Westmoreland Conservation Commission Minutes

October 1, 2009

Present: Marshall Patmos (chair), Gary Dermott, Richard Schmidt, Paula Page, Selena Gallen (Alternate)

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

Minutes of September 4, 2009 were read and accepted.

Old Business

Conservation Plan Review - Members went through the 2009 Conservation Plan draft page by page and made minor edits in preparation for presentation to the Planning Board. It was agreed that in the Conclusion that the statements, “Decisive action and effective stewardship will be required on an ongoing basis. This entails firm commitment by town officials and broad support by town residents of the conservation priorities addressed in this report,” should be emphasized. The plan will go to the Monadnock Conservancy which will edit changes for final approval by the Conservation Commission at the November meeting. Dick Schmidt agreed to contact Peter Throop and request our changes be included and that the appendix maps be reproduced and put in the proper sections. We will review at the next meeting.

NH Beautiful Daffodils – 800 daffodil bulbs have been received from “New Hampshire the Beautiful” for a successful spring Roadside Cleanup project organized by Jeff Smith. Marshall has contacted community groups to see if they would like bulbs to plant. The Historical Society will take 100 and the Lions will take 200 bulbs. He is waiting for a response by the school and will also offer bulbs to the Brownies and Cub Scouts if necessary. It was unanimously agreed that any remaining bulbs will be offered to townspeople.

Where the River Rises – It was voted to purchase ($24.95) a copy of this book, an atlas of the upper Connecticut River watershed in Vermont and New Hampshire by the Connecticut River Joint Commission, for the Library and the school.

Town Zoning Ordinance Review – It was agreed that it is important for Conservation Commission members to be aware of the town ordinances. There were no issues of concern noted. The question was raised if the Steep Slope Ordinance would be included in this or another document when resolved. It was also questioned if Westmoreland had effective zoning to protect and promote agriculture, which was identified as a priority by residents in the Conservation Plan. Further review will be tabled until next month as not all members reviewing the ordinances were present.

New Business

Budget Report – Marshall presented a copy of the Conservation Commission budget to date. There is currently a balance of $50,157.99 in the town Conservation Fund and a balance of $319.54 remaining in the 2009 operating budget, with NH Association of Conservation Commission dues of $200.00 to be paid this fall.

Energy Grant – Marshall circulated a copy of a letter of support sent to Clean Air / Cool Planet for an energy grant the town has applied to receive.

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Other Business

The commission has been invited to a Cheshire County Delegation Farm Committee Meeting Oct. 9 to discuss the future of the County Farm. Marshall will represent the Conservation Commission at this meeting

Planning Board -Marshall reported that he met with the Planning Board on September 8 when they met to discuss Conservation Subdivisions. It was a productive meeting and he stated that they welcomed the input.

Updated Planning Book and CD from the S. W. Regional Planning Commission – It was agreed to not purchase this book as there is a copy available in the Selectmen’s office if needed for reference.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Minutes by Paula Page