- MINUTES: The Minutes of the December 28 1989 meeting were not accepted at this time due to the fact that members had only just received same. Lorraine stated that due to the length of Minutes and the high cost of postage, she would hand out copies rather than mail them to members. After discussion, it was decided that unless meetings were on a weekly basis, the Minutes would be mailed. It was felt that the cost of the postage was worth the communication value of this practice.
- COMPRESSOR BROOK/WETLANDS ORDINANCE: Lorraine advised members she had discovered a confusing situation relative to the two tributaries forming the beginning of this stream as described in the proposed Wetlands Ordinance. It looks, on a map, as though there are three Compressor Brooks. It was decided to call the one beginning tributary West Branch of Compressor Brook, and the other East Branch of Compressor Brook, and only once they meet, is the stream to be known as Compressor Brook. Lorraine will advise Mark of this change, which will have to be raised at the Public Hearing on January 16, 1990.
- BUSINESS LICENSE DRAFT: Lorraine presented members with a draft of this proposed license which she had prepared in order to get discussions going, and asked that it be reviewed for further discussion on January 18, 1990, if time permits. She and Russ will meet with the Board of Selectmen relative to this issue sometime mid February.
- WETLANDS VIOLATIONS POLICY: Lorraine also presented members with a draft of this policy and requested review of same for January 18 1990 meeting.
- WETLANDS ORDINANCE PUBLIC HEARING: Members were advised that this public hearing will be held by the Planning Board at 7p.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 1990 in the Town Hall. All members were asked to attend, and to review the proposed ordinance ahead of time.
- TUCKER BROOK TOWN FOREST: Lorraine reported she had finally made contact with Harold Webster regarding cleaning up the entranceway. It is now too cold to do anything, and she will be back in touch with Harold in spring.
- HITCHINER TOWN FOREST: As above, the trees along the stone wall will be pulled by Harold in spring. Margaret presented samples of Letters of Appreciation for Jim Lawler. The members chose one, she will take care of preparing same and framing, and will have it done by January 18 1990.
- BADGER HILL: Jeff Terrio, Engineer, met with the members to review the latest actions in the Badger Hill development. He advised the members that the case went before the Army Corps of Engineers who classify wetlands differently from the Town and the State. This resulted in some changes in the amount of wetlands involved at various crossings The USF & WS stated the entrance road from Osgood Road had to be moved a considerable distance from the original plans, where according to their definition of wetlands, less impact would occur. This means that a greater portion of the unpaved section of Osgood Road would have to be upgraded, and this fact raised concerns regarding possible development of the property across from Badger Hill development. The USF & WS also requested the roadway be moved at location #8 which means less impact on wetlands in this area. Also, the two fire ponds are now out of wetlands altogether and are located in upland soils. An access road thus resulting from the fire pond at the furthest location from Osgood Road in order to access this pond, will cross wetlands, however. Lorraine expressed concerns that many of the houses were to be within the buffer zone or otherwise too close, and some driveways also involved the buffer zone. Jeff assured her that he and Mark had gotten together and had address these concerns. All houses will now be 35 feet from wetlands, and all driveways will be 25 feet. Jeff will provide a new set of plans showing these changes. The Commission will also be supplied with a copy of the covenants for this development. At Lorraine's request, the covenants will also list by lot number all lots which are effected by wetlands in an attempt to provide better protection for same once the properties are in private hands. Lorraine will send a letter to Jeff with this request in writing. It was stated that there are now 185 lots in this subdivision, which originally contained many more. As a result of the ACE intervension, there has been a reduction in the amount of wetlands disturbed. Lorraine will prepare a letter to the Wetlands Board (same to be sent to Jeff for him to include in his package to that board), giving our approval for the Dredge and Fill to be issued, based upon the recommendations of ACE, stating that the impact has been further reduced. Relative to Board of Adjustment approval, Jeff requested that Lorraine wait on this until he gives the go ahead. Right now with so many verions of this development available, it would be less confusing if we waited until the final plans are out before contacting the Board of Adjustment.
- HAMPSHIRE HILLS SKI TRAILS: Margaret reported that whereas we had authorized nine culverts in this trail system, she had found eleven. In addition there had been a very poor installation job done in all cases. She will be drafting a letter to Rick Holder regarding this situation, which will be ready for the January 18 meeting.
- SCOUT TROOP AWARD: Janet reported she had not done anything in this regard yet, and that there was a lot of paperwork to get together. She hoped to have it ready by march 1990.
- CONSERVATION CAMP: Lorraine reported she had learned that whereas Glen Kelley was unable to attend the April seminar, he was one year too old to attend the camp in June. She had not heard anything further from Tim O'Connell, but would be in touch with him next month for progress.
