Meredith Conservation Commission

Minutes of the Meredith Conservation Commission Meeting.....September 21, 2006

 

Meeting:

    Meeting called to order by Chairman John Sherman at 7:00 PM.

 

Members Attending:

    Peter Miller, John Sherman, Ralph Pisapia, Robert LeCount, Pauli Novicki, Barbara Smyth Alternate Members:

    Dan Heyduk, Terry Lance. Guest: Bruce Bond.

    In the absence of regular member Donald MacFarlane Chairman Sherman authorized alternate member Terry

    Lance to vote as a regular member.

 

Minutes:

    By motion of Smyth, seconded by Pisapia and voted affirmatively the minutes of the September 7 meeting were

    approved as presented.

 

Business:

 

    2007 Budget Treasurer Pisapia distributed a draft of the proposed 2007 Budget. This draft budget totaled $29,225

    compared to the 2006 budget of $23,425. Several members questioned the increased amount. Treasurer Pisapia

    pointed out that these figures would be modified as soon as  unencumbered funds from the 2006 budget were

    known. Discussion followed on the five items in the draft budget over $1000.

                1.  Printing:$1500  costs of printing new brochures for town lands,  NRI printing of 2006 report, event

                     invitations, etc.

                2.  Conservation Land Costs $3,000  Lands and easements given to the town  sometimes have costs.

                     Surveys are sometimes needed as are specific land value appraisals and miscellaneous legal fees.

                     Proposed 2007 funds would include hiring professional outdoor recreational specialist to develop

                     trails and other opportunities on the new town on the former Feltham property. ( Here discussion

                     concerned the need for professional help. Could this work be done within the Commission as has been

                     the case in Hamlin and Eames. It was pointed out that many of the potential trails in Feltham may

                     require extensive grading and other earth movement to eliminate and avoid wetlands and professional

                     help may be required.)

                3.  Survey of Town Land $2,000 Surveys of town owned and easement conservation lands such as the

                     southeast boundary of Hamlin.

                4.  Professional Services $15,000  Included consultant costs such as timber cruises, management plan

                     development, environmental impact advice and conservation  management plan for one currently

                     owned Town property (Dockham) ($2,500 ea.) additional field work on the NRI ($10,000) and attorney

                     fees to help clear encroachment on the Feltham property.

                5.  Trail Improvements/Maintenance $5,000 Includes the planning and construction of new trails and

                     bridges, maintenance of existing trails and bridges and the development and printing of maps and

                     signs for new and existing trails. Proposed 2007 funds include $5,000 for the Hamlin Conservation

                     Area.

 

    Treasurer Pisapia was urged to determine 2006 carry over funds showing their reduction of this proposed

    2007 budget. Will be discussed at our next meeting.

 

    2007 Goals The Commission has been requested by the Town Management to supply it with goals that the

    Commission would support throughout the 2007 year. There was a question whether these should be Town

    or Commission goals. By motion of Novicki, seconded by Lance and voted affirmatively the following goals

    will be given to the Town Management: These are Conservation Commission goals:

                Natural Resource Goal: Embrace Town policies and programs that assure the sustainable use of our

                natural environment, water quality, open space and scenic views for the benefit of our residents and

                visitors.

                Water Quality Goal: Surface waters of Meredith should support aquatic life, drinking water supply

                after adequate treatment, fish consumption, wildlife and primary and secondary contact recreation.

                Open Space and Outdoor Recreation Goal: Conserve at least twenty five percent of the land in

                Town for a network of trails, parks, farms and forests where residents and visitors can contact with

                the natural world and fish and wildlife can flourish.

 

    Trail Work There is scheduled a work party September 23 to clear trails in Hamlin and Eames. Meet at the

    Hamlin parking lot at 8:00 AM.

    It was decided that the Commission should introduce more persons to the trail system in Hamlin and Eames.

    Therefore it was decided to hold a public trail walks on October 14, 1 - 3 PM. Commission members will lead

    groups throughout the systems. Newspapers to be contacted to publish notice of the event.

   

    Dan Heyduk has agreed to write a grant for funds from  the NH State Conservation Committee (SCC) and the

    application would be for the Conservation Grant Program. Peter Miller has agreed to held in writing the grant.

    Must be filed immediately to insure acceptance in the competition.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:57 PM.

 

Next meeting scheduled October 5,  2006 at 7:00 PM at the Community Center

 

Respectfully submitted.

 

 

 

Robert A. LeCount, Secretary