Present: John Badger (Chairman), Eric Botterman (Town Council representative), Diane Hardy (Town Planner), Rick McMenimen (Alternate), Janice Rosa, PeterRoy (Vice-Chairman), George Willant
Absent: Adam Schroadter (Alternate), Val Shelton, Eric Weston, Justin Normand
Chairman Badger called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Chairman Badger appointed Rick McMenimen to sit in for Val Shelton.
Public Comments
No comments.
Newmarket Veterans Memorial Trust Committee – Presentation of conceptual drawing for new memorial next to the library
Janice Rosa of the Veterans Committee explained the conceptual plan has been approved by the Town Council, Newmarket Library Trustees, and Eric Chinburg. This memorial will move forward as funding is secured. Approximately $13,000 has been saved on the design part of the project, which was completed by the Committee.
Wayne Rosa presented the conceptual plans for the memorial. He explained the Committee is fully aware there may be development in the back of the library. He asked for the Planning Board to keep this conceptual design in mind when and if that development begins. There is a grant process that has begun. This project is still about a year and a half out.
Phil Nazaro explained the memorial would include a bronze statue of a service member on his knee. In addition to the statue, there would be a statement along the lines of: “On behalf of a grateful nation, this flag is presented for your loved one’s faithful and honorable service.” This will be to thank all Newmarket veterans for their service. There will be granite pillars with the names of all the service members from Newmarket. The names of those killed in action would be inscribed on the statue itself.
Review and Approval of Minutes: 11/10/09
Vice-Chairman Roy noted on page 5, line 19 reads awkwardly. On page 6, line 9 needs some wording changes.
Rick McMenimen noted Justin Normand was not present at the meeting.
Action
Motion: Vice-Chairman Roy made a motion to accept the minutes as amended.
Seconded: Rick McMenimen
Vote: All in favor – George Willant and Janice Rosa abstained.
Applicants: Hickory Pond Partners LLC-Bosinger 2006 Family Trust/David & Linda Dodds/Jacqueline Berg
Location: Ash Swamp Road & Grant Road, Tax Map R4, Lots 57-6 & 57-9, R1 Zone
Application: Request for a six-month extension to the conditional approval for subdivision granted by the Newmarket Planning Board on 06/09/09.
Town Planner Diane Hardy noted she has received a letter from the applicant requesting the extension. Easement documents have been submitted and reviewed by legal counsel who suggested some revisions. There are also some concerns about the wording of the easements related to maintenance of the storm water management systems. The Town and the applicant are moving forward on each of the conditions imposed on the approval. She recommended the Board grant the extension.
Action
Motion: Eric Botterman made a motion to grant the extension request for an additional six-month period to June 9, 2010.
Seconded: Vice-Chairman Roy
Vote: All in favor
Applicant: The Nature Conservancy
Location: 358 Wadleigh Falls Road, Tax Map R5, Lot 78-1, R1 Zone
Application: Approval of a gravel pit reclamation plan, under Section 2.02 of the Town of Newmarket Regulations governing Earth Excavations and as required by the Newmarket Planning Board per the conditional approval of a Subdivision & Special Use Permit granted on October 14, 2008:
A reclamation plan be completed by the applicant in concert with the NH Department of Environmental Services, the NH Department of Fish and Game, and the Natural Resources and Conservation Services (NCRS) and filed with the Town of Newmarket within two years from the date of last excavation or by March 2010.
Mike Sievert with MJS Engineering representing The Nature Conservancy explained this is a 115-acre parcel located on Wadleigh Falls Road. There is a portion in Newmarket with the majority of the property located in Durham. There is a grandfathered gravel pit on the property that has not been excavated for several years. The Nature Conservancy is attempting to reclaim the gravel pit for aesthetic and wildlife habitat purposes. Some of the slopes will be re-graded and invasive plant species will be removed. There are a few areas that will not be re-graded because they are prime locations for turtle habitat and bird nestings. This gravel pit is being reclaimed under RSA 155:E. He doesn’t believe this project will require a permit but wanted approval by the Planning Board. The Nature Conservancy is partnering with the NRCS and the NH Audubon Society, which have submitted letters. The first application of herbicide to remove the knotweed will be done in this summer. The grading work would then be done; likely to begin in fall.
Vice-Chairman Roy asked about the potential for erosion without reclaiming the entire site. Mike Sievert explained the pit is a hole. No run-off or materials will go off site. Any material that is eroded along the banks will remain on-site. There likely will not be a significant amount of erosion. The reclamation would be done including stabilization and reseeding by October 2010. There may be an additional application of herbicide to remove invasive species in the spring of 2011, if needed.
Town Planner Diane Hardy explained this is an application related to a subdivision approval that was granted to The Nature Conservancy for an open space subdivision of this property. One of the conditions of that approval was the submission of a reclamation plan. She referenced the checklist she provided to Board members. She recommended the Board accept the application for technical review.
