WESTMORELAND CONSERVATION COMMISSION

NOVEMBER 2, 2006

The meeting convened at 7:10 p.m. with Marshall Patmos, George Duke, Walter Derjue, John Lukin and Jeff Smith in attendance.

The meeting quickly adjourned to the Selectmen’s Office where we heard Jeff Tenley, Civil Engineer for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA), explain channel and stream bank obstruction removal under the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program. Westmoreland has the dubious distinction of having the most obstructions per mile of any other town in the state. The two streams that will be affected are Partridge Brook and Mill Brook. The purpose of the program is to reduce potential problems caused by the build up of debris resulting in dams that could subsequently rupture. This would be similar to the situation that occurred in Alstead last year, which resulted in the tragic loss of life and a huge amount of infrastructure damage. Mr. Tenley explained the process by saying the Conservation Commission needs to write a letter to the Selectmen giving our approval to the project. Marshall will write the letter. The project will then be open to bids. Mr Tenley went on to say an inspector will be on site to oversee the work and the goal is to have the work completed by the end of the year.

We reconvened to our usual meeting site and the minutes from October 5, 2006 were read and approved.

Marshall reported the balance in the Conservation Fund as of October 30, 2006, is $19, 811.80.

Marshall said we need to do our budget for the upcoming year. After some discussion, it was decided that $500.00 would be adequate to cover the cost of any dues, maps, workshops, publications etc.

Marshall reported that the Site Plan Review Checklist did not come up before the last Planning Board meeting.

John brought up the subject of the Open Space Committee. He said there just hasn’t been enough of the kind of growth here that causes people to panic thus motivating them to want to save what is left. The SE part of the state has seen this kind of growth, but frequently the realization came too late and prices had skyrocketed. He sees the Connecticut River Corridor as the area where the focus should be concentrated.

Marshall said the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) has cost share funds available for landowners for wildlife habitat improvement projects.

The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Jeffrey P. Smith

Secretary

UNAPPROVED MINUTES