Andover Conservation Commission Minutes for May 9, 2018

Attendance: Derek Mansell, Jerry Hersey, Nan Kaplan, Tina Cotton, Alan McIntyre, Mary Anne Broshek, Jesse Schust

Start time: 7:00pm

Approval of minutes:
After minor adjustments Nan made motion to approve the April minutes, and Jerry seconded. All were in favor.

Correspondence
NH DOT –
Andover Conservation Committee (ACC) received a mitigation notice for the  Rt.4/11 bridge near the White Oak property included general information about road upgrades, shoulder grading and drainage. Tina will resend letter to DOT, emphasizing concerns about the road drainage should not flow back into the Blackwater river.

ASLPT update-
Nan reported on a workshop on local conservation easements will be  occurring in Warner on May 11.
An invoice for ASLPT membership dues was submitted by Mary Anne Broshek.

Proctor Pond dredging schedule.
Details and timing of the Proctor pond dredging project are unknown. We are still waiting on paperwork to be filed for the dredging that is planned for this summer. Alan will follow up on the paperwork process. Alan shared what he knew about the history of the Proctor pond. Alan plans to submit an article for the Beacon about the Proctor pond natural history.

ACTION: Alan will follow up about paperwork as well as information on the process for the upcoming Beacon article.

Co-Occurrence Map
We need a digital copy of the co-occurrence map done by Harvey Pine’s team. The mapping program was inaccessible for use.

ACTION: Alan will contact Harvey Pine by email to schedule him to visit during the June meeting to finalize work on the Co-occurrence map (specifically wetlands).

Bog Pond
Alan has explored several means of access to Bog Pond, but the trails and access routes are rough and in fragile wet ecosystems. Public access would be difficult at this time. Limited access means limited educational opportunities. Derek and Jesse noted other access points to explore and we discussed exploring Bog pond by kayak or canoe.

ACTION: Alan will kayak the route during June.


Cell Tower Site Visit/use of cut trees
On April 25th Mary Anne, Tina, Jerry and Jesse visited the proposed cell tower site. They examined how the road construction and tower site will be placed.  Certain trees were marked to be kept on the tree survey previously completed by Verizon and the annotated tree survey was given to Verizon, by Mary Anne. A request was made that any trees cut, should be evaluated for either saw logs or, as heating fuel to be used in support of the Kearsarge Wood Ministry.

ACTION: Jerry and Mary Anne will continue to monitor and update us on plans and requests.

Wetlands Ordinance- primary work plan dates
Paul Currier should be involved in drafting  a much needed wetlands ordinance. Our maps need to be updated so that Paul can offer good feedback for developing a functional wetlands ordinance.

ACTION: Mary Anne will contact wetlands specialist Sandy Crystal to assist us with writing a wetlands ordinance.

Wetlands Map- Status
A detailed view of the wetlands map is needed for the Chris Caron property, adjacent to route 4, now being logged.
ACTION: Jesse will investigate further. Update for June meeting.

John Champagne Property
Mary Anne and Paul Currier met with John Champagne to discuss the tree cutting work adjacent to Rt. 4.  Jon described the work that has been completed and is willing to work with the ACC on plans to replant the area.  The long range plan is to remove the ledge and hill for gravel. This will go through the state and town permitting process.  The ACC will continue to monitor this development.

Bradley Lake Water Testing results
Mary Anne found the DES link for our town’s drinking water monitoring. The website was added as a link to the ACC website. Website address is mcintyreal.wixsite.com/andoverconsrvcomssn

Monitoring – additional town property Tax map #16-727-277
A discussion around this property along Tucker Mountain Rd, led the group to wonder what the landscape may contain and offer as well as what covenants and restrictions were placed on this “common land” when the sub-division was approved.

ACTION: Derek is going to walk the land and report back.

Culverts meeting with Board of Selectmen update
Stacy Luke continues efforts to do culvert assessments and will coordinate a workshop on Beaver deceivers.

Bradley Lake logging and monitoring
There is a need for ACC members to visit Bradley Lake during major rain events in order to assess if erosion control is working. Mary Anne will contact Jay Aube at DES to determine if he has a site visit planned for this Spring.

OTHER ACTIONS:

● We need to work out a process to get intent to cut information to ACC – MAB

● Excavation dates for Transfer station-  monitored by Jesse

● Birds Eye View will help us do some drone monitoring- Jesse will contact.

● Bradford bog field trip scheduled for ACC members in last week of May – Nan Kaplan

● Bat conservation program planning for October – Alan

● Climate Change in NH program by Sherry G is being planned for October – Alan

● Article on pond dredging at Proctor Academy for the Beacon will be developed in June – Alan

● Website updates to link with the Town website – Alan will  connect with Marj Roy.

● Forestry workshop with Tim Fleury is being planned for the Fall – Jerry

● Wetlands workshop is planned for June – MAB

● Conservation commission membership status for all needs to be updated – MAB

● Official swearing in of ACC members during June ACC meeting – Alan


Alan made a motion made to adjourn.  Jerry seconded the motion, all were in favor.
MEETING ADJOURNED @ 9:22