Print
Share page with AddThis

Conservation Commission Approved Minutes September 12, 2013

Upload file: 
File august_26_2013.docx
File september_12_2013_draft.docx
Meeting date: 
Thursday, September 12, 2013

TOWN OF NEWMARKET, NH

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

September 12, 2013

7:00PM Council Chambers

 

Members Present: Drew Kiefaber (Chairman), Bruce Fecteau (Vice Chair), Fred Pearson, Jeff Goldknopf, Stephanie Coster (Alternate), Jessica Veysey Powell (Alternate), Janice Rosa (Planning Board Rep)

 

Members Absent: George Hilton, Dale Pike (Town Council Rep) excused

 

Called to Order:  7:04 PM

 

Agenda Items:

1. Pledge of Allegiance

 

2. Roll Call 

Drew Kiefaber appointed Jessica Veysey Powell as a voting member in the absence of George Hilton.

 

3. Public Comments

There were no public comments.

 

4. Approval of Minutes

August 8, 2013:  Jessica Veysey Powell suggested two edits (p2 line 38; p3 line 26). Jeff Goldknopf made a correction on the dollar amount of the deposit submitted by Fred Pearson for the sale of the rain barrels and composters. He also stated that he left the meeting before it adjourned and asked to have it included on p3 line 42.

Action

Motion:  Janice Rosa made a motion to approve the minutes with the recommended changes.

Second:  Bruce Fecteau

Vote:  All in favor. Drew Kiefaber abstained due to his absence at the meeting.

 

5. Treasurer's Report

The monthly treasurer’s report was distributed with no discussion. Jeff Goldknopf reported that cash payments are an acceptable form of payment for the purchase of the rain barrels, composters, and turners.  Drew Kiefaber reported that a $135.14 expense reimbursement was submitted by Jessica Veysey Powell for the purchase of the turtle signage.

 

6. Committee and Sub-Committee Reports

  • Town Council Report – Nothing to report.
  • Planning Board Report – Janice Rosa reported that the Planning Board voted to require an independent wildlife study for the Chinburg project and the developer will carry that cost. With regard to the Rockingham Junction development, there was some discussion about trailhead access and parking. She reported that the owner will be meeting with the state and hopes to eventually build another parking lot. Jeff Goldknopf recommended that the developers allow access to the trailhead during construction with fencing and signage.
  • Dam Removal Subcommittee – Nothing to report.
  • Sub-Committee Reports – Stephanie Coster reported that a public meeting will be held on Monday, 9/16/13 at 6:30PM regarding the draw down of the dam.  Janice Rosa asked if there would be any other issues discussed and Stephanie Coster said that they may touch on the feasibility study but the draw down will be the main focus of the meeting. The draw down is scheduled for October, which will allow the researchers to study the area and give the public a sense of what to expect if the dam were removed.
  • Policy and Process – Nothing to report.
  • Land Protection – Nothing to report.
  • Trail Maintenance – Nothing to report. 
  • Education and Outreach – Nothing to report.

 

7. Chairman's Report

Drew Kiefaber reported that the recipient of this year’s scholarship, Alex Chase, submitted a thank you to the Conservation Commission.          

Drew Kiefaber reported that Diane Hardy, Town Planner, submitted a packet related to the construction at 13 Water Street, which will be filed and available for anyone to review.

Drew Kiefaber reported that the State Department of Transportation will be holding a public information meeting on Thursday, 9/19/13 at 7:00PM at the Newmarket Town Hall regarding plans for the reconstruction of a portion of Route 108 including a 4-foot shared use shoulder on both sides of the road from near Bay Road in Newmarket to the intersection of Pond Hill Road in Durham. Drew Kiefaber will plan to attend and invited anyone else interested to attend as well.

Drew Kiefaber reported that Becky LaPense will no longer be the recording secretary for the Conservation Commission after the September meeting. He thanked her for her contribution.

 

8. Old/New Business

            Schanda Park Usage Application  

            Sarah Revels and her fiancé have submitted an application for the usage of Schanda Park on 05/25/14 for a wedding ceremony. The reception will be held at the American Legion. Drew Kiefaber advised her that parking was very limited in that area. Bruce Fecteau asked if notices on town letterhead should be posted in the park kiosk to notify the public when private events have been scheduled.

ACTION

Motion:  Janice Rosa made a motion for Sarah Revels and Bryce Caron on 05/25/14 to hold their wedding in the Schanda Park.

Jeff Goldknopf asked that the applicants remind the Conservation Commission in April to post the sign within a couple of weeks of the wedding.

                        Second:  Fred Pearson

                        Vote:  All in favor.

