Conservation Commission

PO Box 365

Walpole, NH 03608

 

 

May 4, 2009

 

Present: Tom Beaudry, Jane Galloway, Marcia Galloway, Peter Graves, Mary Lou Montgomery

 

Present as guests: Bill Webb, Ryan Owens of Monadnock Conservancy, Melvin Schupack

 

Not present: Lew Shelley, Duncan Watson

 

Ms. Galloway, acting as chair, called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM. 

 

Executive session

Entered Non-public session at 8:18

 

REVIEW MINUTES

It was requested that the easement inquiry be moved out of the public minutes and into an executive note for the files.

 

Mr. Beaudry moved to approve the April minutes as amended. Ms. Montgomery seconded, all in favor.

 

 

Public session

 

APPOINTMENTS AND CHAIR

We have two new members, but we have not heard if alternates have been appointed. Ms. M. Galloway offered to go to next Selectmen’s meeting to urge the appointment of alternates.

 

Mr. Shelley is considering being chair. He will be absent occasionally, and Ms. M Galloway is willing to be vice chair. Mr. Shelley requests that other members take on some designated roles and responsibilities.

 

Mr. Beaudry moved to postpone the chair decision. Ms. J Galloway seconded. All in favor.

 

HODGKINS PROPERTY

John Hodgkins would like to walk the boundaries with the Commission. We will try for May 19th at 5:15 pm, and Ms. M. Galloway will confirm the time with him.

 

An electric bill comes in from National Grid for about five dollars every month. There is temporary service now, maybe it will end when he vacates, or maybe he can transfer it to us.

 

MOWING THE RESERVOIR PROPERTY

The water company is not mowing it any longer. It will need to be maintained somehow.

 

Entered Executive session at 8:40 pm

 

Entered Public session at 8:50 pm

 

BERRY CONSERVATION CAMP

We generally donate some money once a year, but it’s not clear if anyone from Walpole has attended lately.

Ms. Montgomery moved to send a $250 donation, Mr. Beaudry seconded, all in favor.

 

MONITORING EASEMENTS

Gary Speed is willing to help monitor Lazarro and other properties. Mr. Schupack and his walking group may be able to do the Mill Pond.

 

CONSERVATION FUND

The Robert Hubbard Fund transfers money yearly to the Charitable Trust, who then gives it to our Conservation Fund. The purpose of this money is to provide support to the Walpole Conservation Commission for general purposes, included but not limited to the acquisition and Conservation of land in Walpole. The Walpole town treasurer and the local government center said it could not be used for some things we had requested funds for. The state Conservation Commission Handbook says it can be used for any of our work.

 

CLEAN WATER MEETING

Ms. Montgomery alerted us that May 27 there is a Clean Water meeting in Westmoreland with the Ct. River Joint Commissions.

 

TOWN FOREST PLANS

Mr. Schupack asked if we have management plans for all the town forests? They may need to be updated. Steve Roberge of the UNH extension can help review them and prioritize.

 

Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Beadry, seconded by Ms. J. Galloway, all in favor.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Janis Hall-Fuller, Recording Secretary

 

(Note: These are unapproved minutes. Any corrections will be found in the minutes of the next meeting.)