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Town of Auburn Conservation Commission January 16, 2009
Present: Duffy Smiley, Chairman, Anne Gagnon, Chuck Joy (entered 8:00), Alan Villeneuve and Paul Raiche, Jeff Porter and Jill Morrison
Absent: Stephanie Hanson
Duffy Smiley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Duffy Smiley stated we need to discuss the prime wetlands and how to move forward since the Planning Board meeting where we defended our position and that the Planning Board did not understand that the prime wetlands designation was at the State level. Anne Gagnon asked do we need their approval? Duffy Smiley stated it goes into a Warrant Article and states approved by the Planning Board or not. Anne Gagnon also asked if they would take a vote at the next meeting. Paul Raiche stated legal council will review it next. Also stating that Alan Cote stated he would recluses himself because he is a landowner and it affects him. Jeff Porter added we are all landowners. Paul Raiche said yes, but some of us have prime wetlands on their properties. Duffy Smiley added someone could be adversely affected. Alan Villeneuve said I am in a similar situation and I do not have an issue with his voting.
Anne Gagnon stated we need to get a better explanation of the costs. It depends on the size of the project but will call and get all the specifics. Jeff Porter suggested using an explanation similar to the open space calculation. Anne Gagnon said she believed there is a $200 minimum and then it may go up. Paul Raiche stated regardless of the fees the Planning Board did agree to having this done and it doesn’t make any sense for them not to support it. Gagnon also adding that the Town does not have the resources to do this on our own without the State. We have all the information but I don’t feel the Town can do our own version of Prime Wetlands. The Town has one person to do this and the DES will offer the enforcement so we don’t have to rely just on Carrie. So if people do their permit and do go outside the bounds of the permit conditions then the DES will be doing the enforcement and not the Town. So I think this is a plus but I am not sure they will consider this a plus. Villeneuve added it removes the burden. Jeff Porter but it is also over-site for the state and not the town. Jill Morrison added they were talking about the State not wanting to be governing them. We will need to be prepared to address this stated Smiley. We have had a lot of cases this year - and some had wetlands violations and we all go out to do site-walks, they have to come to us and there is a lot more work on our part. Planning Board comes to us and then DES will do the follow up, and so it relieves the burden on us stated Gagnon. Alan Villeneuve also noted that whatever Water Works owns is not impacted and several of them are already developed in a way that it is not going to come back before us anyway but I think there are a very limited number of them that actually will have any sort of impact. Jeff Porter stated I don’t think there is any real forecasted impact they will not be able to address. Anne Gagnon will talk to DES and get answers to the questions so we have the information before the next meeting.
The article that was formed to be put in about the Prime Wetlands study will be forwarded to the Town Crier for submission on January 15th. Alan Villeneuve requested that Duffy Smiley review the wording of it before submitting. Anne Gagnon stated we will also want to get something out for the next crier. Also suggesting using the Hooksett Banner. Kim DesRuisseaux will forward the name of the Union Leader correspondent to Duffy Smiley to be in touch with also.
(Ed Fahrenbach enters 7:15 p.m.)
Duffy Smiley stated that Bill Herman sent an email out in regards to the Town doing a mailing to all voters in regards to SB2 which will be mailed out on March 1st. Our information will need to be submitted no later than February 16th. This will allow us to get information to the public, straight forward and factual and can not ask the people to vote for anything but just explain what the question is. You can also not request a no vote on a certain article stated Smiley.
Anne Gagnon suggested the Commission use the survey information presented from Mark West. Alan Villeneuve suggested we go over this at the next meeting. Duffy Smiley requested all to be prepared at the February 11th meeting to discuss this. Duffy Smiley will also ask Mark West if we may use his information. Jeff Porter suggested we put something on the Conservation page of the Town website. Duffy Smiley will also ask Mark West if that would be allowed.
Other Business
Duffy Smiley stated that she has received 4 DES request for alternation of terrain letters in regards to the following:
228,636 sq. ft. industrial space on Wellington 694,000 sq. ft. - Espana 260,000 sq. ft. - Jemco 580,000 sq. ft - J&J Properties
Also a reguest for more information in regards to alteration of terrain from Martel (Therrien property).
All reviewed the maps in regards to the location of these properties.
Jemco location it was requested that Anne Gagnon follow up with DES because 8-2 is open space and would like to know what is planned for that area and also the Espana area (Wethersfield). Noting the alteration of terrain is off Steam Mill - and there was a meadow area here that at one time Espana wanted to change into a pond.
