Kensington Conservation Commission

Minutes of Feb 8, 2005

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

1. Call to order 7:34 p.m.

2. Minutes approved with a few words added.

3. Paul and Marian Kimball came to discuss possible applications for funding to put their land in a conservation easement. Paul is concerned with the restrictions that the Grassland Reserve Program will place on his use of the lower meadow. Harry explained what he knows about the Grassland Reserve Program. Based on Harry's description, Paul felt the Grassland Program sounded suitable, but that he will contact Mary Currier for more information. Paul said he is interested in being able to graze animals on that piece when conditions were suitable. Because it has periods of flooding, it would not always be suitable. Although in November we had discussed applying for money through the Farmland Protection Fund to protect the upper dry fields, which includes the sledding hill, the KCC members feel it may be better to apply for that in the future, perhaps after the Meadow is conserved. The land that abuts the meadow is the Great Brook Conservation Area. With both the Kimball's and Town land in conservation, the conservation value of the upper field would increase and therefore possibly increase the chance of funding from the Farmland Protection Fund. At this time a number of other local properties that are likely to take priority over the Kimball's property are applying for funding from Farmland Protection. Funding is limited in this fund and 50% must be matched but other sources.

4. John read and members discussed Barbara Boudreau's latest proposal for putting her land in conservation. She is asking the town to purchase her 24 acres for the appraised development value of $262,000 plus half of the additional value due to fee-simple purchase or $9,000 for a total of $271,000. The member agreed to accept her purchase price, but would like to negotiate with her about the possibility of reserving an area abutting the school for potential future school uses. Barbara was not present.

5. Joan indicated that Tom Brouillette has been paid $4,800 for his survey of Meeting House Hill Conservation Area. He will now research the 3 acre lot that was left out of the original survey of the property. The title work revealed this missing piece. Tom will need to add this to recently completed survey and we will pay him for additional work.

6. Joan shared status of logging on Old Queen Bridge Property. Arlene Allen from NH DES has indicated that the owner Marie Periera has hired Seekamp Environmental to develop a restoration plan for wetland impacted by the logging. Ms. Periera has been very cooperative.

7. John will contact Tracy Degnan of Rockingham County Conservation District regarding her letter about possible funding for a property we are working to put in an easement. She has information about The Farm and Ranchland Protection Program.

8. John announced that he would like to stay on the KCC but step down from being chair.

9. Adjourn 9:28pm