2. Roll Call1. Pledge of Allegiance3. Public Comments4. Approval of September 11, 2008 Minutes5. Treasury Report6. Committee Reports8. Old/New Business9. Adjournment

Town of Newmarket, New Hampshire

Conservation Commission

October 9, 2008 7:00 PM

Town Council Chambers

Chairman Bruce Fecteau called the meeting to order at 7:04pm.

Present: James Bergeron, Chairman Bruce Fecteau, Val Shelton, Vice-Chairman Ellen Snyder

 Absent: Amy Buxton-Jewell, George Hilton, Jr., Fred Pearson

None.

Chairman Fecteau noted the Commission had not received the minutes or agendas. This agenda item would be taken up at the next Conservation Commission meeting.

Chairman Fecteau noted the report received had not been what he was expecting.

James Bergeron noted he had asked Finance Director Don Parnell to recreate what had been presented to the Commission the last time. He noted he would ask Finance Director Don Parnell to include beginning and ending balances and disbursements on the report.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted it was important to know which accounts funds were coming from.

Chairman Fecteau noted there are three Commission accounts; the Schanda fund which was formed through funds donated specifically for the park, the general fund and the maintenance fund.

Vice-Chairman Snyder referenced the Smith property noting the Open Space Commission would be donating funds. Dwayne Hyde is still the project lead from the Nature Conservancy. This was believed to be a 90-acre parcel off Wadleigh Falls Road. After an updated appraisal, it was discovered the parcel is actually approximately 120-acres. The additional acreage includes part of Follett’s Brook and conjoins conservation lands in Lee and Durham. There are a few remaining items to be completed including the closing of the grandfathered gravel pit. She anticipated the transfer to happen prior to the closing of the gravel pit. The higher appraised value would not change the donation of the Town.

Val Shelton noted the Planning Board would be discussing this property Tuesday at their monthly meeting.

Vice-Chairman Snyder explained the acquisition would be for all but five acres. Part of the five acres would have a deed restriction. There would be no formal parking area because of access to the site. There is a large parking lot at the Kwaks conservation land.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted she, James Bergeron and Public Works Director Rick Malasky would be meeting to stake out the access at the Loiselle property and to discuss options to delineate the parking area.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted she would connect with George Hilton, Jr. about the Nostrom Farm property as he had expressed his interest in monitoring that land.

Val Shelton asked to be included in that monitoring.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted she is still working on the language for the kiosk. She hoped to have it ready for the Commission’s review at the next meeting.

Vice-Chairman Snyder stated the invasive workshop scheduled for October 25, 2008 at Wiggin Farm.

James Bergeron suggested there would be about 15 people.

James Bergeron noted there is an advertisement on Channel 13 for members for the Tree Committee. The Tree Committee has created their Mission Statement and has met with Mary Reynolds from New Hampshire Lands and Parks who is an expert on tree committees and plantings. She provided the Tree Committee with a copy of the book she had written. He and Mike Provost had gone to the Millican Nurseries in Chichester on Saturday to look at a number of varieties of trees. They had spent three hours there. There was some concern with susceptibility to disease among newer species of American Elm. He discussed several varieties of trees including Dogwoods, Maples, English Oaks, Ginkgo and Sweet Gums as well as certain trees to avoid. He discussed the criteria for Tree City USA explaining Newmarket meets these criteria. One thing necessary is to prove the town spends $2.00 per resident and the Town celebrates Arbor Day. He explained there is a new variety of tree which would be a good Christmas tree planting as it does not grow taller than fifteen feet. He suggested this could be planted in front of the library as a Town Christmas Tree with the library’s consent. A warden of trees would need to be appointed; he suggested this could be Public Works Director Rick Malasky. With the Commission’s blessing, he would fill out the paperwork which would allow the Town to apply for grants and federal funds.

James Bergeron noted he had spoken with Public Works Director Rick Malasky and Project Coordinator Julie Glover about the planned placement of trees in the downtown areas. He expressed his concern there may be too many. The trees would hide the businesses and signs behind them.

James Bergeron noted he met with Recreation Director Jim Hilton and Jeff Highland from Ironwood Landscape Consultants to flag trees that would remain during the clearing of land for Leo Landroche field B.

James Bergeron suggested a goal for the Tree Committee to works towards; setting up a fund where residents could apply for funds to receive a tree to be planted in their yard. He suggested this fund could be funded through donations and/or grants. Mature trees of certain varieties can be expensive. This would help residents of the Town be able to afford larger, healthier, more native trees and would encourage residents to become more involved with trees.

