September 11
Present: Larry Chase, Tina Cotton, Jerry Hersey (acting chair), Nan Kaplan, guests Derek Mansell and Andy Prokosch. Excused: Mary Anne Broshek
1. Andover resident Andy Prokosch joined the meeting to explain the potential advantages (such as lower cost and longer life) of timber, rather than steel and concrete, for repair of “red-listed” bridges on town roads. [Selectman Vicky Mishcon describes the need for repair of six such bridges in the October 2013 Andover Beacon.] Larry said he would try to get additional information from Vicky, as well as the location of a Web site describing Norway’s approach to timber bridge-building. [The site is at www.balticroads.org/downloads/25BRC/25brc_e1_dyken_1.pdf ]
2. The August minutes were approved as amended.
3. There was no correspondence.
4. Nan reported on forthcoming events sponsored by the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust (ASLPT): an October 19 program on “New Fields, Old Fields,” at the Kearsarge Indian Museum in Warner; and a hike on the Bean Quarry conservation easement in North Sutton (date to be determined). She also announced that the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway will host a multi-day trail run of 75 miles beginning on August 24, 2014.
5. Nan reported on a successful presentation at the August 19 “Taking Action for Wildlife” talk on bogs and marshes, given at Blackwater Junction restaurant, and short hike to Bog Pond. Emma Carcagno from UNH Cooperative Extension gave the talk and led the walk. There were about 30 attendees, and the event was reported on New Hampshire Public Radio.
6. Larry described another presentation in the “Taking Action for Wildlife” series, the August 29 presentation on wildlife photography given by Rick “MooseMan” Libbey in Proctor Academy’s Stone Chapel. About 40 attended.
7. Meeting attendees discussed the costs and benefits of individually mailed invitations to some of the “Taking Action” events, as recommended by New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. There was consensus that the costs in time and postage were not offset by increased attendance.
8. Attendees reviewed plans for the final event in the “Taking Action” series: a Saturday, November 2 morning workshop on “Managing Forest Land for Wildlife,” to held on property owned by Eric and Heide Johnson on Tucker Mountain Road. Dave Pilla, forester and wildlife biologist for Proctor Academy, and Tim Fleury, UNH Cooperative Extension forester, will lead the workshop.
9. Nan reported on a SRK Greenway trail-maintenance work day scheduled for September 25. The Andover Conservation Commission (ACC) will supply refreshments.
10. Larry volunteered to check with Tom Natale of the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands on whether the timber harvest in the Kearsarge Wildlife Management Area had been completed; and with Dave Anderson of the New Hampshire Forest Society on the potential use of Google Maps to help in conservation easement monitoring.
11. Attendees discussed possible dates for monitoring the Fenton and Newman conservation easements in October.
12. Attendees discussed the possibility of sponsoring a short hike to Mountain Brook Falls in the spring of 2014.
13. Attendees reviewed a notice of a September 17 Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing on new fees for building permits.
14. Derek expressed an interest in becoming an ACC member. Mary Anne, as chair, will propose his name to the Andover Selectmen.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM