WESTMORELAND CONSERVATION COMMISSION

January 5, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. with Marshall Patmos, Jim Blake, Walter Derjue, John Lukin, and Jeff Smith in attendance.

Marshall reported that the balance in the Conservation Fund is currently just over $20,000.

Dick Cate, Partridge Brook Road, Westmoreland, presented his concerns regarding the work that is being done to clean debris out of Partridge and Mill Brooks for the purpose of reducing the possibility of future flood damage similar to what happened in Alstead, NH. He feels that more harm than good is being done to the banks and brook as a result of the massive equipment that was brought in. To move the equipment around, large swaths of trees along the banks are removed (clear cut) tearing up the fragile soils. There are two slopes on Partridge Brook that are of particular concern and he wants to know what the mitigation plans are for those slopes. Dick borrowed the folder for a few days.

The Planning Board approved the proposed changes to the Site Plan Review Checklist. Since this would be an ordinance change, the town will have to vote on it at Town Meeting.

John reported on the current state of the Open Space Committee. He said until the County Farm (jail) issue is resolved, very little will probably be done. There is general agreement that the river corridor is the best opportunity for obtaining community support. Furthermore, the Committee needs leadership that has both the time and the passion to devote to it. As a result, it was decided that the work of the committee would be delayed until there is the needed leadership to move it forward.

Jim reported that the Westmoreland Conservation Commission minutes are not being posted on the town website. Jeff said he would call Tina, Secretary, in the Selectmen’s Office to be sure she is getting the minutes.

Jim reported that our ordinances regarding building in “flood prone areas” are useless due to the fact that there are no guidelines on how to outline these “flood prone areas”. Our ordinances are based on old FEMA maps and they need to be brought up to date with the new maps. Walter, who is also on the Planning Board, said he would make a proposal to the Planning Board that the town ordinances refer to the new updated maps.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Jeffrey P. Smith

Secretary

UNAPPROVED MINUTES