Conservation Commission Minutes 3/26/08

Steven Riker, potential new member, was also present. Steven had attended the meeting last month, and hopes to be appointed and sworn in by the April meeting.

Minutes: Minutes of the February 27, 2008 regular meeting were reviewed. Paul Marshall moved to accept the minutes as written. Meredeth Lineweber seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.

Mark Toussaint advised the Commission he was still trying to persuade Fred Glidden to remain on the Conservation Commission. His resignation has not been formally accepted by the Appointment Committee.

Rochester Truck, Rte 125, Calef Highway, Map 262, Lot 28, B2 & I 3 Zone

Richard Lundborn, Norway Plains Associates, addressed the Commission. He gave a brief description of the property and explained the conditional use is for “removing” a culvert.

Mr. Lundborn and the Commission members discussed the detention ponds, sheet flow drainage, snow removal, fire department access, and other issues.

Jeff Winders made a motion to recommend approval of the condition use application. Paul Marshall seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by a show of hands vote.

The Commission members wanted the Planning Board to also be aware of the need for maintenance of the detention ponds, and that all invasive species, if present, should be removed. Ms. Cormier will add that note to the information she forwards to the Planning Board.

Albany International Techniweave, parking lot expansion, Map 243, Lot 21, 23, 112 Airport Drive

Donald Rhodes, Norway Plains Associates, addressed the Commission. He had a plan dated 1999, when the 1^st phase of the expansion was done. He stated the 2^nd phase was done a year or so ago.

Mr. Rhodes stated business is booming, and Albany International Techniweave is really in need of this additional parking area. He stated the Company has applied for a variance because the inner 25 ft buffer area will be disturbed, and will be before the Zoning Board of Adjustment in April.

Mr. Rhodes and the Commission members discussed the number of parking spaces, the distance between the parking lot and the wetlands, the direction of drainage flow, the critter-crossing culvert, the grading, and other issues.

There was much discussion about the wetland boundary, silt and construction fencing, catch basins, and other issues.

Jeff Winders made a motion to recommend approval of the condition use application with the following conditions:

Any invasive species that appear in the new detention pond be removed

Any invasive species, if present, in the old detention pond be removed

Paul Marshall seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by a show of hands vote.

Ms. Cormier asked the Commission members if they had any recommendations for the Zoning Board of Adjustment regarding this project.

If a variance is granted, the Conservation Commission would like the following items added as stipulations:

A silt fence be installed and the orange construction fence be placed

on the same stakes as the silt fence, or placed on the work side of the silt fence.

Work on the detention pond to start at the north-east corner with work going toward the south-west, away from the wetland.

Ms. Cormier advised the Commission she had spoken with the Lilac Mall Manager about the area behind the mall. The manager informed Ms. Cormier that they try to keep the fence mended. Every spring they pick up all the pallets and the “kids” just put them back.

The Commission members discussed the problem, security, the fence, bear traps, and other issues. Ms. Cormier asked about inviting the Mall Manager to attend a Conservation Commission meeting to discuss the problem and possible solutions.

a) NPA Letter File #2007-02785 Map 119 Lot 104 Chamberlain Street

b) NHDES Permit 2007-01622 Off Dry Hill Road, Barrington

d) ECS Letter Project #40447.05-Map 115 Lot 41, 299 No Main Street

f) NHDES Letter File #2007-00422 (Denial) Map 120 Lot 20 Salmon Falls Rd.

g) Marc Jacobs Letter File #2004-02304 Map 206, Lot 8-8, Channings Lane

i) NHDES Letter File #2007-210, Map 251 Lot 189, 2 Hynes Court

j) NHDES Letter File #080317-03 Map 208 Lot 18-2 Raven Realty

In reference to j) above, Paul Marshall stated he had watched the Planning Board meeting of March 10^th and was upset with some of the comments that were made in reference to the Conservation Commission recommendations.

He stated the engineer acted like he had no idea what the Commission wanted.

