Town of Fitzwilliam
Minutes of the Conservation Committee
Date: 01/26/04
Time Meeting Opened: 7:30 p.m. Rosalind Slavic convening the meeting.
Members Present: Barbara Green, Paul Kotila, Katie Metzger, Chuck Roth, Jeanne Sable, Fred Slavic, Rosalind Slavic, Eleanor Vander Haegen, Carmen Yon
Guests Present: Joe Harrington, assistant to Bill Norton for proposed Rte. 12 elderly housing plan.
Minutes of Previous Meeting: dated 12/15/03 moved accepted by Barbara, seconded by Carmen. Unan.
Unfinished business: Elderly Housing proposal Rte. 119 & 12—Continued.
Secretary Jeanne Sable reported that Conservation Commission members Barbara Green, Paul Kotila, Fred Slavic, Carmen Yon, and Jeanne Sable met at 10 a.m. for a site walk on 1/24/04 at the property with Planning Board members and chairman, Terry Silverman, led by Bill Norton, of Norton Asset Management of Manchester, and his assistant, Joe Harrington.
A standard Wetlands Impact Form for the town has not been filed.
Joe Harrington gave a brief explanation of the project and answered questions. Katie asked for confirmation about access being from Rt. 119, and Harrington replied this was correct. Barbara noted the drainage off the hill would be handled by retention ponds, and Joe stated that the treatment swale would further cleanse the runoff. Fred questioned about infringement on wetlands, and Joe responded there would be three spots along the access road.
Carmen stated that a report about our findings at the site walk should go to the Planning Board. It should list our recommendations, such as erosion control during laying of pipes, removal of ledge, and other disturbances.
Chuck raised the question of how to discourage traffic from using the old driveway from Rte. 12. Joe replied he would not want to see signs there. The town safety personnel had requested that emergency access be possible from Rte. 12.
Katie suggested we recommend the landscaping be such that traffic is discouraged from using that route, but emergency vehicles can still drive up if necessary. This is important to protect the largest area of wetlands in the development.
Eleanor inquired whether the plan would incorporate a way to tie in with town sewer at some later date if that becomes and option. Joe said he hoped that could be done with gravity feed to route 12.
Jeanne agreed to obtain a standard town wetlands impact form and indicate on it that the project presents minimal wetlands impact, and turn it in to Margo.
CIP—Members discussed a memo requesting clarification of the use of funds we have requested for updating the Master Plan. After some confusion, Eleanor read from the minutes of the Planning Board, and it was determined that this referred specifically to our CIP request for moneys to be used for land conservation purchases and maintenance. Chuck said we need to state our vision for the town—Decide where we want to link important areas, and save open space. We need to do the planning and prioritize.
Barbara added that the answers could come from our 10-Year Conservation Plan. Next year we can set up a fund. This year we are focused on our warrant article requesting the Land Use Change Tax increase.
Rosalind offered that protection of land around Rhododendron State Park should be a priority.
Eleanor said we could establish the priority list by connecting green spaces on the map.
It would be a good topic for a meeting with only one item on the agenda.
Groundwater Protection Plan —Eleanor—She asked SWRPC recently but will ask again.
Forest Management—Signs for town forest(s)—Fred—A sample sign was passed around and met with everyone’s approval. Names for the conservation areas were discussed. Rosalind suggested Widow Gage for the Whitcomb property. Also, there is a need to determine how to define boundaries.
Katie recommended hiring a forester such as Charlie Koch to draw up a Forest Management Plan incorporating strategies for sprawl control, trails, and other items per our 10-year plan. It can be started after a site walk in the Spring.
Newcomers’ Bulletin—Barbara and Carmen met earlier and determined that the water and wetlands portion need not go beyond state regulations.
Eleanor asked for assistance with the recreational portion. Chuck said we should not delay work on the project any longer.
Jeanne has a state-issued handout about OHRV’s and wetlands we can use. She will compile all the materials and try to put them into a rough draft, and then arrange to meet with Chuck to refine it.
Land Use Change Tax—No discussion.
Maps—Eleanor brought in the new aerial maps and members looked them over, identifying various wetlands. Software can digitalize and compare images to the map, providing a good means of wetlands surveillance. One set will be for town use and one for us. Jeanne will move them to Margo’s office for storage.
Follow-up projects—
Nickerson—Jeanne: Project on hold until spring.
Elderly Housing Rte. 12—Katie—Ongoing.
Bowker Pond island protection— Chuck has received no reply from owners.
Hazardous Waste disposal—Jeanne—No discussion. (Household Hazardous waste collection day schedule for 2004 has been obtained and will be announced closer to collection dates.)
Primary Wetlands Designation—Paul—No discussion.
Regulation for septage/sludge/biosolids—Note from Paula was circulated, stating that the town has an agreement that Keene will take these. Also, the town is not allowed to ban or restrict “the proper land application of state-approved biosolids or products derived from biosolids.”
Budget—Memo from Paula requesting a budget revision is due by the 29th. Carmen will attend to it.
New Business:
VLAP – Barbara reported good news—that the Volunteer Lake Assessment Program will not be terminated as had been feared, and will continue operating at the current level.
Dredge and Fill Permit—Richmond Rd.—After some discussion, Paul determined that the site was opposite the former Ilg property. Katie will ask Margo what we need to do about it.
Draft of minutes posted and/or sent out to members: 1/29/04
Minutes sent to Selectmen’s Office: 03/01/04
Meeting Adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Motion by Jeanne. Seconded by Katie. Unan.
Next Meeting date: February 23, 2004. Rosalind will chair.
Signed: Jeanne Sable,
Secretary
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