Kensington Conservation Commission

Minutes of May 13, 2008

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

1. Call to order 7:37 pm

2. Minutes approved

3. Discussed Haying on Route 108 Conservation Land (Town-owned Great Brook Conservation Area).  Harry indicated that the field is wet and later haying would be easier.  Harry suggested that we should have it mowed every other year.  He said that there are a good number of poplars coming up.  Joan said that the field was mowed last summer.  Sydnee shared George Gavutis’ concern (spoken at previous selectmen’s meeting) that perpetual haying will remove nutrients.  Harry thinks mowing every other year could help avoid that.  Sydnee will ask if Steven Hale will be interesting in mowing every other year.  Also discussed the agreement between the Bodwells and the town to hay Hodges field.  Agreement requires a certificate of insurance.  Harry said his workers are covered, and he will ask Hal about getting the certificate to the town.  Joan will speak with Hal if necessary. 

4.  Discussed the Cole easement and the question of public access with George, Nancy, and Marion Cole.  Rob and Sydnee discovered that a trail they thought was on Cole property is actually on Bodwell land.  Because existing nearby trails do not cross Cole property, the easement language allows the Coles and future land owners to construct trails, some expressed safety issues with the runway, discussion of public access was not part of previous discussions with the Coles, and the Coles do not intend to post their property, CC members were satisfied with leaving out guaranteed public access in the easement language.

Sydnee let the Coles know that the CC would be paying for the closing costs. 

5.  Discussed joint meeting with planning board and selectmen scheduled for June 17.  Joan, Rob, and Sydnee will be able to make it.  Joan had found an article about UNH’s research on handling drainage for water that could be useful to our discussion on June 17. Discussed Prime wetlands designation and decided that we should compare Kensington’s and the state’s prime wetland regulations.

6. Discussed the Right to Know law with regard to posting minutes 5 days after meeting and posting meeting notices prior to meetings.

7.  Sarah Callahan from the Forest Society contacted Joan for a report on Hodges.  Joan and Sydnee will get together to compose a report.

8.  Discussed a 2 acre parcel on Dearborn Road.  The land owner approached the selectmen and his realtor contacted Sydnee to determine if the commission was interested in purchasing the land for conservation.  The owner feels the property is been taxed too highly for a property with no access.

9. Discussed having a brochure made to illustrate town conservation land and natural features.  Sydnee will invite Rachel Stevens of Conservation consulting, LLC to the next meeting to discuss this possibility.

10. Mail. 

• Managing storm water and low impact development workshop announcement for June 12.
• Bond issuance cost notice from NHMBB.  Cost is $7,500.
• New NH Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act workshop announcement for May 5.
• Invasive Plant workshop announcement for May 20.

11. Adjourn 9:20pm.