 

            Chinburg Builders – Site Walk Review

            Bruce Fecteau reported on the site walk which took place with Chinburg Builders and the Planning Board. A copy of the full wildlife impact report completed by the developer is on file and will be emailed by Drew Kiefaber to the Conservation Commission members. They walked through the home site lots and the grade level changes. The houses will not be visible from Route 108. There was discussion about the closed drainage system. Without the waiver of the buffer requirement, the house lots would be limited to 3. Bruce Fecteau reported that the developers advised the group that the state does not require the 100’ buffer, that it was a town zoning requirement. Bruce Fecteau speculated that there appeared to be more wildlife usage than initially thought and they have agreed to an independent wildlife study. Valerie Shelton explained that the waivers requested are considered to be very minor and historically would have been granted. At the Planning Board meeting, the plan was accepted as presented which gives them clearance for the 52 lots. Bruce Fecteau was in attendance and addressed the Planning Board stating that the 100’ buffer was not an arbitrary number and asked the Planning Board to consider that. He also said that the open space within this plan is a golf course which may not meet the standard of open space. The developers countered that the space could be used for other activities in the winter. Fred Pearson stated he felt very strongly about the same issue and is concerned the open space in this plan will be used for a golf course for most of the year. Diane Hardy has requested that Mark West conduct the independent study. The meeting will be continued at the next Planning Board meeting on 10/08/14. If any of the Conservation Commission members have any other concerns, Bruce Fecteau asked that they be sent to him directly and he will communicate that to the Planning Board at the October meeting. Jessica Veysey Powell asked if the yield plan for a conventional subdivision would require the waiver of the buffers and Bruce Fecteau said they would still need a couple of minor waivers but not the 100’ buffer waiver. Jessica Veysey Powell asked about the possibility of reducing the number of the house lots, and Bruce Fecteau said they are considering but mainly due to the road plan, not because of the wetlands. There was no discussion about reducing the number of house lots just to allow for less of an encroachment into the buffer. Bruce Fecteau said they did not seem to be open to that consideration.

 

            Easement Stewardship Monitoring

            There are four properties requiring reports by January and Drew Kiefaber suggested getting them on the calendar: Piscassic River-Loiselle, New Roots Farm, Wiggin Farm, Audubon/Smith Sisters and Silverman-Schneer properties. Jeff Goldknopf volunteered to the conduct the walk for Piscassic River-Loiselle on Sunday, 09/15/13 at 9:00AM. The New Roots Farm site visit will be tentatively scheduled for 09/29/13. Drew Kiefaber will confirm that date via email.

           

            Turtle Signage

            Bruce Fecteau reported that he spoke with Rick Malasky at DPW and they do not have sign posts available to use so they would need to be purchased. Jessica Veysey Powell recommended not hinging the signs since the cut would have to be made directly across the turtle image. Without the hinges, the signs would need to be taken down and put back up throughout the year. After some discussion of the two options, it was decided not to alter the signs but to install and remove the signs when seasonally appropriate. Jessica Veysey Powell also recommended using tamper-proof bolts. The signs will not be posted until the spring but Bruce Fecteau will get quotes for the sign posts to be discussed at the next meeting.

           

            Annual To-Do List

            Jessica Veysey Powell suggested beginning to build the annual to-do list, which should include the easement monitoring schedule. She also recommended adding a quarterly update on the land use change tax and the Wiggin Farm mowing schedule. Drew Kiefaber mentioned the annual report for the Town Report. Jessica Veysey Powell added the scholarship applications and school field trip sponsorships. The fishing derby and Heritage Festival will also be added to that schedule. Drew Kiefaber will formalize the list for the next Conservation Commission meeting.

 

            Roadside Invasive Species Management Plan

            Jeff Goldknopf looked into NH’s management plan for roadside invasive species, which recommends using herbicides and multiple cuts per year. After reviewing the plan, he suggested getting DPW into the discussion to get their thoughts about how it could be administered. It would require using a licensed applicator, which makes the plan more complicated. Janice Rosa expressed concern about limited resources within the town budget. Fred Pearson suggested it would be worthwhile to bring it up to find out what Rick Malasky thinks or if there is a current plan in place.  Drew Kiefaber will contact the Town Administrator to run it by him and get his suggestions on how to move forward.

 

            Schanda Park Restoration

            Fred Pearson shared an estimate from Salmon Falls Nursery Landscaping on the restoration of the Schanda Park which includes re-sodding, replanting the flower beds, and repairing some of the cement and granite erosion, totaling $14,045. If irrigation were included that would be an additional $3000-$4000. The Conservation Commission members will individually visit the park and be prepared to discuss their own observations regarding the priority of repairs at the October meeting. When there is a consensus on the repairs needed, additional requests for proposals will be solicited. Jeff Goldknopf suggested that long-term funding for park maintenance be part of future consideration should revenue from the land use change tax decline or disappear. Janice Rosa suggested higher park usage fees in the future.

             

Action Item List

  • Check on water removal signage costs from Infinite Imagine (Bruce) – Nothing to report.
  • Add information links to Conservation Commission website – Nothing to report.
  • Investigate options for a Nitrogen mailer (Jessica) – Bruce Fecteau reported that the bulk mailing costs through USPS for 500+ mailers would be approximately $.245/ea, less than 500 would be $.41/ea
  • Mark easement boundaries at New Roots Farm – Nothing to report.
  • Review amended application in Concord to see if Follet's Brook is a prime wetland – Nothing to report.
  • Develop a process for identifying when land has changed from current use for tax purposes – Nothing to report.
  • Finish connector trail at Piscassic/Loiselle – Nothing to report.
  • Amend Wiggin Farm management plan to move mowing to after Sept. 15 (Jeff) – Nothing to report.
  • Remove defective snowmobile bridge from Wiggin Farm – Nothing to report.

9. Adjournment

ACTION

Motion:    Bruce Fecteau made a motion to adjourn.

Second:     Drew Kiefaber

Vote:         All in favor.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:54 PM.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 10/10/13 at 7PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Becky LaPense