Minutes of the Conservation Committee
Date: 07/26/04
Time Meeting Opened: 7:30 p.m. Carmen Yon convening the meeting.
Members Present: Barbara Green, Chuck Roth, Fred Slavic, Rosalind Slavic, Jeanne Sable, Carmen Yon.
Guests Present: Diane Schott, Bob Schiemann, Suzanne Gray
Minutes of Previous Meeting: dated 6/28/04—Accepted as amended. Motion to approve by Carmen, seconded, Rosalind. Approved unan.
Discussions:
1. Diane Schott—Conservation easements on town land
Katie had asked Diane to present information from Monadnock Conservancy regarding this. She is not currently on the staff of the organization but has been involved with it for a long time. She stated that open space is not necessarily protected from development just because the town owns it, and went over the steps necessary for ensuring that a property donor’s intent to conserve a gift of land to the town is upheld through a conservation easement. It would require a Town vote to authorize that all town owned conservation land remain intact and not used for development, under terms accepted by the Town. An easement is a contractual agreement between a land trust and landowner that stays in place “in perpetuity.”
She said the Conservancy is a solid organization, backed by the Forest Society. Existing easements around town include the Schupack, Castles, and Slavic properties, and a small one on Bowkerville Pond.
Walpole, Richmond, and Greenfield have easements on town property.
Fees are involved but there are some available funds. Easements also require a “recordable” survey. We can get cost information from Conservancy staff. We should contact Harold Putnam to learn how Walpole did this.
The Town Meeting article could include present and future land acquisitions. The Conservancy would monitor the easements. Only land with conservation value is considered. Contact: Richard Ober, executive director, or Kristen Grubbs, 357-0600.
2. Schiemann—Addressed the board to find out “how we go about things and interact with the Planning Board,” and what is our overall vision in line with acquiring land and improving what we have.
Chuck Roth outlined the proposed Conservation Overlay District, which would designate chunks of land with important conservation value, and regulate its use in order to protect it. Most of the land is in current use, and not well suited for building. The proposed zoning laws pertaining to the district would affect only new construction. As with other zoning ordinances, it would be approved by vote of the Town, not by agreement of the owners. Eric at SWRPC suggested we have Town Counsel go over the draft. We will also send a copy to Eric.
Bob suggested a moratorium on building, which he said was done in Hollis. Members noted that this approach has legality problems.
Suzanne Gray said the proposed regulations seemed too restrictive, and questioned whether the townspeople would go for it.
Chuck listed various comments received thus far on proposed restrictions. Carmen asked whether they would be enforceable.
Rosalind noted that people could appeal.
Suzanne said it should not be set up as so restrictive that everything has to go before the zoning board.
Jeanne said she would like to see our efforts directed toward helping owners of these properties be better stewards.
Chuck said the key is helping people understand why it is important.
Suzanne suggested a joint meeting with the Planning Board.
Barbara suggested we discuss the plan and come up with a draft, then present it to the selectmen, Planning Board, and Town Counsel.
Chuck asked for more input on the document.
Suzanne asked whether we were more concerned with having it pass at Town Meeting, or something else. Owners don’t want they’re land diminished in value.
Carmen said we want the ordinance to be reasonable and not burden other boards.
Chuck said there are areas not included on the map that perhaps should be. He asked whether it would be appropriate to figure out acreage.
Bob said the town, minus water, is 22,000 acres.
The overlay district would become part of the town’s new master plan.
The board agreed to hold a special work meeting to continue discussion on August 9, at 3 p.m. We will try to schedule a joint meeting with the Planning Board in September.
3. Trail Mapping—Barbara reported that intern Eli Durmer is running into time constraints but hopes to have more time available for the project after his Summer Rec. job ends. He has run into some problems loading data into the computer. Chuck mentioned a one-year certification program in GIS available at Keene State. He will check on details and cost.
4. Site Walks—Barbara, Carmen, and Jeanne had walked the Bluhm property on 7/23 but had no plan for the proposed structure, as the Selectmen’s Office was closed. Jeanne picked up said plan Monday morning and showed it to the board. It was agreed that we must wait for the building inspector to sign off on the WPOD form before we make any recommendations. Jeanne will return the application and plan to Debbie Favreau in the selectmen’s office.
5. New Members—Barbara nominated Dorothy Zug as an alternate member. Fred seconded. Unanimously accepted. Chuck will notify her.
6. Planning Board report—Conservation Overlay District plan, Roy Bros. radio tower, mini-storage modification, Christmas In Fitzwilliam change of use.
7. Budget—Carmen: $670 spent through June on secretary.
8. CIP—Barbara submitted copy of plan for files. It will be include in Town budget. She or Katie will present to CIP committee.
9. Announcements—Carmen: Fire Dept. has invited us to set up informational table at Fun Fair on Aug. 28.
10. Newcomer’s Good Neighbor Guide—Discussion of who has received them and where they are stored. We will check with Eleanor to see if she gave some to Mary Ann Chaplen. Chuck suggested we place them at various antique shops. [Note: extras are stored in box on top of cabinet in Margo’s office.]
11. Invasive species—Jeanne noticed purple loosestrife growing on shore of Stone Pond. It is private land. She will look in to what might be done.
Old Business not covered:
12. Groundwater protection
13. WPOD form
14. Interpretation of WPOD ordinance
15. Motion to Adjourn—Rosalind, seconded by Chuck.
Meeting adjourned: 9:30 p.m.
Draft of minutes sent out to members: 7/29/04
Minutes sent to Selectmen’s Office: 8/26/04
Next Meeting date: Aug 9, 2004, 3:00 p.m..
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