CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES

Transcription

1 City of Keene New Hampshire CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, July 21, :30 PM 3 rd Floor Conference Room Commission Members: Eloise Clark - Chair Kristen Armstrong Peter Bonneau Margaret Freeman (Alternate) Emily Hague Charles Southgate Dr. Susan Whittemore Members Not Present: Delbert Meyer Vice Chair Staff Present: John MacLean, City Manager Andrew Smith Others Present Doug Belchon, KHS Student Joelle Richardson, KHS Student Adrian Odgen, KHS Student Steve Roberge, UNH Cooperative Extension 3:30 PM Site Visits 1. Site Visit-George Street Bridge 2. Parcel on River Street 4:30 PM Meeting Chair Eloise Clark called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. Brief introductions were made. 1. North Lincoln Street Land Acquisition A motion at 4:40 p.m was made by Dr. Susan Whittemore for the Commission to go into a non-public session for the purpose of land matters. The motion was seconded by Ms. Kristen Armstrong and passed unanimously. A motion at 4:51 p.m. was made by Ms. Emily Hague for the minutes of the nonpublic session to remain non-public. The motion was seconded by Ms. Armstrong and passed unanimously.

2 2. Approval of Minutes of May 19, 2008 and June 16, 2008 a. Dr. Whittemore stated that the minutes for May 19, 2008 were complete, but were not ed in time for the meeting. Chair Clark stated that the minutes would be reviewed in August. b. The following changes were made to the minutes for June 16, 2008: page 2 (b) City s should have been State s ; page 3 (f) wildlife inventory should be NRI ; page 3 (i) Avio should have been AVEO ; page 4 (a) add after land acquisition the property on North Lincoln Street ; page 6 (b) Ashwam Brook should be Ash Swamp. A motion was made by Mr. Charles Southgate to approve the minutes as amended. The motion was seconded by Ms. Armstrong and passed unanimously. 3. Invasive Species a. Mr. Steve Roberge began his presentation by noting there are several invasive species of plants in Cheshire County. He noted that they have been brought over by several means, both on purpose and by accident. He gave several examples, including black locust, which, while native to the United States, is not native to the region. Black swallowwort is an example of a non-native, invasive species, while staghorn sumac is a native invasive species. b. Mr. Roberge defined invasive as plants with strong reproductive potential, vigorous, robust growth, the ability to adapt to different growing conditions, the ability to persist on its own, the ability to spread and establish over large areas, and that they can be difficult to recognize. Examples of this are tree of heaven, garlic mustard, and oriental bittersweet. c. It is labor intensive to remove invasive species, and they can cause public hazards through such items as dead limbs. He noted that it is important to monitor timber harvesting sites close to the City for invasive species. He noted that they can even be transferred in hay bales used for erosion control and water protection. d. He noted that invasive species reduce native diversity, alter soil characteristics, and interfere with natural selection. They often compete with or trick native pollinators, and displace rare plant species. They often create monocultures in areas that were originally complex. There is also a financial loss, as there are chemical costs for spraying fields. Moreover, timberlands and forests cannot regenerate because invasives prevent seedlings from establishing themselves on the forest floor. e. Mr. Roberge stated that chemical treatments are the most effective in controlling invasive species. In the case of purple loosestrife manual removal of seed pods can be helpful, and they should be burned. For the purposes of the Conservation Commission, it is important when reviewing properties to make note of any invasive species and adapt their recommendations to remove them. He noted that the UNH Extension website has a PDF version of a pamphlet Guide to Invasive

