Conservation Commission
Minutes

Present: Tom Duston and Fred Szmit, Co-Chairmen, Steve Fisher, Lynn Borofsky, Jeff Newcomer, and Susan Plunske. K. Thatcher and Selectmen's Representative, Tim Butterworth were absent.

 

· Near Lake Inn - Dock complaint. Illegal dock which is right up against the dam.

· Donald Brehm - Rebuilding a wall. This is approved and completed.

· Jeffrey Perra - Dock - approved and completed.

· John C. Wheeler - Dock - approved

· Sven Eklof- Rip-rap on the bank on the side of the lake Rt. 63. The site has been inspected. F. Szmit has spoken with the DES and explained while the Conservation Commission has no fault with what he did except, that Mr. Ekiof should have gotten a permit to do it. So the DES has sent Mr. Eklof a letter requesting that he file a permit.

· NH DOT - Culvert work along Rte 63 - approved and probably completed.

· Kenneth Sauer - Stairway, landing and floating dock, which was done in 1998. Sent complaint, after the fact. The Commission can go and look at it. Possibly someone from the State
has looked at it.

· Camp Spofford - New application - clean out ditch for flow near the gazebo. There is no problem with what they (Camp Spofford) want to do.

· Ken Siedler - Repair existing stone wall on Spofford Lake. Dig trench, put in stone for drainage. That application is O.K. 

· Bersinski - Boathouse on Rte 63, next to Eklof possibly rebuilding a wall. This applicationis new and Fred hasn't really had a chance to look at it. F. Szmit and T. Duston will go look at it
on Friday, October 29th.

After reviewing these items, F. Szmit advised that he felt the new forms work, it just needs a place on it where complaints will stand out differently or separately. Miscellaneous Item: F. Szmit advised Commissioners of the violation of a Mr. Early building a deck on the lake that must be 10' x 8' at Bud & Dolly's property. Fred thought that this was done approximately two weeks ago (October 9th or 16th). The property belongs to the State. Fred has some pictures and is ready to file a complaint with the State Wetlands Board. This deck clearly needs to be removed. T. Duston will call Tim Butterworth and speak with him regarding this situation. Another issue discussed was the problem on Gulf Road where a resident has removed vegetation from the bank and put fill in the brook. The Commissioners need to discuss this problem with the Selectmen and see what can be done about. T. Duston will tryto get the property owner's name and see if a complaint has been filed.

5. Connecticut River Land - Riling (Sue)

Sue Plunske explained that a parcel of land on Mountain Road owned by David Riling which consists of 175 acres is for sale ($145,000 -$147,000). It has 200' of frontage. As it stands right now, a single family home could be built on the land. The real danger is a four (4) acre parcel right next to it, owned by a Smith, if bought could give the frontage needed to do other things such as a housing development. The four acre parcel is not for sale but who is to say that for the right price, the owner's would possibly sell it. This land borders the Wantastiquet Forest.

Ben Menke from the Conservancy had a biologist come up and look at the land. The land looks good but the purchase of this 175 acres is low on the priority list. Sue got in touch with someone from Sylvio Conte's office and they called on it, and they are getting a report from the Monadnock Conservancy, and are interested in it.

Sue will contact Sylvio Conte's office this week to find out what the status is on the purchase of this property and if there is any information, i.e. a letter from the Conservation Commission, that their office may need.

Also discussed Bergeron case. Wetlands had sent him letter regarding the work he had done on his property and recommendations of actions he should take to correct the problem on the property. T. Duston will contact Tim Butterworth regarding the issues on Highlands and Gulf Roads.

6. Report on October 6 meeting of California Brook Working Group

T. Duston and K. Thatcher attended this meeting. T. Duston explained the areas of land involved in trying to make a connection to Horatio Park in Keene to Pisgah State Park. The only access land for sale in the area of Old Swanzey Road is three (3) parcels is across from Beale Road. This land is owned by a family from New Jersey.

T. Duston explained that the California Brook Group has started an acquisition fund. Ben Menke from the Monadnock Conservancy is hoping to interest the Land Trust people in this type of project. T. Duston also explained that what he would like to do is go before the Town at a public hearing and request $10,000 from the Conservation Fund to put towards this project and requested the approval of the Commissioners to do this. Tom felt that if a local entity showed a willingness to donate money towards this purchase that other funds may be obtained from groups such as the Monadnock Conservancy and Friends of Pisgah Park. The Swanzy and Keene Conservation Commissions may donate a modest amount. Other towns may possibly contribute (sometimes this happens in an area of interest surrounded by various communities).

The Conservation Commission members approved of T. Duston doing this. Next meeting of the California Brook Working Group is December 1, 1999.

7. Daly, Nickson Report

T. Duston advised that he has given the preliminary survey report to David Mann and he needs to do the legal part of the survey. After the survey part is done, the Daly part, which is the easement, should go through. The Nickson part' Tom has to check and get updated, is waiting for a lien to be cleared. Tom advised that something will have to be paid to David Mann, but this survey will be good for years.

8. Signs for Stream Protection and Sargent Trail - hiking sign

T. Duston has received an estimate for the "Protected Stream" signs. The Commissioners agreed that "Per Chesterfield's Zoning Regulation 209.2" ought to be added to the "Protected Stream" sign. The signs are 12" x 18", .032" medium gauge aluminum. The cost wold be 10 @ $12.55 each, with a $55.00 set up charge would be $150 - $ 175.00. Twenty signs would be approximately $300.00.

Signs for the Sargent Trail would be the small orange signs. 50 signs at $1.58/sign (aluminum), and $1.45/sign (Plastic) plus $45.00 set up charge; approximately $150.00 total cost.

Jeff Newcomer made a motion to purchase 50 of each, the "Protected Stream" sign and the "Sargent Trail" sign. Steve Fisher seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote.

9. Shoreline Protection Brochures?
F. Szmit will bring them in and put them in the Town Office Building in order that the public may pick one up and read about the hazards that can become the shoreland.