WESTMORELAND CONSERVATION COMMISSION

DECEMBER 3, 2009 - - MEETING MINUTES

The meeting convened at 7:00pm with Marshall Patmos (chair), Bill Fosher, Paula Page, Gary Dermott, Selena Gallen, and Dick Schmidt in attendance.  Guests were Peter Throop, Pamela and Russell Martens.

The minutes from the November 12, 2009 meeting were read.   A motion to approve the minutes with a name correction and editorial changes was made by Gary and seconded by Dick, approved unanimously.

Old Business

Conservation Plan - Peter Throop of Monadnock Conservancy was invited to continue our discussion from the November 12 meeting on the handling of development in the Plan.   Planning for development was discussed as being is under the purview of the Planning Board.  Affordable housing in rural towns has the problems of the lack of 1) sewage treatment systems and 2) public transportation.  The discussion agreed upon the following changes to the Plan, which Peter will incorporate:

1) Delete Appendix 4, Theme 4 B, Goal 4b, “Maintain the current ratio of diversity of natural areas to developable land,”, as it is unclear and contradictory.

2) Add introductory sentence to Appendix 4

3) Change name to “2010 Conservation Plan”, as we will approve it in 2010.

Peter also described the approval process by the Planning Board, including the requirement for a public hearing before adoption.

Cersosimo Gravel Pit – At this point, the Commission received public comment from Pamela and Russell Martens.  The Commission had not received the application from Cersosimo for this meeting as expected.  Pamela and Russell stated that the project would make a new 278,000 square foot industrial project in a residential area, “new” because it would be an expansion onto a new tax lot.  They presented an enlarged drawing which made some small print more readable, highlighting the issue of the property rights of Wallis.  They noted that the water table data was taken summer 2008, at a dry time of year.  They said that the Zoning Board must address the project because a new tax lot is involved in the expansion.

Zoning Ordinance Review – as assigned to some members in our September meeting, some ordinances were reviewed and discussed for familiarization.  Gary led discussion on Article IV (first half).  Paula led discussion on Article I, and the difference between “conservation land” and “conservation lot” was discussed.  Dick led the discussion on Article V and Building Ordinances.

Steep Slopes – Our proposal on steep driveways was not adopted by the Planning Board because it did not require that the apron drain to the side(s) of the driveway.

New Business

County Farm Grant – Cheshire County Conservation District has applied for a federal grant to address farm worker and other training needs. Application of findings will impact possible use recommendations for the county farm property.

Cersosimo Gravel Pit – Without the application received by the Commission, a review was not initiated.  Some general discussion addressed the upcoming review and the December 8 hearing, which will not have our comments.

Energy Committee – Dick reviewed the activity at the November 19 Selectboard meeting, where

Maryellen Rousseau (mrousseau@antioch.edu) described the grant that the town has received from the NH Municipal Energy Assistance Program, and how the town should act to utilize the grant.  At the meeting, Dick stated that volunteer support would be most effective if the town established an energy commission under the state enabling legislation HB189.

Connecticut River Joint Commissions – Dick noted that a presentation on our local area of the river will be given on December 9 at 7:30 PM in Brattleboro Municipal Building.

The selectboard has requested a follow-up pertaining to the violation of the State Shoreland Protection Act ( RSA 483-B), on Partridge Brook road.

Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan 7, 2010

Dick motioned to adjourn, seconded by Bill, all in favor. The meeting adjourned at 9:17 PM.

Minutes by Richard Schmidt                                    UNAPPROVED MINUTES