Kensington Conservation Commission              

Minutes of June 9, 2009

Members in attendance: Rob Garneau, Heather Douglas, Sydnee Goddard, Joan Skewes

 

1.      Call to order 7:40.

2.      Minutes approved.

3.      Group discussed the site walk with John Sargent on May 20th to potentially place 15 acres of his land in conservation.  His land abuts existing conservation land.  Group reviewed the maps provided by the Southeast Land Trust which showed the Sargent land has prime farmland and a well head, and it is a source water protection area and a high quality wildlife habitat.  The group agreed to move forward by having Sargent talk to the Southeast Land Trust, which may be the easement holders.  Sydnee will touch base with both groups afterward.

4.      Rob reported that he put up a trail map sign at the town park.

5.      Group reviewed a draft agreement sent by Mike Speltz from the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (SPNHF) regarding potentially placing Chris Ryder’s land in conservation.  Sydnee called Mike during the meeting to ask questions about costs, the FRPP grant cycle, and SPNHF as the easement holders.  Group also wanted to know if the Exeter Conservation Commission was still interested in moving forward with a joint easement.  The topic will be updated at the next conservation meeting.

6.      DES Updates:

a.       2 Hoosac Road – the repairs to the vernal pool have not been made and it will be the responsibility of the people who buy the property to restore the pool to its natural state.

b.      12 North Road – no information on whether an after-the-fact dredging permit was obtained or not.

c.       57 Stumpfield Road – there were concerns about mowing a wetland area, but no permit is needed and it is OK as long as the land is dry.  However, the fill on the land must be removed by July 1.  Sydnee to follow up.

7.      Dick Welsh met with group to discuss a letter he received from the DES regarding violations to the permit issued to him on August 23, 2005.  The requests specified in the letter remain outstanding, and the DES scheduled a site inspection for June 10.  Group offered to attend the DES site visit, but Welsh declined the offer.

8.      Group met with Felicia Motherway regarding Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices for ticks.  Felicia would like to see the town adopt such practices, which include monitoring, encouraging caution, modifying the environment, and spraying targeted areas as a last resort.  On July 15 there will be an open forum about IPM at the town hall, and Felicia would like our help in spreading the word about it.  Some conservation commission members will be able to attend and all agreed to pass on the information about the forum to others who might be interested.

9.      Rob reported that horses have been using the Hodges trails when they are very wet, which raises some concerns about the condition of the trails.

10.  Group discussed the Planning Boards’ request for one of the conservation commission to act as an alternate member.  Sydnee and Heather were interested, but had questions about the role of an alternate member as well as time commitments.  Sydnee emailed her questions and concerns to the Planning Board.

11.  Town requested a resource inventory for the Planning Board.  Sydnee to seek clarification on this matter.

12.  Adjourned 9:45 p.m.