Milford Conservation Commission:

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1999 Master Plan Update - Conservation Commission Issues
Chapter 1

COMMUNITY CHARACTER
Milford Community Character Philosophy
The community of Milford is based on the relationship between the natural, built and human environments. ЕЕЕ. To build on these community strengths the citizens recognize the following:

The community recognizes the need to educate its citizens to conserve and protect natural resources for the future.

The community recognizes the need to educate its citizens to preserve the history of the community for the future.
As a means to carry out the Community Character philosophy, the Town of Milford has identified key concerns or issues that should be addressed by its citizens within the next master planning cycle (five years). These areas include the following, in order of priority for action:

HIGH PRIORITY ACTIONS FOR 1999/2000

ACTION 1 B. Develop and Implement an Open Space and Conservation Zoning Overlay District and Subdivision Design Criteria.

The citizens of Milford have historically recognized the importance of protecting the Town's natural resources such as surface and ground waters, wetlands, forests, wildlife habitats, open fields and agricultural lands, both for current residents and future generations. Regulations and protection measures have long been in place demonstrating a commitment to this protection and preservation. As growth continues in Milford, and in the region, there will continue to be increased development pressure, in particular residential, on lands previously not economically feasible or particularly practical to develop. This pressure will also continue to impact historical, archaeological and recreational resources that are currently inadequately protected.

Many types of single-family and multifamily residential development generate less in property taxes than what is necessary to support the Town services necessitated by such development. It has been demonstrated by several studies that "open space pays". Current Milford zoning, subdivision and site plan regulations provide little flexibility and/or incentive for future residential development to be designed to achieve the double purpose of preserving and protecting both natural and man-made resources while maintaining a rural and attractive community character. Although not purposefully, current Town regulations often foster continued sprawl and inadequate protection of the attributes that comprise the community's character.

The Town should develop a new zoning overlay district and/or necessary zoning techniques that will clearly and reasonably provide guidelines to enable greater preservation and protection of open space and conservation areas. This overlay district should promote flexibility in subdivision and site plan design that accomplishes Town goals and respects the rights of landowners to develop their property.

1. Responsibilities and Actions:

The Milford Conservation Commission shall complete a comprehensive natural and man-made resources inventory to identify lands and sites in need of protection and or preservation.
The Milford Planning Board, in conjunction with the Conservation Commission, shall establish a subcommittee to develop a new zoning overlay district, the Open Space and Conservation Overlay District that will provide a framework and guidelines for development within identified open space and conservation areas. Concurrently, modifications where necessary shall be made to the Town Subdivision and Site Plan regulations which encourages such development. Modifications to town regulations shall be reasonable and practical, and balance the conservation goals of the Town with private property rights.

ACTION 1 H: Develop and implement a long-term management plan for Osgood Pond

Osgood Pond, a significant physical, wildlife, cultural, and recreational resource, is a twenty (20) acre man-made Town-owned surface body of water located on the northerly side of Osgood and Mason Roads. The water depth of the Pond has, over the years, seen increased siltation and growth of nuisance aquatic plants. These factors, when added to the natural shallowness of the Pond, have decreased the value of the Pond for wetland habitat growth and survival. Flood water storage, and recreational (boating and fishing) opportunities. For several years the Town has worked with both Federal and State agencies to iron out details necessary to perform maintenance dredging of the Pond to restore these values.

In 1994 an "Osgood Pond Management Plan for the Milford Conservation Commission" was produced by a team of University of New Hampshire Natural Resources students that recommended dredging the pond to be a good management option. The Board of Selectmen have supported a capital reserve fund to cover the anticipated costs of dredging the Pond, and to date $50,000.00 has been approved for the fund ($25,000.00 approved by the voters in both 1997 and 1998). Town voters did not approve an additional $25,000.00 on the 1999 Town warrant.

The Master Plan Update Community Character subcommittee debated the pros and cons of committing Town money to dredge the Pond versus following natural processes that would cause it to revert over time to a significant wetland without the Pond surface. The consensus of the subcommittee was to dredge in order to restore its many values. However, this action should be taken only if conducted under the guidelines and recommendations of a long-term Osgood Pond management plan.

