Town of Newmarket, New Hampshire

Conservation Commission

July 10, 2008 7:00 PM

Town Council Chambers

Chairman Bruce Fecteau called the meeting to order at 7:06pm. He noted that there is not a quorum of members tonight. The Commission would hold their discussions, but no votes or decisions will be made.

1. Pledge of Allegiance

2. Roll Call

Present: Chairman Bruce Fecteau, George Hilton, Jr., Vice-Chairman Ellen Snyder

 Absent: James Bergeron, Amy Buxton Jewell, Fred Pearson

3. Public Comments

None.

4. Approval of June 12, 2008 Minutes

Chairman Fecteau noted the approval of the minutes would be postponed until there is a quorum.

5. Treasury Report

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted that she had not received a report.

Chairman Fecteau noted the same.

Chairman Fecteau noted that he would allow Rich McLean from UNH to speak at this point in the agenda.

Rich Mclean explained that he is a research associate from UNH working with Doctors Frye and Doucey in the Department of Natural Resources. He explained that they are starting a project of carbon monitoring in the Lamprey and Oyster River Watersheds. The project has two goals in mind; to perform a study in the differences in carbon storage between forest fragments of different sizes and to set up plots for a long term carbon monitoring project to study changes to carbon storage above and below ground. He referenced the two maps he brought explaining the areas they are looking at. They are looking at putting the plots in land that is under conservation easement and on parcels that are greater than 1,000 acres in size in order to obtain the most unaltered information as possible. They are looking at the Loiselle parcel and Trotter Park. They are looking at placing the plots in the dominant soil series within these areas. The measurements to be taken on the plots would include the diameter of the trees and canopy density in order to determine the amount of standing wood which would determine the amount of above ground carbon storage. The below ground measurements would be small diameter soil cores (roughly four inches). A handful of these cores would be taken every sampling year; they would be sampling on a three-year or greater cycle. The only permanent structure installed would be the burying of a plot marker, which would be completely buried so it would not be pulled out. They would use GPS and a metal detector to go back and find it during sampling years.

Vice-Chairman Snyder asked if they would be looking for no disturbance within the tenth of an acre marked for these plots.

Rich McLean understood that these would be urbanizing landscapes, and did not expect to have the lands undisturbed but explained that they had chosen these areas because they posed the least risk of disturbance.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted that the Commission has been discussing trails on the Loiselle Property and suggested that they work together to determine an appropriate area.

Rich McLean asked if he would need permission from the Town Council.

Vice-Chairman Snyder answered that it wouldn’t hurt to let them aware of the project.

Chairman Fecteau noted that there are applications that can be filled out for use of the properties.

Vice-Chairman Snyder suggested it would be important to let the Town staff know about the project, as they would continue on after members of the Commission have left.

Rich McLean noted he could also email a summary of this information to the members.

6. Land Stewardship

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted that she and George Hilton, Jr. attended the Tuttle Swamp Conservation Area Management Meeting with Fish & Game and the Nature Conservancy. They discussed inventory and management of invasive species. She referenced the Currier property on the other end of Tuttle Swamp stating it could be a nice alder area. She suggested that it might be worthwhile to go into the area and cut it down in order to generate growth. This would be an expensive project that Fish & Game may have grant money for.

George Hilton, Jr. noted that the snowmobile trail is beginning to grow up and could be thinned out in a few years. He suggested that something could be done up the sluiceway towards the windmill.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted that historically ATVs are not a problem on Wiggin Farm with the exception of the Nature Conservancy end; she did not know whether it is still an issue.

George Hilton, Jr. noted that the trails are being mowed regularly creating distinct trails.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted that the snow mobile path from Grant Road across the field and through the wetlands should be put on the map.

Chairman Fecteau noted that the Great Bay Snow Rollers normally lay out the snowmobile trails.

George Hilton, Jr. felt that the concerns about four wheelers on Jan Lane were unfounded; he didn’t feel there is any access and has not seen any activity there.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted that she had drafted a design for the kiosk information at Wiggin Farm. She has not been able to draft the design for the Loiselle kiosk yet. She explained that LCHIP and the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership helped to fund the project and wanted signs to be placed on the kiosk. In addition to these signs there would also be a Locus Map of Newmarket showing other conservation lands, a close up of Wiggin Farm showing trails, a description of the parcel including funding sources, and restrictions on the property. The back side of the kiosk would have an area for the moose plate sign, deeded interests on the property, a description of the Eagle Scout project and descriptions of the natural features of the property including pictures if available. She stated she would look into the possibility of these signs being aluminum so they won’t fade over time.

