Town of Fitzwilliam
Minutes of the Conservation Committee
Date: 11/24/03
Time Meeting Opened: 7:30 p.m. Chuck Roth convening the meeting.
Members Present: Katie Metzger, Chuck Roth, Jeanne Sable, Fred Slavic, Rosalind Slavic, Eleanor Vander Haegen, Paul Kotila, Carmen Yon
Minutes of Previous Meeting: dated 10/27/03 moved accepted by Eleanor, seconded by Jeanne. Unan.
Unfinished business: Elderly Housing proposal Rte. 119 & 12—Katie spoke with the developer and wife of owner. We were granted the OK to walk the property 11/25/03, at 11:30 a.m. Will meet at Rte. 119 access road.
Katie reported there was no letter to the road agent from the D.O.T. regarding a preference for a route 12 access, and she believes it is a non-issue. She said she explained to Planning Board chairman Terry Silverman that we wished to view the property before snow cover.
Carmen reported that Carol Ogilvie said before the 11/18/03 Planning Board meeting that language in the cluster development ordinance can be applied to condominiums. Katie said it would be up to the Panning Board to make the determination and perhaps clean up the wording. Our main concern revolves around setbacks to wetlands—especially the issue of berms proposed closer than the 75-foot setback.
Carmen noted the property is 7.165 acres, only 4.5 acres of which is uplands—which would seem to indicate the project must go before the zoning Board of Adjustment.
Newcomers’ Bulletin—The handouts will go to the library and be inserted in the Fitzwilliam newsletter. Many of us had problems formatting our sections without knowing the final configuration of the pamphlet. It was agreed we would all fit the most important information onto 8 ½ X 11” sheets and let Chuck and Jeanne edit and condense them into the final document. Members will all bring their assignments to Chuck and Jeanne next meeting.
Land Use Change Tax—Carmen will draft the language for the warrant article to see if the Selectmen will put it on the Warrant. Katie noted that the CIP will start in 2005, as we don’t want to ask for the LUC tax the same year. It was agreed that we will request 50% of the Land Use Change tax this year, to put toward land conservation.
Paul noted the Converse Meadows project in Rindge is a good example of how funds can be used for conservation.
Katie mentioned the need for ongoing work to protect open space. The Fitzwilliam Ski area and the Cushing land are prime examples. Chuck noted it might be best for locals to approach the owners at first, then refer them to the Nature Conservancy, stressing that a conservation easement would allow owners to keep their land. Katie noted that if the landowner could subdivide the house from the remainder of the property, it might be more of a financial incentive.
Signs for town forest(s)—Fred—Received suggestions from South West. Passed around samples of what signs would look like. Chuck added “Take only pictures, leave only footprints.” Discussed restrictions: “Wheeled vehicles” includes bicycles, which can cause erosion. Eleanor suggested making signs more welcoming, with the “do’s” listed first. Also, the Commission should be mentioned as supervisor of the property. Chuck suggested we check into any permits needed for overnight scout campouts.
Organizing Maps—Katie and Jeanne—no action taken.
Follow-up projects—
Nickerson—Jeanne: Mrs. Nickerson reported they have not begun work on the project yet.
LaValley—Carmen reported the project is complete.
Raitto—Elderly Housing Rte. 12—Katie: see under Old Business above.
Forest Management—No action taken. (Paul was to talk to forester Charlie Koch, Katie would meet him at town hall to show the map, and Eleanor would walk with him on the property.)
Bowker Pond island protection—No action taken. (Chuck—postponed until he can contact owner.)
Hazardous Waste disposal—No action taken (Jeanne will have hazardous waste collection days announced in Newsletter and FitzwilliamNet.)
Groundwater protection—No action taken (Eleanor was to talk to Jeff Porter again.)
New Business: Procedure for handling mail—Katie suggested that one member be assigned to read through the mail and digest the meaning to present to the board. It was agreed that the person who chairs the meeting will take on this responsibility. Jeanne will pass the mail to the next chairperson prior to the meeting.
Primary Wetlands Designation—Jeanne: Suggested we work on designating certain areas as prime wetlands under RSA 482-A:15,I. Paul will check into this. Chuck noted that future highway projects could have significant impact on wetlands and we should prepare for this.
Regulation for septage/sludge/biosolids—Jeanne noted p. 29-30 of the NHMA Law Lecture handout, which says the state and the EPA has determined that land disposal of sludge is an acceptable alternative to landfilling and that the state defers to local communities for regulating such disposal. Also, that according to HB 503, introduced last session, municipalities would have to assure access to a DES-approved septage facility by July 2007, or not be granted any new septic system permits. (Jeanne will check to see if this went into effect.) She suggested we look into passing something to prevent the spreading of septage/sewage sludge on land. Fred mentioned the use of composting toilets in Harrisville center. Paul stated we should think about what would happen if we passed something banning sludge
disposal and the state refused future septic permits. Also, how would this affect the spreading of manure, etc.? Eleanor suggested we look at what other towns have passed about this issue and address it next year. Further discussion was tabled until February, 2004.
Rotating Chairmen: Katie suggested and it was agreed that the job of chairman revolve every two months, rather than monthly. Jeanne will provide a list of who has chaired which meetings so that we can determine whose turn is next.
Planning Board Report—See Elderly Housing proposal under Unfinished Business above.
Site Walks— None taken.
Announcements:
Paul noted a UNH program, The Community Tree Steward and Earth Team Natural Resource Volunteer Program, starting in February in Concord and Portsmouth. Signup sheets were passed around. Must be completed before Dec. 15. Ask Jeanne for a copy if you want to sign up, or call Pam Doherty at (603) 629-9494, email: pam.doherty@unh.edu.
Draft of minutes posted and/or sent out to members: 11/28/03
Minutes sent to Selectmen’s Office: 12/18/03
Meeting Adjourned at 9:15 p.m.. Motion by Paul, seconded by Chuck. Unan.
Next Meeting date: Meeting date was changed to Dec. 15, due to holidays. Chuck will chair.
Signed: Jeanne Sable,
Secretary
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