Fitzwilliam, NH, Conservation Commission
19 October 2009 – Minutes
Present:
Members: Dan Bemis, Bob Corrette, Cheryl Davis, Barb Green, Paul Kotila, Rosalind Slavic, Dorothy Zug; alternate Fred Slavic; guests: Pete Throop, Rick Brackett, Matt Buonomano
Previous Minutes:
Minutes of 21 September 2009 were approved as corrected.
Agenda Review:
Items added: Upper Gap Mountain Rd. trail proposal; Request for trail in wetlands from Mike LaBelle; Town footpath to the post office; Report on NRI meetings with selectmen and Planning Board
Open Space Committee Planning
Pete Throop, of the Monadnock Conservancy, presented an overview and history of the Monadnock Community Conservation Partnership (MCCP) program. The MCCP provides support to towns for conservation initiatives by partnering with a range of regional organizations. Since towns vary in their level and stage of needs, this work is designed to assist towns to make next steps in conservation planning. Since Fitzwilliam has just revised its Natural Resources Inventory, it is a good position to now consider how to best make use of this information, including engagement with town citizens, formation of an Open Space Committee, and identifying priorities for conservation in town. The Conservancy is also available to help with grant writing to support some project costs. It was agreed to continue
working with MCCP to develop a plan and budget for next steps. We will coordinate these efforts with selectmen and the Planning Board.
Path to Post Office
Rick Brackett, from the Monadnock Conservancy, reported on preliminary conversations with Coni Porter about creating a town path, across private property, from the town center to the post office on highway 12. The Conservancy has worked with similar projects on other properties, but he does not yet have enough information from Porter to clearly define what such a project might involve. He is working with Emily Hague at the Conservancy and seeking an intern to lay out a trail.
Brackett also inquired about working with the Con Comm and/or recreation department to clean up some of the ice storm damage on the Pinnacle (the Conservancy holds an easement). Green reported the town is currently seeking a new recreation director. Kotila encouraged continued planning for a clean up.
Gap Mountain Road Trail Proposal
Zug reported that Sally Lacy’s property on Upper Gap Mtn. Rd. is being sold. Zug presented a map that indicated the sections being proposed for conversion to a Class A trail. It was agreed to delay any further action on this until the property situation is resolved.
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