Conservation Commission Minutes 5/23/18

Conservation Commission Meeting, May 23, 2018

Members Present: Bob Keating, Allison Knab, Bill McCarthy, Bob O’Sullivan

The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. 

Mail

• One rain barrel order arrived.
• RCCD sent information about funding related to invasive species that are often found around town dumps and other town working lands.  They are accepting applications to evaluate invasives on plots of land up to 1 acre and offer an optional herbicide application.  Three to five towns will be selected.  Bill M. plans to ask Colin Laverty, highway agent, about possible properties in Stratham.
• A DES letter was sent regarding the Shoreland Permit Application from Oxbow Farm Road.  DES has requested more information, with six specific concerns. 

Smyk Property Update

Bob O’Sullivan gave an update on the Smyk bequest.  The BOS are all in agreement about accepting the property and prefer to see the house demolished.  Two concerns need to be resolved with the bequest: it would be difficult to have playground equipment only constructed from wood, and having the Trustees of the Trust Fund as the managing body would be too complicated.  When these issues are resolved the town will hold two public hearings on the bequest.

Bartlett-Cushman House

The BOS has decided not to place a conservation easement at present on the subdivided piece of the property.  It is also possible that the buyer for the house and part of the property has fallen through.

Rebecca Mitchell of the Heritage Commission has expressed interest in the letter the CC wrote the BOS regarding the property and has an interest in preserving the complete property.  She suggested a future joint meeting of the two Commissions to discuss common goals.

Other

• Bob reported that a vacant lot under power lines has been taken under a tax lien; Paul should provide an update on this at the next meeting
• Exeter Environmental Associates has done a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment of the Barker Farm. There were no significant concerns although they did see two possible asbestos-containing drainage pipes.  SELT plans to investigate the pipes. 
• The Board of Selectmen are planning to move to two meetings a month, starting in June. 

Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Update

We have sold 13 rain barrels and have 2 remaining; we have sold 8 compost bins and have 12 remaining.

Allison motioned to adjourn at 7:36; Bob seconded the motion.  All voted in favor.

Submitted by Allison Knab, secretary