1). Jeff moved to approve the minutes from June 26, 2002 as amended. The motion was seconded by Steve. The Commission unanimously approved the motion.

2). Kathy discussed correspondence received from the State. 

• Joerger - Stairs on Connecticut River. DES approved the application with conditions. The approval does not address the concerns pointed out by the Commission. Kathy will call DES. 
• Mary Campbell and Sue Tullgren - Route 63 across from the entrances to Old County Road. There is a new parking area with big cement blocks. Water diverted onto the neighbors washing out walkways and runoff into the lake. It may result in a civil suit. The Commission will look at the maps to determine affected property owners. 
•  David Gale - Bart Bevis and Margaret Winn called Tom because at the corner of Route 9 and Brook Street there is equipment parked within the protected stream area of the Catsbane Brook. Tom was told that the state had approved the septic system. Tom thought that location was in a flood plain.

3). Budget - Tom doesn't think that we have paid 2002 dues to the NH Association of Commissions. Tom asked about consultants fees. He would like to propose increasing the contracted services budget by $500 for consulting professionals about issues in the shoreland protected area, timber cutting, and water resource studies. Jeff suggested that we have a purpose for the water resource study, because it could cost as much as twenty to thirty thousand dollars. The Commission had done a water resource study previously. There is not a lot of water in W. Chesterfield. Tom thought that the limitation of water ought to be discussed in the towns Zoning Regulations. Tom stated that he could give the secretary more hours and more work. The Commissions prepaid envelopes only have .33 cents postage so postage fees will go up. Lynne encouraged the commission to turn in reimbursements, because if the money is still around at budget time it will get cut.

4). Anne Stokes Loop - Last weekend Steve weed whacked a significant portion of the lower part on the Anne Stokes Trail. Lynne's hired help has completed the work that they were hired for. They kept a diary of the work completed every day. The trail is very dry now. Lynne still has money to hire unskilled labor for clearing the trail if anyone knows of anyone interested in this kind of work. She also thinks the trail is confusing by Indian Pond. She has observed hikers getting lost at this intersection. Lynne showed grant money spent up to this point. She needs to pass in a progress report next week. She is requesting an update of the hours spent by commission members on this project since June 20th. Lynne also proposed working on the Daniels Mountain Trail because it is a connecting trail. She will put an add in the paper and contact student Conservation Associations and Americorps in case they are interested in working next summer.

5). Hazard Mitigation Plan - A new committee that will meet 6x on Monday afternoons. Tom will ask Bill Tyler.

6). Land Protection Report.

• LCHIP grant money has been received. Town of Chesterfield has received their $11,500. 
• Leo Berman asked about a 30 to 40 acre conservation easement on his property. Tom made an offer and has received no response. 
• Annette Davidson (Map 10, Lot C8) controls access to the Meyer Trust (Map 10, Lot B1) property. Tom is proposing for the Commission to buy Lot B1 jointly with Annette Davidson in exchange for a Conservation Easement on Lots B2 with a guarantee of pedestrian access on that road. The lot is approximately 10 acres and is appraised for $5,000. This trail could connect to the California Brook Project. Jeff moved to allow Tom Duston to pursue negotiations for a Conservation Easement on Map 10, Lots B1 and B2. The motion was seconded by S. Fisher and passed by unanimous vote from the Commission. 
• Abraham Cohen Estate (Map 4A, Lot 17 and 15)- The property owner is 98 years old. Her neighbors are concerned about the development of this property. Katie Heermann called Tom. Tom suggested that they contact Don Brehm and the Spofford Lake Association. Then the Spofford Lake Association can come to Conservation Commission with a proposal at a later date. 
• Sally Grey - A large parcel of land in the California Brook Project that the Monadnock Conservancy is applying for an LCHIP grant application for $285,000. 
• Nixon - Property taken by the Town for taxes. Tom will write a letter to Selectmen proposing a Town Meeting article.

7). Fall Projects 

• Ancient Oaks Trail - A New Proposed Trail in the Friedsam Forest that goes from Lower Parking Lot and Back to the Cemetary. It needs trash removal, clearing, marking and signs. Tom presented new signs for each Parking Lot marking trail directions through Friedsam Forest. The Commission or Forest Society can make them. The Commission tentatively scheduled the trail opening for October 26th as long as that is not the same date as the Westmoreland Soccer tournament (note: Opening scheduled for November 2nd at the 9/25/02 meeting). The date will be discussed at the next meeting. The Commission will meet at 9AM September 2 to flag the trail beginning at the Friedsam Lower Lot. 
• Tom, Jeff and Steve will meet at 10:30AM on August 31 to walk Czarnecki property. The Czarnecki property is the last property on the right on Route 63. 
• All approvals for trails down plain Road and out to Bear Mountain have been received. This should be worked on after the new Friedsam Trail.
• Tom would like to use the new chain saw for removing trees that have fallen on trails. 
• Jeff suggested that the trail be moved by the cemetary in Friedsam Forest because someone keeps dumping dirt on the trail at Friedsam Forest. Kathy will call Pat Struthers to find out if it is the Cemetary Department.

8). Open Space - Tom would like to propose a Capital Reserve Fund of $20,000 at the next Town Meeting to have in case property becomes available to the Conservation Commission. The Fund will buy an option to hold the property until the next Town Meeting. It will help the Commission find property that is available and lets sellers know the Commission is interested. Kathy will contact Carol Larsen-Sorterup on the Historical Society about preserving land in the center of town.

9). Adjournment - The meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM. The next meeting will be on September 25, 2002.

Respectfully Submitted,
Amy LaFontaine
Secretary