WESTMORELAND CONSERVATION COMMISSION

March 6, 2008  Meeting Minutes

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:07 pm with Marshall Patmos (Chair), Jim Blake, Walter Derjue, George Duke, John Lukin, Russ Martens, Richard Schmidt, and Selena Gallen (alternate.)

 

Guest, Jeff Smith - past Conservation Commission member, was present to review what took place in organizing the Roadside Clean-Up in 2007 and help plan for the 2008 effort.

 

The minutes of the January 3, 2008 and February 7, 2008 meetings were read. Jim Blake made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Walter Derjue seconded the motion and the motion was carried.

 

Old Business

 

Spring Roadside Clean-Up  Jeff Smith submitted copies of last year’s paperwork and presented an overview of what took place on the 2007 Spring Roadside Clean-Up. He also reported that plastic bags for the refuse were in the closet. Russ Martens said that he would update the flyers and distribute them for posting, and he would issue the Press Release and letter to the Selectmen. Jim Blake said that he would work on the assignment sheets and the map for the roads.

 

Check List issues  Marshall opened discussion relative to the Zoning Administrator and Building Inspector being aware of wetland situations and that it would be helpful for he or she to have a check list to make sure that any wetland issues are addressed prior to the issuing of a building permit. The process would help both the applicant and the town official in their decision making. A copy of the site plan review check list that Walpole has listed on their website was distributed. Jim and Marshall will put together information on Wetland Criteria and will invite the Zoning Administrator and Building Inspector to come to a Conservation Commission meeting to go over the maps and the check list.

 

County Farm Conservation Easement issue and County Wetland Mitigation   Secretary, Russ Martens, read the letter that was sent from Marshall Patmos to Environmental Scientist, Chris Gajeski, regarding the Cheshire County 46 acre parcel in Chesterfield that is being proposed for the wetland mitigation in conjunction with the new County Jail site in Keene. Discussion followed.

 

Marshall left the Conservation Commission meeting to meet with the Selectmen. Upon returning, Marshall advised the commission that the Selectmen approved being the “default” easement holder if Chesterfield was unable to do so. The understanding of being the “default” easement holder would be that (1) is legal; (2) there is no cost to the Town of  Westmoreland; (3) Westmoreland would turn the easement over to the Monadnock Conservancy or another qualified organization to be the easement holder.

 

Marshall accepted a motion for a vote to be taken by the Commission members to approve being the “default” easement holder. The motion was seconded by Richard Schmidt. The vote was taken and was passed unanimously. For the record, the Selectmen’s vote was (2) Yes, (1) Abstention. Marshall will send a letter to Chris Gajeski, advising him of the Selectmen’s and Conservation Commissions approval.

 

Surface water protection  No Report

 

Community Conservation Partnership  A meeting was held on Tuesday February 26 at the Town Hall. Due to the snow storm, 5 people attended. The next meeting is scheduled at the Town Hall on March 18th. Peter Throop will bring posters and flyers to be displayed at the Town Meeting March 12th and a Town Forum will be scheduled to be held in May.

 

 

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Westmoreland Conservation Commission

March 6, 2008  Meeting Minutes

 

 

New Business

 

Town Master Plan  Marshall mentioned that the Town Master Plan is due to be updated. This update might be done in conjunction with the Community Conservation Project, particularly a survey that might be sent similar to last master plan survey

 

 

Agricultural Commission/Committee  Russ brought up that there was discussion regarding the  Agricultural meeting held on January 23rd at our past meeting in February and that action had to be taken with regard to addressing Agriculture as a sub committee being formed under the Conservation Commission. Discussion followed. Jim Blake made a motion that it was not appropriate to have a Sub Committee for Agriculture on the Conservation Commission and that Agriculture should be a separate Committee of its own. The motion was seconded by George Duke and carried.

 

 

John Lukin made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Jim Blake seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:04 pm

 

Russ Martens

Secretary

 

Unapproved Minutes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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