May 2, 2005

Present: G. Speed, M. Galloway, D. Watson, L. Britton, P. Happ, P. Palmiotto (alt), M. Schupack (alt)

Absent: L. Shelley, K. McGill (alt)

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM.

Mr. Palmiotto to serve as a regular member for Mr. Shelley.

Guest: Mrs. Mary Montgomery

MINUTES OF APRIL 4, 2005. On page 2 under NRI: “spacial” should replace “special”. Mr. Happ made a motion seconded by Mrs. Galloway to approve the minutes as amended. All were in favor.

OLD HOME DAYS. There will be a double booth space. Mr. Schupack will gather photos for the display. Mr. Speed will have the animal mounts. Mr. Palmiotto will have maps printed. He said Anastasio Salcedo has offered her professional expertise to help with PR. Mr. Palmiotto will invite her to the June 16^th meeting. Mr. Palmiotto made a motion seconded by Mr. Happ to invite Ms. Salcedo to work with the CC to create a 3-panel poster display on donating land to conservation. All were in favor. Mr. Palmiotto will put Ms. Salcedo in touch with Mr. Schupack to coordinate the display. Mr. Palmiotto said the display can be conducted as a showcase for the work the CC has done over the year. He said it may help toward bond issue passage if people know the CC is active and is working in the town’s interest. Mr. Palmiotto will do this part of the display for the big board. Mr. Watson suggested having a “name the different animals” contest. He offered a compost bin as a prize. Mr. Britton offered maple syrup as a prize. They both suggested making the display fun and interactive.

CLASS VI ROAD. A letter has been written that will be sent to all Class VI road landowners concerning “Emergency access trails”. The town can uprade a road to a certain extenet without increasing their liability to improve and maintain that road. The intent is to increase access for patrolling. The town may have use of an ATV for this purpose. There were questions about how the improvements of a Class VI road may lead to development pressure and how a landowner can keep the town from making improvements. Mr. Speed said the improvements are not going to increase traffic because a four-wheel drive vehicle will still be needed. The improvements will create a fire lane to protect the timberland. Mr. Happ said if the mud holes are fixed the mud boggers will not have a reason to be there. The improvement of a class VI road to a town-maintained class V road requires a town vote. Mrs. Galloway said there will be clean-up at the Proctor Road Quarry on May 14-15. The clean-up group includes state police, DES, and volunteers from the “Tri-town Roads” group.

SAVING SPECIAL PLACES SEMINAR. Mrs. Galloway reported on basic conservation tools discussed at the seminar she attended. She went through the steps on how an easement is done. She said a comprehensive wildlife plan will be issued this fall that will included a 10 year plan on how wildlife species are doing. Mr. Schupack attended different sessions at the seminar and gave Mr. Palmiotto information on conservation planning and setting priorities. He said there have been 13

Minutes- May 2, 2005

cost of community surveys done in the state that compare the cost of open space with residential areas and certain types of commercial development. Mrs. Montgomery said the definition of

agricultural land for conservation is changing. She said agriculture is turning toward cultivation of niche markets and so does not always mean big fields. She said the use of the agricultural land needs to be defined as to its purpose. She said open space/agricultural land is now also being used as concert space or wedding space and being combined with retail space. She said a conservation easement contract is a balance of flexibility and control.

NRI. Mr. Palmiotto presented the final product and will get estimates on printing costs. Copies will be given to the ZBA, PB, Selectmen, and library. Copies will be available for purchase through the CC. There will be a PDF file on CD and the maps still need to be converted to PDF. He said SWRPC should also get a copy-other towns may use it as a model for their own NRI. Mr. Watson suggested that the CC post on the board that copies are available to purchase or to view at the library. Mr. Palmiotto will present a copy to the Planning, Zoning and Select boards. He will compile a discussion list of topics that are missing from the NRI such as an in-town wildlife inventory. He’ll also compile time and cost estimates.

CONSERVATION PLAN. The first draft from the work session is available for comments. There was discussion about the title of the Plan and whether a reference to water should be included. Mr. Happ suggested adding an economic element to get landowners on board such as “look nice and save us money”. The opening paragraph refers to the Master Plan goals. Mr. Schupack said it is important to point out the importance of the natural resources needed to sustain the residency of Walpole. Mr. Palmiotto said a statement of purpose is being crafted. Mr. Happ said property owners may fear losing the value of their land. Mr. Palmiotto said priorities need to be set so the CC knows how to spend its money. Mr. Watson suggested referring to it as a guide rather than a plan. Mrs. Montgomery suggested using “case” stories to illustrate the different points being made. Mr. Palmiotto said the info is to share with other boards what the CC is doing. Mr. Happ suggested addressing the landowner’s rights. Mr. Britton said more people are volunteering land to conservation. Mr. Watson said the Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance already addresses development, economics and property rights. Mr. Happ said from a marketing standpoint the CC should help landowners utilize their property. Mr. Schupack said “working with landowners to pursue their own interests in their land.” Mr. Palmiotto said the purpose and objective of the project is the mission statement. Mr. Watson said the CC could offer their service- guidance and resources- to people that want to conserve their land. There will be a committee meeting on May 19.

JULY MEETING DATE CHANGE. The July meeting will be held on July 21^st.

EXECUTIVE SESSION. The board went into executive session at 9:20 to discuss real estate.

The board came out of executive session at 9:35 PM.

ADJOURNMENT. Mr. Speed adjourned the meeting at 9:35 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Judy Trow, secretary