Conservation Commission

PO Box 365

Walpole, New Hampshire 03608

 

October 6, 2008

 

Present:            M. Galloway – Chair; B. Fletcher, P. Graves. M. Schupack, L. Shelley, M.L. Montgomery (alt)

 

Others Present: Peter Rhoades, Sheldon Sawyer (Chair– Selectman), Ben Daviss

 

Mrs. Galloway called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.  Noting the absence of regular members T. Beaudry and D. Watson, and alternate member P. Palmiotto, Mrs. Galloway called upon alternate member M.L. Montgomery to sit on the commission as a regular member.

 

Public Meeting:

  1. Peter Rhoades (Dorester) and the Fanny Mason Forest (Marcia Galloway):  Mrs. Galloway reported that it was nine years since the WCC had the Fanny Mason Forest harvested.  There is access through the rest area but permission might have to be obtained from the State as it would be off Route 12.  Mr. Sawyer assigned the job of accessing the forest through the best location and obtaining permission to do so to Whitney Aldrich.  He will contact Mrs. Galloway after he has completed some research.  Mr. Rhoades feels that the north end of the east side of the forest had the highest concentration of mature timber and it also has a variety of trees.  This side has the potential for growth but it needs to be thinned out; good timber would be allowed to grow.  The harvest will improve the wildlife habitat; the streams will be protected.  Reference was made to Peter C. Rhoades “Forest Management Plan for the Mason Forest” prepared in July 1999.  Mrs. Galloway suggested clearing out around the rest area to open it up.  Mr. Rhoades advised that buck thorn was a problem on the east side; does the WCC want to try to control the invasive species.  He will need feedback from the commission on how they wish to proceed.  There was discussion relative to setting aside some wood for the needy; Mrs. Galloway will check on that.  Mr. Rhoades would recommend loggers but the choice would be finalized by the WCC.  The WCC and Mr. Rhoades will walk the area on Sunday, November 2nd at 9:00 AM; the rest area will be the meeting place.  

Mr. Shelley moved to have Peter Rhoades continue as the forester for this harvest in the Fanny Mason Forest.  Mrs. Galloway seconded the motion and, with all in favor, the motion passed unanimously. 

The Public Meeting closed at 8:08 PM.  Mr. Rhoades left the meeting.

 

Mrs. Galloway opened the Public Meeting at 8:10 PM.

2. Review, Edit and Approve Minutes of September 8, 2008 Meeting (Lew Shelley):  Mrs. Montgomery noted that on page 2, under Logging and Firewood, she clarified that the original recommendation was made by Fred Dill during a Selectboard meeting; she only made reference to his suggestion. 

Mr. Graves moved to approve the Minutes of the September 8, 2008, meeting with the above correction.  Mr. Fletcher seconded the motion and, with all in favor, the motion passed unanimously.

 

  1. Meeting with Planning Board Work Session on Incorporating the Walpole Conservation Plan into the Master Plan (Marcia Galloway, Mel Schupack):  Mrs. Galloway reported that they had a positive meeting with the Planning Board (PB).  They

Conservation Commission Meeting – October 6, 2008 – Page 2

 

seem willing to work with the WCC to get Goals A and B into the Master Plan; the third goal will be worked on by the WCC.  They will be called an appendix to the Master Plan.  Mr. Daviss stated that the PB will take this up again during their October meeting; it will be followed by a Public Hearing.  He referenced and provided an up-date on the PB meeting of September 8th, and their Work Session of September 23rd, 2008.  Mr. Schupack advised that if there is anything that the WCC wants to review with the PB they just have to ask them to put it on the agenda.  They are open to having the WCC participate.

 

4. Walpole Walks Update (Mel Schupack):  Mr. Schupack reported that the WCC is down to the final walk this Saturday, October 11th.  This walk will be in North Walpole up to Table Rock.  It has a gorgeous view.  Everyone is asked to meet at the Walpole Common at 8:45 AM and then car pool to North Walpole.  The WCC felt the walks have been successful as 25-to-30 people have participated.  They hope to continue these educational walks in the future.  Mrs. Montgomery expressed a “thank you” to the people that worked hard before each walk to make sure the trails were passable.

