David McKay, Conservation Commission Member

Laura Bonk, Conservation Commission Member

Phil Trowbridge, Conservation Commission Member

Mark Durgin

The meeting began at 17:05 and adjoined at 19:25

1. Presentation on wetlands permit application for property at Map 106 Lot 33 on River Road by Peter Shauer of Shauer Environmental Consulting

• Mr. Shauer reviewed the project: A single family home is proposed to be built. The land is currently zoned commercial, but there is not enough dry land for a commercial building and parking lot. The driveway will involve a wetland's crossing. The majority of the 5 acre parcel is wetlands, but the house will be built on an uplands area. L. Bonk will review the site on 9/17/03.

1. Updates on summer projects

1. Route 3 bridge design

• No progress made. L. Bonk needs to assure that there is public access and perhaps a launch site to Irish Pond. L. Bonk will follow-through with planning board.

1. Bear Brook State Park timber sales

• D. MacKay reviewed the process for timber sales in the Park. NH state foresters devise a tentative harvesting plan. The Allenstown ConCom can review the draft before the final plan is issued. The harvest plan then goes out to bid and the ConCom will be notified.

1. Educational programs

• D. MacKay will begin to devise a map and compass course in the Allenstown Town Forest for Scouts and other youth groups.

1. Suncook River Cleanup

• 7 volunteers from Allenstown cleaned up the Suncook River from the Rt. 28 dam to the southern end of Twin Oaks Campground on August 16, 2003. 5 tires were removed along with cans, bottles, and plastic containers. On that day 40 volunteers cleaned the river from Barnstead to Allenstown. The cleanup was organized by Friends of the Suncook River. It is scheduled to be an annual event. Next year the area under Rt. 3 and Irish Pond will need to be cleaned up.

1. Bear Brook State Park Boundary Survey

• L. Bonk walked the Allenstown boundary of the Park and followed all illegal ATV trails between May, 2003 and July, 2003. She photographed illegal activities including ATV trails, tree cutting, and trash dumping. She will prepare a draft report for the ConCom and then will distribute the final report to NH Fish and Game, DRED, Allenstown Police Dept., and Allenstown Selectman.

1. Allenstown Town Forest survey

• D. MacKay completed the Allenstown town forest boundary with A. Verville. 3 corner pins were found. D. MacKay still wants to find 4^th pin. Most of the boundaries were blazed. D. MacKay will lightly blaze another boundary. It is hoped that this property can be used for educational purposes--compass skills and tree identification.

1. Allenstown Highway Boundary Signs (Rt. 28, Rt.3, South Main St. & Deerfield Rd.)

• Allenstown Selectman verbally approved the concept of signs marking the entrance to Allenstown. P. Trowbridge will prepare a draft text and draft design of the sign. The draft will be given to Allenstown Selectman, Allenstown Planning Board, Allenstown Revitalization Association, and Allenstown Historical Society.

1. Plan to recruit more ConCom members

• Ideally the ConCom should be 7 members and 3 alternates. In particular, we need someone to focus on wetlands issues. Current ConCom members will try to recruit friends and neighbors. L. Bonk will put meeting announcements in the Banner. ConCom will aim for one public event per quarter (cleanups, educational events, etc.)

1. Mail and Announcements received between June, 2003 and September, 2003

• October 18^th, Allenstown Revitalization Association, Betwitched Forest, Bear Brook State Park.
• October 26^th, New England Mountain Biking Association (NEMBA), Bear Brook State Park Trails Day. L. Bonk will get more information on this event and perhaps ConCom will co-sponsor.
• NH DES Wetlands Bureau: copies of correspondence with NH Fish and Game Dept., Southern NH Snow Slickers, Inc, Mr. and Mrs. Rowe, and NH DRED
• NH DES Wetlands Bureau: Notice of Public Hearing on July 30, 2003 regarding changes in Wetlands Mitigation Rules
• NH DES: Application packet for 2004 Watershed Assistance Grants (The deadline is November 26, 2003).
• PSNH: Community Grant Program (The deadline is October 15, 2003)
• NH DRED: Land and Water Conservation Fund Program for outdoor recreation.
• UNH Cooperative Extension: Forest Laws Workshop for Municipal Officials (L. Bonk will attend on 10/03/03).
• NH Community Forest Advisory: July, 2003 Newsletter
• NH DES Drinking Water Source Protection Program: The Source, Summer, 2003
• NH DES Watershed Management Bureau: Watershed Assistance Survey
• NH Lakes Assoc: Brochure, What's our Water Worth?
• NH Lakes Assoc: Lakeside, June, 2003
• NH Lakes Assoc: Lakeside, August, 2003
• NH Assoc. of Conservation Commissions: Conservation Commission News, Spring, 2003
• NH Assoc. of Conservation Commissions: Invoice--$225 for 2004 dues
• CNHRPC: Information on joining the Regional Resource Conservation Commission (R2C2)
• NH Office of State Planning: Achieving Smart Growth in NH, CD, April, 2003
• NH Lakes Association: 2 sets of videos on exotic milfoil

1. Fall Meetings

• Wednesday, October 8, 2003 at 5:30
• Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 5:30
• Wednesday, December 10, 2003 at 5:30