreed to look to see if there are places out of the wetland which would be suitable if needed.
4. We discussed two upcoming events:
A. Green-Up Day Saturday May 3. Adair agreed to head this effort, and will contact other CC members for support. Dick will request the Selectmen waive fees for blue trash bags on Sunday May 4 and will set up a pick up procedure for tires.
B. Trails Day June 7. Lee and Russell agreed to organize this.
5. Activities
A. James is working on a tree planting program for school children with one of the teachers. We discussed possible locations for this activity, simplified if it is within walking distance of the school. The Big Rock Nature Preserve is being considered.
B. We talked about organizing an invasive species identification and elimination workshop for adults, and possibly coupling that with the tree planting. James and Matt to investigate.
C. See if school children could be involved in the salmon stocking program for Grant Brook. Adair will follow up on this with James.
D. Publicity: Green Up Day for April, Trails Day for May.
6. Other Business: Moved and approved motions to pay $175 dues to NH Association of Conservation Commissions, $30 dues to Upper Valley Trails Alliance, $40 plus shipping for a new gauge stake for Post Pond, and to transfer $200 from the Monitoring Fund line in the Conservation Commission operating budget to the Easement Monitoring line in the Conservation Fund.
7. Discussion of Post Pond water level policy revisions:
A. A motion was made to adopt the following steps to implement the mandates in Articles 17 and 18 passed by the 2008 Lyme Town Meeting.
1. Request a permit from NH Fish and Game Department to manipulate beaver dams when necessary to mange the water level in Post Pond at 2.0 feet.
2. Remove the dam(s) in Trout Brook if they survive the spring runoff. Keep Trout Brook free of beaver dams.
3. Revise the Post Pond water release policy (see 7. B. below) which will detail the following step.
4. Do a well documented weekly reading of the water level and dam breaching if over 2.0 feet by paid staff under the direct supervision and control of the Conservation Commission.
5. Reset the Castor Master pipes to center the opening at about 2.0 feet after receiving a DES wetlands permit..
6. Research and strongly consider building (or having built) and installing a loon nesting platform. Obtain advice from NH Fish and Game and from NH Audubon loon experts. Adair to check with expert sources.
7. Let the Watershed to Wildlife study go forward to provide additional knowledge of the Clay Brook wetland complex and the impact of various water levels on this system.
After considerable discussion by the Commission and members of the public, this motion was passed, five yes, one abstention.
B. Revised Post Pond Water Release Policy: A proposed draft was circulated, and minor corrections and additions were made to the actual policy. The motion was made and approved to hold a public hearing on this revision April 21, 7:30 pm at the Academy Building. Following the public hearing the Commission will hold a special meeting to consider further amendments or adoption. Lee agreed to incorporate the corrections and additions to the policy, and Dick and Matt will make further additions to the supporting material in the Appendix. A copy of the draft policy is attached to these minutes.
8. Recommendations to the Selectmen for new members of the Conservation Commission:
At 9:23 pm Dick moved and Russell seconded a motion to go into non-public session under the authority of RSA 91-A:3 II(c) – “matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person” for discussion of potential candidates to recommend to the Board of Selectmen for positions on the Conservation Commission. The motion was approved by a unanimous roll call vote.
At 9:50 pm the Commission returned to the public session having voted to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that Matt Stevens be re-appointed and Blake Allison be appointed as a new member.
9. The meeting was adjourned at 9:51 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Larson
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