Conservation Commission

PO Box 365

Walpole, New Hampshire 03608

 

November 3, 2008

 

Present:                        M. Galloway –Chair; T. Beaudry, B. Fletcher, P. Graves, M. Schupack, L.

Shelley, D. Watson, M.L. Montgomery (alt)

 

Others Present: Whitney Aldrich (Selectman), Mrs. Davey, Peter Throop, Heather (Intern)

 

Mrs. Galloway called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.  A full Commission was present therefore no alternates were seated.  P. Palmiotto, alternate, was not present at this meeting.

 

1. Pete Throop: Community Conservation Partnership – Follow Up of the Meeting on October 20, 2008, and Proposed Meeting for January 31, 2009:  Mr. Throop introduced Heather who is their new intern.  They wanted to talk about how the events of the summer and fall went.  The Walpole Walks were big events this year with 25-to-30 people participating at each walk. Mr. Schupack felt the last walk to the top of Table Rock in North Walpole was gorgeous and the view is incredible.  The Walpole Librarian, Frankie Knibb, told Mr. Schupack that people wanted to know if maps were available on where the walks went so he distributed copies of the informational flyers.  Mrs. Galloway feels the walks were so successful that they want to extend the walks to involve other things.  Mr. Schupack explained that the Planning Board (PB) is going to adopt a few of the major items in the Conservation Plan that the WCC had under Goals and Recommendations especially in the Land Use section.  The entire plan will go in as an appendix with references.  The PB will submit the draft to the Southwest Region Planning Commission for their critique.  Mr. Throop asked what is next and how do they want to keep issues about the land in the forefront of the people.  The objective of the walks was education.  When Mrs. Galloway, Mrs. Montgomery and Mr. Graves met they realized that they had an opportunity for a winter outing in conjunction with the Snowmobile Club who plan on having a cook-out in January in Foster’s Field.  Possibly there would be a walk; Mrs. Galloway explained that some of the trail is not open in the summer because of crop plantings but it is available in the winter.  Mrs. Montgomery thought three but no more than six outings a year is doable.  A winter outing could be sugar houses; a summer outing could be a Historic Walk or looking at cellar holes, bird watching could be done in the spring or fall.  There is merit to being connected with other organizations in town.  Mr. Shelley felt something could be planned in conjunction with the Hooper Institute.  Mr. Graves recommended doing something interesting in conjunction with the other towns in the partnership. Mr. Throop felt it would be interesting to listen to the other towns to see what their priorities are.  Other suggestions were to schedule a forestry demonstration with foresters talking about techniques and managing town forests, a workshop on wetlands to talk about the purposes they serve, maybe include a field trip, learn about the creatures in the wetlands, natural resources and how to protect them, and learn about trails.  Possibly work with the Historic Society to put together a slide show that shows before and after views in the town.  On January 31, 2009, the Community Conservation Partnership (CCP) will be sponsoring a Land Summit at the Keene High School from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm for town leaders from the Monadnock Region (a flyer was distributed).  They hope to bring together local government decision makers to learn and talk about land conservation as a tool to maintain our communities’ rural character, vitality, and quality of life.  Mrs. Montgomery recommended that at the December meeting they review this list, prioritize and schedule some events and decide who will work on them. 

 

Walpole Conservation Commission – November 3, 2008 – Page 2

 

2. Fanny Mason Forest Access & Report on Walk with Forester Peter Rhoades on November 1, 2008 – Marcia Galloway:  Mrs. Galloway reported that it was a very interesting walk.  They ended up with Peter Rhoades telling them that if they did anything this fall it would be in small plots as it is so late that he would not be able to mark it all out.  However access is still a problem.  Mr. Aldrich advised that establishing access to the forest is not going well.  He talked with the Department of Transportation in Swanzey who advised that permission would not be granted to access the forest through the rest area.  One option is to write to the State DOT and ask for an exception because the forest is land-locked but it is anticipated that it will take quite a bit of time to receive an answer.  Mr. Aldrich advised that the Selectboard plans to invite Harold Putnam to a meeting in the near future to discuss the history on the rest area.

Mrs. Galloway moved that the WCC ask the Selectboard to direct a letter to the DOT to ask for an exception to access the Mason Forest through the rest area.  Mr. Watson seconded the motion, with all in favor, the motion passed unanimously.             

 

3. Review & Edit Minutes:  Mr. Graves moved to approve the Minutes of the October 6, 2008, meeting as printed.  Mr. Schupack seconded the motion.  Mr. Beaudry and Mr. Watson abstained as they were not present.  With five members in favor, the motion passed unanimously.

