APPROVED 06/13/2012
Sutton Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday May 9, 2012 @ 6:30 p.m.

Present: Present: Betsy Forsham; Chair, Ben Dobrowski, Garrett Evans, Don Davis, Jean LaChance and Rachel Rupple. Ron Murray arrived late. (Ricia McMahon and Gerry Putnam were absent.)

6:30 p.m. Anita Blakeman, forester, met with the Board to discuss Tree Farm management and re-certification. Blakeman explained there are four facets to a Tree Farm management plan, timber, recreation, water quality and wildlife. She furthered Tree Farm requirements have recently changed and should now include consultation with the National Heritage Bureau for known or repeated sightings of rare flora and fauna or rare or endangered species, a check with Cultural Resources and a project schedule. Blakeman works with the Town of Sunapee and described the projects they are working on.

The Town land on Wadleigh Hill Road was discussed. It consists of some timber but is mostly a parcel suited to wildlife management. It was mentioned that a harvesting of timber could create a blow down situation as the stability of the root systems on the remaining trees become more exposed. Garrett mentioned the deed specifically states there shall be no roads and that the land is to be used for conservation only. Blakeman explained skidders in the forest for timber harvest don’t constitute roads. She also stated timber harvest comes under conservation management.

Dobrowski asked what the difference was between utilizing the NRCS versus a Tree Farm. Blakeman answered the NRCS is a cost share with the government through the Farm Bill and is available to land owners but not to municipalities.

Due to the nature of the land at the Wadleigh Hill site mild thinning would be the most that would probably be done for timber harvesting, and even that would need to be done at one of the few times when the soil could handle the impact, as there are extensive wet areas. Other parcels of land in town could be managed more intensively for timber, such as the Webb/ Crowell property, which could offset some of the costs associated with parcels like the Wadleigh Hill land that are not practically income producing.

The Board thanked Anita for joining them. The Board will take all her information under advisement, with more discussion at the next meeting.

Previous Meeting Minutes:
A motion was made by Garrett and seconded by Jean to approve the minutes of April 11, 2012 as written. Unanimously approved.

Financial:
The Town account, as of the end of April, was $2,475.82, which is 85.08% of the budget. There were no expenditures. The Conservation Account was $92,338.83, the KHR Fund $10,202.96, for a total in the Conservation Fund of $102,541.79.

Correspondence:
– Tree Farm Newsletter
– LGC Grant Writing Workshop. June 15th is the deadline.
– An abutter notification from the Planning Board for a Lot line adjustment by the Brazier’s on Summit Road.
– Ausbon Sargent art show reception initiation, May 24th
– KHR monitoring report on section 1 from 2011. There is nothing unusual.
– 3 monitoring reports for 2011 on privately owned lands for which the SCC is the backup holder of the
easements: Emerson/Clark, the Enroth’s and the Putnam’s. Everything is in order with all three.
– The Ausbon Sargent Traveling Display will be in both the Town Hall and the Library toward the end of August.
– Misc.

Wetlands:
– A Wetlands and Non-Site Specific Permit #2012-00503, dated 04/12/12, issued to the Town for the replacement
of a box culvert on Penacook Road.
– A Wetlands and Non-Site Specific Permit #2012-000898, issued 05/07/12, for the Interstate 89 rest area.

Intents to Cut:
Gordon Manning, T/L #06-610,001 on Nelson Hill Road, 10 of 95. This is an annual cut. Manning is the logger.

George Breuler, T/L # 08-764,364 on Baker Hill Road, 35 of 41.5 acres. Chuck Rose is the logger. A Complete Forestry Notification for timber harvesting activity in wetlands was received, File #2012-00799, dated 04/12/12.

Old Business:
Betsy updated the Board on communication from Paul Bohn and the Japanese Knotweed. The weed is pushing the tarp up and still growing. Treatment with herbicide will likely be necessary.

The SCC Educational program will be scheduled for September, but not too late so that it doesn’t clash with the talk by Doug Cygan on invasive species, which is being sponsored by the ASLPT in October.

New Business:
Betsy reported PSNH stated the old telephone poles are considered hazardous and may not be donated.

Don is still trying to get used docks.

SCC Properties:
The Webb/Crowell bridge was discussed with an emphasis on a simpler bridge. It was agreed outside help would be beneficial. Garrett and Rachel will inquire.

Don noted that Sutton has a resident who is an entomologist and this may be beneficial for the Board.

The Sundell property Japanese Knotweed was discussed. It will be allowed to grow until June and then should be cut back and treated. It was noted there is also some weed growing on Davis Court. Rachel will talk to the landowners to see if they want to pursue eradication.

Garratt reported he flagged two of the Wells properties and it is now ready to be blazed. The Board gave him and his wife Tara a big thank you for the volunteering of time for that project. Don said more Voss trail blazing signs would need to be purchased, or the trees could be spray painted instead. Betsy and Garrett will price the paint.

Don and Betsy viewed the Maple Leaf Natural Area parking project. A culvert has been installed. There are very large rocks that need to be pushed away from the property line. Don and Wally will contact Chipper.

Don will print signs for the hayfield at the Russell Pond property.

Ben noted someone was driving on the Class VI portion of Eaton Grange Road and Birch Hill Road.

Betsy noted the KHR entrances need to be kept stocked with maps. Leslie is doing the Hominy Pot Entrance. Betsy will do the King Hill Road entrance for now but will ask Gerry if he can cover that side.

8:30 p.m. A motion was made by Garrett and seconded by Jean to adjourn the meeting. Unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Jennifer Swett
Secretary