Campton Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
September 14, 2011; 7:30pm
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Members present: Jess Halm, Melissa Greenawalt-Yelle, Jane Kellogg, Jules Doner, Lea Stewart, Tammy Wooster
Others present: Liara Goldman, Perri Morgan
The meeting opened with introductions all around to Liara and Perri, who are from Alexandria and Bristol. They explained that they came to the CCC meeting on a fact finding and networking mission to begin fulfilling a dream they have together of one day opening an animal sanctuary in Campton. They further clarified that they are contemplating purchasing a farm property in Campton which they hope to use as a wildlife rehabilitation facility. They admitted that they are only in the beginning stages of learning what they need to do to achieve their goal.
CCC members wished the women luck in their endeavor. Jess added that the CCC’s mission is to conserve land and could assist them in placing an easement on their property in the future if they decided to do so. Liara and Perri thanked the CC and said that they would like to stay for the remainder of the meeting.
1) August Minutes:
Jane made a motion to accept the August minutes. Melissa seconded the motion and all were in favor.
2) Land Management:
a. PCP:
The field mowing has been completed to the commission’s satisfaction and Jess will be in touch with Mike Rej to arrange for payment. The money will come out of the Conservation fund this year, and we will need to budget for mowing every 2 years beginning in 2013.
Land use policy signage is ongoing, with a goal of having it up before the ground freezes. Jules has located a post for the sign and Melissa will paint the lettering. Jane will drop off brown and white paint at Melissa’s.
There is still some blow down clearing work needed on the trails, mainly using a handsaw and loppers. Jess and Lea will meet on Tuesday Sept. 20, 9:00 to begin this work.
The poison ivy eradication effort seems to have been successful, as dead foliage has been observed along the stone wall. Jules reported that we have some leftover Roundup which can be used on any missed plants in the spring. Jane asked whether Roundup could be used on the Japanese knotweed at BWNA. Jess said that she has had conversations with DOT invasive specialist Christine Perron who determined that the knotweed is too well established for herbicides. Additionally, mowing/cutting will only spread the problem and removal is only effective for very young plants. Jane asked if Christine could take a look at a newly discovered knotweed patch south of the driveway entrance. Jess said she would ask her.
The next PCP item discussed was the Sept. 13 Planning Board meeting recap. CCC members along with Anita and Clint Lane attended the meeting to request a boundary line adjustment approval. Jess explained the history leading to the request which originated from a survey of the entire PCP to identify an unknown NW corner marker. The survey was paid out of the Conservation fund and revealed that the property line behind the Lane’s house was closer to their house than originally thought and did not meet the well setback stipulated in their loan agreement.
In working with the Lane’s the CC thought it would be mutually beneficial if the line were redrawn to include a line of trees as part of the Lane’s lot since the trees were also very close to their house.  This new configuration would net 0.29 acres to the Lane’s. Marsh Morgan asked if there was any money exchanged as part of the deal to which Jess responded no, it was a good faith measure on the part of the CC. The Board approved the boundary line adjustment and signed copies of the new maps. May will take care of registering the new maps. The Planning Board recommended that the CC come to the PB at a future date to have the line separating the woodland from the field removed. The concern is that the lot is currently landlocked. All agreed that this will be a future consideration.
Finally, a discussion of how to most effectively delineate PCP property lines was had. It was decided to walk the boundaries on a yearly basis and re-flag as needed. We will also place ground flags in a line along the former Lee and Donna Kidney property in preparation for sale of the land so that it is clear to the new owners that their property does not extend to the current mowed portion.
b. BWNA:
Jane gave a post T.S. Irene damage report and said that she had expected more blow down and trash than she observed. Jane also said that the water had risen over the top of the large flat-topped rock near the swimming area and came within about three feet of the bench. She said that some stream redirecting work needs to be done at the second walking bridge, as debris has caused the stream to undercut the bridge on the parking lot side. The concern is that further scouring could compromise the bridge supports. Some rubber boots and shovels is all that is needed to complete this work.
Jules noted that a pine tree fell on the power lines along Route 3 and was removed after the storm. The cut pine tree sections were placed along the BWNA road shoulder and should be moved. It was decided to move the pieces to the parking area. Jules also noticed a large maple tree in bad shape adjacent to the road which should be brought to the attention of the power company. Finally the parking area still needs some weeding which will require a weed whacker since raspberry canes have grown in. Jules, Jane, and Lea will meet on Friday, Sept. 23, at 9am to complete stream redirection, tree and weed removal work. Jules will provide his trailer and all will bring hand tools.
3. Groundwater:
Groundwater brochures have been distributed to area businesses. Jess did not have enough for the Chamber of Commerce and so Jules will bring some more. Tammy mentioned that there was only one left at Handyman Hardware and all were pleased to hear that the brochures were being taken. Next year’s budget request will include expenditures for printing more brochures with one side in color.
4) Warrant Article:
The “Save the Date†invitation to attend the 2011 NH Association of Conservation Commissions conference was sent to the Select Board. The invitation was extended as an opportunity to learn about the many ways of putting land into Conservation, particularly in reference to the “conservation fund expenditures made to qualified organizations†warrant article [RSA 36-A:4a;I(b) and 36-A:4-a;II(b)]  coming before the town in 2011. No word to date as to whether Select Board members will be joining us.
Jane drafted a letter to the Select Board requesting that we resume conversation regarding the warrant article. The article was tabled in 2010 to allow time for clarification of the article and to prepare for a public hearing on the issue. The Select Board had some unresolved questions and it is our intent to begin answering these questions in preparation for a public hearing. CCC members reviewed the letter and added a request for return communication by our Oct. 12th meeting. Subsequently, we will request to be put on the Select Board agenda in late October at which time we hope to have open discussion with the board to clarify questions or confusion that remains, and to set plans for a public hearing on the question.
5) Flood related issues:
 Some sites prone to erosion at high stream flows/heavy rainfall around town have not been visited since T.S. Irene. In particular, the Eastern Corners Road steep driveway and the Eastern Corners Road bridge crossing the Beebe River should be checked.
6). FYI:
 Lea was congratulated by all on her recent appointment to the Squam Lakes Science Center Board of Trustees.
 Public meetings to discuss plans for the Pemi River corridor:
9/27; 7pm PSU Boyd Hall, and 9/29; 6:30pm Gordon-Nash Library, 69 Main St., New Hampton.
9/20/11; 2-5pm; NH Water Sustainability Meeting; (www.NH.gov/water-sustainability)
Meeting adjourned: 9:04pm
Next meeting: October 12, 2011; 7:30pm
Respectfully submitted,
Tammy Wooster
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