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TOWN OF NEWMARKET, NH
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
October 13, 2011
7:00PM Chambers
Members Present: Drew Kiefaber (Chairman), Bruce Fecteau (Vice Chair), George Hilton, Jeff Goldknopf, Donald Tucker (Alternate), Stephanie Coster (Alternate), James Bergeron (Town Council Rep), Valerie Shelton (Planning Board Rep)
Members Absent: Fred Pearson, Jessica Veysey excused
Called to Order: 7:01PM
Agenda Items
1Pledge of Allegiance
2) Roll Call
Drew Kiefaber nominated Stephanie Coster as voting member in Fred Pearson’s absence.
3) Public Comments
None.
4) Approval of Minutes
Drew Kiefaber thanked Stephanie Coster & Jessica Veysey for their help drafting the minutes over the past few months.
a. 08/11/11
There were no recommended changes to the minutes of 08/11/11.
Action
Motion: George Hilton made a motion to approve the minutes with no changes.
Second: Val Shelton
Vote: All in favor, Jim Bergeron abstained, as he was not present at the meeting.
b. 09/08/11
Jeff Goldknopf made an amendment to agenda item #5, line 6 should read “which account in the general fund” instead of “which part of the general fund”.
Action
Motion: Bruce Fecteau made a motion to approve the minutes of 09/08/11.
Second: Jeff Goldknopf
Vote: All in favor, Val Shelton abstained, as she was not present at the meeting.
5) Treasurer’s Report
Jeff Goldknopf reported no changes to the financial reports for the month. He has created a supplemental spreadsheet that provides more detailed accounting of the Nature Conservancy, Schanda Park Kiosk and Heritage Festival financials. He will correct some minor formatting issues and distribute to the members before the next meeting. Bruce Fecteau inquired about a discrepancy in the Treasurer’s Report regarding interest earnings. Drew Kiefaber pointed out that the interest is reflected but it did not carry over to the total balance and is likely due to a formatting error in the spreadsheet. Jeff Goldknopf will follow up on the corrections needed to the spreadsheet. Drew Kiefaber confirmed that money is owed to the Nature Conservancy and that they are sending an invoice to the Conservation Commission.
6) Committee Reports
Jim Bergeron reported that the discharge limit for nitrogen levels has been set at 3 mg/L and the Town Council will continue to explore designs for the plant. Val Shelton asked about the deadline for the town’s compliance and Jim Bergeron explained that there was no final date for compliance but that we needed to demonstrate due diligence. There was discussion regarding the EPA’s methods for determining the source points for nitrogen and expenses for bringing the wastewater treatment plants into compliance. Failure to comply with the established nitrogen limits will result in fines levied against the town by the federal government.
Val Shelton reported that she was not present at the last Planning Board meeting but that they held their first public meeting regarding the proposed changes to the stormwater regulations. There are no new developments before the Planning Board at this time.
7) Chairman’s Report
a. NH Assoc of CC – Meeting on 11/05/11 & proposed changes to bylaws
Drew Kiefaber reported that all Conservation Commission members are welcome to attend this meeting in Concord and registration will be paid for by the town. They will be taking a vote on two proposed changes to bylaws:
1) Institute term limits for Board of Directors as there is currently no limit of consecutive terms. The proposal is limit participation to three consecutive terms with a one term break in service.
2) Allow non-conservation commission members to serve on the Board of Directors, no more than two of the nine members, so long as they have demonstrated a working knowledge of conservation issues in NH.
If we have a member who can attend, Drew Kiefaber asked that they submit a vote on behalf of the Newmarket Conservation Commission on both proposals. Jim Bergeron stated that he may be able to attend. There were no objections to the proposed changes, and if we have a member who attends, the attending member will cast the proxy vote.
Action
Motion: Val Shelton made a motion to vote to approve the recommended changes to the NH Association of Conservation Commissions bylaws.
Second: Bruce Fecteau
Vote: All in favor.
b. TNC Dredge & Fill – House removal 14 Bayview Dr
Drew Kiefaber reported that we have received written notification that the wetland application has been accepted and TNC can begin to move forward, expect that to happen soon. They will remove a small home and shed from the property, fill in the foundation and reseed with native grasses.
c. Town Dredge & Fill – MacIntosh Well
Drew Kiefaber reported that the application for standard dredge and fill was submitted to NHDES but that the NHDES responded requesting additional information. The Conservation Commission was copied on response to NHDES from the town. NHDES made six requests and responses are contained in the letter, all can reference the copy if interested.
d. NH Audubon – The State of NH Birds
Drew Kiefaber shared a copy of the Conservation Guide from NH Audubon which provides a status update on birds in NH.
e. Southeast Land Trust of NH – Fundraiser on 10/15/11
Drew Kiefaber announced this fundraiser, based out of Exeter, and distributed information for any members interested in attending.
