Kensington Conservation Commission Minutes of March 23, 2004

Meeting at town library

Members in attendance: Rob Garneau, John Skewes (chair), Harry Bodwell, Sydnee Goddard, Joan Skewes (arrived later)

Also in attendance: David Buxton, selectman

1. Call to order 7:41pm

2. Harold Bragg and Diane Chigas for Friends of the Park shared park plans. Discussed reasoning for selectmen's waiver of zoning regulations on driveway and buildings. Noted that field is ten feet from wetland edge. Harold and Diane are looking for KCC to do research on grass mixture and chemical treatment. Pavilion is too close to pond but not a full 8' foundation, more like a garage with open space inside.

3. Harold discussed latest on Salt Shed. Presented storm water report by Althus engineering. Findings show that drainage interacts with Winkley Brook and not the calcareous seep swamp about which most concern centered. Drainage will enter field before getting to Winkley Brook for a total of 1400 feet of drainage. However, drainage from driveway will not enter field and therefore will have shorter route to brook. David Buxton suggests creating gravel area to shake salt off tires. Could have a line item in budget for shed to care for gravel area. Another suggestion is to grade drive so it pitches toward shed so water will head towards field instead.

4. John shared letter given by Steve Smith. Letter was from Richard Ladd confirming survey estimate of $12,000. Harry made motion that we hold public meeting on April 13 for approval of expenditure of $12,000 of KCC funds to pay for survey. Motion seconded and unanimously approved. Joan will contact Denise about this.

5. Discussed Paul Kimball request for help. He wished to conserve some of his property using Federal grassland protection project funding. Mary Currier will help with grant writing. Estimate that there are 35-50 acres wet and 15 acres upland. Perhaps KCC could help fund survey.

6. "Ball Field" land. Brian Hart meeting with SAU 16 tonight on our behalf.

7. Welch property. Letter from Selectmen asking Welch to stop...... Welch says he is going to comply.

8. John, Joan, and Sydnee posted more of Hodges land on Sunday.

9. Discussed negative vote on conservation bond issue.

10. KCC will meet every 2 weeks from now on. Second Tuesday of month will be public meeting and other meeting will be working meeting, not public.

11. John shares policy suggestions for Hodges Property. Perhaps requiring written permit for horse, snowmobiles, bikes. Snowmobiles already require written permission by law. Kiosk at main Stumpfield Road entrance could post all polices and all trail entrances could have signs with basic rules.

12. Discussed sending survey to voters so we can determine why bond issue didn't pass. Suggestion made that we ask if it could be included in the Community News.

13. Rob shared that Russell Hodges interested in selling land to KCC. In order for KCC to do this however, we would need a bargain, not retail, price.

14. Adjourn 9:40pm