Conservation Commission
Minutes

1). S. Fisher motioned to approve minutes of November 28, 2001 as amended. The motion was seconded by K. Thatcher, followed by a unanimous vote from the Board. K. Thatcher motioned to approve minutes for special meeting of December 18, 2001 as amended. The motion was seconded by S. Fisher followed by unanimous vote from the Board.

2). K. Thatcher reported on all DES reports for 2001. Conservation Commission can not enter these properties even during the DES inspection without specific permission from the landowner.

A). McCauley – Connecticut River Embankment Restoration and he has 5 years to comply. DES has a longer time frame to keep an eye on the project.

B). Kalich – Corner of Route 63 and North Shore Road. He had applied for a dock in 1995 which was denied. If he has a dock it is there without a permit. There is a ROW that the Commission can use near the beach. In regards to the complaint filed by Commission to DES they have been cooperating with DES. The Kalichs’have submitted photographs of siltation control arrangements for their pond. DES sent a letter dated December 3, 2001 asking Kalich for standard dredge and fill application for completion of the dredge permit. The Pond actually may help to reduce siltation in the lake.

C). Wheeler, John – He applied for a dock application for 8/99 through 8/04. He attempted to amend the dock that he originally applied for. DES requested more information which he did not provide; thus, DES closed the file. He must reapply.

D). Yankee – Dock was approved, but Bank Restoration is still under investigation.

E). Johnson, Winn – on South Shore Road. DES waiting for information for a dock.

F). Grimes – Culvert has been approved.

G). Town of Chesterfield – River Road

H). DOT – 9A

There were only 6 applications filed with DES this year. T. Duston would like a list of pending complaints for annual report.

3). L. Borofsky wanted to thank the Commission for their effort on the grants. Jeff Nugent’s letter discusses two hikes@ Friedsam one with Brattleboro Museum and Arts Center the other with Environmental Education Center. These were older walkers that were very uncomfortable with one of the bridges, but loved the trail. J. Newcomer documented the mileage of the trails. L. Borofsky will add arrows to the trail map where the bridges will go. She still needs T. Butterworth’s letters from the Selectmen, which he will have signed on January 10, 2002 at the Selectmen’s meeting. T. Duston still has 2 letters outstanding; especially, Mckim Mitchell’s letter. L. Borofsky is still waiting for Marty Mahoney’s letter which will have safety issues and Wayne Carheart from Brattleboro Historical Society. S. Fisher and L. Borofsky will do the estimates for tools and materials. S. Fisher negotiated 10% off at True Value. T. Butterworth suggested we should call the Highway Department to find out where they buy their equipment. L. Borofsky and S. Fisher and T. Duston met with Lou Shelley from the Student Conservation Association (SCA). He would like to put a group of students from the Association on location at Anne Stokes Loop to do the work. He proposed 6 students, High School age, and 2 teachers for 2 weeks. The Commission would not do both projects in the same year, in the event that they were to receive grants for both projects. Hugh Clark of Surry works with draft horses. He could move supplies by horse into the bridge site for $200.00. Late October and early November are the best time for him, because he competes in horse pulls at the local fairs. In the environmental impact portion of the grant it should be stated the Commission is following the guidelines on trail maintenance. T. Duston does not think it is in a wetlands. S. Fisher and L. Borofsky will meet on Sunday to finalize applications.

4). T. Duston proposed a motion for a warrant article at Town Meeting regarding the conversion of all class 6 roads in Chesterfield to class A trails. Class 6 Highways are full public right of ways. Class 6 roads are unmaintained by the town for at least 5 years. Abutters have same access they must maintain roads if they wish to travel the road with vehicles. Class A trails is exactly the same as a class 6 road with 2 exceptions. One, to convert back to a class 6 road requires a Town Meeting vote. As a class 6 road, a developer can come before the Planning Board to improve the road to town standards and put in a property development. Two, a class A trail can become restricted at Town Meeting or by Selectmen. Abutters can still have vehicular access to their land. Will abutters vote to make all class 6 Roads class A trails? Depends on intended use of the abutters for their property. T. Butterworth indicated there is a specific case in Swanzey where he is afraid people will use the class 6 road as a throughway to Chesterfield. At some time in the near future the Commission will need to ask selectmen to make portions of class 6 roads class A trails for the California Brook Project. The class A trail "shall not be used as vehicular access for any new building or structure" Section 231-A:1 of Title XX Transportation.

Establishing all class 6 roads as class A trails helps the town control development. Residential development costs town money. The Commission is looking for this legislation to buffer residential development. K. Thatcher proposed having a map at Town Meeting to show where class 6 roads are. The Town of Chesterfield has voted overwhelmingly for conservation legislation in the past. T. Butterworth proposed to only request 1 or 2 specific class 6 roads as class A trails. Politically individuals may not want all class 6 roads to become class A trails. T. Butterworth proposed another warrant article to discontinue the road in Swanzey in case the article for all class 6 roads is denied at Town Meeting. It will restrict another housing development, like Welcome Farm, from going through. T. Duston stated that there were large lots of land with class 6 roads in the California Brook Area. Should the Commission contact some of these people to find out their thoughts on this proposal? Does this legislation decrease property value? K. Thatcher seconded the motion to convert all class 6 roads to class A trails. The Commission voted unanimously to propose a warrant article at Town Meeting to convert all class 6 roads in Chesterfield to class A trails. T. Duston will write the warrant article for Town Meeting.

5). The Commission decided not to have a winter event, because the snow may not cooperate and they would like to concentrate their efforts on a fundraiser. The next meeting is scheduled for February 27, 2002; L. Borofsky’s birthday. The Commission proposed a dance $50.00 per couple on either March 16 or April 6, 2002. Each Commission member will get a price quote from a band. The Commission decided to meet again on January 23, 2002 @ 7:30 P.M. to plan the dance.

6). Other business – Tom is working on the annual report for the Town Meeting.

7). The meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted,

Amy LaFontaine
Secretary