8) Old/New Business
a. Schanda Park Kiosk
Drew Kiefaber reported that kiosk panel is up and installed, just in time for the Heritage Festival, which garnered a lot of positive comments from the public. Stephanie Coster suggested putting the map on the website for public view. All agreed it was a good idea and Val Shelton recommended contacting Kathy Castle to get it posted to the Conservation Commission web page.
b. Heritage Festival Recap
Bruce Fecteau reported the boat rides went very well with 77 riders on Saturday and 117 on Sunday. Val Shelton reported that the video is being shown on channel 13. George Hilton suggested that a copy of the video go to Joe Schanda and his son, as well as a copy to the Newmarket Library and Historical Society. Drew Kiefaber offered to contact Chris Williams for a copy to give to George. Special thanks to Joe Schanda for his narration during the boat rides. Booth setup and breakdown went smoothly. Pauline Pearson may request more funding from the Commission next year for updates to the table. The water at the table worked well as many people refilled their own containers. Val Shelton mentioned that there is no recycling bin by the park and asked if one could be placed there due to high traffic volume. Jim Bergeron said he would look into locating one to the park. The Heritage Committee sent a thank you to all of the participants. Bruce Fecteau will forward the invoice for the boat rental to Drew Kiefaber this week. Val Shelton suggested that we specially recognize Pauline Pearson for her time on both days at the Heritage Festival. Drew Kiefaber stated that he will send a thank you to her and Joe Schanda on behalf of the Commission.
c. Stewardship Monitoring
i. Piscassic River/Loiselle
Drew Kiefaber proposed to do this site walk on Sunday, 10/16/11. Jeff Goldknopf will join him at 9AM in the parking lot at the property.
ii. Nostrom/New Roots Farm
Drew Kiefaber reported that he and Jeff Goldknopf reviewed the management plan and it appears that markers should be in place to mark the buffers but the question is, are they still there. Last year we did not monitor that property during deer hunting season. Val Shelton suggested that the monitoring be done in fall when the property is in use. Last year, it was postponed until after hunting season but stated it was not a danger to walk the property at that time since it is an open space and you can wear safety orange for visibility to hunters. All agreed that it should be done before snow falls. Val Shelton agreed to contact the owners to schedule the review and notify the group of the date.
iii. Smith/Audubon
Drew Kiefaber stated that the house on the front part of that property has been sold and he plans to send the new owners an introductory letter and notify them of the need to schedule a site walk in November or December. Jim Bergeron suggested that this site walk be done in the winter due to the wetlands on the property.
Other Business
Drew Kiefaber stated the Wiggin Farm monitoring will be scheduled for the winter.
Drew Kiefaber mentioned that he will check with the town to see if the Conservation Commission needs to conduct monitoring on the Silverman-Schneer easement.
Jim Bergeron mentioned that he noticed some deterioration to the stone wall by the river in the park and recommended that we have a stone mason inspect the wall and provide estimates for the repairs. This has been discussed in prior meetings but no formal action plan is in place. Bruce Fecteau stated that Daigneault did the work originally and could possibly make the repairs. Bruce Fecteau will make the call to get an estimate on that spot, as well as several other masonry related repairs in that area that should be inspected. George Hilton mentioned that the railing on the dock is loose and that it has been reported to the town multiple times. Jim Bergeron will bring the topic up with the Town Council. Bruce Fecteau also asked to have their attention brought to the light on the flagpole, which often shorts out because of water in the fixture.
George Hilton expressed concern about land use change tax funds overdue the Commission. Drew Kiefaber stated that it has been billed and should hit the next month’s financial reports but he will follow up with the Town Administrator’s Office to confirm.
Stephanie Coster recommended that action items from each meeting be recorded separately and distributed to members in advance of the next meeting as a friendly reminder. All agreed that this was a good plan and Stephanie Coster will work on this for next month.
Action
Motion: Bruce Fecteau made a motion to adjourn.
Second: Jeff Goldknopf
Vote: All in favor.
Drew Kiefaber announced that the next meeting will be held on Thursday, 11/10/11.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15PM.
Respectfully submitted, Becky LaPense
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