Conservation Commission Meeting

Newbury Conservation Commission (NCC)

July 9, 2019

Approved August 13, 2019

Members Present: Katheryn Holmes, Chair; Eric Unger, Vice-chair, Bob Stewart, Steve Russell, Sue Russell, Members; Russ Smith, Ex-officio.

Ms. Holmes called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Minutes

Commissioners reviewed the minutes of May 7, 2019 and made corrections. Ms. Holmes made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. Mr. Russell seconded the motion. All in favor. 

Commissioners reviewed the minutes of June 11, 2019 and made corrections. Mr. Smith made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected. Mr. Unger seconded the motion. All in favor. 

INTENT TO CUT

Mr. Unger reviewed the following Intent to Cut applications:

Allisen E. Health. Trustee, NH Route 103, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 08-671-545, 10 acres of logging on a 19-acre property.

Carl & Mary Christiansen, Proctor Road/Newell Road, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot 035-662-200, 035-662-056, 035-662-100. Cut is on three lots with 53.4 acres to be logged. Mr. Unger noted that the property is fairly level and does not contain any steep slopes.

BUFFER ZONE CUT

Ms. Holmes reviewed the following Buffer Zone Cut applications:

Craig & Suskia Hricz, 8 Gerald Drive, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 028-015. There was discussion regarding location of the septic. It was noted that the existing septic is a failed system and the leach field for this property is located on Sunapee Hills Association property. It was noted that the leach field is deeded and that there is allowances for cutting within a buffer zone where a failed septic system is involved.

Nancy Kegerreis, 283 Bay Point Road, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot #006-138-381. Ms. Holmes noted that she and the Code Enforcement Officer plan to meet on site this week.

William & Karen Daigle, 355 Chalk Pond Road, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 039-774-402. Ms. Holmes noted that she spoke with Ms. Daigle who indicated the tree that almost fell on the house. She added that she intends to plant more trees.

NH DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (DES)

Ms. Holmes reviewed the following items from DES:

Susan York, 40 Echo Cove Road, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 16-650-066, PBN File #2019-02046. Proposed project: install metal hydraulic boat lift in middle bay of existing “Y” shaped dock. Status: Under technical review.

Robert Vail, Vail Revocable Trust, 83 Malia Terrace, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 018-208/BL 260, Standard Dredge & Fill Application # 2019-02000. Proposed project: Install a 14-foot x 30-foot seasonal canopy in the center boat slip of the existing U-shaped seasonal dock. Additionally, install two PWC lifts. Status: Under technical review.

Ms. Holmes reviewed a DES application pertaining to a ROW issue involving the Boucher property on Shore Drive, Newbury, Tax Map/Lot # 019-15-200, File # 2019-00262. She noted that there may be more information on this application at the next NCC meeting.

COMMUNICATIONS

Ms. Holmes shared with the NCC the following:

Ausbon Sargent Outreach Meeting

Ms. Holmes informed Commissioners that she attended the meeting, met individuals interested in NCC issues and concerns, and noted that Trout Unlimited will be represented at Newbury’s Old Home Day on July 13, 2019.

NH Lakes Association Newsletter

Newsletter content was reviewed, particularly the lede story on the association’s LakeSmart Program. The LakeSmart program offers municipalities the opportunity to collaborate with NH Lakes Association to evaluate and set in motion a plan to address water quality issues in the community. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of utilizing the program in NCC’s advisory capacity for residents in Chalk Pond, Lake Todd, and other smaller waterbodies. Ms. Holmes noted that this program may also be helpful in the creation of regulations pertaining to the watershed and waterbodies.

Valley News Article re State Beach Boat Launch

Commissioners reviewed the Valley News article titled “Mount Sunapee State Park boat access expansion funding close to approval”, by Patrick O’Grady, Valley News Correspondent. Discussion included project details and possible timeline for completion. Commissioners noted the thoroughness of Mr. O’Grady’s research and reporting.

Email from John Magee, Fish Habitat Biologist, NH Fish & Game.

Mr. Magee emailed the NCC as a follow up to his NCC presentation on June 11, 2019 indicating that he had no further information to impart but that he would stay in touch.

NH Municipal Association Newsletter

Ms. Holmes reviewed the newsletter content with the Commissioners.

Ausbon Sargent Monitoring Inspection Reports

Ms. Holmes reviewed two reports on Ausbon Sargent easement properties: (1) Stoney Brook property; and, (2) Levine/Vail property. 

OLD BUSINESS

Ms. Holmes reviewed the following items:

NCC Newsletter

Ms. Whittemore noted that the newsletter is progressing and that it has been delayed by technical difficulties with computer malfunctions.

Shoreland Restoration Amendment

Ms. Holmes reported that the Planning Board accepted ownership of the draft Shoreland Restoration Amendment at its June 18, 2019 meeting and will move the draft through the PB proposed amendment process. A Public Hearing on all the proposed amendments will take place on December 17, 2019 in preparation for presentation at Town Meeting in March 2020. 

NEW BUSINESS

Ms. Holmes reviewed the following items:

Workshops

Suggested workshop topics included Homeowner’s Stormwater Management, a presentation on the NH Lakes Association LakeSmart Program.

Chalk Pond/Sunapee Hills Association

Ms. Holmes informed Commissioners that a site visit was made to the beach and road area at Chalk Pond to review the challenges facing that area. Discussion included meeting the president of the Sunapee Hills Association to review the problems at those locations. It was noted that the water quality in Chalk Pond has deteriorated and that there are no ditches on either side of the road. It was noted that the area has a high turnover rate of residents/renters and that long-term public outreach may be adversely affected as a result. Ms. Holmes noted that she will attend the annual meeting of Sunapee Hills Association on August 24, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.

ADDITIONAL BUSINESS

Mountain Road Property for Sale

Mr. Unger described to the Commission the availability of the last large parcel on Mountain Road as a possible conservation/easement project. He said the parcel is 86 acres, has a half mile frontage on the North Branch River, a cellar hole dating back to 1858, all the original granite fence posts from the original map, and backs up to the Quabbin-Cardigan trail. He said the property is currently in a trust. Asking price is $250,000. It is in current use right now and there are no easements. Discussion followed. It was suggested that contact should be made to Trout Unlimited, Nature Conservancy, Ausbon Sargent, and SPNHF. Mr. Unger agreed to follow up and keep the NCC members informed.

Friends of Mount Sunapee Presentation

Mr. Russell noted that there will be a presentation sponsored by the Friends of Mount Sunapee on July 24, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Bradford Library on the history of Mount Sunapee. The presentation will emphasize the exemplary natural community forest system that exists on Mount Sunapee – and is the only such system that exists in NH.

There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Holmes called for a Motion to Adjourn.

Mr. Smith made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Stewart seconded the motion. All in favor.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Meg Whittemore

Recording Secretary