Members Present: Mary Anne Broshek, Larry Chase, Tina Cotton, Jerry Hersey, Nan Kaplan, Sandra Graves
Conservation Commission Report: Tina prepared a draft of the annual CC report showing all of the events and accomplishments for 2015. Members reviewed the report and provided comments. Tina will finalize the report and send it to Marj Roy for the 2015 Town Report.
Budget Report: Mary Anne attended the Budget Committee meeting on January 13 and reviewed the items in the 2015 report. Our budget request for 2016 is the same as 2015: $1,000. The 2015 revenue and expenses report was compiled from information provided by the Town Treasurer and Town Bookkeeper. Mary Anne will send the final report to Marj Roy and Charlie Darling for the 2015 Town Report.
2016 Workshops
Members agreed to co-sponsor a February 10 public workshop, organized by the Andover Institute, on “Showcasing the Hiking Trails of Andover.”
Snowshoe Walk: The walk on Proctor lands will be held on February 13 and led by Dave Pilla. Snowshoes are available for those who need them. Larry will write up information for the Beacon and send out e-mails.
“A Walk in the Woods” showcasing wildflowers, vernal pools, and signs of Spring will be held in May. Dave Pilla will lead the workshop.
Rain Gardens: Mary Anne will contact Stacy Luke to check on grant.
Logging Practices: Jerry will contact county forester Tim Fleury.
Mary Anne will make arrangements for the May plant sale.
Earle Chase Draft: The first draft of the consultant’s report on the proposed business district in Potter Place has been received for review. Comments are due next Wednesday.
E-mail from Marj Roy requesting Conservation Commission and Planning Board site visit for 43 Salisbury Highway. Mary Anne will contact Nancy Teach to set up visit. Tina will get maps and information from Andover Natural Resources Inventory to provide factual information. Property may be considered for town purchase because it abuts town property.
Moose and State Park Plates: Mary Anne will write an article for the Beacon that describes how the purchase of these plates funds many statewide projects.
Beaver Deceiver Update: In November, Vicky Mishcon, Larry, Nan, Dennis Fenton, and Mary Anne visited the proposed DOT project on Route 11 in East Andover. Subsequent to visit, Vicky and Mary Anne wrote to DOT requesting that they consider a Beaver Deceiver for this project. No reply received. John Thompson contacted Mario Ratzki to request his help in engaging DOT.
Map Scanning: Tina assembled maps for the Lakes Region Planning Commission. They scanned numerous maps and saved them as PDFs on a DVD so that the town will have easy access to digital copies. The maps include water resources, tax maps, soil, recreation, land use, zoning, natural and cultural resources, geology, FEMA flood prone areas, enhanced 911 address locations, cemetery plots, base maps, and aerial photography. This was a trial project, done at no cost to the town.
Northern Pass Meeting in Franklin: Tina attended and recorded the meeting for our cable TV station. The meeting summarized state procedures and included a presentation by Northern Pass and public questions and comments. The standing-room-only crowd had state-wide media coverage.
Change of Meetings: The regular CC meeting will be moved from February 10 to February 24 to accommodate conflicting meetings involving members. The March meeting will be cancelled because of proximity to the February meeting.