Actions and Responsibilities
1. The Board of Selectmen, with the assistance of the Conservation Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission, shall authorize the development of a long-term management plan for the Pond and its adjacent conservation and parklands. The plan should build upon the studies previously completed (UNH, 1994), and include input from adjacent landowners, the community and governmental bodies. Outside consultants may be hired, if necessary, to assist with plan development and preparation. The Management Plan should be completed prior to any dredging of the Pond.

Chapter 2
WATER RESOURCES
Milford Water Resources Philosophy
The community of Milford recognizes that protection of surface groundwater resources is fundamental to its continued health, safety and well-being, both at local and regional levels. The Town must insure that water resources are protected for current and future residents, through community supported regulatory and education efforts that increase awareness and action on protecting water for drinking, conservation, the economy, and recreation.

As stated in the Milford Conservation Plan, water resources, including rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, aquifers and floodplains, are among the most precious of a town's natural resources. Water is the most precious natural resource.

New Hampshire RSA 4-C:22.1 states that a municipality may include in its master plan a local water resource management and protection plan, or local water plan, as part of the municipal master plan (RSA 675:9). Implementation of local water plans must be through the adoption and enforcement of ordinances consistent with the plan and through such other measures lawfully available to a community. Milford's wetlands and aquifer protection ordinances, when utilized in conjunction with State and federal protection measures, provide a strong foundation for water resource management. However, there is no formally adopted water plan for the community that reflects a holistic approach to managing watersheds.

The 1999 Master Plan Update recognizes the need to continue strengthening water resource protection and management. To accomplish this, efforts need to be made at a regulatory level and through increased public education. This effort must be made by both the municipal government and by the individual citizen. To put the water resource philosophy into action, the following actions are recommended:

II. HIGH PRIORITY ACTIONS FOR 1999/2000

ACTION II A. Develop and adopt comprehensive water resource protection and management policies and implementation measures.

Although the Town currently has in place various ordinances and regulations for protecting surface and ground water, there is no overall plan to make sure all necessary steps and actions are considered for water resource management and protection for future generations. Development and adoption of comprehensive protection and management tools will serve to guide decision-making.

1. Responsibilities and Actions:

The Milford Planning Board, the Water Commissioners, and the Conservation Commission, shall develop, adopt and begin measures of implementing a Water Resources Management and Protection Plan, based on a watershed approach. The plan shall incorporate recommendations for regulatory and education action necessary for long range protection water resources.

Specifically, regarding regulatory policies, the Planning Board shall:

Evaluate Milford land use regulations, and incorporate where necessary and appropriate (Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision regulations, site plan regulations), the latest recommendations for stormwater management

Stormwater management has traditionally focused on storing and directing the volume of water expected in storm events of 25-, 50-, and 100-year magnitudes. Current thinking and regulatory trends also address treating the stormwater to improve the quality of the runoff before it enters either surface or groundwater.
Incorporate Site Specific Mapping Standards for New Hampshire and Vermont into Milford subdivision and site plan regulations.

Site specific mapping standards for soil delineation have been officially approved and adopted by the Society of Soil Scientists of Northern New England, and are replacing the high intensity soil standards commonly utilized in the past fifteen years.
Further refine and modify, if appropriate, the Wetlands Conservation District regulations in the Zoning Ordinance.

Such sources as the Shoreland Protection Act (RSA 483-B), Buffers for Wetlands and Surface Waters, A Guidebook for New Hampshire Municipalities, and Riparian Forest Buffers provide the latest knowledge and research relative to the function of wetland buffer areas. Milford's wetland buffer requirements should be reviewed to incorporate appropriate community supported buffer requirements.
Further refine and modify, if appropriate, the Aquifer Protection District regulations in the Zoning Ordinance.

The Aquifer Protection District regulations have not been analyzed and reviewed relative to advances and findings in methods to protect the aquifer in relation to various land uses and environmental hazard mitigation. The current regulations should reflect updated scientific findings to further protect the aquifer.

As responsibilities are outlined for groups that will promote the EDUCATIONAL components of water resource protection and management, specific recommendations include:
Educate the community about point-source and non-point source pollution within watersheds
utilize the watershed model provided by the Hillsborough County Conservation Office for outreach at schools and fairs.
promote water protection concepts at Earth Day celebrations each spring.
expand local participation in the national and state level Coastal Cleanup each September to include an annual cleanup along the shores of the Souhegan River.
continue storm-drain stenciling efforts to create greater public awareness that stormwater discharges into local brooks, streams, rivers, and wetlands
utilize local media to educate and inform the public on water resources, drinking water and nonpoint pollution sources and impacts.
continue to seek out and utilize opportunities for increased involvement of children and the schools in water resource management (e.g., KIDSNET, curriculum development).
create a user-friendly and public accessible database (GIS mapping, parcel data) that locates point and nonpoint source pollution locations, land uses in the watersheds, wetlands, and other information related to water resource management.

