WESTMORELAND CONSERVATION COMMISSION

FEBRUARY 1, 2007

 

     Dick Cate, Partridge Brook Road, Westmoreland, returned the folder he had borrowed regarding the Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA) project to remove obstructions in and along the banks of Mill and Partridge Brooks. It was noted that the project appears to have been completed with the removal of a huge amount of woody material. This should help to reduce future flooding problems although there was some concern that the heavy equipment used may have resulted in other problems including future erosion and the disruption of natural wildlife habitats.

     The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. with Marshall Patmos, Jim Blake, John Lukin, and Jeff Smith in attendance.

     The minutes from January 5, 2007 were read and approved with one change. In the first line of the second to last paragraph the words “are useless” were replaced with “might be difficult to enforce”.

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

     Regarding the work that has just been done to clear the woody debris out of Partridge and Mill Brooks, Marshall said there should be some follow-up with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA).

     Jim reported that petitions will be circulated throughout New Hampshire to get a resolution on the town warrants to see if the individual towns will go on record as supporting an initiative to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Some 100 communities in NH will be voting on this resolution, and if it passes in Westmoreland, Jim suggested that the Conservation Commission offer its support to the Selectmen.

     Jim reported on the proposed changes to the Site Plan Review Checklist. He said that at the public meeting, only 2 of the 3 articles were discussed. There is no way to change anything now until next year, but it was concluded that we have done as much as we can at this point.

     Jim brought up the subject of the roadside cleanup. April 22, 2006 was our first year for this project and it was considered a big success with at least 24 volunteers and 106 bags of trash to show for it. It was decided that this year the spring cleanup will be on Saturday April 21st. Jeff volunteered to work with Jim on setting up this project.

     Marshall asked if there were any suggestions for our entry in the Town Report. If so, we need to get them to him within the next few days.

     John said he would send a note to the regulars at the Open Space Committee meetings last year regarding the status of the Committee and to thank them for their participation.

     Marshall noted he had received the permits from the NH Department of Environ-mental Services for the removal of the woody debris from Mill and Partridge Brooks.

     Jeff reported that Carl Majewski from the NH Cooperative Ext. will present a two part workshop on growing fruits, large and small, at the Westmoreland Town Hall on Monday February 19th and Monday February 26th at 7:00 p.m. They are open to the public and there is no charge.

                                                                                                   Jeffrey P. Smith

                                                                                                   Secretary

 

UNAPPROVED MINUTES