City of Rochester, NH - Conservation Commission Minutes 8/2/06

Minutes - Minutes of July 19, 2006 regular and non-public meeting were reviewed. Mark Toussaint made a motion to accept both the regular and non-public minutes. Paul Marshall seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The Chair informed the Alternate member, Jack Hackett that he would be a voting member for this meeting.

Scott Lawler, Norway Plains Associates, addressed the Commission. He stated he had been before the Commission two weeks earlier, but they had just been given the information about this project at that time. He was back again, to request an official recommendation.

Mr. Lawler showed the Commission plans of the area, and they discussed the access, grading and drainage issues. Paul Marshall advised Mr. Lawler that he, Jeff Winders, and Jack Hackett had gone on a site walk, but were unable to find all the flags, he suggested the members have a plan showing flag numbers and go for another site walk before making any recommendations.

Mr. Lawler explained how computer drafting software is used to do all the measurements for the engineers. He answered questions about the upland area in the back of the lot, the grading, a possible dump site, and the letter from CLD that had just been received in the Planning Department that day. (In particular, page 2 Item 3 (c).

Ms. Cormier advised the Commission that CLD gives the City a report, then the City and the project engineer go back and forth, and work out all the items in question to satisfy all parties. So those items will be addressed.

Paul Marshall stated he would like to go back to the site. Mr. Lawler will supply a large plan showing the flag numbers to the Planning Department. Ms. Cormier will send the plan to Paul, and he will work with other members to set up a date for a site walk, He will also call Mr. Lawler, so he can attend the walk if possible.

A motion was made by Paul Marshall to postpone making any recommendation until another site walk is done. Mark Toussaint seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Lawler asked the Commission members to please advise him after the site walk of any issues he can address before he comes back to the Conservation Commission next month. The case is going before the Planning Board next Monday evening, but he thinks it will be continued to September.

Rose Marie Rogers, Chairperson, stated she had signed off on this. Most of what was being done was in the Right of Way. The work they are doing should improve the area, and they are putting in a side walk.

There was a brief discussion about the Axe Handle Brook, and work being done on Rte 202 (Flatley Company). It was thought some of the work was to prepare for the new water pump station.

Rose Marie Rogers had received correspondence on these locations, and reviewed the letters with the Commission members.

Jack Hackett explained that he had met with Dave Price, DES, about the property at 33 Dry Hill Road, but because the violation was in the buffer, and not actually in the wetlands, DES could not do anything about it. Jack said the man is now burying tires, and he has taken some pictures to forward to Dave Price.

The members discussed the proposed school on Old Wakefield Road, Case # 207-7-A-06, and the fact that the engineers tend to send substitutes to fill in for the engineer who is working on the project, which makes it hard on everyone concerned. The fill in person may or may not have all the information the Commission requires, and often times recommendations are postponed. It would be more efficient if the engineer for that particular project was the one to bring the project before the Conservation Commission.

Meredeth Lineweber said she had recently read an article about pressure treated lumber, and about a new non toxic pressure treated wood. She will locate the article and send it to the Planning Department. They will make copies for all the Commission members.

Paul Marshall remarked it was strange that DES didn’t feel there was any violation at 374 Cross Road, where he and Jack Hackett had seen the damage done by a bulldozer through three separate wetlands. Ms. Cormier advised the members to always take pictures!

Duquette Street - Ms. Cormier has the name and address for the violation form. Rose Marie Rogers will check with Jeff when he returns from vacation to see if he has the form filled out for her to sign.

Paul Marshall stated he had spoken with Mr. Morino. They are meeting on August 8^th to go over all the paperwork he has, and then they will set up a time to go to all the areas. Meredeth Lineweber asked to be notified once it’s all set up, as she would like to go. There was discussion about the number of City forest, the fact that some could be used for mitigation, others are easements, and some could be tree farms.

Rose Marie Rogers had received information about someone doing timber harvesting in Rochester. (Dry Hill Road). She gave the information to Paul Marshall. She asked the secretary to forward all the “notice to cut” forms to

Ms. Cormier handed out three versions of the resolution. One done by Fred, one by Rose Marie, and one by herself. The members reviewed and discussed all three.

Meredeth Lineweber stated she didn’t think anything needed to be added, but wanted to review it after the meeting, she will send any corrections to Ms. Cormier.

Mark Toussaint thanked Fred for his hard work, he said he had good intentions of reviewing it, but just hadn’t had the time.

There was discussion about the title, or how to convert this to a memo or letter for the City Council, Planning Department and Zoning Board of Adjustment.

There was much discussion about recent projects (Miller on Gagne Street) and Brenda Lane (off Portland Street). Rose Marie asked if the secretary had started making files of all the violations (she has not). The Commission would like all the violations to be tracked. Ms. Cormier will check the status of the Ledgeview violation.

Ms. Cormier advised the Commission that someone had called from the Strafford County Conservatory and wanted more information on the Pray property. Apparently they needed more information before talking to Anna Boudreau.

The Commission discussed the violation behind Lilac Mall. At one time, Jeff Winders was going to speak with the complex manager, it is not known if this was done or not. Someone suggested mailing a letter to the manager to clean it up or they would be reported to DES.

After some discussion, the Commission decided to leave the COD the way it is, with the proposed amendments that were agreed upon in January 2006

Paul Marshall alerted the Commission that they will be receiving a dredge and fill application for a property on Milton Road. To fill a big water hole that has no fish, and minimum vegetation. It has become a danger for local children. He had directed the person to contact Ms. Cormier for an application. Ms. Cormier advised Paul that dredge and fill application are available in the City Clerks Office.

Ms. Cormier informed the Commission that she had spoken to Public Works about planting a tree/trees in memory of George Bailey. They want to know if the Commission has a specific place in mind.

The number of trees and size was discussed. The Commission thinks maybe 2 or 3 trees, that will grow to 60 to 100 feet high, with a canopy width of 60 or so feet. Several members thought the lawn in front of Spaulding High School might be a good place to plant a couple of American Chestnut trees.

At 8:41 p.m. Mark Toussaint moved to go into non-public session. Paul Marshall seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

At 9:20 p.m. Mark Toussaint moved to come out of non-public session and seal the minutes. Paul Marshall seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

The Commission discussed the need to have a special meeting, just to discuss all the land/farms that they have had been involved with in any way. To be sure that all the material and information relating to these parcels is being filed in the Planning Department. No date was set for this meeting, but it will hopefully be some time in September or October of this year.