3 Species, that assists with identification of invasive species in different parts of their growing cycle. f. Chair Clark inquired how it would be best to dispose of invasive species debris. Mr. Roberge noted that at the City dump there is a special bin for invasive species. Chair Clark and the Commission thanked Mr. Roberge for his presentation. 4. Stearns Hill a. Ms. Hague sought the Commission s feedback on the Stearns Hill Management proposal. She noted that it was divided in to three parts: Policy, Actionable Items, and Future Study. Under Policy, it is recommended that public access have a passive use since wildlife management is a priority. The location of the public access point has not yet been decided upon since a right-of-way needs to be negotiated. b. Ms. Hague mentioned that the Actionable items include working with the Public Works Department to improve the parking area and access points. A bridge over Hurricane Brook needs to be built, and she suggested that it might be removable. The field habitat needs to be kept open by mowing, and she suggested that the property be split into three areas each of which will be mowed every three years on a rotating cycle. A comprehensive wildlife inventory is needed, and she hopes to use the information from the wildlife action plan. Recreation needs includes the development of a loop trail, as well as signage to inform visitors of the priority of wildlife management priorities and how to be sensitive to wildlife, such as leashing dogs during the nesting season. Signage is also needed for the homestead area and the wetlands. c. Ms. Hague stated that for Future Study, it is suggested that they designate a wildlife management area, determine how to cross Hurricane Brook, and create a baseline inventory of wildlife. She noted that the appendices are available, they just were quite lengthy. d. Dr. Whittemore inquired about the status of the deed for the third parcel, and Ms. Hague noted that it had been resolved. Chair Clark stated that she would like more time to review it, but felt it was excellent. Dr. Whittemore indicated that there was strong public interest by abutters to the property. Mr. Andrew Smith noted that last September abutters were invited to an information session, in which feedback was encouraged regarding the history of the property, and how they would like the lands to be managed. 5. Public Works: Permit By Notification a. Mr. Smith noted that when Mr. Lee Dexter of Public Works attended the last meeting of the Conservation Commission, the Commission voted not to intervene in either the Perham Street or River Street applications. Subsequently, the application for Perham Street was submitted but DES found that not enough

4 information was included in the application. DES found that River Street could not qualify for the PBN program. Mr. Dexter is working on clarifying and completing the application for the River Street, Mayflower Street, and Castle Street areas. For the River Street area Mr. Dexter will require a wetlands permit. Mr. Smith noted that Chair Clark would like to do a site visit and he will schedule it on the agenda for the next meeting at the request of the Chair. b. Chair Clark discussed the two site visits performed today, the first to the George Street Bridge. This is a bank of Beaver Brook, which has been undercut. A sewer line is visible. The plan is to replace the bank with wire baskets filled with rock. A more gradual bank will be created instead of the current concrete wall. They will require a wetland permit, and it is considered to be an emergency repair. c. The second site visit was to a landlocked parcel on River Street. Chair Clark noted that it is on one of the feeder streams to the Ashuelot. She noted that it was a nice wetland piece, but that public access would be a problem. Dr. Whittmore noted that it was not a piece that could be developed. Chair Clark referred to the s which referred to the possibility of paying for closing costs. d. Ms. Hague made a motion that if the landowners want to donate the parcel that the City pay the closing costs. The motion was seconded by Dr. Whittemore. Ms. Armstrong discussed that the City would then become responsible for maintenance of the site and possible degradation by abutters. Dr. Whittemore stated that the site could possibly be added to the Ashuelot River Park, with access gained to it through the Park. Ms. Armstrong suggested that one of the current landowners think about purchasing it. The Commission requested that a map be developed so that they could better see where the parcel was. Ms. Hague inquired if the motion should be amended to state if it is easily accessible. Ms. Hague withdrew her motion. e. Chair Clark requested that a copy of the minutes be sent to Mr. MacLean noting the Commission s concern for the parcel, but that further research needs to be done. Dr. Whittemore inquired if the Commission s land acquisition discussions could be made non-public. Mr. Smith will speak to Mr. Leon Goodwin regarding the possibility of going into non-public session. Ms. Hague made a motion that the issue be tabled until next month when more information was available. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. 6. Hillside Ordinance Mr. Smith mentioned that Mr. W. Rhett Lamb, Planning Director, has revised the Oridinace. 7. Surface Water Protection Act