George Hilton, Jr. referenced two ladies from Exeter that may be able to point the Commission in the right direction for achieving the look and longevity they are looking for.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted that she would do the same thing for Piscassic/Loiselle Property. That kiosk should be less complicated as there was no partnership funding and no Fish & Game easement. There would be a dedication “In Memory” of the family that donated the property.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted that she had received an email from Shawn Reilly, the Eagle Scout who had done the signs at Wiggin Farm, requesting a letter from the Conservation Commission explaining the project. She had asked him to write up a paragraph explaining how he had made the signs in case some signs needed to be replaced or updated.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted that the Commission needed to set up the monitoring visits.

Chairman Snyder noted that James Bergeron had asked to be included in the walks.

James Bergeron, George Hilton, Jr., and Vice-Chairman Snyder would do the monitoring walk for Wiggin Farm on August 10, 2008 at 9:00am.

James Bergeron, George Hilton, Jr., and Vice-Chairman Snyder would do the monitoring walk for Silverman/Schneer and Loiselle on Sunday, August 17, 2008. They would meet at Silverman/Schneer at 9:00am.

Vice-Chairman Snyder suggested doing the Nostrom Farm in September. She suggested that the Commission consider putting up the easement boundary signs during the monitoring walk. She added that there is a strange piece of land into the wetlands where it is not clear where the boundary is. She suggested that since Fish & Game and the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership had lain that out that they might be willing to go with Commission members so it could be staked.

George Hilton, Jr. asked if Fred Pearson had gotten more property markers.

Vice-Chairman Snyder didn’t think so but felt there is enough for the Nostrom Farm. She suggested checking with the farmers of the parcel to see what would work for them as this is still a working farm. She suggested scheduling the monitoring walk at the next meeting for September.

7. Committee Reports

None.

8. Chairman’s Report

Chairman Fecteau noted that the Water Resource group helping Julie LaBranche in updating the water resource chapter of the Master Plan met on June 26, 2008. The next meeting will be held on July 24, 2008. This may be the last meeting before the final draft.

Chairman Fecteau noted that the dog walking/leash/poop sign at Schanda Park had been removed and replaced with a “No Wake” sign for the river. He will be speaking to Administrator Wojnowski about this tomorrow.

Vice-Chairman Snyder asked if the “No Wake” sign should be in the river as opposed to in the park.

Chairman Fecteau noted that a concerned citizen had brought up that the river is being eroded because the boats were traveling too fast along the river. He noted that Marine Patrol is in the river, but if a boat is traveling up the river, they would not see the “No Wake” sign at the launch.

Chairman Fecteau noted that he had purchased a new flag for Schanda Park to replace the tattered flag. He had been told this evening that a new flag has already been put up. He would investigate that in the morning.

9. Old/New Business

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted that there are several places that sell compost barrels as part of Earth Day. She suggested working with Strafford County on purchasing the compost barrels.

George Hilton, Jr. noted the Commission had a hard time getting rid of the compost barrels before.

Chairman Fecteau referenced the new kind of compost barrel.

Vice-Chairman Snyder suggested that the new compost barrels are much more expensive. She suggested that the Commission partner with Strafford County for Earth Day next year.

Chairman Fecteau stated that he would like to have a sample to show at the Heritage Festival.

George Hilton, Jr. noted that he and Vice-Chairman Snyder had looked at areas to plant the tree at Schanda Park. They suggested planting the tree behind the new bench in the corner of the park. There are no trees there currently and once the tree grows to a decent size it would provide shade for the bench.

George Hilton, Jr. and Vice-Chairman Snyder had felt that a tree would be a better choice for recognition than a bush.

Chairman Fecteau stated that he would like to see the tree planted before the Heritage Festival.

The Commission discussed possible plaque mounting options. They also discussed a stone plaque.

Vice-Chairman Snyder and George Hilton, Jr. would help Chairman Fecteau write the proclamation.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted that the next Conservation Commission meeting is scheduled for August 14, 2008.

Chairman Fecteau noted that he would call all Commission members to ensure there would be a quorum at the next meeting.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted there are six active members, so four would need to be present to make a quorum.

10. Non-Public RSA 91-A:3 for consideration of land purchase

Chairman Fecteau noted the Commission could not go into Non-Public session because there is not a quorum present.

11. Adjournment

Chairman Fecteau adjourned the meeting at 8:00pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Erica Spechuilli