Allenstown Conservation Commission
Date: Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Allenstown Town Hall
MINUTES
Commissioners Present: Phil Trowbridge, Laura Bonk, Al Heavey
Guests Present: Jenna Gray, Armand Verville
P. Trowbridge opened the meeting at 7:05 pm. The group agreed to take the agenda items out of order and to discuss the "Welcome to Allenstown" signs first so that Armand Verville would not have to wait to discuss this topic.
Armand Verville provided cost estimates for aluminum signs built by Correctional Industries. A 24" x 24" aluminum sign would cost $36. A 24" x 30" aluminum sign would cost $47. Pembroke has signs like this just over the Rte 3 bridge. Mr. Verville is willing to make wooden signs similar to the one in front of the library but he would not be able to make them until March 2005. Mr. Verville does not want to be paid for his labor costs on the signs but would expect the ConCom to purchase the materials. After reviewing the examples of the aluminum and wooden signs, the ConCom decided to pursue the wooden signs. The goal is to have three signs: one at either end of Rte 3 and one on Rte 28 near Buck Street. The Commissioners will do more research on Town ordinances and NHDOT regulations pertaining to the signs, and will develop final language for the signs in collaboration with other town bodies. When the design is finalized, Mr. Verville will prepare a supplies list and the ConCom will purchase the supplies. The purchase must be made before 12/31/04. Mr. Verville will create the signs in February and March 2005. The ConCom will be responsible for installing the signs in the summer of 2005.
The minutes were approved unanimously.
P. Trowbridge reminded the group that the ConCom had $500 for training in the budget and encouraged the Commissioners to attend workshops and conferences. There is also $100 in the budget for supplies. The budget expires on 12/31/04. The ConCom must submit its budget request for 2005 by 8/30/04. L. Bonk noted that we may need funds for transaction fees associated with conservation easements on town-owned parcels.
L. Bonk reported that we are expecting 8 people for the cleanup. A. Heavey will meet two volunteers from the Merrimack County Adult Diversion Program at 8:30 am and will get them started by the Ferry Street boat launch. The ConCom will meet at 9:30 am at the Town Hall to prepare for the day. Depending on how many people attend, we will split into groups and clean up around the Albin Ave boat launch, the Twin Oaks Campground, the Osgood property on Iris(h) Pond, Ferry St boat launch, and behind the Town Hall. The groups will come back to the Town Hall at 12:00 for a potluck picnic. All the trash will be taken to the dump.
The ConCom will have a booth at Old Home Day. Set up will begin at 9 am. P. Trowbridge and J. Gray will meet at 9 am to set up and will staff the booth from 9 am to 11 am. L. Bonk will cover the table from 11 am to 1 pm. A. Heavey will cover the table from 1 pm to 3 pm.
P. Trowbridge presented a Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) map for Allenstown that was prepared by NH Fish and Game for the Friends of the Suncook River. The group reviewed the map for accuracy. There were three roads on the map that were not actually used and should not be shown on the map: Kettle Rock Road, Podunk Road, and Spruce Pond Road.
The group then reviewed the NRI maps and the tax maps with the goal of identifying parcels near Deerfield Road with good habitat that link Bear Brook State Park to open space in Epsom. The group identified two corridors between the park and Epsom consisting of 25 to 30 parcels. The group decided that these parcels should be considered Priority III in the Open Space Plan because of the rapid development in this part of town. A. Heavey recommended adding the agricultural lands west of Main Street to the Open Space Plan. The plan will undergo an internal and external review process over the next few months and will be finalized in October.
P. Trowbridge reported that he had sent the ConCom’s recommendations regarding some of the town owned parcels to the Board of Selectmen. There are 13 parcels for which the ConCom still needs to develop recommendations for the Selectmen.
L. Bonk visited the parcel at Map 102 Lot (0.22 ac). It is a non-buildable lot that has waterfront access to the oxbow, but not the river. L. Bonk also visited Map 410 Lots 23 and 25 with Phil Auger (UNH Cooperative Extension). Lot 23 have not been logged for 40 years and has potential for generating forestry revenue for the town. Lot 25 has poor soils. Phil Auger estimated that these parcels would generate approximately $1000/acre if they are sold. He recommends keeping all of the town owned parcels.
6/15/04 Wetlands permit request from Southern NH Snow Slickers for trail work on Hall Mt – No action needed.
6/21/04 NHDES Wetlands and Non-Site Specific Permit 2004-00637 re: Catamount Beach– No action needed.
6/28/04 Notice of UNH Cooperative Extension course "Granite State Woodlot and Wildlife Management Course", 9/20/04-9/24/04 – No action needed
6/30/04 Request for information from the Allenstown Building Inspector for assistance with a National Flood Insurance Program form – L. Bonk will complete and return.
6/30/04 NHDES Wetlands Permit 2004-01374 for trail work on Hall Mountain – No action needed.
7/13/04 Fax from David Hilts re: wetlands on Kimberly Lane parcel – L. Bonk will reply.
NH Community Forestry Advisory Council – July 2004 – P. Trowbridge will send to D. McKay.
The next ConCom meeting will be on Wednesday, August 11, 2004, 7:00 p.m., at the Allenstown Town Hall
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.