Conservation Commission Minutes 3/28/18

Stratham Conservation Commission

Public Meeting Minutes
3/28/18

Present: Tim Copeland, Allison Knab, Bob Keating, Pat Elwell,  Bill McCarthy, Ana Egana, Bill Kenny, Brad Jones, Bob O’Sullivan
Also,Paul Deschaine

Called order 7:02

Allison welcomed new Selectman rep Bob O’Sullivan to the Commission

Meeting Minutes
Public of 3/14 were reviewed.  Change to add Andrea Benson and Caroline Kaneer to the others present list. Tim moved, Bob seconded, to accept both minutes as with amendments. Motion passed.

Public of 2/28 were reviewed.  Name spelling corrections were noted. Bill K moved, Ana seconded, to accept both minutes as with amendments. Motion passed.

Allison will send changes to Karen for final minutes.

Mailbox
NRRA is holding its Annual Conference May 22, 2018. 

The NHDES ARM fun (Aquatic Resource Mitigation Fund) 2018 Grant Round is now accepting pre-proposals for $6 million available in nine watersheds throughout the state. Pre-proposals are due April 30, 2018. The pre-applications will be reviewed the month of May and feedback given to each applicant.  Pat will look up other projects that have been funded and Allison will review the Winnicut River Watershed study to determine if there are any projects that we might apply for that would meet the necessary criteria.

Old Business

Master Plan - The town is in the early stages of beginning the Master Plan Update.  The Board of Selectmen have suggested that each Board/Committee/Commission offer one volunteer toward this Town-wide effort.  Pat volunteered to work with the committee on behalf of the CC, but asked Paul what that would entail in terms of meetings.  Paul explained that the MP committee will be holding “listening sessions” initially to determine the direction for the plan.

Smyk Property - Paul explained that the Smyk property bequest has been reviewed by the Attorney General who has ruled that the town MUST follow the outline designated by the bequest.  It can be sold if the town does not want to keep it.  The Selectmen have been appointed by the town to make the determination but the Smyk Property Study Committee will have a listening session on Tuesday, April 17th at 6:00 PM that will be the last meeting to discuss drafting a report to the Selectmen containing the Committee’s recommendations with respect to the Smyk bequest.  This is an open public meeting in the Hutton Room at the Stratham Municipal Center.  CC members are encouraged to attend this meeting to share their thoughts on the pending decision before the Selectman on whether to accept or decline the bequest.

We know that the property will be off the tax rolls, and there could be up to  $40,000 of associated costs for ground maintenance. Allison has been on the Smyk committee and will bring back any additional information so that the CC can discuss this at our next meeting to prepare a written decision as to whether or not we would encourage acceptance of this property.

Wetlands impact work - Eversource is done with its transmission line work.

Cushman House – the town is actively working with a business who is interested in renting the Cushman House.

New business

NOTE: There will be a listening session on 4/19 regarding the water/sewer district and the proposed development of a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) district to pay for the development in that area.

Pat moved, Bill seconded adjourning meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday April 11, 7:00pm at the Stratham Municipal Center.

Respectfully submitted, Pat Elwell