- JIM LAWLER/SCOUT INVOLVEMENT: Janet Piche reported that Jim will be out of the Scouts effective February 1 1990. It was not known where the work he was doing at the Hitchiner Town Forest stands.
- BALCOM BROS./WETLAND VIOLATION: Lorraine reported that on January 10, she, Mr. Arnold Balcom, his son Gary, Gerry Rosenberg and Tom Chrisenton had done an on site inspection of the Balcom property. It was the opinion of Gerry and Tom that a vegetative stabilization of the stream bank would be best. They will send a letter to the Conservation Commission spelling out their recommendations. Tom also advised Mr. Balcom that he must contact the Army Corps of Engineers as this was definitely a project they would be involved in. Lorraine will advise Mr. Balcom of how to reach ACE. It was also noted during the on site inspection, that Mr. Balcom has begun curving back from the stream the slab of concrete he is laying on his property. This was something Mark Fougere had requested of him at the previous on site inspection. Tom pointed out that fill is being dumped on a continuing basis on this property well within the 25 foot buffer zone. He expressed concerns as to the content of the fill, who was doing it, and whether a permit to dump the fill was in effect. Mr. Balcom stated it was the Town that was doing the dumping, but it was unclear whether it was Public Works or the Wastewater Treatment plant. As a result of this information, the members requested Lorraine to be in touch with Bob Courage to learn the details of the dumping, the existence of a permit, what the fill contains, and most of all, why it is being dumped within the Town's 25 foot buffer zone. Lorraine reported that Mr. Balcom will await the letter from Gerry and Tom before taking any corrective actions or continuing the process of permits further. As soon as that letter is in hand, Lorraine will be in touch with Mr. Balcom to give him guidance as to the next step to take.
- EMERSON PARK/OVERSEEING BY MCC: Lorraine reported she had written to Dick Fisk and Bill Ferguson, the other two members of the Emerson park committee relative to the MCC overseeing maintenance etc. of the Park, and was awaiting a response from them. She suggested that once this is in hand, a new Committee be formed consisting of three individuals, with the stipulation that one member of that Committee must be a member of the Conservation Commission. She offered to remain on that Committee as the treasurer which she has been for several years.
- TOM CURTIS/FARM POND: Lorraine reported that as a result of the Wetlands Board denying a rehearing on this case, Tom was very despondent and was reluctant at this point in time to discuss the matter further. She did suggest to him that she, Mark, Tom Chrisenton and Gerry Rosenberg get together with him to review the plans and site again and develop a compromise which would be acceptable to the Wetlands Board. She also called Dr. Kettenring of the Wetlands Board to find out what their concerns over the project were. He indicated to Lorraine that the Wetlands Board was concerned with the total destruction of an existing wetland of marsh for the pond, they were unhappy with the very large size of the pond; they saw as a result "water front property" and a sub-division in the future.
The Wetlands Board, though it had not done an onsite inspection, felt that the pond could be placed in the gravel pit area and be of a smaller size. They also felt that this was a project that would not receive the support of the Army Corp of Engineers. In addition, the Wetlands Board did not accept the idea that the pond is a means of creating additional farm lands - the federal government does not support the destruction of wetlands in order to create farms lands. Lorraine stated she would give Tom Curtis another week to think about the denied rehearing, and would then call him again to discuss what the Wetlands Board feels.
- LAND INFORMATION PACKAGE: Janet reported she had not yet gotten the print out for Current Land Use 10-49 acres because the town hall is in the process of moving. She will have this print out by January 18 meeting.
- NEXT MEETING: Lorraine advised the members that it would be necessary to hold another meeting next week, January 18, in order to meet with Carl Chappell regarding his wetland violation, and also to discuss the results of the wetlands seminar she attended in November, as well as reviewing our budget for 1990. Members were given several items to read for that meeting.
- 1990 TREE PROJECT: Lorraine reported on behalf of John Ferguson that he had reviewed the Osgood Pond dam site and suggested two crabapple trees be planted there. These would cost about $35.00 each ' and he suggested they be ordered from Cherry Hill Nurseries. In discussion of this issue, Margaret suggested that we obtain trees about 10 to 15 feet tall which would run about $100 each, and also that we use a variety that would hold its berries through winter. The members agreed, and she will take care of ordering same. This would leave about $800.00 of the set aside funds for this project of $1,000.00. Margaret stated that the Police Dept had indicated it would like two evergreen trees to plant on the Elm Street side of their building. Margaret said she would check into the best kind of evergreen for street use, and the members agreed to this for a maximum cost of $100.00 each. It was decided because of a rather tight budget for 1990 that this year we would spend a maximum of $500.00 on the 1990 Tree Project. Margaret also stated that there remains one tree on the Hitchiner Town forest which was not transplanted last fall. This tree is scheduled for the Jacques School as an educational tree, and she will take care of the transplanting in spring.