 

4. Discussion and Approval for Work Projects:  Mrs. Galloway reported that this involves three Work Projects as follows: 

a.       Great Brook Forest –H. Putnam– Approximately $75.00

b.       Hooper Institute & Cranberry Knapp –Mike Ryens- $168.00

c.       Fanny Mason Trail –Lew Shelley & Marcia Galloway- $300.00

Mr. Watson moved to approve submitting Purchase Orders and bills for the above three work projects.  Mr. Schupack seconded the motion, with all in favor, motion passed unanimously.

 

Purchase Order:  Mrs. Galloway purchased a book entitled “Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques” for $20.00 at a Conservation Meeting she recently attended.

Mr. Watson moved to authorize Marcia Galloway to submit a bill for $20.00 for the book.  Mr. Schupack seconded the motion, with all in favor, the motion passed unanimously.

 

5. Mill Pond Issues –Overflow Onto Private Property– Marcia Galloway:  Mrs. Galloway explained that the Mill Pond is over-flowing onto the Davey property.  The Road Agent is planning on raising the boards and cleaning out the spillway this week.  Mrs. Davey said they are losing property.  The beavers like to build in the man-made dam.  She displayed pictures of the area.  Mrs. Galloway talked to Gary Speed about trapping the beavers and he is willing to do it.

Mr. Watson moved to have Gary Speed trap the beavers.  Mr. Shelley seconded the motion, with all in favor, the motion passed unanimously.     

 

6. Review and Approve Budget – Marcia Galloway:  Mrs. Galloway has been working on the proposed budget for next year.  Copies of the budget worksheet were distributed and reviewed.  The budget for last year was $5,800.00; Actual spent to-date this year $2,419.28; Next Year Requested $5,980.00. 

Mr. Watson moved to present this proposed budget for next year to the Selectboard.  Mr. Schupack seconded the motion.  Mr. Graves was opposed as he felt the figures should be reduced due to the fact that the actual figure to-date this year was considerably less than the proposed budget of $5,800.  He would like to see the budget figures a little closer.  With six members in favor, the motion was approved. 

 

Walpole Conservation Commission – November 3, 2008 – Page 3

 

7. Fletcher Property Abutting Fanny Mason Forest – Whitney Aldrich:  Mr. Aldrich and the Conservation Commission members looked at a map to locate the 3.6 acres of land-locked property owned by the Fletcher Trust that abuts the Mason Forest. 

Mr. Watson moved to approve having Mrs. Galloway approach the Trustees of Trust Funds regarding the possible purchase of this parcel of land.  Mr. Schupack seconded the motion, with all in favor, the motion passed unanimously.  

 

8. Cheshire Conservation District and List of Working Farms in Walpole – Mel Schupack:  Mr. Schupack reported that the Cheshire Conservation District is trying to develop a list of farm product outlets.  Copies of a partial list were distributed.  Mr. Schupack will gather additional information on working food farms that are not on the list. 

 

9. Follow Up On Planning Session of Planning Board – Mel Schupack:  Mr. Schupack covered the follow up under Agenda Item No. 1.       

 

10. Other Business:

Southwest Region Planning Commission:  Mr. Schupack and Mrs. Galloway plan to attend a SWRPC workshop on Saturday, November 8th from 9:00 am to Noon at the Harris Center in Keene.  It is free but anyone planning to attend has to phone in to register.

 

The SWRPC Fall Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 18th at the Inn at East Hill Farm in Troy.  Mrs. Galloway and Mr. Schupack plan to attend.

 

Merriam Road:  A letter was received from the DES on the Merriam Road; it appears that they have signed-off from the past violations.

 

Correspondence:  Mrs. Galloway reported that the following correspondence was received: 

  • A letter from the NH Charitable Foundation regarding investments;
  • Three letters from the Monadnock Conservancy on properties they have monitored;
  • A notice regarding the next Connecticut River By-way Meeting will be held on November 13th;
  • Several notices of workshops were received.

 

Maps:  Mr. Watson felt it would be helpful if they had a flat drawer cabinet for all their maps.  He volunteered to look into this.

 

Next Meeting.  The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 1st, at 7:30 pm.  Mrs. Galloway will be unable to attend.

 

Mr. Watson moved to adjourn this meeting.  Mr. Graves seconded the motion, with all in favor, the motion passed unanimously.  The time was 9:06 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

 

(Note:  These are unapproved minutes.  Corrections, if necessary, may be found in the minutes of the December 1, 2008, Walpole Conservation Commission meeting.)