Action
Motion: Eric Botterman made a motion to accept the motion for technical review.
Seconded: Janice Rosa
Vote: All in favor
Town Planner Diane Hardy noted typically on applications like this the Board has the town’s engineer review the application. In this case she is recommending sending the application to the Rockingham County Conservation District for their review because of their expertise in gravel pits and reclamation. In addition, the Rockingham County Conservation District would be interested in the environmental aspects of the project. She asked Lenny Lord, the new Conservation District Manager if he could put together a proposal of cost estimate for the review. This cost estimate was provided to Board members. She recommended the Board send the plans over to the Rockingham County Conservation District for their review with the hopes of having comments back in time for the January meeting where conditional approval may be discussed.
Mike Sievert noted with all due respect, The Nature Conservancy has had multiple specialists work on this project including the Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, NH Fish & Game Department and Vegetation Control Specialists. The Nature Conservancy’s interest is to conserve property. Eric Botterman noted he was fine with this request. As part of the application packet multiple letters were submitted in support of the project. George Willant agreed asking what was unique about this project that would need the kind of additional input the Rockingham County Conservation District would provide. Town Planner Diane Hardy felt it would be helpful to get additional feedback from an organization specializing in conservation.
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Eric Botterman noted it is in The Nature Conservancy’s best interest to do this right. It does not go against the Town’s best interest. He felt this was a case where additional review may not be necessary.
Town Planner Diane Hardy noted she had submitted the plans to Conservation Commission Chairman Bruce Fecteau. The Conservation Commission will be meeting on Thursday. Conservation Commission Chairman Bruce Fecteau noted the only question he had was the herbicide treatment of the knotweed because of the close proximity of the wells.
Mike Sievert stated research has been done on the location of the wells in the neighborhood. There will be a state permit required for the herbicide treatment and will be obtained as part of this proposal. The cost of the application and receipt of permit will be part of their work on the project.
Duane Hyde representing The Nature Conservancy explained there would be safety postings during herbicide application. He noted a traditional developer would not pay attention to the removal of the knotweed because it is more expensive to do so. He noted The Nature Conservancy is more in tune with conservation and environmental efforts than the traditional developer and felt removal of the invasive species was important.
Mike Sievert discussed re-grading the slopes. Janice Rosa applauded The Nature Conservancy for its efforts to remove the invasive species but added unless all surrounding landowners also control the invasive species on their property they will not be completely removed.
Town Planner Diane Hardy reviewed the checklist. Mike Sievert noted there is a large wood pile that would be burned, but all other piles would be used in the reclamation process. Duane Hyde discussed the grasses that would be used for reclamation.
Town Planner Diane Hardy recommended approval of the application conditioned upon the Conservation Commission seeing the information sheets on the pesticides being used and proper postings to the public about the pesticides.
Janice Rosa noted there might be poison ivy burned as part of the pile. There are some people in the area who are highly allergic to poison ivy. She suggested informing the public of when the pile will be burned so necessary precautions can be taken.
Action
Motion: Eric Botterman made a motion to approve the application with the following conditions:
Information sheets about the pesticides being used be provided
Notice to the public about burning schedule
Posting of signs during application of the pesticide
Seconded: Vice-Chairman Roy
Vote: All in favor
New/Old Business
Discussion: Lamprey River Watershed Community Assistance
Town Planner Diane Hardy noted she received a letter from Amanda Stone, Natural Resource Outreach Coordinator with the UNH Cooperative Extension. They have received a grant to assist communities within the Lamprey River Watershed with watershed planning initiatives. Amanda Stone has offered to come to a Planning Board meeting to discuss what services might be available to the Planning Board. She has offered both the January and February meetings but has not heard back from her regarding her preference yet.
Town Planner Diane Hardy noted a letter has also been received from the Lamprey River Watershed Association asking for the Town’s support in their efforts to designate the entire Lamprey River to the New Hampshire Rivers Management Program.
Vice-Chairman Roy asked if there is an update on the grant for the pedestrian bridge. Town Planner Diane Hardy explained the State (DOT) is reviewing the application. The Town will be given the opportunity in January to go before the State Transportation Enhancement Advisory Board to make a presentation.
George Willant noted he would be unable to make the January Planning Board meeting.
Town Planner Diane Hardy explained a 2010 Planning Board meeting schedule will be provided as soon as all the dates are set.
Chairman Badger noted the Board had asked him to put together a committee to discuss and review the Economic Development chapter of the Master Plan. This committee will include Adam Schroadter, alternate member of the Planning Board and business owner in town; Eric Botterman representing the Town Council; Gerry O’Connell representing the Newmarket Business Association; two members from the NCDC; a member representing industry in town and Chairman Badger. The first meeting is proposed for January 5, 2010. Town Planner Diane Hardy and Town Administrator Ed Wojnowski will also participate on the committee.
Adjournment
Action
Motion: Janice Rosa made a motion to adjourn at 8:08 p.m.
