Conservation Commission Minutes 9/11/19

Stratham Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
Public Session
September 11, 2019

Conservation Commission Members Present: Bill McCarthy, Bob Keating, Ana Egana; Pat Elwell, Tim Copeland, Dan McAuliffe

Meeting Called to order @ 7:09 PM

Moment of silence:

Observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack of Sept 11, 2001.

CC minutes:

8-Aug-2019 Tim Copeland moved to approve as written; Bob Keating second – motion passed unanimously.

Parks and Recreation:

Seth Hickey provided updates

Cross country running races – three races being held

Mt biking event organized by Portsmouth High School.

Edie informed of events and acknowledged receiving the information.

Cyclocross course being set up in park (not on trails), this is the 4th year of this activity which is supported by Colonial Bicycle Shop; course is open to adults every day, with kids clinics every Thursday starting 12-Sep through to Nov.

Middle of Dec, P&R will send list of events in the Park for 2020; submitted for approval to BOS and Edie Barker.

Baseball Field project finished; irrigation installed which will result in less maintenance.

            Leaf blowing in trail system discussed; Stratham has not had a policy on the past; leaf removal has been done by volunteers; because the Barker easement does not allow for leaf blowing, P&R posted policy of no leaf blowing in the trail system;  questions from residents have been received in response to the Facebook post of the policy; Fred Keith, a Brentwood resident, was present  and there was a letter from Joel Hansford – both supporting the practice of blowing  leaves off of the trails;  Fred and Joel have both been active in blowing the leaves off of the trails; Opinions expressed included 1) without leaf removal people will create new sections to avoid certain areas, 2)  there may be an expectation that trails are being maintained with leaf blowing, 3) safety concerns in leaves are left on the trails, 4) leaf blowing may result in additional erosion, so leaf matter should be left to protect the soil, and 5) if there is only leaf blowing allowed in certain areas, how is the easement restriction on Barker land  to be enforced; decided to table topic to engage with Park Association and allow for more public notice of the discussion; regardless if leaf blowing is to be allowed there needs to be specific guidelines as to when and how often it occurs.

Mailbox:

            SELT letter – monitoring of Zarnowski property, no concerns were noted

Planning Board meeting to discuss Master Plan:

Pat Elwell communicated that there will be an upcoming meeting to discuss the Master Plan; Tavis Austen would like members of the town commissions to participate.

8:05 PM

Dan McAuliffe moved to enter Non-Public Session, Tim Copeland Second – motion passed unanimously.

8:31 PM

Tim Copeland moved to exit Non-Public Session and seal the minutes, Pat Elwell Second – motion passed unanimously.

Public Works Director:

            Would like to invite the new Public Works director to attend CC meeting to discuss pesticide and fertilizer use in town.

Open Space initiative:

Bill McCarthy conveyed a discussion with David Moore about an Open space initiative.  Bill will send a link to the information around.

8:36 PM

Tim Copeland moved to adjourn, Pat Elwell Second– motion passed unanimously; Meeting adjourned

Next regular meeting scheduled for 7 PM on Wednesday, September 25th at the Municipal Center.

Respectfully Submitted:
Ana Egana
Serving as Secretary