Kensington Conservation Commission

Minutes of June 13. 2006

Members in attendance: Rob Garneau, Stephen Erickson, Joan Skewes, Harry Bodwell, Sydnee Goddard

1. Call to order 7:38

2. Minutes approved

3. Christine Gallagher presented her proposal to put in a fire pond in her front yard at 21 Trundle Bed Lane.  Presently she has a problem with water backing up into her yard from a spot of wetland at the far right of her property.  The pond, she hopes, will give the water a place to go.  She has trouble keeping the vegetation in the wetland area cut down to keep the water moving.  Members of the KCC indicated that they do not oppose the fire pond, but suggest she discuss the issue with an engineer to make sure that the pond will serve her purpose.

4. Theresa Walker suggested ways in which she could help the KCC this year.  Decided to have her help us with the following three things:

• an Environmental Impact Assessment (developers would prepare),
• regulations for development of Kensington land through other towns, and
• a grant application to NH Charitable Foundation Piscattaqua Region to fund mailings for bond issue project (up to $5000, Sept. 1 deadline).

Theresa also shared that the Land and Water Conservation Fund could be a source of funding for Kimball easement.   It has a fall deadline.

Stephen reminded Theresa about his offer to serve on ERLAC.

Theresa also shared that The Nature Conservancy, Forest Society, and Planning Commission did a Costal Watershed analysis of Hampton Harbor and Great Bay watersheds and came up with 7 focus areas to protect.  Great Bay is one of the areas.  If we have an Environmental Impact Assessment, it could require referencing both Coastal Watershed Analysis and Wildlife Action Plan to identify sensitive parcels.

Need to schedule a meeting with planning board to discuss possible new regulations.

5.  Sydnee shared that town was awarded $190K from Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) to protect Cole Farm.  This will cover 50% of the cost of the easement. . 

6. Sydnee shared that town was awarded $314K from FRPP to protect Kimball Farm, but  had to decline offer, since it required selectmen to guarantee balance by 2 years.   The offer was remarkable, because FRPP normally requires applicants to have matching funds in hand.  The amount in the KCC fund is only enough to cover the Cole easement.     

7. Discussed strategy for fund raising for Cole and Kimball farm.   Decided to go ahead and complete the Cole easement using funds in KCC fund and focus additional fund raising on just the Kimball farm.  Rob shared a time line for this task, a summary of language for conservation, and a summary of lands previously conserved in Kensington.    Discussed having a meeting on June 27^th with others interested in helping with fund raising.  Sydnee will get announcement of meeting out in Exeter News Letter, Carriage Town News, Community News, and town web site.  Joan will prepare a description of the Kimball farm.  Stephen will prepare a fund raising strategy.  Expect the June 27^th meeting to be a brief one and build for a September start. 

8. Joan has received another bid for Hodges Conservation Area parking lot.  Rob suggested we get a bid from company doing the parking area across from Town Hall   Sydnee will check on that.

9.  Stephen pointed out the need for the trail committee to reform.  More work to be done than the conservation commission can handle. 

10.  Sydnee suggested we plan a trail work date for August.

11. Adjourn 10:00