MINUTES
For the regular meeting of the
Walpole Conservation Commission
Monday, June 7, 2010
Present: Tom Beaudry, Jan Galloway, Marcia Galloway, Myra Mansouri (alt.), Mary Lou Montgomery, Peter Palmiotto (alt.), Lew Shelley, Gary Speed, Bill Webb (alt.)
Present as Guest: Aimee Annichiarico, Eloise Clark, Melvin Schupack
Not Present: Duncan Watson
Ms. M. Galloway, co-chair, called the meeting to order at 7:44 PM.
NRI Proposal for Fanny Mason Forest
Aimee Annichiarico, Antioch graduate student, presented the details of the preliminary Natural Resource Inventory project, including the methods and results. She then answered questions about the proposed full NRI.
Ms. Annichiarico specified that the Annex would be included in the full NRI. The entire forest would be included. Gary Speed is interested in the mammals that were tracked in the area, particularly fishers, and would like to be included in future mammal survey activities.
Non-Public session
Ms. Montgomery moved to approve the minutes of May 3, 2010, as written. Ms. J. Galloway seconded, and the motion passed with all in favor.
Public session
Correspondence
SWRPC highlights were received, and a notice of the June 22 dinner meeting at Croched Mountain.
The Annual Meeting of NHACC will be November 6 in Concord.
Treasury
The Conservation Fund now totals $69,987.71. The Forestry Fund is at $6494.22.
Walpole Walks
Ms. M. Galloway handed out posters for the walks. Pete Troop of Monadnock Conservancy had them made. Ms. Hall-Fuller will send the information to The Walpolean.
Easement
Ms. M. Galloway attended the signing of the conservation easement for a portion of Paul Galloway’s property. She passed around a copy for review.
Merriam Road
Mr. Shelley talked to the answering machine of the project manager and explained our concerns about the tree cutting and erosion issues. The manager called and said the project had not started, so apparently he does not consider the tree cutting to be part of the project. Mr. Shelley intends to contact him again to get clarity on what constitutes the start of the project.
Mr. Shelley asked the Select Board for a copy of the plans related to drainage, but has not seen them yet.
Cranberry Knapp Meadow
Maintenance work at the dam is delayed, due to a beaver that so far refuses to be trapped. Gary Speed will try some other trapping methods. If he uses a live trap, the beaver will need to be re-homed, so he wants to know if anyone wants to host a beaver.
Fanny Mason Forest Annex Parking Lot
Ms. M. Galloway inspected the new parking area. It seems near completion and looks very good. The gate has been moved above the lot. Now there is room for seven or eight vehicles. She will contact the police department to let them know of the increased activity that the parking lot may invite in this area. It may be desirable to thin the trees around the lot to increase visibility for monitoring the lot.
Eloise Clark will be leading some family walks this summer, and asked when the trails might be ready.
Ms. M. Galloway reported that Jim Terrel approached her about two turn-around areas for snowplows that would involve conservation land: one on French Road and one on Leonard Road. The plans for this have been worked on with the help of the Monadnock Conservancy.
Notices of Intent to Cut
A small cut is planned at 198 Wentworth Rd, and another on March Hill Road.
Dredging Permits
Marcia signed two requests for minor work to maintain ponds on Ramsay Hill and Prospect Hill.
Pharmaceuticals in the Environment
Mr. Schupack provided information on home disposal of medications. For example, a small amount of estrogen products in the water can affect the gender and mating success of fish. He recommends providing the handouts at the recycling center. Ms. Montgomery said this is a great opportunity to collaborate with the recycling committee. Ms. M. Galloway will see about meeting with them.
Stipend for NRI work
Ms. M. Galloway invited a motion about the proposed NRI and stipend for Ms. Annichiarico.
Mr. Beaudry moved to request $1000 from the Fanny Mason Forest Trust Fund to be paid to Aimee Annichiarico for a natural resource inventory of the Fanny Mason Forest and Annex. Mr. Shelley seconded. With all in favor, the motion passed.
Culvert Repairs
Ms. M. Galloway approached DOT and got assurance that the culvert work will be done at Halls Crossing Road and in Westmoreland, allowing the railway trail to be open all the way through to Keene.
One of the commissioners reported that Harold Putnam (long-time former commissioner) thinks it’s time to assess the Pinnacle forest, the Mill Pond Forest, and the Hooper Forest below the Golf course. Mr. Shelley said it would be great for forester Peter Rhoades to look at them and then tell us what he thinks. There was no objection.
Mr. Shelley asked to get some clarity how we compensate Mr. Rhoades for all of the time he spends looking and reporting to us. Ms. M. Galloway will do that.
Problematic Road Surfaces
Mr. Shelley reports that crushed glass on Crehore Road and other places is causing problems. Cyclists are getting flat tires, and dog-walkers are forced to avoid these areas. He was told it is supposed to be tumbled glass, but this glass is sharp. Whenever the road is re-graded, more sharp glass comes up. If there were another layer of material on top that might help.
Mr. Beaudry moved to adjourn, and Ms. J. Galloway seconded. The motion passed with all in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:51 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Janis Hall-Fuller, Recording Secretary