WESTMORELAND CONSERVATION COMMISSION

October 5, 2006

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

The minutes from July 6, 2006, were read and approved. It is noted there were no regular meetings of the Conservation Commission in August and September.

Marshall said we would have a report on the balance in the Conservation Fund at our next meeting.

Walter mentioned that Jerry and June Ellsworth have applied for a 3.5 acre

subdivision on Old Moore Farm Road.

John reported on the Open Space Committee. During the summer it’s hard to get people together, but now it’s time to get the Committee going again. A morning meeting has been tentatively scheduled for 8:00 a.m. on October 19, 2006. The objective will be to get some specific goals and activities to focus on.

Marshall reported on the proposed additions to the Site Plan Review Checklist. He said no vote had been taken but that it is due to come up at the October meeting of the Planning Board. Marshall or Jim will plan on attending the meeting to answer any questions regarding the proposed additions.

Jim reported on a recent culvert survey covering the Ashuelot River water shed. Only 2 small areas of Westmoreland fall within the Ashuelot Rover Basin. In addition, a group of volunteers made a roadside stream survey for the Joint River Commission and Jim did 13 of them.

Jeff reported on the outcome of the two elms (Dutch elm disease resistant), which were picked up at the Elm Research Institute in Keene. The trees had been donated by New Hampshire the Beautiful Inc. as a result of the roadside cleanup sponsored by the Conservation Commission back in April. The Conservation Commission felt that the Westmoreland Garden Club would be a logical group for getting the trees placed and planted. After considerable research and discussion, it was decided that the Town Common was not a good site (too dry) and so the Westmoreland Elementary School was the next logical site. On September 19, the tress were planted by Meredith Cargill, Principal, and Jeff Smith, Conservation Commission, in the field to the left of the school. Hopefully in a few years they will provide some much needed shade on the school ground.

The last item of discussion was recycling. It was reported that Peterborough is currently recycling 78.53% of its waste stream, which is very high. Westmoreland was not listed in the report but the information should be available. Jim will try to have that figure for the next meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Jeffrey P. Smith

Secretary

UNAPPROVED MINUTES