Conservation Commission

PO Box 365

Walpole, New Hampshire  03608

 

February 4, 2008

 

Present:            G. Speed (Chair), M. Galloway, P. Graves, M. Schupack, L. Shelley, M. L. Montgomery (alt); P. Palmiotto (alt.)

 

Absent:             P. Happ, D. Watson

 

Others Present: Peter Throop, Misty Gorsky, Brad Fletcher, Fred Ernst

 

Mr. Speed called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.

Noting the absence of P. Happ, Mr. Speed asked M.L. Montgomery to sit in for him. 

 

Minutes – January 7, 2008:  Brad Fletcher noted that his name was missing from those in attendance.  Mr. Shelley added that he and Mr. Watson will work on the Rails-to-Trails Project over the next year. 

Mr. Schupack moved to approve the Minutes of the January 7, 2008, meeting as printed with the above corrections.  Mr. Graves seconded the motion.  Mrs. Galloway abstained as she was not present.  With six members in favor, the motion was approved.

 

Comparative Land Values:  Mr. Palmiotto advised that the Comparative Land Values report is in the final draft stage but they will have to wait for Christa Zacharias to reformat the maps.  As soon as she finalizes them copies will be forwarded to the Commission members.  If anyone has any comments, let him know.  Mr. Schupack noted that the high value parcels are the ones they would like to protect; the State standard goal is to have 25% of the Town land in conservation.   

 

Monadnock Conservancy (MC):  Mr. Speed introduced Peter Throop from the Monadnock Conservancy who will be doing a presentation on their “Community Conservation Partnership” program (CCP).  The MC has been thinking about this for a number of years and wondered how they could work with the towns.  NH is growing at a faster rate than any other state in the New England states but this southwest corner has not yet been hit as hard as other parts of the state but over time the development will push into this part of the state as well.  This growth has had a fairly great impact on the natural resource space.  Many towns are finding that the key open space lands are not being protected but they are now beginning to help support conservation.  Misty Gorsky is an intern working with him on this project.  He expressed an interest in knowing what the WCC members perceive to be Walpole’s greatest needs.  This pilot project will be going out to five towns:  Walpole, Surry, Alstead, Westmoreland and Gilsum. 

 

Mr. Throop distributed copies of the CCP Project Overview.  CCP is an initiative of the MC in partnership with: 

  • Southwest Regional Planning Commission,
  • Antioch New England Institute,
  • UNH Cooperative Extension,
  • The Center for Land Conservation Assistance, and
  • The Harris Center for Conservation Education.

A copy of the CCP is attached to the Minutes as a reference document.

 

 

 

WCC Meeting – February 4, 2008 – Page 2

 

The MC would like to do some conservation training.  They envision three-to-five people from each town serving as resource people.  Six-to-eight session would be held beginning next fall.  These individuals would be trained to respond to landowners who seek more information.  There is a mistaken belief that conservation land takes away from the tax base.  The group discussed goals, growth and maintaining the same quality of life.  With more density there is a need to contribute more toward the services.  Mrs. Galloway felt they have to work hard to preserve the farms.  Mr. Schupack would be interested in getting other people involved other than the WCC members.  A challenge is how to get people to come to the forums and be a voice for the town.  Results of previous surveys were noted.  Conservation was a high priority.  Mr. Throop wanted to schedule a meeting and to have the WCC come up with a list of people they felt should be invited to be members of this Task Force in order to move forward with this project. 

 

Mr. Throop advised that MC is asking the pilot towns to make a matching contribution to this project in the amount of $2,000.  Grants are available to cover this amount.  Mrs. Montgomery noted that the goal is to have enough volunteers within the five towns to work on the legal and service work that needs to be done with interested landowners.  Mr. Palmiotto left the meeting.

 

Mrs. Galloway moved to accept the offer from the MC to participate in the Community Conservation Partnership program.  The funding of $2,000 will come from a source that they will seek out.  Mr. Shelley seconded the motion.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.         

 

There was a consensus to set the first meeting date on Tuesday, February 19th, 2008, at 7:30 PM in the Town Hall.  Mr. Speed will contact the community people that the group felt might be interested in working on this program. 

 

Ballam Farm Update:  Mr. Speed reported that the Trust for Public Land is waiting for confirmation from the Farm and Ranch Program that they will participate for the same amount.  In addition, $7,000 more is needed to finalize the purchase.  The WCC wrote their check for the $25,000.  Last Thursday Mr. Speed and Mr. Kelly attended the Board of Selectmen meeting.  There is a question as to whether the Town or the Water Department will own the 8 acres around the well.  Mrs. Montgomery feels that the TPL should make a formal announcement on what will happen; Mr. Speed believes they intend to do so as soon as everything is in place. 

 

Galloway Conservation Easement:  Mr. Speed advised that the Galloway funding has been sent in so that is all taken care of.

 

Mr. Speed’s Resignation:  There was discussion relative to having Mr. Shelley assume the position as Chair but he was concerned that he might not always be available due to his job obligations.  Mrs. Montgomery suggested that maybe Mr. Shelley and Mr. Watson could be co-chairs.  No decisions were made.  Since Mr. Speed will be unable to attend the March meeting, Mr. Schupack was given the keys and other documents for this interim period. 

 

Vacancies:  There are two vacancies on the WCC; Mr. Happ and Mr. Speed’s terms are expiring.  It is anticipated that the Board of Selectmen will make appointments following Town Meeting. 

 

Stevens Lane:  Mrs. Montgomery and Mrs. Galloway walked Stevens Lane to the Allen property.  The property is pretty well cleared and there are a lot of stumps.  It was noted that they did not get a permit to do any of the work.

 

WCC Meeting – February 4, 2008 – Page 3

 

Student Conservation Association:  Mr. Shelley advised that the SCA is looking for local work projects for their students.  Projects are usually for two days to two weeks.  Mr. Speed would like to see all the trails kept open.  He suggested that Mr. Shelley come back with some figures to work on the Mason Forest trails and/or the Rails-to-Trails work.  Mr. Shelley will report back during the April meeting.

 

Sawyer Property:  Mrs. Montgomery asked about doing a clean-up on the Sawyer property that has a Conservation Easement.  Mr. Speed explained that Boggy Meadow should be involved; the WCC can work with the Monadnock Conservancy but it should not all be the responsibility of the WCC.           

 

Thank You:  The WCC members thanked Mr. Speed for all his years of work and dedication while serving on the Walpole Conservation Commission.

 

Mr. Speed adjourned this meeting at 9:02 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

 

 

(Note:  These are unapproved minutes.  Corrections, if necessary, may be found in the minutes of the March 3, 2008, Conservation Commission meeting.)