1). Jeff moved to approve the minutes from the August 28 meeting as amended. The motion was seconded by Steve and passed unanimously by the Commission.

2). Kathy reported on permits –

A). NH Association of Conservation Commissions sent a bill for dues in 2003, a list of members which needs to be updated, and a ballot which will be discussed at the next meeting.

B). Tom reported that he and Steve visited the Chesterfield Fire Department Pond on Pinnacle Springs Road and signed off on it.

C). Warren is working with Ron Cheever who has rights to the well on the vacant lot adjacent to his property. The new owners are building a house on the vacant property. Ray Egan claims that the deed to the vacant lot does not have an easement on it. The septic system is approved by the State with a special exception because it is within 65 feet of the "abandoned" well. The Town must give a building permit, because the septic system has been approved by the State. The septic system designer Tom Forest is correcting the plan. Jeff did not think this was a Conservation Issue.

D). Warren advised the Commission that Bart was spoken to about Protected Stream Signs put in the State ROW. The Commission was unaware that Brook Street is a state road. The sign on Stage Road is on Tom’s property and on 9A the sign is on Lynne’s property.

3). Lynne reported on the Anne Stokes Loop – She sent a progress report stating that the Commission has spent $2,643. The muddy sections have been divided into 6 sections and fixed. The new trail will be observed in 1 year and repairs will be made next June if necessary. Trail Restoration will continue this fall with chain saw and small brush clearing. Signs have been ordered and Maps will be completed. Next fall trail work will begin on Bear Mountain, a connecting trail. Tom and Steve purchased a commercial drill for $299 and a measuring wheel. Lynne proposed to have the Commission buy the drill, because it was not part of the Grant budget.

Tom arranged for a man to do 20 hours of community service. The worker was apparently incarcerated and charged a daily meals and board charge while incarcerated. He will remove mountain laurel at the top of the Anne Stokes Loop. He also has cleaned up garbage around the trails. Lynne has 2 workers interested in trail work. One of them recently completed 2 years in Americore. Jeff suggested a puncheon walkway on the muddy trail to Indian Pond. The Commission will look at it first. Steve noted that Indian Pond to Miner’s Ledge also needed work. Tom pointed out that the Commission does not have approval from the Forest Society to do work out there. Tom would like to flag out a trail from South Outlook to Plain Road.

4). Tom presented a map of California Brook. Horatio Colony Preserve starts on Daniels Hill Road and goes down into Swanzey. Monadnock Conservancy has a verbal agreement with Sally Grey. Dick Ober hopes to have a Purchase & Sales Agreement signed within the week. They will raise money and apply for an LCHIP grant. Keene Conservation Commission will contribute $50,000 to it. Tom moved to extract 10,000 from the Conservation fund for the Grey property. The motion was seconded by Jeff and approved by unanimous vote. The Grey property will then be owned by The Horatio Colony Trust. The Commission will hold a Public Hearing once the P&S is signed in October or November.

5). Ancient Oaks Trail – Jeff is working on a new map. The Ancient Oaks Trail is 1.52 miles. Lynne would like to see ski loop emphasized because she finds it confusing on the map and knows of skiers that have gotten lost there. Tom thinks the intensity of the topographic lines should be reduced so the average hiker can follow the trail. There is a pile of dirt that keeps reappearing in the trail near the cemetary. Warren will mention it at the next Cemetary Commission meeting. The date for the new trail opening will be November 2 at 10:00 AM meet at the Lower Twin Brook Parking Lot which is closest to Route 9. Lynne is responsible for notifying the Sentinel and the Reformer and possibly the Shopper. Tom is having 6 new signs made. Tom would like to have a sign making bee on October 5th at 9AM to make additional signs.

6). Property formerly owned by Jay Nickson which has been taken over by the Town for nonpayment of taxes is located near Cook Forest. Tom would like to add the Nickson property and change the name of entire property from Cook Forest to the Jim O’Neil Town Forest. There is a trailer located on the back right border of the Nickson property which should be removed for liability reasons. Warren stated that the Selectmen normally approach neighbors to purchase land owned by the Town. Tom moved to approach the Selectmen about adding the Nickson Property to the proposed Jim O’Neil Sr. Town Forest. The motion was seconded by Steve and passed by unanimous vote from the Commission. Tom has not heard back from Leo Berman interested in Conservation Easement on his property.

7). Friends of Pisgah have a signed Agreement with John Capezza for a trail connecting from Plain Road to Bear Mountain. Permission is still needed from the State before trail clearing can begin.

8). Curt Nowill has purchased all 4 pieces (Map 4A, Lot 15 and 17) of the Abraham Cohen Estate. A concerned group of abutters sent a letter to Planning Board and Conservation Commission to keep the property from being developed by obtaining a Conservation Easement. The fear was that some one would put up cabins on Route 63 and have a ROW to the Beach. This is no longer an issue.

9). Sue Plunske has contacted the Commission every month about a parcel of land being logged on the Connecticut River and Mountain Road. She has asked the logger about Conservation Easmements. The Conservation Commission would donate a small amount of money toward purchase of this land, because it abuts the State Forest.

10). Kathy will search for loggers in the State of New Hampshire with wetlands certifications. Tom would like to license specific loggers to work in Chesterfield.

11). The Commission will hike the Anne Stokes and Daniels Mountain loops on September 29 @10:00 AM. Meet at Madame Sherie parking lot. The next meeting will be October 23^rd.

12). The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted,

Amy LaFontaine