Conservation Commission
Minutes

February 27, 2002

1). Sang Happy Birthday to Lynne.

2). J. Newcomer moved to approve the minutes from January 23, 2002 as submitted. The motion was seconded by S. Fisher.

3). Visitor Greg Brede, a Chesterfield resident, was present to discuss warrant Article 31 for the 2002 Town Meeting. He was concerned about increased traffic on his road due to a housing development in Swanzey. There will be a public hearing tomorrow night at 6:00 PM with the Selectmen. However, it is more important to turn out people at the March 12, 2002 Town Meeting. T. Duston explained that it is more difficult to upgrade a Class A trail back to a town road. The Selectmen have the right to put more restrictions on Class A trails than Class 6 roads. In order to upgrade these trails back to Class 6 roads it must be approved at Town Meeting. A Class A Trail is still considered a full public right of way. Unregistered Vehicles, such as; Snowmobiles or All Terrain Vehicles can not travel on Class 6 roads or Class A trails. T. Duston presented pictures from the Chesterfield line of the housing development in Swanzey. Old Swanzey Road is very well traveled because of logging.

4). K. Thatcher updated the Commission on pending DES applications. The Commission received letters updating the following issues: Patricia O'Brien, Deborah Klepacki, Allanah Earley, Near Lake Condo Association, Eric Eklof, Sr., Winn Johnson and Richard Kalich. Chesterfield Conservation Commission sent a letter to DES requesting an on site visitation for Kalich. K. Thatcher should submit her phone bill to the Commission for reimbursement. The Commission will go out to the lake this spring and take pictures of any wetlands violations that they see. The Commission is concerned about the Route 9 Bridge project, if proper siltation devices are in place to protect the river from the construction. K. Thatcher will meet with project manager from Cianbro on Friday.

5). Congratulations to L. Borofsky and S. Fisher. The Commission was granted the Recreation Trails Program Grant Application for the Ann Stokes Loop. L. Borofsky updated the Commission on the budget for this project. The Commission has 2 years to complete the project. The Commission was granted $8,000 for service contracts, $1,316.47 for tools, $225 for trail signs and $47.50 for brochures and maps. L. Borofsky would like to find a container or a place to store the tools so that they will last longer. The Commission will need to find out where the money should go so that only Conservation can use it.

6). LCHIP grant is still in process.

7). Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) - K. Thatcher has lots of information, but has not been able to take action on this project. She has large scale maps of features of Chesterfield. She will go to Antioch in the fall and try to get an intern to take on the project. She also hoped that Tim Butterworth would like to be involved.

8). Spring Activites: A). The Commission may resubmit the Friedsam Bridge project to the Recreational Trails Program next year. They will replace the railing this year. B). Protected Brook Signs - The Commission would like to have installed on Highway Department steel posts, so that they can not be removed. C). The Commission should hike all the trails and remove fallen trees and brush. D) Install a mailbox for maps on Twin Brook Road.

9). Meeting adjourned at 8:50P.M.

Respectfully Submitted:

Amy LaFontaine Secretary