HOLDERNESS CONSERVATION COMMISSION
PO BOX 203
HOLDERNESS, NH 03245
December 8, 2009
Members Present: Shelagh Connelly – Acting Chair, Anne Packard, and Betsy Whitmore
Members not Present: Janet Cocchiaro, Barbara Currier, Jacqulyn Jewell, and Larry Spencer
Others Present: Walter Johnson (5:00)
Regular Meeting - Call to Order
Ms. Connelly called the meeting to order at 3:30 P.M. Mrs. Whitmore was raised to voting status.
Work Session
The members met upstairs and sorted through file cabinets and the bookshelf. It was agreed, based on the advice of an archivist, to: (1) discard all pamphlets after review, unless needed for a specific project; (2) keep only the most current handbooks; (3) keep all historical documents for review and possible inclusion in property folders; and (4) keep copies of permits (intent to cut, wetlands, etc.) until the project is completed, as the originals are kept in the property folders. The Commission will review procedures for the monitoring files for final determination of originals and copies.
Approval of Minutes
Ms. Packard moved, seconded by Mrs. Whitmore, to approve the minutes of 10/13/09 as corrected. Motion passed. The Chabot site visit of November 17, 2009 was reviewed. Members walked the land with Peter Cooperdock who engineered the original plan. The area was sited with GPS by RMI. Several possible non-compliance issues were identified. The monitoring report needs to be finalized at which time members will review the report with Town Administrator Walter Johnson and Compliance Officer David Lorch to determine notification procedures to the landowners.
Permits & Other Correspondence
There were several Intent to Cuts and a DES complaint regarding a potential violation of jurisdictional wetlands. A letter from Jennifer Morris and Chris Buckley was reviewed expressing concern about a possible change in a snowmobile route. It was noted that there was no formal plan for the route at this time. Mrs. Whitmore moved, seconded by Ms. Packard, to reaffirm the Conservation Commission policy prohibiting motorized vehicles on the Pilote, Town Forest, Riverside Park, and White Oak Pond conservation properties. Motion passed. Letters requesting donations were received from the NH Timberland Association and White Oak Pond Watershed Association. It was agreed that all requests for donations would be reviewed at the June meeting for final determination based on budget balances.
Review of NH Association of Conservation Commissions annual conference
Mrs. Whitmore provided a written review of the sessions she attended. The members noted the need for a management plan for each conservation property and will work on this during the next several months. It was also agreed that Mrs. Whitmore and Ms. Huff will work on creating a list of all properties impacting both town and private conservation easements for use by the Compliance Officer and the Commission. Maps to start work on a natural resources inventory are available through a variety of free web sites and possibly the Lakes Region Planning Commission. Mr. Johnson noted that it may be possible to obtain overlay maps through the town’s Maps on Line; this is an on-going project of the town.
2010/2011 Budget
After brief discussion with Mr. Johnson, it was agreed to request a level funded budget of $1,800.
Proposed 2010 Zoning Amendments
The approved Planning Board amendments were sent to commission members. Ms. Connelly felt the Groundwater amendment was poorly written and included numerous errors and contradictions, which she has forwarded to Mr. Lorch. Mr. Johnson encouraged attendance at the December 17, 2009 Planning Board meeting.
Monitoring Information Procedures
This item will be discussed in more detail at the next meeting.
Other Business
It has been determined that the commission is allowed to be comprised of seven regular members and seven alternates. Ms. Connelly advocated expanding from five to seven members with a Selectman liaison. She encouraged advertising for more members.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 5:10 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Wendy J. Huff
Secretary
Minutes Approved: January 12, 2010
Corrections: none
| 