Val Shelton suggested the Newmarket Community Development Corporation may be interested in this project; it would meet the community development side of their Mission Statement.

James Bergeron noted he still has intentions on finishing the roof of the kiosk at the Loiselle property.

Chairman Fecteau noted his schedule would begin to slow down and could offer some help.

Chairman Fecteau noted Vice-Chairman Snyder had brought to his attention at the Heritage Festival the Lamprey River Advisory Committee (LRAC) was interested in having a Newmarket Conservation Commission representative as a member. He had always thought Fred Pearson attended these meetings, but realized they have been unattended by a Newmarket Conservatio Commission representative. He would be interested if the Commission was in favor.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted LRAC met once per month at the Lee Safety Complex. Sharon Meeker is the Chairman.

The Commission briefly discussed the Energy Committee being headed up by Clay Mitchell.

Val Shelton noted the Smith property and Neal Mill Road application would be on the Planning Board’s agenda Tuesday, October 14, 2008. The goal of the Planning Board would be to finalize their recommendations about building on a Class VI road and to submit these recommendations to the Town Council. There is a joint Planning Board and Town Council meeting scheduled for October 16, 2008 to discuss the M-1 District possible rezoning.

Vice-Chairman Snyder stated Conservation Commission comments had been submitted to the Planning Board regarding the Gaziano application off Neal Mill Road.

Val Shelton stated the Planning Board had created a Technical Review Committee (TRC) to discuss the issues and concerns surrounding the application. The TRC committee had formulated a list of these concerns relative to the construction off a Class VI road. This report would be presented on Tuesday for discussion.

James Bergeron noted he would strongly suggest to the Town Council they perform a site walk in regards to this property prior to making a decision; he felt this would be very important.

7. Chairman’s Report

Chairman Fecteau thanked everyone for their help at the Heritage Festival. There had been 225 riders on the boat tours and the Commission received $41.25 in donations from the T-shirts.

Chairman Fecteau noted suggested the Commission finalize refreshments for the October 25, 2008 invasive species workshop with the boy scouts.

James Bergeron noted there would be approximately 15 people there.

Val Shelton noted she had an all day Office of Energy and Planning conference that day and would be unable to attend.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted she would be there. The workshop would begin at 10:00am. The invasive species that needed to be removed were along the stone wall. She recommended creating a brush pile. She asked if the Boy Scouts would bring their own clippers, tools and gloves. She recommended wearing long sleeves.

Chairman Fecteau asked about postponement due to inclement weather.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted it would be uncomfortable in the pouring rain.

James Bergeron stated the Boy Scouts were fine with inclement weather.

Vice-Chairman Snyder suggested hot cider in the event of cold or rainy weather. She noted she would make and bring cookies.

The Commission discussed hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, cookies, cider and water as refreshments.

Motion: To authorize Chairman Bruce Fecteau to spend an amount not to exceed $100 for food supplies for the invasive species removal event at Wiggin Farm to feed the Boy Scouts.

Motioned: James Bergeron

Seconded: Val Shelton

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted this was not only to thank them for their help that day but also to thank them for their past work.

Vote: All in favor

James Bergeron asked if Vice-Chairman Snyder had uncovered any lands the Boy Scouts could camp on.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted the Fish and Game easement over Wiggin Farm did not allow camping. She has an email into DES regarding the Loiselle property. DES is in the process of changing rules and has not gotten back to her yet. The prohibitions are listed on the website, but not specifically on the easement documents.

James Bergeron explained the Boy Scouts normally camp out then do an activity such as monitoring the trails after spending the night.

Val Shelton suggested speaking with Fred Pearson about camping on his land which abuts Lubberland Creek.

Vice-Chairman Snyder added George Hilton, Jr. also could be asked about camping on his land.

Chairman Fecteau noted someone needed to inventory the pamphlets the Commission has to see what needs to be updated so the kiosks can be filled.

Vice-Chairman Snyder stated she would follow up on that as it fit in with her kiosk project.

Chairman Fecteau noted it would be nice to update the pamphlets in order to promote the conserved lands. The number of visitors to these lands begins to go down as the weather turns cold. He acknowledged Wiggin Farm and Loiselle still get adequate use during the summer months.

James Bergeron suggested the pamphlets could promote the lands for hiking and cross country skiing.

