Conservation Commission Minutes: January 11, 2017

Condensed from approved minutes

Present: Mary Anne Broshek, Nan Kaplan, Jerry Hersey, Larry Chase, Jesse Schust, and (guest) Alan McIntyre.

Minutes: Nan made a motion to approve the December minutes with small corrections or additions, Larry seconded, and all were in favor.

Correspondence:

NHDES Supply Lines Newsletter (drinking and ground water)

Ausbon Sargent Membership request

UNH Cooperative Extension Merrimack County article for inclusion in Town Report

Return of CC Monitored Properties List from Budget Committee

Brochure from Ehrlich Pest Control

Conservation Commission Membership Change: Alan McIntyre was invited to join the Andover Conservation Commission, and expressed his willingness to become a full member. Larry Chase wishes to change from being a full member to being an alternate member. Mary Anne made a motion that Larry be replaced by Alan as a full member that and Larry be made an alternate member. This motion was seconded by Jerry and all were in favor. Mary Anne made a motion (seconded by Nan) that we notify the Select Board that we formally nominate Alan McIntyre to become a new member of the commission. All were in favor.

ASLPT: Nan made a motion to approve a membership contribution of $100 to Ausbon Sargent Land Protection Trust. This was seconded by Jerry and approved by all present. We will ask for an ASLPT report for the Town Report.

Bradley Lake: Jerry reported that Doug Miner talked with Lois. Doug hasn’t had an update about the Bradley Lake wetland issue. It appears that we may have an outstanding non-compliance issue. Mary Anne will bring the DES letter to the next meeting.

Town Maps and Mapping tools: The co-occurrence map update depends on an updated tax map. Previously Laura Alexander of Colby Sawyer worked on this in 2010. The old system used compact disks, but there is new technology that should make it easier to update. Alan has offered to work with Laura on the map work.

Jesse spoke with several people at the Town offices to find out more about the representation of Wetlands and Conservation Easements on the newly printed Andover Tax Maps, some wetlands were missing, and no conservation easements were shown. He will find out more about how to get the info onto future printings of the map. Apparently, there is GRANIT data on easements that may need to be updated. Mary Anne will give Jesse disks of overlays.

The Conservation Commission all agreed that the town needs a good map that shows the accurate locations of wetlands, and identifies the prime wetlands. We will be working to provide that.

Bog Pond: We hope to schedule a walk with Andy Deegan to review the land along the margin of the Bog Pond wetland. Mary Anne will set up a meeting for Jesse to present the information about the Bog Pond Wetland mapping with GPS data. Jesse will contact the New Hampshire State Prison about costs getting signs made for the wetlands boundary. Mary Anne will be checking with Earle Chase about buffers for Prime Wetlands in New Hampshire. Mary Anne will speak to DES Head of Excavations, Ridge Mauck, to find out more about the rules concerning excavation.

The Conservation Commission would like to be notified of any town/road work being done near wetlands. Jesse will check with Nancy Teach to find out what the procedure is for the Road Agent notifying the Town of excavation work. Mary Anne will try to find out if there is a setback restriction for logging operations near wetlands as there is for shore land.

Logging Operations: There appears to be some logging going on near Cemetery Corner. We would like to find out if an “intent to cut” was filed for this logging operation. Jesse will try to find out. We understand that there is a logging operation on Beech Hill Road, and Jerry will look into this.

Yearly Report: Although Tina was unable to attend the meeting, she provided us with a draft submission for the Town Report. We discussed Tina’s submission and accepted it with some changes that were suggested by members.

Financial Report: The ACC Financial 2016 Report from December 31, 2016 was presented and everything seems on target.

Monitoring Reports: The Fenvale monitoring report was not completed but the Newman monitoring is complete and has been sent to Steve Walker.

Barry Conservation Camp: We discussed sponsoring a deserving Andover child to attend the Barry Conservation Camp for $495. After a discussion, Larry proposed that we approve this expenditure and Jesse seconded the motion, all were in favor. Larry will contact Jane Slayton to notify her of our decision.

Other Business: Jesse will provide Alan with a digital copy of the Natural Resources Inventory.