Town of Fitzwilliam
Minutes of the Conservation Committee
Date: 04/26/04
Time Meeting Opened: 7:30 p.m. Paul Kotila convening the meeting.
Members Present: Barbara Green, Paul Kotila, Jeanne Sable, Katie Metzger, Chuck Roth, Fred Slavic, Rosalind Slavic, Eleanor Vander Haegen, Jeanne Sable
Guests Present: Sherry Walters, Daniel Codispoti, Andrew Walters, Cheryl Welch
Minutes of Previous Meeting: dated 3/22/04—Accepted as amended. Motion to approve by Katie, seconded, Rosalind. Approved.
Discussions:
1. Cheryl Welch—E. Lake Road/ Laurel Lake building repair.
Ms. Welch stated the plan was to replace the foundation and septic system, but not change the footprint of the building, which must be moved for the repairs. Erosion from runoff from the road has damaged the foundation, and she feels the lake would be impacted if the building collapses. She said the project meets all state standards, conforming to environmental laws, septic system, etc. She has spoken to Skip Hagstrom, and officials at the county and state level, but was having difficulty determining what other permits the selectmen were requiring in order for her to proceed. She stated she was not adding bedrooms, and in fact would be reducing sewerage by eliminating a bathroom in the workshop. She believes the project would improve the present runoff situation, as water from the road now drains into the lake. Paul stated
that the proposal as described would be allowed by the Shoreline Protection Act and the Wetlands Protection Act.
Katie will speak to Paula at the Town Office tomorrow and report her findings to the Planning Board. (Follow-up note: Katie reported on 4/27 that the selectmen require only a note from Ms. Welch stating that the property is grandfathered and no changes will be made to the footprint of the house.)
2. Spicer request—Wetlands permit, 8 Spicer Point Rd. Application to demolish existing seasonal cottage and replace with 3-bay garage for boat storage, and to remove and demolish 2 septic tanks with eight feet setback to wetlands.
The board agreed to view the property on Saturday, May 1. Jeanne will try to contact applicants.
3. Jessica & Wade Leventry request—Heglin property, Putney Road—to construct a driveway within 75 feet of wetlands. Building inspector’s recommendation stated that the Planning Board wanted us to review this. We will try to include this on Saturday, May 1 site walk.
4. Andrew and Sherry Walters—Noise complaint and other concerns about ATV’s on railbed. Eleanor said a meeting was to take place Wednesday, April 28, regarding ATV use in Pisgah State Park. Paul added that a meeting about trail use was scheduled at the Keene Library on Monday evening, May 3. Mr. Walters said the weekend ATV traffic on the railbed near their home and future Bed & Breakfast sounded like chainsaws. He said he also observed significant erosion draining into wetlands during a walk afterwards. He said that snowmobile usage in winter was different, because most people have their windows closed. Paul made a motion, and it was
seconded by Katie, that we submit a letter to Paul Gray at DRED and c.c. it to Marjory Swope voicing our concerns about ATV’s on the trails. Jeanne will write and send the letters.
5. NRI—Fred requested use of the new aerial maps to locate wetlands. Jeanne reported that Eli Durmer, an Oberlin sophomore majoring in environmental science, was looking to do field work locally over the summer and might be able to assist in the project. Members suggested he might be of help on the trail mapping project. Chuck noted he would need guidance in order to determine prime wetlands, though perhaps Chuck could help him identify wildlife habitat. A graduate student from Antioch also may be considered. Eleanor mentioned a geographer from KSC who might be able to supervise a student this fall. Jeanne will find out what skills
Eli has and whether he can work independently. Chuck asked that members color in areas on the map that they feel would be important additions to areas we’d like to protect. He later asked when we should present it to the town. He would like to talk to Margo and the Selectmen about it. Katie said we need to clarify exactly what the map represents. She said we should set up a meeting with one of the selectmen to apprise them of what we are doing, and how it fits into our conservation plan. Barbara noted we need a timetable for the Master Plan from the Planning Board. Paul agreed it must be included in it.
6. Planning Board report—Jeanne. Report was emailed to all members. Donlon subdivision was discussed. Jeanne will check with the Planning Board on their follow-up site walk that had been scheduled the previous Saturday morning, 4/24, to view the correct driveway configuration. She will issue a memo to the Planning Board stating that building permits for the site should be issued contingent upon using the driveway plan indicated on the approved subdivision, as staked and viewed by their board on the follow-up site walk.
7. Newcomer’s handout—Jeanne showed the revised version, which will be the final document, with the possible exception of an addendum emailed from Barbara concerning boat landings. The newsletter insert will be a preview of what’s on the longer document. Katie made a motion and it was seconded that Jeanne email the final version of the handout to members so we can tie up the project.
8. Natural Resources Advisory Committee Meeting of the SWRPC—Eleanor emailed all members a comprehensive report of this meeting.
9. Town Forest Signs—Fred said that Gene Cuomo had originally quoted us $20 per sign, but that the recent quote from Stay Safe Traffic Products is much higher. There seems to be a misunderstanding about the number of words, and inclusion of an illustration. Fred understood that anything could be scanned in. Also, the sign dimensions on the quote are much larger than those sent on our purchase order. Jeanne will send a copy of the purchase order to Fred for comparison to the company’s price quote.
10. Federal Brownfields cleanup—Eleanor—It appears we may not get in on the first round but we should try to get in line for this program. Sites with mixed petroleum pollution and other contaminants may be eligible. The project has a rolling deadline.
11. Hazardous Mitigation committee—Barbara—The group has inventoried dams on maps, reviewed undersized culverts and other possible hazards. The info is being compiled by SWRPC.
12. Nature Conservancy Inquiry on Town Forests—Jeanne passed along three questions submitted to us by Jenny Tollefson regarding the status of conservation lands in southwest N.H. for a state database. Questions were: Is there permanent protection on any of our Town Forests? Answer—No. What uses are permitted other than low impact uses? Answer—Managed logging. Gravel removal is OK on one site, but access would be difficult. Q—Are there more than 3 town forests? A.—Yes. We now have up to about eight, counting all small parcels. Q—Are there easements on any of these properties? A—Not presently, but we are discussing
this, as we encourage others to place conservation easements on their property.
13. Announcements—Fred—There will be a lecture by Tom Wessels on Sunday, 3 p.m., at Ahavas Achim Synagogue in Keene. The topic is “The Mythology of Progress.”
Unfinished Business:
Groundwater Protection Plan follow-up—no action.
Follow-up to Site Walks—
Nickerson—Jeanne: No action
Elderly Housing Rte. 12—Katie—No action
Meeting adjourned: 9:40 p.m.
Draft of minutes posted and/or sent out to members: 04/29/04
Minutes sent to Selectmen’s Office: 5/27/04
Next Meeting date: May 24, 2004. Fred will chair.
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