Minutes of the Allenstown Conservation Commission

Date: May 21, 2003

Time: 7 pm

Location: 238 Deerfield Road, Lot #1, Allenstown NH

Attendees

David McKay, Conservation Commission Member

Laura Bonk, Conservation Commission Member

Phil Trowbridge, Conservation Commission Member

Mark Durgin

Minutes

The meeting began at 7:10 pm

Agenda item #1. Introduce new members

Each of the attendees introduced himself and discussed his interests and background.

Agenda item #2. Establish meeting schedule

Regular meetings of the commission will be on the second Wednesday of each month from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. The next three meetings will be on June 11th, July 9th, and August 13th. Meetings will be held at 238 Deerfield Road, Lot #1 in Allenstown unless a larger venue is needed.

Agenda item #3. Elect officers

The group postponed this agenda item until the June 11th meeting when the other commission member, Gabby Daneault, would be in attendance.

Agenda item #4. Develop workplan for 2003

Copies of the Natural Resources chapter from the Allenstown Master Plan were distributed to the group. Everyone agreed to read the recommended action items and to be prepared to set priorities for which action items to implement at the next meeting.

Tom Christie had contacted the commission with an offer to donate a portion of his land abutting the Merrimack River. The rest of the property would be developed for a campground. The parcel is listed as agricultural land Map 7 of the Master Plan. The commission is opposed to development of this property because it conflicts with the following objective from Chapter 6 of the Master Plan: "Pursue agricultural conservation easements on those remaining properties suitable for agriculture in Town." However, the commission would not refuse a donation of property if the project was approvable in every other way by all other Town boards. Phil will get more information from the other boards and from Mr. Christie in time for the next meeting.

Phil received a copy of the request for proposals (RFP) used by Chichester to complete a Natural Resource Inventory of their town. Phil will get more examples of NRIs for surrounding towns so the commission can decide on what is needed for Allenstown.

Phil provided an update on DRED’s proposal to allow ATVs in Bear Brook State Park.

 

Agenda item #5. Review of mail received

The commission received several notices of upcoming workshops and training opportunities. Three mail items require action by the commission. They are:

Date

Item

Action Needed

Lead

3/20/03

Letter to Stephen Hynes, 1-A Parkwood Dr, Allenstown from DES Wetlands Bureau

Follow-up with Wetlands Bureau.

Phil

3/19/03

Letter from DES Drinking Water Source Protection Program regarding Assessment Reports of community and transient water supplies in Allenstown

Follow-up with DES.

Phil

5/2/03

Letter from EPA regarding beach advisories at BBSP

Provide information on known sources of bacteria around Catamount Pond to DES.

Phil

Agenda item #6. Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.