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Con Com Minutes 03.04.2019

Meeting date: 
Monday, March 4, 2019
CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES---MARCH 4, 2019
 
Meeting called to order at 7:20 pm
 
Members present:  Betsy Hardwick, Pam Avery, Jim St. Jean, Robin Haubrich, Kelly Marshall, and Scot Heath. 
 
Members of the public in attendance:None.
 
Minutes postponed to next meeting.
 
Notices and Announcements:  Received copy of CE monitoring report from SPNHF on Rogers property, Candlewood Hill; Joan Hanchett Nature Series March 22-wild animal sounds; Saving Special Places Conference is coming up soon-several CC members are attending.
 
New Business:  Annual seedlings to elementary school students-Kelly will talk with the FES principal regarding integration into a program/curriculum, etc.  Betsy to place order with state nursery.  Members will assist Betsy with preparation to distribute to students.
 
Outreach/Education-Discussion of updating and expanding information available on town web site; creation of brochures with the town properties.  Should explain importance of particular resources, concept of leave no trace, allowed uses, uses not allowed and why, all town properties are open to the public, etc.  Jim suggests we view the Amherst CC web site for ideas.  Francestown News would like articles again; we should start with the Town Forests.
 
Old Business:  South New Boston Road Bridge-DES wants more information.  Wetlands permit not yet approved.  All information required is to be provided by the Selectmen and/or the  engineers within 60 days of 1/31.  Will be denied otherwise.  Nothing for the CC to do at this point.
 
-Betsy contacted our forester, Ron Klemarczyk, regarding boundary work (blazing) and he is interested; will provide estimates.
-CE monitoring reports-done with exception to Scot and Betsy.
-Files/filing-Discussion of hiring someone, all support the idea.  Betsy and Scot to review files first.  Also discussed the possibility of that same person completing the CC member notebooks.
-Kelly brought up putting up boxes for lead fishing waste and the transfer station and boat access sites; Selectmen approved.  Approximate cost of $40 per box.
 
 
Meeting adjourned by unanimous vote 8:28 pm.
 
 
 
Scot Heath, Secretary
CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES---AUGUST 5, 2019
 
Meeting called to order 7:06 pm
 
Members present:  Betsy, Don C., Don S., Jim, Robin, Kelly, Pam, Scot
 
New Business:
 
  1.  Linda Kunhardt, Director, Piscataquog Area Trailways.  Explained to the
CC the purpose of the organization is to foster a trail system within the watershed. Trails are typically class VI roads.  Requested we keep trails open to horses, and consider all users in multi-use trails.  They are not supportive of OHRV’s but snowmobiles are okay.  They have recently experienced problems with “rogue trails”, that is people making unauthorized trails on private property and using the trails in an inappropriate manner.
 
  1. Fisher Hill Town Forest (formerly referenced as the Wharton Lot/Parcel).  Betsy is to write an article for the Francestown News.  Discussion followed regarding the need to have the CC forester (Ron Klemarczyk) walk the property and make recommendations regarding forestry management, draft a management plan, and flag boundaries.  Jim introduced an outline of an overall management plan, including bike trails.  CC is receptive to said use.  Kelly moved to retain Ron Klemarczyk to prepare a management plan for the property; Don S. second.  Approved unanimously.  Reported six to seven loads of trash were hauled out by CC members and volunteers.  Still more to do.
 
  1. Emerald Ash Borer.  We have them in town now. Ash trees effected.  Betsy to write something for the Francestown News.  Selectmen requested the CC identify trees around the horse sheds, beehive, library…  all public facilities.  Said facilities were divided among CC members.
 
  1. New projects/events.  Robin noted the issue of dumping snow containing road salt from main street hasn’t been addressed.  Consensus was the situation was not likely to change but needs to be monitored.  No news regarding the scavenger hunt (Kelly).
 
  1. Shattuck Pond Town Forest.  Issues with camping and trash.  Report by an abutter of gunshots and/or fireworks late at night.  Need to monitor, put up game camera’s, signs, dismantle fire pits.  CC members have gone out and picked up the trash and dismantled the fire pits.  Signs previously put up have been removed by violators.  Need to continue to monitor.
 
  1. Connard Property.  Discussion regarding the CC accepting some form of a conservation easement on the property, now owned by FLT, if it means FLT can receive a grant.  Consensus was supportive.
 
Old Business:
 
  1. Town Forest Info project.  Reviewing other towns web sites.  Contemplative walks hosted by Pam have been successful.  Lord Town Forest and Shattuck Pond Town Forest hikes have been well attended.  Another will be scheduled for September.  Betsy will continue to prepare articles for the Francestown News regarding various town forests.
 
  1. Town Road Erosion Status.  No news.
 
  1. Stewardship/Management work.  Several boundaries need to be marked.  Bullard Hill Road culvert installations to be done by the Millers.  Fields will be mowed by Paul Marshall in November.  Dinsmore Area gates/signs and trail maintenance work to be done by the Hillsborough Night Riders Snowmobile club at some point this fall.
 
Motion to adjourn by Don C., second Kelly-unanimous 8:50 pm.
 
Submitted by Scot Heath.