Conservation Commission
Minutes

1. Minutes of May 11, 2001 Meeting

    After review of the above meeting minutes, S. Fisher made a motion to accept the meeting minutes as amended, K. Thatcher seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

2. Permits, Complaints, etc.

    K. Thatcher reviewed pending items from DES. McCauley and Yanke are still under DES investigation. Both of the cases are properties along the Connecticut River. T. Duston reviewed Yanke's case. While boating, Bart Bevis had seen a steam shovel on the embankment on Old Ferry Rd. Bart called Tom and Tom investigated. Big stones had been placed by the riverbank. Tom asked the man running the steam shovel if he had a permit to do the work. The man advised that he did have an emergency permit from the State. He was doing the work for the landowner, Yanke. At this point Tom passed the case to Kathy Thatcher. She contacted DES and they advised her that Mr. Yanke did apply for an emergency permit because the embankment was falling off at a drastic rate. Chris Rene had gone out in the beginning of the process and had strongly recommended vegetation instead of rocks. Mr. Yanke never responded to DES and the file was closed. Mr. Yanke called Kathy back and stated that he was working with DES. DES was going to fax information to Kathy to the Town Office.

    DES is also monitoring McCauley. He is under a re-vegetation order from DES and had until July 2001 to comply. Charlie Head, enforcement officer, is monitoring the case. Kathy will keep calling to check on the situations.

    Bob Clarkson's application is on file. Kathy checked and the work is being done according to the permit.

    Wheeler - Kathy is to contact Dr. Wheeler and DES regarding the dock permit application. There seems to be confusion about the number of docks applied for.

    Old New England Village has repaired the silt fence.

3. Tourism Meeting

    Lynne Borofsky attended the meeting of Heritage Tourism. Peter Breen is managing the building of visitor centers. The centers would help to increase tourism in the Cheshire County. Mr. Breen was looking for support. The meeting was not well attended. McKim Mitchell was in attendance. The Commission discussed that there is not a great deal of commerce in Chesterfield. Why take a piece of property off the tax roles? Cottage industries would profit from visitor centers. The state would put in 10% of the funding. Merv Stevens was the speaker that evening. The question is, what profit is there to Chesterfield. The Commission will not pursue this issue at this time.

4. Friedsam

• Hike Report - Steve Fisher and Bill Tyler led the hike for the Brattleboro Historical Society. There was a very good turn out, approximately 30 people. Steve advised that they took the folks to the glacier pothole and the 6-ft oak. He stated that it was a very enjoyable time.
  
• Put up signs this weekend - A work session is planned for Saturday morning. Jeff Newcomer and Tom plan being present.
  
• New Trail - a trail is planned to go by the giant oak and the apple orchard.
  
• Report on logging and parking lot cost - a bill was received for the construction of the parking lot for over $2,000. It was assumed that the logger would get his money and the forester be paid and the net amount would come to the Town. Instead the whole amount was received by the Town and then billed by the forester for his cut. The CCC had enough money in the account to pay the forester. Now we have the bill for the parking lot. CCC has made enough out of the logging to pay the bill but there is not enough in the budget for this year. The money for logging went into the general fund. Either the Selectmen will have to have it paid out of Town funds or the money will have to come out of the Conservation Fund. The money will be returned to the fund after the warrant article. Tim advised that these options are not great because the Selectmen don't want to spend money without letting the Town know what is being spent. It could seem like an unapproved expense by the CCC. The Conservation Fund is to cover the purchase of land. Tim suggested that it would be good to send the $5,000 back to the logger and have his disburse the funds and send the net payment back to the Town.

    Tom will be checking to see what can be paid out of the Conservation Fund. He proposes to go to the Selectman to see if they would agree to take the money out of the Fund. If the state law allows it a public hearing would not be necessary. The Committee agreed to this proposal.

5. Report on Town deeded properties for taxes - Tim

    Tim advised of the properties that have been taken over by the Town for nonpayment of taxes. Both the properties abut Town or preserve property. The properties are from James Nickson and Ernest & Kenneth Bruneau. Certified letters were sent to the property owners and they have not heard from either of the parties. The Selectmen have also tried calling the parties. Mr. Nickson did respond to the deeding letter. Tim recommends that the CCC send a letter to the Selectmen expressing interest in the properties. The Nickson property is roughly 40 acres and the Bruneau property is about 5 acres.

     Tom advised that John Daly is buying the Kaiser property of 211 acres on Gulf Rd to keep from development of the area.

   Tim suggested a land swap with Berman or perhaps an easement swap.

6. Work projects during Chair's vacation

    The commission discussed the water problem on the Ann Stoke's trail and should the trail be rerouted. Tom suggested that the Daniel's Mt. Loop be the first event of the fall. The commission discussed the possibility of using logs to line the trail. It would make a natural bed for the trail. Kathy advised that Americorp went in to help in Pisgah but how do you access these people. Kathy was going to call.

7. Status of Ann Stokes's mother's foundation gift to CBNA. Also new gift.
And Status of $10,000 "pledge" to CBNA

    Tom advised that in 1999 the CCC pledged $10,000 to CBNA but did not have a public hearing. The pledge was to show support for the project. The pledge is still sitting out there. Last year Ann Stoke's mother's foundation donated $10,000 to the CBNA through the Trust for Public Lands. The foundation is meeting again and often they give a gift to the same project a couple of years in a row. Ann wanted to know how the TPL used the funds last year. Tom spoke with Ben Menke and he advised that if the donation could go to the Monadnock Conservancy for use in the CBNA. Tom suggested that the CCC could take the $10,000 pledge and put it with the Ann Stoke's foundation money to cover costs of surveying and land appraisal. Tim suggested that it be well defined that the money for Monadnock Conservancy be used in the Chesterfield area. Tom stated that when it came up a couple of years ago it didn't necessarily mean for Chesterfield only but for the CBNA. Tom further stated that the Town donates to County organizations. Jeff stated the money would be used for a general effort to preserve the regional area.

NOTE: After reviewing the minutes Tom Duston advised that a Public Hearing was held on 2/23/00 for the pledged $10,000 to CBNA.

8. Natural Resource Inventory-

Kathy is trying to assess Nora's qualifications. Tim suggested that she submit a resume. Kathy stated that Antioch students would be available as interns in the fall for less money. Tom suggested that the money needed be brought to the commission next meeting so that they could schedule a public hearing.

9. Next meeting to be held August 29 (5th Wednesday in August)

Meeting adjourned at 9:35 PM.
Respectfully submitted,

Carol Ross
Secretary