Natural Resource Chapter of the Master Plan (Meeting of 3/20/08

Ms. Cormier brought in prime wetland maps that George Bailey had worked on in 1995. She asked the Commission if they wanted to go with this information, as a start for the Natural Resource Chapter. The Commission and Ms. Cormier discussed the plans, notes, and functions of value used by Mr. Bailey.

Steven Riker advised the members that the State regulations have changed at least twice since 1995. He will look over the notes made by Mr. Bailey to determine the value of using this information as a base for the prime wetlands portion of the Natural Resource Chapter.

Jeff Winders attended the meeting on March 20^th, and stated he thought it was a very good meeting. Ms. Cormier remarked that both she and Jeff Winders were able to give new viewpoints on items discussed.

Ms. Cormier asked the Commission members to do a “wish list” of what they would like to have in this chapter of the Master Plan.

Mark Toussaint thanked Jeff Winders and Ms. Cormier for attending the meeting. He plans to attend the April meeting.

Grant: NHDES 2008 Water Quality Planning Activities in Support of Rivers and Lakes Management and Protection Programs Pre-Proposal Information and Application (Deadline 4/18/08)

This information had been sent out prior to the meeting in February, and again in the March packets. Mark Toussaint asked if anyone had any thoughts for this grant. He stated if no one had any ideas now, the application would not be done.

Jeff Winders took a copy of the information, and stated he would contact the Chair if he felt the prime wetlands could be put on this grant application.

Meredeth Lineweber stated she teaches a group of middle school students who are very interested in conservation issues. She will get the name of the group or co-op.

Mark Toussaint advised the Commission the City may not approve the release of money for education at this time, with the City spending freeze in effect.

The secretary will check with the Finance Office to see where they are drawing the line on spending for education.

The secretary does not have any information about the Willow Brook Park at this time. This item will continue to be on the monthly agenda.

It was mentioned that Paul Marshall needs to contact Charlie Marino, to invite me to a meeting to discuss town forests.

Both Paul Marshall and Jack Hackett are registered to attend this conference on April 28, 2008.

Conservation Commission members looked over their copy of the minutes from the Retreat held in January 2007.

Ms. Cormier and the members discussed the Top Goals listed on page 2. The consensus of the Commission was that some of the goals have been, or are being accomplished.

After some discussion, the Commission decided not to have another retreat at this time, however, they would like to have some sort of informal meeting with the Planning Board.

Ms. Cormier asked if the members would object to information from the Conservation Commission meeting being put in the Department monthly report. The Commission had no problem with this.

Mark Toussaint asked Meredeth Lineweber if she would contact John Nolan to advertise the positions open on the Conservation Commission.

Map 224, Lot 321, 324 & 328, Salmon Falls Road, Steve Miller for

Ms. Cormier brought in the plan for this project. She and the Conservation Commission members reviewed the plans and discussed the location of the retention ponds. They discussed the open space, the paths through the open space, walkways along the wetlands and other issues.

Jeff Winders gave a brief overview of this property and the status of the grant. The City of Rochester has a grant to equal 25% of the total apprised value of the property.

The owners have applied for a variance to allow 2 lots on this property, which will increase the overall value. They are going to the Zoning Board of Adjustment on April 9^th for this variance.

There was much discussion with Jeff Winders, Ms. Cormier and the Commission members about the grant, the appraisal, the property, the value of the easement, and other issues.

Paul Marshall made a motion to pay for the usual and customary cost of an appraisal not to exceed $4,000.00, to get the project started. Jeff Winders seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by a show of hands vote.

Ms. Cormier will write a letter for the Drinking Water Supply Grant, from the Commission stating the support of the Commission for this project.

Each Commission member received a packet of information from the 2007 Municipal Law Lecture Series to review.

Paul Marshall stated he has gotten some emails from the Planning Department that have come through as DAT files. He can open PDF files. Ms. Cormier often forwards electronic information. She asked members to alert her as soon as they receive something they are unable to open, so she can research what has happened.

Non-Public Discussion pursuant to Pursuant to RSA 91-a:3 II (d):

Paul Marshall moved to adjourn at 9:00p.m. Meredeth Lineweber seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.