 

5. Lester Sheppard to Cut Downed Trees on Upper Part of Trail to Mill Pond (Marcia Galloway):  Mrs. Galloway advised that Lester Sheppard contacted her about cutting some trees on the upper part of the trail to Mill Pond.  She walked it with him and there are a lot of trees that are down.  The trees that he cut were broken and he cleaned them up; there is one tree on the trail that needs to be cleaned-up. 

Mr. Schupack moved to give Lester Sheppard permission to cut downed trees on the upper part of the trail to Mill Pond.  Mr. Fletcher seconded the motion and, with all in favor, the motion passed unanimously.   

 

Mill Pond Trail:  Mrs. Galloway mentioned that she opened up the entrance to the cemetery and there is now a new sign there.  In addition, there are signs on the trail.  Hopefully, this will discourage trespassers from walking on the property owned by Mr. and Mrs. Davey.

 

Mrs. Galloway reported that the snowmobile Club did some work in the Mill Pond.  They cleaned out one of the side gutters because the water was running over the road.

 

6. Community Conservation Partnership Series on Conservation Easements (Marcia Galloway):  Mrs. Galloway advised that the Community Conservation Partnership (CCP) series on Conservation Easements will begin this Wednesday night.  This commission has three people attending:  Bill Patterson, Fred Ernst and Marcia Galloway.

 

7. Fletcher Property Abutting Fanny Mason Forest – Purchase?? (Marcia Galloway):  Mrs. Galloway recommended passing over this agenda item to allow time to do more research.

 

8. NHACC Meeting November 1 in Concord (Mel Schupack & Marcia Galloway):  Mr. Schupack and Mrs. Galloway will attend the NHACC meeting in Concord on November 1st.

 

9. Other Business:

WCC Resignations:  Mrs. Galloway noted that the WCC has two vacancies caused by the resignations of alternate members Fred Ernst and Andrew Lewis.  They need to seek some alternate members.  Recommendations should be forwarded to Mrs. Galloway.

 

 

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Sawyer Property:  Mrs. Galloway noted that the WCC needs to do some trail work on the Sawyer property.  It is a nice piece of property; it should be kept accessible.  Mr. Shelley will walk it to make recommendations but he did not feel much would be done until the spring.                      

 

Department of Environmental Services:  The WCC received a copy of the DES application from Huntington Realty of Walpole, LLC for an “Alteration of Terrain Permit”. 

 

Community Conservation Partnership:  Mrs. Galloway received a call from Peter Throop who would like the WCC to consider what they want to do next in the partnership.  He would like to come to the next meeting to talk about this but would like a few people to get together ahead of time to come up with recommendations.  Mrs. Galloway, Mrs. Montgomery and Mr. Graves will meet at Murray’s on Monday, October 20th at 10:30 am.

 

Conservation Alliance Grant:  Mr. Schupack received some information on the Conservation Alliance Grant from Mr. Daviss but since the deadline is November 1st Mr. Schupack felt it should be kept in the file until the application period opens up for another round of grants.

 

Ballam Farm:  Mr. Schupack reminded the members that they will have to set-up the monitoring for the Ballam Farm.

 

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

·         Received some literature from the SCA.  They are accepting applications for Crew and Resource Intern Requests.

·         The NH Division of Parks and Recreation are accepting applications for Grant Round 24 that has a deadline of January 16, 2009.

·         The New York State Conservationist is asking for donations.  There was a consensus of the WCC to pass this over because there are no funds in the budget.

·         A brochure was received from the UNH Cooperative Extension for their 2008 Fall Conservation Workshops.  A copy will be made available for all WCC members.  Mrs. Montgomery will try to attend the Farmland Stewardship workshop on October 17, 2008, in Westmoreland and will ask Mr. Beaudry if he would like to attend.

 

Graves Farm:  Mr. Graves announced that there will be an Open House at their farm on Sunday, October 12th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.  There will be activities for all ages and samples of raw milk will be available.

 

Mr. Graves moved to adjourn this meeting.  Mr. Fletcher seconded the motion and, with all in favor, the motion passed unanimously.  The time was 9:24 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

 

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