WESTMORELAND CONSERVATION COMMISSION

February 12, 2009 - Meeting Minutes

 

The February 12th meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm with Marshall Patmos (Chair), John Lukin (Vice Chair), Russ Martens (Secretary), Dick Schmidt, Paula Page (alternate), and Selena Gallen (alternate).

 

Minutes of the January 8, 2009 meeting were read. Marshall requested that the wording pertaining to Hubbard Farms be changed to:  “In response to concerns by some of the River Road residents….”  A motion to accept the minutes as read with the above correction was made. Motion carried.

 

Old Business

 

Water Resource/Property Line Maps from SWRPC –

 

Marshall and Russ reported that they had not yet received the CD or invoice from SWRPC.  Russ said that he would contact Mike Blair.

 

Community Conservation Partnership –

 

Russ reported that the task force met on Tuesday, February 10th to review a draft plan. Edits/corrections were submitted and an updated draft will be reviewed at the next meeting on Tuesday, February 24th.  A map of Westmoreland’s conservation resources was handed out for review.  Discussion followed.

 

The Conservation Commission decided to list as priorities the River Corridor, Steep Slopes and large blocks of land. A follow-up discussion will take place at the task force meeting on February 24th.

 

Steep Slope/Driveway Proposal –

 

Marshall reported that the Planning Board had concerns regarding water runoff from the driveways onto the roadways.  Marshall stated that Gary Hudson was present at the Planning Board meeting and Gary said he would indicate on driveway permits that there should be a dip in the driveway prior to the driveway pad that joins the highway.

 

Energy Committee –

 

No Report.

 

Wetland Issues on Route 12 –

 

Marshall reported that he received a letter, copy of a site plan and photo page from Forest Designs related to the wetlands complaint on the Phillips property located at 923 Route 12.  The Commission reviewed the plan and photos. Discussion followed.  There are concerns regarding the plan and that no permits were obtained from the town. The New Hampshire Wetlands Bureau will meet in early spring at the site to discuss the project. The Commission will monitor the situation and express their concerns at that time.

 

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Westmoreland Conservation Commission

February 12, 2009 - Meeting Minutes

 

 

Wetland Issues on Route 12 Cont’d –

 

No correspondence was reported on the alteration and disturbance of wetlands on a lot at the corner of South Village Road and Route 12.

 

            Monadnock Region Land Summit –

 

Marshall reported that there were 190 attendees. Members of the Commission who attended reported that it was very informative and well received. The $20  cost for the attending Commission members has to be submitted for reimbursement.

                       

Senate Bill 381 Warrant Article –

 

Marshall reported that he had written and submitted the warrant article to the Selectmen.

 

            Wilkes Brothers Development –

 

Marshall reported that Mr. Wilkes had met with the Planning Board and subsequently questioned Marshall with regard to the wetlands issue. Marshall advised Mr. Wilkes on how to obtain the application form to submit to the New Hampshire Wetlands Bureau for his subdivision that impacts a fourth-order stream. Discussion followed.

 

Cersosimo Industries –

 

Russ reported that he had contacted Cindi Adler, Town Clerk, and obtained a copy of the letter received from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services along with a copy of the application for Alteration of Terrain permit.  Russ stated that they were the only documents received.  He then contacted the Commissioner’s office of the Department of Environmental Services and ordered copies of the pertinent documents that had not been supplied.  After receiving these materials, copies were distributed to Lauren Bressett, Planning Board Chair, Marshall Patmos, Dick Schmidt and Russ Martens.

 

Russ advised the Commission after reviewing the documents and consulting with Marshall and Dick that there wasn’t anything that the Commission could respond to at the State level since the State’s letter advised that, under statute, local ordinance and zoning issues had to be dealt with locally.

 

The Cersosimo Industries’ drawings indicated it would be reducing the floor level of the Westmoreland area. The floor would be graded so that all ponding and water runoff would take place in Chesterfield.  It was indicated that the Chesterfield floor would also be lowered.  Lot R1-20 (11.87 acres, the undisturbed parcel) would be excavated leaving a 200 foot buffer along the Wallis property.

 

 

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Westmoreland Conservation Commission

February 12, 2009 – Meeting Minutes

 

 

John Lukin asked if there had been any testing to see what the water table was. Russ indicated that Cersosimo had previously reported that it had drilled two monitoring wells to check the ground water level. One is located on the Westmoreland side near the town lines indicating a water level at 312 feet. The other is on the Chesterfield side closer to where the ponding would take place indicating a water level of 280 feet.  The question was raised as to when these wells were drilled.   Members recalled that during the site visit it was indicated that the wells had been drilled in the summer of 2008.  John indicated that the water table would have been at its lowest point at that time.  Discussion followed.  Russ indicated that there was an expense of $38.84 incurred in obtaining copies of the documents. Marshall said that the receipt should be submitted for reimbursement.

 

Roadside Clean Up –

 

Russ reported that notices are being prepared to be posted around town, handed out at the Town Meeting and sent home with the school children.   Press releases to the newspapers and PSAs to the radio stations will go out April 1st.  A personal phone call will be made to previous participants. Russ said that the Westmoreland Lions would be participating and that he needed volunteers that have pickup trucks to assist in collecting the refuse bags along the roadways in the afternoon.

 

 

New Business 

 

New Hampshire Arborists Association Beautification Awards Program –

 

A letter was received from the New Hampshire Arborists Association with regard to the 2008 Community Beautification Awards Program.

Russ said that he would look over the application to see what was required and if we had the resource materials to submit the application.

 

Conservation Opportunities in the Connecticut Valley –

 

A flyer from NH Audubon was received announcing a meeting to be held on Friday, March 27, 2009 at the Town Hall of Walpole from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.  The meeting is to discuss Critical Habitat for a wide diversity of breeding and migratory birds and conservation opportunities within the Middle Connecticut River Valley Important Bird Area. This stretches from Claremont and Weathersfield to the Massachusetts border.

 

RSVP is required by March 13th to: Pamela Hunt (603) 224-9909 x328 or phunt@nhaudubon.org

          

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Richard Schmidt, 2nd by John Lukin. Motion carried.

 

Meeting adjourned 9:04 pm

Russ Martens, Secretary                                           Unapproved Minutes

 

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