Conservation Commission

PO Box 365

Walpole, New Hampshire 03608

 

May 5, 2008

 

Present:            T. Beaudry, B. Fletcher, P. Graves, M. Schupack, L. Shelley, A. Lewis (alt), M.L. Montgomery (alt)

 

Absent:             M. Galloway, D. Watson, F. Ernst (alt), P. Palmiotto (alt)

 

Others Present: Ben Davis, Peter Wotoweic, Dennis Marcom, Pete Throop, Tim Stillman

 

In the absence of Mrs. Galloway, Mr. Schupack called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.

Noting the absence of Mrs. Galloway, Mrs. Montgomery was asked to sit in for her.

 

Minutes – April 7, 2008:   Mr. Shelley noted that on page 1 under Conservation Commission – Tasks – Trail Work – delete “If they obtain the funding they will ask Peter Rhoades to assist in getting the logs out.” Page 2 –Display Booth- Mr. Schupack wanted to add – after “new fold-out map” add “of protected lands”.  Page 2 – under Hal J. Wilkins – change Mr. Schupack will “write a letter” to “will contact” Mr. Wilkins.  Page 3 –Other Business- 6th line, last word- change “could” to “would” support the project.  At the end of the last sentence, add “Ordinance”. 

Mr. Shelley moved to approve the Minutes of the April 7, 2008, meeting with the above changes.  Mr. Graves seconded the motion and, with all in favor, the motion was approved.

 

Bensonwood Homes:  Mr. Schupack noted that the Walpole Conservation Commission (WCC) is not a regulatory commission but rather an advisory commission.  They appreciate Bensonwood Homes representatives attending this meeting to discuss their project in this early stage.  Peter Wotoweic explained that he is a timber framer and member of the company management at Bensonwood.  They plan to purchase the balance of the Huntington Farm property next to Chamberlain Machine, Inc. He displayed a map of their proposed project.  Hubbard Farms will continue their chicken operation on lot 3.  Bensonwood will be expanding their production line in this new facility but not closing their current facility on Black Jack Crossing.  They do not have three-phase power at Black Jack Crossing so rely on generators; having this power on the Huntington Farm is an asset.  They want to be careful with how they develop this property and recognize the concern with the wellhead.  A Pollution Prevention Plan was distributed.  Mr. Marcom stated that extensive research is always done on all the products they use and they focus hard on safety.  They only buy what they need and do not store leftovers on site.  Best Management Practices are followed.  A copy of their materials list was left with the Fire Department who came in and looked at them; Mr. Schupack requested a copy of that list.  Their main entrance would be off Huntington Drive.  A lot of their deliveries come from local businesses, mostly lumber that is delivered once a day.  The WCC thanked Mr. Wotoweic and Mr. Marcom for coming to this meeting to explain their proposed development. 

 

Community Conservation Partnership Update and Educational Hikes:   Mrs. Montgomery felt it would be appropriate to ask Pete Throop to come back in to provide an update on the Community Conservation Partnership (CCP).  At their last meeting when Mrs. Montgomery, Mrs. Galloway and Mr. Schupack attended it was very clear that the members wanted people to know what has already been done and that they need more information on where the conservation / easement lands are located.  During the meetings Mr. Throop presented information on what

 

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they are doing in other towns and what options are available; there are some strong feelings that they need  to focus on education.  There are places that people feel are special and contribute to their life in the community.  These meetings are intended to invite people that are interested in conservation to participate; it is important to get input from them.  There is a misconception of people that conservation / easement lands take dollars off the tax roles but that is not true as those lands are taxed the same as the Current Use rate.  There is a need for both development and conservation of lands.  There was discussion relative to looking for ideas for the education aspect; what is the best way to do this and what kind would be most beneficial.  The Extension Service offers workshops on “Dollars and Cents of Saving Open Space”.  Mrs. Montgomery suggested inviting someone to attend a meeting who is “posting” their land.  Other suggestions were scheduling a “Clean-Up Trash Day”, hikes possibly around the Mill Pond and/or Fall Mountain, visit the Sawyer Farm, talk to the people at the Hooper Institute about a “quest” treasure hunt that would include getting kids involved and realizing their resources.  The members are still looking for other suggestions; organization will take place during the June meeting.  Mr. Schupack mentioned that the WCC submitted their Conservation Plan to the Planning Board and asked that it be included in the Master Plan but they need to schedule some Public Hearings; Ben Daviss will talk to Pam Aslinger and ask that it be on their next agenda.   

