Kensington Conservation Commission

Minutes of Nov. 9, 2004

Members in attendance: Joan and John Skewes, Harry Bodwell, Rob Garneau, Sydnee Goddard

Also in attendance: Phil Auger (UNH Cooperative Extension), Theresa Walker (Rockingham Planning Commission), and Mary Currier (Rockingham County Conservation District)

1. Rob shared map showing proposed Rolling Ridge subdivision on Linden Street. Developers willing to delay proposal for 24 units of Rolling Ridge Drive lot 7 and work just on lot 9. They are looking into putting 110 acres, (about 60 in Exeter, 40 in Kensington) into conservation as waiver for cul-de-sac requirements. Mary Currier suggests that a management plan for the conservation land can be required. Theresa and Phil indicate that the conservation land can be decoupled from development. Theresa and Mary indicate that planning board can ask developers to pay for the plan to be reviewed by a wetland and soil scientist.

2. Phil indicated that survey for Smith, Rezendez, and Sawyer properties went over estimate by $5,000. Joan will call RSL (survey company of Richard Ladd) to discuss why.

3. Heard from Phil and Mary about property on Kensington/Hampton Falls border. Precise acreage is not known yet. Property has frontage in Kensington but does not have road Frontage in Hampton Falls. Hampton Falls has regulation that land cannot be accessed for development unless frontage is in Hampton Falls. Sydnee will contact Tracy Beattie of Hampton Falls conservation commission to discuss partnering with HFCC on this parcel. Phil and Mary indicate that this property would qualify for Farmland Protection Fund. 2.68 million for this fund came into state the day before presidential election. Once grant application process begins will have 40 or 120 days to get application completed. Timing not announced yet.

4. John asked Mary for update on Kimball property. Mary shared possible sources of funding if Kimballs wish to proceed. 65 acre field across street from house would qualify for funding under Farmland Protection Fund, while wet meadow fits Grassland Reserve Program. Forested land behind house qualifies for neither fund. Mary expects that federal government will not be holding easements and they will look for local entity to do so. Mary indicated that the Rockingham County Conservation District would be interested in holding easement if Kimballs wished. Separate grant applications would require separate appraisals. There are 153 total acres. Cost for Mary to prepare applications is $45/hr and she predicts it would require 30 hours of work plus cost of printing applications (eleven copies of application are required) and cost of appraisals. Could look for private funding to cover 50% matching funds required by Farmland Protection Fund. If Kimballs agree to apply for funding, could have appraisals of all 3 areas (field, wet meadow, forest) done. Town of Kensington has to be one to apply for Farmland Protection, but with blessing of Kimballs to do so.

5. Mary shared East Kingston Conservation Commission's intent to approach land owner (with land bordering East Kingston and Kensington) about interest in applying for funding from Farmland Protection Fund.

6. Property on Drinkwater Road moving forward with easement process and owner hopes to complete easement by end of year.

7. Sydnee shared information regarding Recreational Trails Program, which has funds to support trail work. Sydnee suggests we apply for funding to do work on trails in Hodges Town Land. Commission members support this idea. Theresa will work on grant and Sydnee will contact Nancy Roffman of recreation committee to see if they support it also.

8. Theresa shared that Jill Robinson has ideas for improving town's regulations and would like to bring ideas to planning board Dec 2. Some ideas include Environmental Impact Analysis, Wildlife Habitat Overlay, and Tree Regulations for Developments.

9. Minutes approved.

10. Adjourn 9:38pm

Respectfully submitted,

Sydnee Goddard