Recommendations on means to accomplish the AESTHETICS AND RECREATION component of water resources protection and management, to be utilized by the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission include:
encourage conservation easements and public purchase of land along the Souhegan River and significant brooks and streams
develop a town-wide master plan for a trail system, with initial emphasis on obtaining trail corridors and usage rights along the Souhegan River.
develop with the Downtown Ongoing Improvement Team (DO-IT) , the Souhegan Watershed Association, and other civic groups in-town trails utilizing old railroad beds and established footpaths to link downtown parks and municipal facilities.
plan and implement a street side park at the Fletcher's Paintworks Superfund site, that would incorporate the required environmental mitigation measures, and have universal access, take advantage of the oxbow view of the Souhegan River, be visually prominent, provide added parking and access to Keyes Field, and provide a positive community reuse and adaptation of the site.
compile and publish a guidebook to the Souhegan River that emphasizes the recreational and aesthetic opportunities provided by River, similar to efforts accomplished by the Merrimack River Watershed Association.
improve signage and availability of maps and guides for the Souhegan River Trail between the Milford Fish Hatchery and Fitch's Farm.
implement an "Adopt-A-Stream "program similar to the "Adopt-A -Mile" highway stewardship program, that will encourage groups and families to clean and maintain stretches of the Souhegan River and its tributaries.

Chapter 3

COMMUNITY FACILITIES
PARKS AND RECREATION

The parks and Recreation commission should include the phased development of Kaley Park in the Capital Improvements Plan.

ЕЕ..The project, when complete, will containЕ..trails,.Еand provide needed open space and protection of groundwater resources.

Chapter 5
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

V. HIGH PRIORITY ACTIONS FOR 1999/2000

Milford Economic Development Philosophy
The town of Milford should strive for an aggressive, proactive community growing through beneficial projects. The town should strive to stabilize its remaining rural character through maximized open space protection. ЕЕ.

ACTION V.A. Make Milford more, industry ready.
3. encouraging tax-positive residential development,
b. implement opens space preservation subdivision techniques

V. MEDIUM PRIORITY ACTIONS FOR 2000/2002

ACTION V.C. Continue efforts to expand tax positive growth and land use at a faster rate than tax negative growth and land use.
Efforts to make Milford more industry ready (High Priority Action V.A.) must be followed up with additional actions that will serve to adjust the land use and property tax generating ratio to lessen the burden on the residential property owner.

1. Responsibilities and Actions

The Planning Board shall take the lead in continuing the review and implementation of strategies to achieve a greater tax-positive land use base. The Board shall work with the Milford Industrial Development Corporation, the Conservation Commission, and the Board of Selectmen to examine and implement regulatory changes to encourage more agriculture and open space-related businesses (e.g. encourage golf course development), and review allowable residential densities. The Planning Board will conduct a study on the feasibility and need for impact fees to be placed on new development to assist in lessening the cost of growth. The Planning Board shall encourage efforts to build and support land trusts.

Chapter 6
THE BROX PROPERTY

ЕЕA large and extremely significant wetland area lies in the central portion of the property, fed by Birch Brook, a tributary of the Souhegan River.

BROX PROPERTY RECOMMENDATION:
HIGH PRIORITY ACTION FOR 1999/2000

3. Work with conservation groups, including the Milford Conservation Commission, to preserve and protect the significant wetlands, surface waters, and natural areas located on the property.

4. Incorporate available land into the long-range community facilities master plan, to include areas reserved for cemeteries, recreation facilities, fields, a golf course and trails, potential additional school locations, and other municipal purposes.

Responsibilities and actions

The Planning Board shall take a lead role, in partnership with the Board of Selectmen, the Conservation Commission, the School Board, the Milford Industrial Development Corporation among others, to bring a plan to purchase and, or control the development of the BROX Property for Town deliberation and vote in the year 2000.