1). Kathy moved to approve the minutes from the October 23, 2002 meeting as amended. The motion was seconded by Steve and passed unanimously by the Commission.

2). Wetlands Report A). Kathy wants to send a thank you note to Russell Hanley, a wetlands scientist, who looked at the Christopher Norton property for free. B). Kathy attended the Friends of Pisgah meeting last night and helped with the LCHIP grant application. C). Kathy contacted Selectmen, Fred Szmit, about the property across from Chesterfield Tire on Brook Street. There are piles of gravel and bark mulch near the Protected Stream. The properties on the corner is owned by David Gale and the next one is owned by Chickering. Tom talked to Gary Spring at DES, who stated that they would need erosion control silt fencing at the least. Chickering is in violation of the Shoreland Protection Act. Tom has received phone calls from 2 residents concerned about this situation. The issue will be turned over to Code Enforcement. Amy recommended that the Commission write a letter to the Selectboard in favor of having a full-time code enforcement officer.

3). Ancient Oaks Trail Opening was very successful. It was attended by 40-45 people. It was reported incorrectly in the Star Spangled Banner as a New Trail Opening in Pisgah Park.

4). Dan is continuing to work on clearing the Mount Laurel on the Anne Stokes Loop.

5). Hazard Mitigation Committee - Bill is the Conservation representative. There have been 2 meetings held. He was only able to attend the 1st one. The purpose is to identify a location that needs repair. A location that the Town continues to spend funds on for temporary repair. This committee will disperse funds to fix problems correctly once and for all. Tom suggested the abandoned Nixon trailer on property at the corner of Merrifield Road and Stage Road recently obtained by the Town. He considers it a Hazard. Bill said the example talked about most at the meeting was culverts that require repair every year. Tom did not want to see major repair work done on Gulf Road. It is designated a scenic road. Tim Butterworth was talking with the Hauerts, who purchased the Berman property, (the trail goes through the 2 back corners of the Hauerts property) about designating sections of Plain Road, Merrifield Road and Old Bradley Road roads to summer homes. The Selectmen are holding a Public Hearing tomorrow night. This would make it more difficult for someone to open them up to through traffic.

6). Tom stated that the Commission is opening trails whose maintenance responsibilities are passed on to the Friends of Pisgah. Some of the maintenance can be passed on to other groups like the Boy Scouts. The State has decreed that the Friends of Pisgah must start making money. One of the suggestions is a toll road for cars driving through the park. Kathy stated that closing off all the possible entrances for cars would be prohibitive. Steve suggested a campground. Someone else suggested a bike race. Conservation interests around the region are trying to put together a management plan for Pisgah Park before the State does. Tom would like to propose that the Conservation Commission establish a trail maintenance fund with a $5,000 grant to the Friends of Pisgah. The purpose of this fund would be to back up volunteer efforts to maintain the Wantastiquet-Monadnock Trail in Chesterfield and Hinsdale west of Route 63. The Commission will hold a public hearing at the next meeting. S. Fisher moved to approve the proposal. The motion was seconded by K. Thatcher and passed unanimously by the Commission.

7). Tom has put up the last sign at Friedsam. He still has more signs, which will be a spring project. There is a new sign posted at the Cemetery Loop to Ancient Oaks. The Commission still is not sure how old the Ancient Oaks on the trail are. The large one is beginning to rot in the middle. Tom has written up a sign which he will laminate and post at the Madame Sherri Forest. Kathy wants it to be mentioned that Friedsam is a no hunting zone. Some of the signs need to be reposted around the periphery at Friedsam. The Commission should purchase a heavy duty staple gun for posting signs.

8). The Ski trail in Friedsam doesn't need work except for a tree down in the trail that parallels the cemetery. It would require a chain saw to remove but can probably be stepped over. Tom and Steve will meet at 9 AM Saturday to do trail work.

9). Tom will speak to the Selectmen about establishing a Capital Reserve Fund for the Town to buy options to hold large amounts of land or a down payment until Town Meeting.

10). The next meeting will be January 22, 2002, the 4th Wednesday of the month. The meeting adjourned at 9 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Amy LaFontaine Secretary