APROVED 07/11/2012
Sutton Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday June 13, 2012 @ 6:30 p.m.

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

6:30 p.m. Betsy called the meeting to order.

Previous Meeting Minutes:
A motion was made by Garrett and seconded by Don to approve the minutes of May 9, 2012 as written. Unanimously approved.

Financial:
The Town account, as of the end of April, was $2,306.09, which is 79.25% of the budget. There were secretarial expenditures. The Conservation Account was $92,350.56, the KHR Fund $10,204.26, for a total in the Conservation Fund of $102,554.82.

Correspondence:
Misc.

Wetlands:
None.

Intents to Cut:
Peter and Anita Blakeman, T/L #08-434,064 & 08-403,189, 2 lots on Poor Farm Road, 58 of 173 acres. Anita is the forester. Betsy hasn’t received a wetlands crossing permit.

Old Business:
Betsy updated the Board on the Japanese Knotweed along Route 114. Paul Bohn is away. The Board thanked Don for putting up a sign on the tarp. The tarp appears to be working. Cygan will not be doing anything until late June or July.

Dates were discussed for the SCC Educational program. It will be finalized next meeting.

The Board discussed the Wadleigh Hill conservation property. There was agreement not to continue the property as a tree farm as it involved more time and cost to manage than could be gained from the property and letting the land remain more functional for wildlife fit better within the parameters of the wishes of the benefactor. The Tree Farm sign has been removed but the frame is still there. It was agreed a new sign would be made.
A motion was made by Ricia and seconded by Garrett to ask Ruth Keith if she would like her name on the sign and to thank her for her generosity. Jennifer Swett will check to see Ruth wishes to have her name included. The property will be referred to as either the Keith Wildlife Area Sutton Wildlife Area.

New Business
The Board congratulated Jean for receiving the Women Who Makes a Difference award and the Valuable Women award. She has devoted many years to the community.

Betsy contacted Sandy Legsdin, who works for TDS, and reported she said TDS would be happy to share the old telephone poles. Jamie Marcia has a pile of them and will transport them to a requested location.

SCC Properties:
The Board discussed a date for blazing the lines on the Wells property. Betsy reported on paint prices. The Aervoe regular tree marking paint is $3.75 a can or $3.25 for 12 or more. Garrett will figure out the amount needed. Betsy will check on the colors available. It was agreed yellow wouldn’t be good and pink, blue or orange was preferred. Garrett suggested blazing in the fall when it is easier to see.

Betsy reported the price for the plastic Voss signs is $0.61 each for 1-249 or $0.52 for 250-500. It was agreed there is no need to purchase any at this point if the marking of the Wells property is to be done with paint.

It was noted there is a sign down on the Leffert’s/Enroth Property

Betsy reported she visited the Maple Leaf Natural Area property and the parking area is all finished and looks good, although it is very soft. Don said he talked to Wally, who thought it should be firmer and needs more gravel. Betsy said the estimate for the job was $4,220 and the actual was $4,332, which included a cost of $662 for the culvert. It was originally priced at $550. The amount allowed to expend was up to $4,500, so the total cost is covered. Betsy will check in with Chipper about the bill. She would like to wait to pay it until it is known whether more gravel will be needed. Betsy will also call Wally. A press release will be pursued in the near future.
A sign is needed for identification and parking. Don noted the Greenway group is looking for a sign maker, so between the two groups one may be found.

The mowing of the King Hill Reservation was discussed. Peter Stanley will not be able to mow anymore. Dave Carey who worked with Peter is interested in continuing.
A motion was made by Ricia and seconded by Don to use Dave Carey for mowing. Unanimously approved.
Betsy will get back to Carey to start in August.

Betsy reported she walked the Penacook Path and the water bars are working and the land is growing back in. There are several trees down that need to be cut. Someone can just go do the work or the Board will set up a formal date.

The Russell Pond hayfield signs are up and the Board thanked Don for the doing this. The signs say “Foot Traffic Only”.

Don said clean up is needed at the Leffert’s 114 parking lot and some big stones need to be marked. Betsy will walk the land with Don.

Betsy reported on the Japanese Knotweed on the Sundell property. Rachel contacted Doug Cygan at the State regarding the non-herbicide method of utilizing fabric. She said it was quite involved and needed cutting and then layers of mulch, material and more mulch and then must sit for 5 years. It was agreed this year there would be a cut and herbicide. The Board will plan to try the new method next year. Gerry said he had an old rug he is pulling up Saturday which he will donate to the project. Rachel and Betsy will work on the weed this weekend. They will email the rest of the Board when they will be at the location so that others may join if desired.

Garret reported he spoke with Chipper and Kevin Rowe about the bridge at the Webb/Crowell property. He looked at the site with Kevin. Kevin expressed concern about liability but said he would be happy to do the project if he was not liable. He suggested galvanized metal trusses be used with wooden decking on top. The particulars of how to design and erect the structure still need to be figured out. The cost is not known but Kevin is looking into it and will contact Garrett with an estimate. The trusses should be light enough to hand carry to the site. The road also needs some fill. Betsy will call Dave Carey back as there will probably be another location where the old telephone poles will be needed.
8:10 p.m. A motion was made by Garrett and seconded by Jean to adjourn the meeting. Unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Jennifer Swett
Secretary