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Lyme Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
January 4, 2010
PRESENT: Members – Matt Stevens, Lee Larson, Dick Jones, Adair Mulligan, Russ Hirschler and James Graham. Public – Charlie Hirshberg
Chair Matt Stevens called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
- On a motion by Lee, seconded by Dick, the minutes of the November 2, 2009 meeting were approved unanimously.
- Land Protection and Easements
- Conservation Easement Monitoring - Lee reported that all but one of the 30 town-held easements had been monitored, including the five that Alan Hewitt had monitored just days before his death. Alan had coordinated the annual monitoring for the Commission before Lee. Adair moved to recognize Alan’s contributions to conservation in Lyme. Lee seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Adair was asked to draft a statement commending Alan.
- Potential Land Acquisition - Lee raised the possibility of purchasing additional land for the town forest. A foreclosed 50-acre property along Whipple Hill and Pinnacle Hill Roads is available and abuts the Town Forest land recently purchased from Walter Young. Much of the land is steep, and it includes stream frontage. Agreed this is worth further investigation. Lee will schedule a site visit by snow shoes as conditions warrant
- Goose Pond Rd. Logging – James said he had received a question from a town resident about erosion and poor logging practices at a site on Goose Pond Rd. Members suggested that the individual contact the state’s Department of Resources and Economic Development to ask for an inspection.
- Trails and Land Management
- CT River Water Resources Plan – Adair reported that the CT River Water Resources Plan, developed by the Upper Valley River Subcommittee of the Connecticut River Joint Commissions (CRJC), is complete and has been shared with the Lyme Planning Board. It can be viewed on the web at www.crjc.org/waterresources.htm. She distributed copies of the executive summary and the recommendations aimed at towns and local organizations and landowners. She said that during the development of the plan, she held Lyme up to the 52 other riverfront towns for its exemplary protection of rivers, streams,
wetlands, and floodplains. She pointed to several recommendations, suggesting them for future consideration, including a survey of culverts and bridges to identify those that are undersized and could be a hazard. Members living on Pout Pond Lane have noted that poor maintenance of a culvert on that road is a consistent problem. Lyme’s appointed CRJC representatives are David Kotz and Lou-Anne Conroy,
- State Junk Yard Ordinance – Dick said the Selectboard is reviewing the state’s updated junkyard ordinance to assess its applicability to town properties.
- Bootleg Trail Cutting – Lee distributed a draft statement that will publicize the problem of bootleg trails being cut on private and town land. It was agreed that specifics regarding the unauthorized trails built in the Town Forest and the Trout Pond Forest should be added and that the statement should be circulated via the Lyme Community and Church News as well as the Lyme Listserv.
- Clay Brook Castor Master – Matt reported that the state Dept. of Environmental Services (DES) has denied the town’s permit request to install a castor master in Clay Brook. He indicated that a compliance letter has not been received. Matt said the issue is essentially moot because a recently passed statute eliminates the requirement to obtain a permit for such action. As a result, the reasons to deny the permit no longer exist. No action taken.
- Project and Application Review
- 301 River Road Septic Proposal – Charlie Hirshberg described a project to build a new septic system at 301 River Road at a seasonal 2-bedroom cabin perched over the bank of the Connecticut River. State shoreland and septic approvals are required, in addition to approval from the Lyme ZBA. Currently the 1950s-era cabin is served by a septic tank and dry well only a few feet from the river. The entire property is in the 100 year floodplain and likely within flowage rights owned by TransCanada Hydro Northeast. Because there is plumbing in the building, using river water, a composting toilet will not be sufficient for DES approval. There is a well on an adjacent parcel belonging to the same owner. The lot is too small to provide a 75 foot space between the well and the septic system. Charlie proposes a new 1000 gallon septic tank and a 1000
gallon “Clean Solutions” system of aerating effluent. A machine-placed stone retaining wall around the septic tank is proposed to allow raising it further above the river than the current tank. Three dead pines were cut this summer, stumps remain; the owner has recently planted small trees. Two more trees will need to be cut for installation. It was agreed that only low-flow fixtures should be used in the cabin and that the switches to the water supply and aerator should be coordinated so that the water cannot be inadvertently turned on without also turning on the aerator. It was also agreed that the owner should consider running a water line from the well at the neighboring house and that river water no longer be used. Adair cautioned that there are varved clays in the area and that uncertain drainage conditions exist. All acknowledged that the cabin could never be built under current laws and regulations. The current situation is difficult, but the proposed system
represents an improvement in septic treatment and a gain for the river. Soil should be stabilized and planting should be done. Red osier dogwood was recommended for planting near the septic tank. Adair will draft a letter to the ZBA for approval by the commission members.
- Post Pond Permit Applications Review – On Saturday, December 19th, CC members made site visits to two properties on Post Pond Lane to make recommendations regarding pending permit applications. The Commission gave its support to the Barker family’s proposal that would add a covered porch and open deck to their existing home. The Commission also viewed favorably the Day family’s project that would replace an
existing, aged septic system with a modern one.
- Snow Shoe Hikes – It was agreed to hold two winter snowshoe hikes. The first will be in the Town Forest on Sunday, February 7 at 1:30 pm. The second will be Sunday, February 28 to an as yet undetermined destination.
- Winterfest at Hulbert/Lake Morey – Russ reported the event will be held this coming weekend and encouraged attendance.
- Annual Report – Agreed that Blake’s fine minutes should be the basis of the Commission’s submission for the town’s Annual Report. Matt will ask him to consider drafting it.
- Trout Pond Forest Cellar Hole – Adair displayed photographs, scale drawings, and other information collected on a recent Lyme Historians’ visit to this town-owned site. Copies of the information will be stored with the Historians at the Academy and in the CC files. Lee and Dick had previously removed several pickup trucks’ worth of trash from this particular site. Adair’s crew removed more, including several containers of automotive fluids, which the town has disposed of.
- James said he would submit information regarding the upcoming snowshoe hikes and the previously discussed bootleg trail matter
The meeting was adjourned at 9:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Adair Mulligan, Secretary pro-tem
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