Jeff Porter asked if we allow digging does that take the land out of current use? Alan Villeneuve stated logging is under current use. Paul Raiche stated he believed if you put a shovel to it. Duffy Smiley requested Paul Raiche speak to Bill Herman to get clarification.
Anne Gagnon will get information in regards to the above from DES and report back to the Commission.
CTAP
Duffy Smiley stated Phase 1 has been completed and that was the survey Chuck Joy had sent in. There is $160,000 available for preparing and updating open space plans. $10,000 per community per plan. 16 out of the 26 communities can be selected for this funding. There is an application we are in the process to fill out. Volunteers from different town boards have offered to serve on the CTAP. What I thought we would want to do is revise and update our Town Open Space Plan. Thought we would not want to do this until after the Prime Wetlands are complete, so the other option would be after May 2010. CTAP requests towns fund this appropriate from conservation funds, CTAP discretionary funds or we would be unable to provide matching funds.
Whatever is chosen to be put down on this application does not serve as a binding or legal agreement to fund this. It seems like a reasonable use of the funds. We have a plan and we could update with the existing open space plan stated Smiley. Alan Villeneuve stated I am not opposed to it - but maybe $5,000. Jeff Porter stated it is payola.
Alan Villeneuve motion to take $5,000 from conservation funds towards the CTAP matching grant money. Second - Duffy Smiley
Jeff Porter stated spending money to participate in a study that may or may not give us any benefits is throwing money away. Duffy Smiley stated I tend to agree with you - we can always state we can not provide matching funds.
All in favor: Duffy Smiley, Alan Villeneuve Oppose: Jeff Porter Motion carries.
Duffy Smiley asked if Paul Raiche would serve as the Selectmen representative? Paul Raiche stated he would.
Motion to go into closed session at 7:42 p.m. by Alan Villeneuve Second by Jeff Porter All In Favor. Motion passes.
Motion to come out of closed session at 8:20 p.m. by Alan Villeneuve Second by Jeff Porter All in Favor. Motion passes.
Motion to seal the minutes of the closed session by Alan Villeneuve Second by Chuck Joy All in Favor. Motion passes.
Motion to accept the minutes of the December minutes as presented by Alan Villeneuve Second by Jeff Porter. All in favor. Motion passes.
Motion to accept the December Closed Session Minutes by Alan Villeneuve Second by Duffy Smiley. All in favor. Motion passes.
Correspondence
NH Citizen Planner Training Collaborative (reviewed and passed to all) Chuck Joy will look into attending.
Open Space
Jill Morrison has spoken to Jarlene Cornett and they talked about having a study group on open space. We could learn about all the conservation easements areas in the town - where the easements are and review the Natural Resources Inventory. A great way to become educated and learn about the big picture. Thought this would be good to work on since we are not looking for easements but for us to become educated. We also don’t know who is in charge of open space, how to set up the meeting and who should we call and how to proceed. Paul Raiche stated just a suggestion that Duffy can authorize you to meet and to talk about what you just mentioned. Duffy Smiley stated I don’t think we need to have anyone necessarily in charge right now - you can just move along.
Duffy Smiley motion to hold a meeting and hold a study group on open space and about the conservation easements in place and the Natural Resources Inventory.
Other members are: Jarlene Cornett, Ron Johnson, Jim Tillery. Jarlene Cornett knows how to get in touch with all of these people.
Duffy Smiley will also have it posted on the website if anyone is interested in becoming a part of Open Space to contact her.
Jill Morrison also stated that Jarlene Cornett mentioned an overlay map in addition to what we would be doing with the wetlands. This would be a good project to work on since there will be no funds available for easements, could the Open Space Committee take charge in trying to educate townspeople asked Jill Morrison. Duffy Smiley stated she has no problem with this as long as there are no easements to purchase but the main goal is to obtain easements and research. Paul Raiche added my feeling is this should be reviewed b the Conservation Commission. Duffy Smiley stated any citizen can educate people on conservation it does not necessarily have to come from Open Space. Chuck Joy stated if we don’t have any direct easements to pursue right now for lack of funds where the main term would be to look to research grants to find funds for this purpose. Duffy Smiley asked would you like to do that as a Conservation member? Adding that the new Farm Bill has lots of grants. Chuck Joy stated I was planning in the spring to look into this.
Motion to adjourn meeting made by Alan Villeneuve at 8:35 P.M. Seconded by Jeff Porter All in favor.
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