Conservation Commission Minutes 9/25/19

Stratham Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
Public Session
September 25, 2019

Conservation Commission Members Present: Bill McCarthy, Bob Keating, Ana Egana; Pat Elwell; Allison Knab; Bill Kenny

Meeting Called to order @ 7:04 PM

Co-meeting with Park Association:

Park Association members were in attendance. Next co-meeting will occur 11-Dec.

Leaf Blowing Policy:
Updated Park Association summarizing point discussed in previous CC meeting; Pat Kelly from PA sent email indicating his view that blowing the leaves will cause more erosion, he is in favor of leaving the leaves in place; Dan Crow agreed with Pat Kelly.

Jeremy Forest, a Stratham resident, indicated that NEMBA guidelines recommend less use of trails during muddy season and leaving the leaves in place.

Discussion of trail maintenance, Seth Hickey indicated that some trails have significant erosion problems needing attention.

Pat Elwell moved that the CC will recommend a ban on leaf blowing in the trail system and the Chair will write a letter to the BOS; Bob Keating Second; vote was 4-Yes; 1-No, and 1-Abstention; motion passed

Open Space initiative:
Bill McCarthy proposed that different town organizations such as the CC, Park Association, Parks and Recreations Dept., PCAC, etc., should work together on assessing feasibility of putting an Open Space plan in place in Stratham.

Discussed possibility of contracting out, so the cost of doing so will need to be assessed.

Allison Knab mentioned that BOS would like criteria for acquiring new properties and connectivity.  Seth mentioned that it would be a great goal, but some projects cannot wait for it and must happen in the near term.  Seth would like public input into the areas that people feel are important.  SELT may be able to provide recommendation (Seth Hickey will contact to see what options are available).

Bill McCarthy proposed that CC own the Open Space Initiative to move the idea forward. 

Ross Property:
Ross family owns a woodlot abutting the Park, there are a number of trails on the property and the town has been maintain.  The Ross family would like to formalize the arrangement, so BOS signed agreement to maintain that status quo.

CC minutes:
26-Jun-2019, Public and Non-Public Minutes, Pat Elwell moved to approve as written; Allison Knab second – motion passed unanimously.

10-Jul-2019, Public Minutes, Pat Elwell moved to approve with corrections, under “Next CC meeting” should indicate July; Bob Keating second – motion passed unanimously.

14-Aug-2019, Public and Non-Public Minutes, Pat Elwell moved to approve with corrections to Public, under “Mailbox”, NHDES replace “shoreling” with “shoreline”; Ana Egana second – motion passed unanimously.

Mailbox:
            Yearly notification from NHACC – annual meeting and conference 2-Nov.

            Received latest edition of “Supply Lines”

RCCD monitoring:
Pat Elwell raised question as to whether it is time to engage RCCD about yearly monitoring of properties; Allison Knab and Bill McCarthy indicated that the CC is usually contacted by RCCD when it is time.

Municipal updates:
Allison Knab informed the CC about a residents desire to rename the landing on River Road after Dorothy Clements; town did not have a naming policy, so a policy was developed; BOS accepted application from the resident.

7:59 PM

Pat Elwell moved to adjourn, Bob Keating Second– motion passed unanimously; Meeting adjourned

Next regular meeting scheduled for 7 PM on Wednesday, October 9th at the Municipal Center.

Respectfully Submitted:
Ana Egana
Serving as Secretary