Chairman Fecteau recalled taking photographs of people cross country skiing; he suggested these photos may be able to be incorporated in the pamphlets.

Vice-Chairman Snyder suggested shifting the printed pamphlets to PDF files that could be put on the website for people to download themselves.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted last Saturday the Southeast Land Trust dedicated a new trail head off Bald Hill Road. She explained how the trail connected to other trails creating a loop.

Chairman Fecteau stated Rich McLean from UNH has submitted an overview of his project.

Chairman Fecteau explained he had received information through the mail on ideal pavers he felt should be passed on to the Planning Board. He noted the Town has spent a lot of money trying to determine why the bowl area has flooded; he felt it was due to the Great Hill parking lots.

Val Shelton discussed pervious pavement.

Chairman Fecteau referenced the New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commission’s 38^th annual meeting scheduled for November 1, 2008. He would not be able to attend but encouraged Commission members to attend. He noted the fees would be paid for through the Commission.

Chairman Fecteau gave Vice-Chairman Snyder water pollution pamphlets to incorporate into the kiosks.

Chairman Fecteau explained the Commission has been notified by DES about the work being done to the athletic fields as it would disturb almost 180,000 square feet of land. He didn’t feel there were any items that needed to be addressed.

James Bergeron stated he had gone over the plan and had walked the site. He felt the recreation department and landscape architect had done a good job planning this project.

Chairman Fecteau noted he had received information about SCA interns available to do different projects. These would be paid positions for five or ten month intervals. He asked the Commission if there were any projects they felt needed an intern.

Vice-Chairman Snyder explained the Boy Scouts were available for most projects the Commission had in mind.

Chairman Fecteau explained he was not comfortable with filling out the DES survey alone and asked if a Commission member would work on it with him. He suggested setting up an informal meeting to fill it out. The survey is about drinking water, water supplies, waste water, and septic maintenance.

Val Shelton stated she would work on the survey with Chairman Fecteau noting she has noticed, being in the Real Estate business, most people are not aware of the regulations.

Chairman Fecteau referenced a manure management flyer he would put up on the bulletin board.

Val Shelton asked if there was an inventory in Newmarket of properties with animals.

Chairman Fecteau noted the Southeast Land Trust New Hampshire Fall Fundraiser being held on November 1, 2008 at the Seacoast Science Center in Rye, NH. There would be a silent and live auction. Registration is $40 per person or $50 at the door.

Chairman Fecteau referenced a dredge and fill permit he had received for the fall out of the service treatment plant. The last time it was done was 2002.

Val Shelton noted this would go about 200 feet into the river in order to bring it back to 2002 levels.

Vice-Chairman Snyder asked if it would be just silt removed or if this was contaminated sludge.

Val Shelton stated it would be sludge from the sewer treatment plant.

James Bergeron referenced a discussion with Representative Dennis Abbott about a possibly proposing to the Town to remove the man-made dam near his home on the Piscassic River. There are maintenance concerns and fisheries to be addressed.

Val Shelton asked if this was something the Conservation Commission typically supported.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted the Commission would support some of them. The Nature Conservancy was very involved and could provide good input.

Vice-Chairman Snyder asked if Fred Pearson ever bought the composters or rain barrels.

Chairman Fecteau noted they were not ordered. People had signed up for them during the Heritage Festival; Fred Pearson had the list.

Vice-Chairman Snyder recommended Schanda Park be for educational exhibits at next year’s Heritage Festival.

Chairman Fecteau suggested writing a letter to the Committee with that recommendation.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted she would draft something.

James Bergeron stated people had loved the water.

Chairman Fecteau suggested handing out clean water for free helped to show what the Commission was about.

Vice-Chairman Snyder noted she had spoken with Sharon Meeker, Chairman of LRAC at the Heritage Festival about possibly setting up a conference about water in March. The Conservation Commission could co-host this with LRAC and include Lee, Durham and Epping. The discussions could include instream flow, water quantity, water quality, dams and fish ladders. She suggested this event would probably take place on a Saturday. The idea would be to keep it small in order to focus on individual communities.

James Bergeron suggested Town Councilors should attend that conference.

James Bergeron noted the Town Council is discussing laptops to eliminate paper waste.

Motion: To adjourn at 8:35pm.

Motioned: Val Shelton

Seconded: Vice-Chairman Snyder

Vote: All in favor

Respectfully Submitted,

Erica Spechuilli