Conservation Commission Minutes 3/11/2020

Stratham Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
Public Session
March 11, 2020

Conservation Commission Members Present: Bill McCarthy, Ana Egana; Pat Elwell, Brad Jones; Allison Knab; Dan McAuliffe; Bob Keating

Meeting Called to order @ 7:00 PM

CC minutes:
26-Feb-2020 Public: Pat Elwell moved to approve as written; Brad Jones second – motion passed unanimously.

Lindt application to Planning Board:
            Tavis Austin explained that Lindt has submitted a conditional use permit application for consideration by the Planning Board that outlines a plan that includes 2 acres of wetland impacts. The Planning Board is seeking feedback from the CC.  The CC will write to the Planning Board indicating that the CC does not agree that Lindt’s economic arguments provides sufficient justification to warrant approval of the permit and that at the very least that a Natural Resources Inventory is performed.

Seth Hickey – Stratham Parks and Recreation:
            Seth described a proposed connectivity plan as staff liaison to the PCAC.  The proposed plan is not new as it resembles an idea articulated in the 1990 master trail plan, and would essentially connect SMS to CMS via trails. There are pieces already in place, such as a section across the Robinson property near CMS. There are a number of private properties that would need to be crossed requiring landowner permission.  He town also needs to develop a definition of what a trail entails.

Snowhawk – trail management plan:
            Contract with Snowhawk LLC in process. CC should present topics of interest that Snowhawk should address such as how large wildlife should be handled with respect to trail uses (e.g. Bears, Beavers, etc.)

CC Support for TIFF warrant article:
            Allison Knab requested that the CC reconsider its previous decision to neither support nor oppose the TIFF warrant article to be presented at Town Meeting.

            Dan McAuliffe moved that while the CC generally supports environmentally friendly design, the CC does not believe that financial mechanisms for funding development is within the purview of the CC and that the CC will neither support nor oppose the TIFF warrant article, Ana Egana Second –

5 in favor, 2 against: motion passed.

8:36 PM

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

9:37 PM

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

9:37 PM

Dan McAuliffe moved to adjourn, Ana Egana Second– motion passed unanimously; Meeting adjourned

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

Respectfully Submitted:
Ana Egana
Serving as Secretary