5 Ms. Hague mentioned that Mr. Peter Troop was to revise the Ordinance, and that Mr. Lamb, City Attorney, and the City Manager are to meet with the Director of Public Works. 8. Goose Pond Easement a. Mr. Smith noted that Mr. Lamb has reviewed the easement and had some concerns regarding the water infrastructure. It is not for pumping but is used for storage. Mr. Lamb also had concerns related to the use by snowmobiles, since it is currently being used for that purpose. They are coming in from Old Gilsum Road. Mr. Smith wondered if it could be enforced appropriately. There was discussion regarding the snowmobile trail was on state owned property or if it continued onto City property. Ms. Hague mentioned that Old Gilsum Road is a Class VI road, and a gate would have to be put up to maintain it properly. b. Chair Clark has passed along Mr. Lamb s concerns to Mr. Brian Hotz of SPNF. Ms. Margaret Freeman wondered if snowmobiling could be deterred, since the plan is in perpetuity, they do not want snowmobiling everywhere. Chair Clark noted that there could language in the easement regarding limiting the growth of state trails in the property. Chair Clark mentioned that Bruce Bohannon of the Keene Snoriders would helpful. Ms. Hague mentioned that she had worked with this group in the past, and they have been very helpful in limiting motor vehicle use on snowmobile trails, including the installation of gates. c. Mr. Peter Bonneau noted that Mr. Hotz probably has the correct language regarding snowmobile use based on his experience, and suggested that the Commission seek his recommendation. Mr. Charles Southgate noted that there would be an enforcement problem, and agreed that Mr. Hotz probably has the correct language. There was discussion concerning where the snowmobiling is occurring on the property, and how the Commission did not want any expansion of current use of snowmobiles. The Commission also discussed how this would be difficult to enforce. Chair Clark will speak to the Keene Snowriders, and Mr. Smith will solicit Mr. Hotz s input. 9. Conservation Commission Goals a. Dr. Whittemore stated that she has completed the Annual Report and is currently seeking feedback from the Commission. She stated that she is also working on the Handbook, and will send a list of the proposed items to be included to Commission members. She noted that it was in PDF format and a link will need to be added to the website to include it. 10. Cheshire County House of Corrections Site Plan a. Mr. Smith noted that the Commission s concerns were about the water tower, and that there has not been any communication back from DES about that. Ms. Hague was wondering if they had revised their plan based on the comments by the Commission. She also wondered if they were still awaiting approval of the

6 stream restoration project, and if approval had been granted, some follow up is needed. b. Ms. Hague also noted that their silt fences are failing and the amount of silt coming off the property is problematic. Chair Clark suggested that some pictures be taken and a letter be written. Ms. Hague made a motion that the Commission correspond with DES and their consultant regarding the silt. There was a second by Dr. Whittemore and the motion passed with one absention, Mr. Bonneau. c. Chair Clark inquired about whether or not the water tower has not been moved, and Mr. Bonneau noted that the Commission s comments were too late. He noted that there was some discussion regarding running a water line around to the back to avoid the wetland area, but there was not any discussion of moving the water tower. 11. Other Business a. The Commission decided to hold a retreat on September 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. b. Dr. Whittemore noted that she had been receiving comments from the public about the Legere property and how she was responding that it was not technically a wetland. c. Mr. Bonneau discussed the wildlife action plan meeting earlier in the day, and that they will meet again prior to the Commission s meeting next month. They are still seeking to have a representative from the Friends of Open Space. Dr. Whittemore inquired what the goals of the subcommittee were, and Ms. Hague responded that the result of the wildlife action plan could be integrated into an NRI. The process should take approximately 6 months. Ms. Armstrong noted that assistance will be needed to help with outreach to the general public, especially those who own lands in the areas that have been highlighted. 15. Adjournment Next Meeting Monday, August 18, 2008, 4:30 PM, site visits to be announced. Mr. Southgate made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Dr. Whittemore and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 PM. Respectfully submitted, Wendy O Brien, Minute Taker