Conservation Commission
PO Box 365
Walpole, New Hampshire 03608
April 7, 2008
Present: T. Beaudry, B. Fletcher, M. Galloway, P. Graves, M. Schupack, D. Watson, M.L. Montgomery (Alt), P. Palmiotto (Alt)
Absent: L. Shelley
Others Present: Fred Ernst, Whitney Aldrich (Selectman)
Mr. Schupack, Interim Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.
Mr. Schupack noted the absence of L. Shelley and asked M.L. Montgomery to sit on the Commission in his place.
Minutes – March 3, 2008: Mrs. Galloway moved to approve the Minutes of the March 3, 2008, meeting as printed. Mr. Watson seconded the motion and, with all in favor, the motion was approved.
Introductions and Welcome of the Two Newly Appointed Members: Mrs. Galloway introduced and welcomed the two newly appointed members to the Conservation Commission (WCC): Tom Beaudry and Brad Fletcher.
Nomination and Election of a New Chairman of the Commission:
Chair: Mrs. Montgomery moved to nominate Mrs. Galloway as the new Chair for the coming year. Mr. Schupack seconded the motion. There were no other nominations. With six members in favor, the motion was approved. Mrs. Galloway abstained from the vote.
Conservation Commission – Tasks: Mrs. Galloway distributed copies of the Conservation Commission Tasks and the following members were asked to take the lead in the various areas:
1) Coordination (Coordinator) – Mrs. Galloway and Mr. Schupack will assist;
2) Wetland & Environmental Regulation and Permitting – Mr. Watson, Mr. Graves and Mr. Fletcher;
3) Research & Publications – Mr. Palmiotto
4) Liaison to Planning Board & ZBA – Mrs. Montgomery and Mr. Schupack
5) Public Relations and Education Outreach – Mr. Watson and Mr. Beaudry;
6) Trails and Town Forests – Continue to next meeting when Mr. Shelley will be present;
7) Conservation Easements – Mrs. Montgomery, Mr. Schupack, Mrs. Galloway.
Mr. Schupack reported that Mr. Shelley and a member of the SCA met with the Trustees of Trust Funds to request funding in the amount of $8,100 to do the Mason Forest trail work. There is $1,500 in the budget for trail work. Mrs. Galloway will contact Peter Rhoades.
Conservation Commission – Alternates: Mrs. Galloway noted that there are two residents who have attended meetings and expressed an interest in being Alternates. She will send a letter to the Selectboard requesting that Fred Ernst and Andy Lewis be appointed as Alternates.
Mr. Schupack moved to authorize Mrs. Galloway to write this letter to the Selectboard relative to the Alternates. Mr. Watson seconded the motion and, with all in favor, the motion was approved.
Walpole Conservation Commission – April 7, 2008 – Page 2
Monadnock Conservancy: There are eight properties that need to be monitored and the questionnaires filled out. Mr. Watson felt it should be undertaken by somebody that is familiar with the properties. Mrs. Galloway will check with Mr. Speed about filling out the forms.
Budget Updates: Mrs. Galloway will ask Myra Mansouri to continue to forward budget up-dates to the Conservation Commission.
Champion Trees: Mr. Schupack noted that Walpole has more champion trees than any other town in NH. He distributed a document entitled “Big Trees Program for Walpole” that was prepared and maintained by him based on work done by Paul Galloway. Mr. Palmiotto, Mr. Schupack and Mrs. Galloway will become involved in the “Big Tree Program” and work with Paul Galloway on this State Program. There was discussion about public education and doing a tour of these trees but permission will have to be obtained from the land owners.
Comparative Land Values of Natural Resources for Walpole, NH: Mr. Palmiotto distributed copies of this final report for the members to look at. It will serve as a guide for planned management, development purposes and be a tremendous tool; hopefully it will prove to be useful to other boards.
Display Booth: Mr. Schupack advised that the WCC has a display board but it needs to be up-dated. He suggested displaying it during Old Home Days from June 27th through June 29th and the Energy Fair on May 3rd. Mrs. Galloway felt that the Public Relations members could get a small committee together. Mrs. Montgomery noted that they hope to have a new fold-out map to hand-out with a brief description of protected lands; the Monadnock Conservancy will assist. Mrs. Galloway felt that the WCC needs to continue to get the message across that the Town does not lose tax base because of protected land. Mr. Palmiotto thought a chart to show taxes, etc. would be helpful; but it would take some research to put the figures together.
UNH 4-H Camps: Mr. Speed budgeted $250 for this donation. Mrs. Montgomery felt the WCC would prefer to have the funds used for Walpole students.
Mr. Beaudry moved to authorize the donation of $250 to the UNH 4-H Camps but to recommend to the County Extension Service that, if possible, the funds be used for a Walpole student. Seconded by Mr. Watson. All in favor, so voted.
Hal J. Wilkins: Mr. Wilkins asked if the WCC could do anything to help him concerning the DES disqualifying his application for a pond permit. The DES deemed his response inadequate due to their lack of evidence for a legally constructed pond that had been maintained in the last 5 years. Since Mr. Wilkins did not get information to them within the 20 days allotted, the application was disqualified. Mr. Speed had advised that after an application goes to the DES it is out of the WCC hands. Mr. Graves noted that the WCC still agrees with what they said in the past. Mr. Schupack will contact Mr. Wilkins to advise that now it is between the applicant and DES.
Connecticut River Joint Commission: They asked the WCC for an email address to forward information to in a timely manner. It was agreed to have Mr. Schupack obtain the email address for the Town and to have them send notices there.
Ballam Farm: Mrs. Galloway placed the folder on the Ballam Farm in the file as it is closed. Now the WCC has the responsibility to monitor it once a year; probably in the spring.
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OTHER BUSINESS:
WCC Planning Board Representative: Mrs. Montgomery has been the WCC representative to the Planning Board for the past few months. Chamberlain Machine and Bensonwood will be coming before the Planning Board tomorrow night; she was asked by Bensonwood if the WCC had concerns as they will be located on the same parcel as Chamberlain Machine. With Chamberlain the main concern was the Wellhead Protection. Mr. Palmiotto felt if Bensonwood does not handle hazardous materials then our concerns would be answered; the WCC could support the project. Mr. Graves said if the Planning Board wants to hear from the WCC they could ask them. Mr. Schupack stated that the WCC has a responsibility when it comes to environmental issues; they could be recommending that some things be studied by experts in the various areas. Following a discussion there was a consensus to ask Bensonwood to attend the next WCC meeting to answer questions about hazardous materials and to focus on the Wellhead Protection Ordinance.
Mr. Graves moved to invite Bensonwood to attend a meeting to talk to the WCC. Seconded by Mr. Beaudry. All in favor, so voted.
NH Conservation Commissions Annual Meeting: Mr. Schupack advised that there is an annual meeting of the NH Conservation Commissions in the fall.
Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held on Monday, May 5th at 7:30 PM. Mrs. Galloway will be unable to attend this meeting.
Mr. Beaudry moved to adjourn this meeting. Mr. Watson seconded the motion. All in favor, so voted. The time was 9:09 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
(Note: These are unapproved minutes. Corrections, if necessary, may be found in the minutes of the May 5th, 2008, Walpole Conservation Commission meeting.)