WESTMORELAND CONSERVATION COMMISSION

October 2, 2008  Meeting Minutes

The October 2nd meeting was called to order at 7:10 pm with Marshall Patmos-Chair, George Duke, Russ Martens, Selena Gallen (alternate), Ken Wright, Gina Gitchell, Paula Page and Gary Hudson. John Lukin arrived at 7:20 pm.

Marshall opened the meeting to discuss steep slope driveways. Gary Hudson, attending at our request, said that he would adopt the NH State DOT regulations on driveway slope and driveway criteria for new town driveway permits. Gary requested that we do not adopt the all season safe sight distance of 400 feet because that’s only relevant for state highways/high speeds. He recommended that the road agent determine the safe distance when issuing the permit. Discussion followed.

Ken made a recommendation that we also address the proper width of driveways for use of Emergency Response Vehicles. An adequate storm water drainage plan and an erosion control plan should also be addressed. Russ said that he would prepare a draft, review it with Gary and present it at the November meeting for further discussion.

Minutes of the September 4 meeting were read. Marshall mentioned that the correct name for viewing the digital software for the Water Resource map was Ark View not Art View. A motion to accept the minutes with the correction was made. Motion carried.

Old Business

Zoning Administrator/Building Inspector Wetlands Checklist –

Marshall passed out a revised checklist. Bob Moore was out of town and Larry Muchmore was not available to attend the meeting. Discussion followed. Marshall said that he would invite Bob and Larry to attend the next meeting.

Community Conservation Partnership –

Selena reported that she did not make the CCP meeting that was held on Wednesday evening, October 1. She reported that the first of six training dates was changed from September 3 to October 8.

Russ reported that the facility use agreement for the Westmoreland School was delivered to the school office and that the Selectmen approved the use of the Town Hall tables. The CCP Fall Forum will be held on November 18 in the Westmoreland School gym.

Water Resource/Property Line Maps from Southwest Region Planning Commission –

Russ reported that he received the digital file as a jpeg. The resolution was poor and he requested a higher resolution file. A color print of the file was passed around with copies on CDs. Marshall requested that the

W.C.C. Minutes 10-2-08

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property lines and lot numbers be included on the file. Russ said that he would email Mike Blair.

Hubbard Farm Issues –

Selena said she located and took pictures of an area along River Road where Hubbard Farms is dumping chicken manure and chicken bones. She reported that there was white foam on standing water, the odor was bad and the location was very close to the Connecticut River. Discussion followed. Marshall said that he would send a letter to the landowner.

River Road Vernal Pool –

Russ reported that the farmer that is planting corn on the lot located behind the Canoe Meadow Cemetery is intruding on the wetland fifty-foot buffer zone. Pictures were presented showing the intrusion. Discussion followed. Marshall said that he would send a letter to the landowner.

Town Energy Committee –

Marshall requested that we table this item until the next meeting when Dick Schmidt will be present. Motion carried.

Conservation Commission Membership –

Marshall announced that Ken Wright and Gina Gitchell were joining the Conservation Commission and a letter was sent to the Selectmen for their appointments.

Roadside Cleanup –

Russ announced that he had received approval from the Selectmen for the Commission to hold the 2009 Roadside Cleanup. It will be held on Saturday, April 18. He also reported that the 800 Daffodil bulbs had arrived. Discussion followed. Four hundred bulbs were given to the Historical Society for their upcoming perennial gardens at the corner schoolhouse and four hundred were given to the Park Hill Society.

New Business

No new business was presented.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm

Russ Martens, Secretary Unapproved Minutes