1). Tom Duston opened the public hearing to discuss the proposal for the Chesterfield Conservation Commission to establish a trail maintenance fund with a Five Thousand Dollar grant to the Friends of Pisgah. The purpose of this fund would be to back up volunteer efforts to maintain the Wantastiquet-Monadnock Trail in Chesterfield and Hinsdale west of Route 63. No one from the public was present. Tom stated that the Conservation Commission builds new trails that are given to the Friends of Pisgah. It is becoming more difficult for the Friends of Pisgah to maintain these trails. The Easement on the Clesson McDonald property is held by the Monadnock Conservancy. The trail is protected separately by the Friends of Pisgah. The Friends of Pisgah and the Monadnock Conservancy are two similar groups in the area. The reason for the 2 groups is that if one dissolves there is still another to help maintain these trails. Jeff asked about establishing a trust fund for the Friends of Pisgah. Tom suggested that a trust fund could be established for trail maintenance and held by the Town of Chesterfield instead of Friends of Pisgah. Tom decided to do some other items on the agenda and come back to this discussion in case anyone showed up for the public hearing.

2). Jeff moved to approve the minutes from December 4, 2002 as amended. The motion was seconded by Steve and passed unanimously by the Commission.

3). Permits/Complaints - A). The pond on the Christopher Norbert property is considered an existing wetland. The Commission signed the expedited permit. DES stated that the pond was too deep and needed a dam permit. They also objected to the proposed drainage pipe because it is already a wetland. The applicant has revised the plan to remove the drain and reduce the size of the pond. Warren asked about livestock being allowed in the pond. If it was a protected stream or brook they would not. The best management practices for livestock is not to allow them within a certain distance from water sources. Tom will investigate requirements. B). A letter was received from DES about the Ralph Wright property on Route 9 above Sheila Ave across from Cersosimo. The Conservation Commission initially complained about a stream being filled in by a logger. They have been asked to revegetate. If DES doesn't receive a reply by February 15th they will prosecute. C). Tom took some photographs of some wetlands on the snowmobile trail in Friedsam. Tom thought the snowmobilers ought to be approached about building a bridge. Jeff proposed using grant money.

4). Lynne fed exed the application for Recreational Trails Grant on January 15th for the Friedsam Bridge. In the cover letter Lynne stated that while the Commission didn't get the grant last year they opened the new trail anyway and this is the amount of labor that has already been completed. The grant request is for $12,000 and $8,600 of that is for the new bridge. She proposed advertising in the paper for a person to move the beams into the bridge site. The Commission suggested the man who could move the equipment by horse.

5). Lynne will write to NHACC to have a report published in the quarterly newsletter. The most important activity is the Ancient Oaks trail opening in Friedsam Forest. She will talk about the fact that there is a ski trail in Friedsam because of all the snow this year. Lynne will also mention the Anne Stokes grant and publish our website address.

1). Tom moved to close the public hearing. The motion was seconded by Jeff and passed unanimously by the Commission. Warren stated that he doesn't feel that this was the intended purpose when funds were designated to the Conservation Commission. He thought the funds were for purchasing land options and easements in Chesterfield. Tom replied that they had consulted the town attorney and the executive director of state Conservation Commissions about donating money for trails out of town and it was ok. Tom stated that these were trails created by the Conservation Commission and passed on to the Friends of Pisgah. Friends of Pisgah are getting nervous because it is hard to get volunteers to maintain these trails. Tom stated that when the fund was created access to land was probably the biggest concern at that time. Steve moved to approve the proposal of $5,000 to the Friends of Pisgah for trail maintenance. The motion was seconded by Jeff. Lynne proposed that the Conservation Commission request a general accounting of how these funds are spent with the work done and how many hours spent. The Commission voted unanimously to approve the motion.

6). Tom reported from Bill who was unable to attend tonight's Conservation meeting about the Hazard Mitigation Committee. The Committee has identified certain areas in town that are susceptible to flood and wind damage in a natural disaster that will receive funding from the state to be fixed up now.

7). Petition by 25 voters has been received by the Selectmen. Warren stated that the Selectmen think the article should state to see if the Town is willing to reclassify a portion of North Hinsdale Road starting at the Hinsdale/Chesterfield line and continuing northerly for ¼ of a mile to the junction of Bradley Hill Road. Warren explained that it is a dangerous road especially in winter because it is so steep and curvy. Warren stated that the wording of the petition is that they wanted to discontinue the road, which would mean that property would be divided up from the center of the road to each property owner. The Town Attorney was contacted and he suggested that someone propose a rewording on the floor at Town Meeting. The Selectmen will also contact Tim Butterworth, the landowner proposing the petition, to see if they will reword and sign a new petition. A Class VI Road could be subject to gates and bars. Access can not be blocked for the landowner. The Town could put a barrier on the Chesterfield/Hinsdale line. Steve pointed out that a gate would block hikers from the parking lot for the Daniels Mountain Trail. Warren stated that there was even more of a problem in the summer with speeding and it does not appear to be Chesterfield residents. Warren stated that a gate could be a problem if there was a forest fire. The fire trucks might not be able to get to the fire.

8). Winter Event? - Lynne suggested a x-country ski in Friedsam forest. Jeff will add the ski trail to the map. Jeff suggested making it a ski or snowshoe event. The Commission picked February 22 at 10:30 AM for the event. The Commission will meet at 10 AM.

9). Tom asked about projects for 2003. Lynne stated her goal was to spend all the grant money on everything connected to The Anne Stokes trail. Jeff wanted to work on North Peak. Amy suggested repairing the bridge in Friedsam because it has been needing repair for at least a couple of years now. Tom stated that he would like to open up the apple orchard for wildlife sometime. Bear Mountain was also a project the Commission might be able to work on. Steve suggested cutting a trail from Indian Pond to Wantastiquet. Amy also suggested looking in to the preservation of the stone arches at Madame Sherrie's. Tom will talk to Anne Stokes because she owns the land.

10). Other - A). Tom asked Warren about the abandoned trailer on the James Nixon property. The Selectmen don't want to do anything until the property owner loses the right to appeal. The Selectmen believe that it is 3 years. The property was taken in 2001. B). Tony Cersosimo owned the last piece of land needed to complete the Monadnock-Wantastiquet Greenway. Tom will write a letter to Jeff Morse, General Manager of Cersosimo, suggesting the land be called the Cersosimo Memorial Forest. C). Tom is working on the Annual Report for Town Report. D). Warren asked why Friedsam Forest was posted no hunting. Lynne replied that the 4th and 7th grades use the forest for educational purposes and it seemed like a good idea for safety.

11). The next meeting will be Wednesday February 12 at 7:30 PM to set up for the Winter Event. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM

Respectfully Submitted,

Amy LaFontaine Secretary