- NAMING STREAMS: Lorraine reported she had made a start on this project and found that it is a very time consuming one. She began by marking the named streams in town on a topo map of Milford. She also highlighted all other apparently perennial streams on the topo map. She will attempt to inspect as many of them as possible over the next few months for size and condition. She will report from time to time on this project as needed.
- COMPOSITE MAP: Lorraine reported we had received the copies of this map as ordered, and when time permits she will prepare one showing all town owned lands. She advised the members that the current map is as of April 1989, and a new one will be prepared in April showing any new subdivisions.
- WES STINSON, ALTERNATE: Lorraine reported that as a result of Russ's letter of December 29 1989 to Wes and the Board of Selectmen, she had submitted another letter to that Board as of January 4 1990 requesting his official removal from the Commission. She indicated in that letter that at this point in time, we did not wish to have the unexpired portion of his term filled. This will be done after Town Meeting.
- CONSERVATION LAND FUND: Lorraine reported that on a recent visit to the Milford Cooperative Bank, she received a thank you from the Bank for having deposited this Fund in that Bank!
- TOWN BARN/SOUTH STREET PUMPING STATION: Lorraine had not had the chance to speak to Bob Courage regarding activities at this site and reviewing same, but she will this coming week.
- GREAT BROOK CONDO/FAILED LEACHFIELD: Janet still had not called the Health Officer to report this case. She promised to do so before January 18.
- NATIONAL GUARD/HITCHINER TOWN FOREST: Lorraine reported we had received a request from the Miltord National Guard to use the Hitchiner Town Forest as a starting point for field orientation exercises the National Guard was planning for Saturday, February 3 1990. The individuals taking part would be taken to this site in a closed vehicle, would make their way towards a location in Brookline, from which they would be picked up by helicopter and taken back to Armory Road. The members had no problems with this use of the town land, and the necessary document provided by the National Guard was signed by Russ and witnessed by Vivian. Lorraine will send it and a copy of the Ordinance Governing Use of Conservation Land to the Armory with a covering letter.
- SPACE IN THE TOWN HALL FOR MCC: Lorraine reported it had come to her attention that the Commission was to have a corner in a large room which provides office space for the Town Clerks girls and the Selectmen's secretary. This same space was to also contain the Health Officer. She had been given a tour of the renovated Town Hall by Bob Courage,. and had found this area unacceptable, there being insufficient space, no privacy, no closet space, no shelving etc. In the process of the tour, she reviewed the area previously occupied by the Police Chief, and according to Bob Courage this area was unassigned, but was tentatively scheduled as storage space for the janitor. Bob felt he had enough storage space, and suggested Lorraine contact the Selectmen immediately, requesting the Chief's old office be made available for the Commission. She prepared a letter for Russ's signature to go to the Selectmen, and Vivian was also asked to speak in favor of this at the next meeting of that board.
- REPORT FOR THE TOWN REPORT: Russ presented his report for 1989 for the Town Report which had already been reviewed by Lorraine. A copy was left on the secretary's desk.
- LCIP/BURNS LAND: Russ reported that as a result of red tape, we now needed an update on the appraisal on the Burns and Rotch lots in order to complete the items needed by LCIP to get the funds due. Margaret said she would be in touch with Bramley who did the original appraisal. Lorraine reported she had received a copy of the survey from NEFF and that a copy had been sent to LCIP by John Ferguson. She also had a copy of a suggested deed
prepared by NEFF. Bill Burns wanted a copy but there was no copy machine available in the town hall. Lorraine will make a copy for him for next meeting. We also need a title search on the Burns lot and Margaret will take care of this.
- HITCHINER TOWN FOREST/SCHOOL SITE: Russ raised the issue of the Board of Selectmen constantly referring to this site as a possible location for a new school. He stated there is no town water, no town sewer, the main road to the site, namely Osgood Road, is inadequate for the traffic a school here would create, and the land itself is unsuitable for development, being mainly ledge. The members agreed with him, and Vivian was asked to express these concerns to the Board of Selectmen and attempt to obtain a commitment from them that this land would not be used for this or any other town development purpose.
- WEST HILL/M.L. REALTY: With time running out, Lorraine briefly advised the members that there was some good news regarding this development, the details of which she would review at the January 18 meeting.
- EARTH DAY: Russ presented some correspondence he had received from New Hampshire Earth Day 1990 relative to conservation commission participation. Lorraine stated she would be giving a talk on wildlife rehabilitation to the Merrimack schools for this event and would probably also be doing the same at the Milford Schools. She will pass the correspondence along to Celeste as she was attempting to do something for this day also.
There being no further business to come before this meeting, the meeting adjourned at 10.15p.m.
The next meeting will be at 7.30p.m. on Thursday January 18, 1990 in the Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorraine Carson, Secretary
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