 

Mrs. Montgomery would like to order more fold-out maps but before doing so she wants to be sure that everyone on the WCC feels they are accurate.  Any comments, changes, additions, deletions are to be given to her prior to or at the next WCC meeting to allow time for printing as they will be distributed at the WCC booth on the Common during Old Home Day on Saturday, June 28th.  Mr. Throop was instrumental in up-dating the 1991 map.  Mr. Shelley will write up a short sentence or two for inclusion on the map.                              

 

Conservation Commission – Tasks:  Mr. Schupack suggested putting Andy Lewis on the WCC Task List for Public Relations.  

 

Hal Wilkins:  Mr. Schupack reported that Mr. Wilkins called him to request that his update on the various applications to DES for work on ponds that he had previously presented to the WCC be postponed until the June meeting when Mr. Wilkins expects to bring new information to the WCC for their review.  Mr. Wilkins will need to resubmit the application and he will discuss that with the WCC.

 

Lew Shelley – Trials & Forests: 

a)      Mr. Shelley met with the Trustees of Trust Funds and they turned down his request for using money in the Mason Forest Fund to improve the trails.  He will look into obtaining some money from other funds to do some of the work.

b)      Mr. Shelley met with Alan Johnson who has volunteered to assist in doing work on the Mill Pond Trail.  They are proposing to build a board-walk to span the washed-out area starting on May 12th.  In addition, they will do some other trail work around the pond.  Mr. Beaudry moved to have Mr. Shelley proceed with this work on the Mill Pond Trail as presented.  Mr. Graves seconded the motion and, with all in favor, the motion was approved.

c)      Need for Forest Management:  Mr. Schupack mentioned that someone on the Planning Board thinks there is a fire danger in the Mason Forest due to a lack of management.  There is a need to gain access; Mr. Graves will talk to John Hodgkins about that possibility through his property. 

d)      Mason Forest:  Mr. Shelley agreed to talk to Peter Rhoades about marking and cutting       

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some trees even though access has not yet been determined.  There is a question as to

whether or not the ultimate income for the harvest can be taken from the Mason Forest Fund.  Mrs. Galloway will follow-up on establishing a right-of-way with the Selectboard.

 

Route 12 Roadside Rest Area – Hire Robie Speed for Clean-up?  Mr. Graves moved to hire Robie Speed to do the Route 12 Roadside Rest Area Clean-ups.  Mr. Beaudry seconded the motion and, with all in favor, the motion was approved.

 

Energy Fair & Old Home Days:  Mr. Schupack reported that the Energy Fair went very well.  There was a fair amount of interest in their booth.  For the Old Home Days activities he will need help setting-up and taking-down the booth on Saturday, June 28th.

 

Lester Sheperd – Request to cut firewood along the trail at top of Mill Pond where trees have fallen across the trails:  Mr. Sheperd has requested permission to cut firewood along the trail at top of Mill Pond where the trees have fallen across the trails.  This area is beyond the gate toward the snowmobile trail.

Mr. Beaudry moved to approve this request from Mr. Sheperd to cut firewood where the trees have fallen across the trails.  Mr. Fletcher seconded the motion and, with all in favor, the motion was approved.        

 

Elm Tree Research Institute Gifts:  Mr. Schupack advised that the Elm Tree Research Institute is donating several trees to the Town but a decision has to be made as to where to plant them.  Mr. Fletcher will talk to Pat Kiniry in North Walpole but someone else will contact Mr.Watson in Drewsville to see if they feel their communities are interested in accepting any trees and where they might be planted.

 

Should We Consider Scheduling Future Meetings for 7:00 PM:  There was a general consensus that 7:30 PM works better for them than 7:00 PM. 

 

Next Meeting:  The next meeting was scheduled for Monday, June 2nd, 2008, at 7:30 PM.

 

Other Business: 

New Article:  Mrs. Montgomery shared a newspaper article she felt was informative entitled “How Is Posted Land Affecting Recreation”. 

 

Mrs. Montgomery moved to adjourn this meeting.  Mr. Beaudry seconded the motion and, with all in favor, the motion was approved.  The time was 9:36 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

 

 

(Note:  These are unapproved minutes.  Corrections, if necessary, may be found in the minutes of the June 2nd, 2008, Walpole Conservation Commission meeting.)