Town of Fitzwilliam
Minutes of the Conservation Committee
Date: 04/28/03
Time Meeting Opened: 7:30 p.m. Name of Person convening the meeting: Katie Metzger
Members Present: Charles Roth, Katie Metzger, Barbara Green, Fred Slavic, Rosalind Slavic, Bruce Carroll, Jeanne Sable
Members Absent: Paul Kotila
Others in attendance: Carmen Yon, Alex Stadtner
Minutes of Previous Meeting Dated: 3/26/03 were read.
Comments: Accepted as presented.
Unfinished business and old recommendations not taken care of:
Trails project—Barbara asked for help resuming trail mapping with GPS. Bruce Carroll agreed to assist with use of equipment. Jeanne Sable will participate in walks.
Recommendations completed since last meeting:
Ten Year Plan—Conserving Riparian areas:
Chuck clarified term as relating to land that goes up from moving water, with its vegetation and wildlife. He would like to see us protect Scott and Kemp brooks, and their plant and animal communities. This could be done through easements, which would also protect aquifers. We would go up and down the brooks, contacting land owners. Begin with article in newsletter. Chuck will write first article.
Lakes and Ponds Monitoring—Barbara got people to participate two years ago. A satellite lab at FPC was used. Laurel Lake report showed it free of milfoil. People around Laurel Lake are very active. Can be kept informed through Laurel Lake Ledger. No one is at boat launch for weed inspections but notices are posted and people educated about the problem.
Chuck would like to see Bowker pond protected—last undeveloped pond in town.
Katie and Barbara—will talk to Sip Pond residents
Barbara will talk to Hadsells about Scott Pond.
NHVLAP monitors who signed up for Rockwood Pond are Sharon & Frank Wojciechowski.
Need for representation at Planning Board meetings: Carmen will attend next PB meeting.
Filing System: Katie and Jeanne set up filing system in Margo’s office. Members are reminded to bring in any files they have at home.
New Business: Rosalind requested board check status of construction site near Rhododendron State Park where they seem to be stockpiling stone. She will check with Paula at Town Office to see if the building inspector should go out.
ZBA Meeting: Board reconvened at ZBA hearing about allowing a veterans’ home on Pierce Road. Decided the issues did not relate to conservation, and returned to regular meeting.
Gap Mountain Road concerns: Katie mentioned complaints about trash and logging operations on Gap Mt. Rd. and suggested we take a look at it.
PLP Request: Phil Dunn has requested minutes from a site walk at their facility in 2000. Minutes have not been found. Paul has been notified of two other names the paperwork might be filed under. Barbara and Katie recall the walk and don’t remember any problems but Board may need to revisit site if minutes are not found.
Ten Year Plan: Next two topics will be Forest Management and Biodiversity. We will also look at maps and identify endangered areas.
Discussions:
Katie stressed board’s need to be more proactive.
Rosalind would like to see a warrant article to create a fund for open land. Katie suggested we raise the amount we get from the land use change tax.
Votes taken and results:
None taken.
Other committee remarks
Minutes posted and/or sent out to members: 05/2/03
Minutes sent to Selectmen’s Office: 05/27/03
Meeting Adjourned at: 9:25 p.m. Motion made by: Katie Metzger
Seconded by: Barbara Green Vote Tally: Unan.
Next Meeting date: May 26, 2003. Barbara Green will chair.
Signed: Jeanne Sable
Secretary
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