Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes
APPROVED
Newbury Conservation Commission (NCC) – Virtual Meeting
October 14, 2020
Members Present: Katheryn Holmes, Chair; Eric Unger, Vice-chair; Steve and Sue Russell, Bob Stewart, Members; Russell Smith, ex-officio
Public Present: Andy Deegan, John Magee, Jeremy Bonin, Will Davis, George Embley, and Greg Rusnica
Ms. Holmes called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE:
Minutes
The NCC reviewed the minutes of the September 10, 2020 meeting. Corrections were made. Mr. Russell will be sending some new wording to Ms. Long regarding his presentation. The minutes will be approved at a later date.
INTENT TO CUT:
- Roger W. Whitaker – Poor Farm Road/Gillingham Drive, Tax/Map #49-635-516 – Acreage of lot = 21, Acreage to cut = 18 – Approved by the Board of Selectmen.
- Richard Seschenes, Jr. – Park Ten Road – Tax/Map#031-649-335 – Acreage of lot = 11.3, Acreage of cut = 10 – Approved by the Board of Selectmen.
BUFFER ZONE CUT AND COMMENTS:
- Campion/Terrance-Campion – 7 Lakeside Road (Blodgett Landing)
- Robert & Michelle Shields – 325 Chalk Pond Road
- Helena R. Harrison Trust – 14 Echo Cove Road
DES:
- Shoreland Impact #2020-02060 – John Hatem (Permitee – Pierre Bedard) – 295 Bay Point Road – Impact 1,230 square feet of protected shoreland in order to construct an open porch onto a nonconforming primary structure and replace the stairs.
- Shoreland Impact #2020-02048 – Michael Sheft – 20 Highland Avenue – Correct permit to read: Impact 5,079 square feet of protected shoreland in order to remove 3 decks to replace 1 deck with an additional to the primary structure, replace 1 deck with a patio, construct 2 retaining walls, a walkway, install stormwater management systems for the primary structure and the driveway, landscaping, regarding and install a septic system.
- Shoreland Impact Permit #2019-02174 – Edward/Susan Gillick – 163 Bay Point Road – Change name and address to Edward and Susan Gillick 124 Farmers Cliff Road, Concord, MA 01742 to impact 13,783 square feet of protected shoreland in order to demolish existing residential dwelling and replace with new residential dwelling, septic system and landscaping.
- Application – Wetland Permit by Notification (PBN) – 298 Bowles Road – James and Barbara Sadowsky – Repair exiting concrete and stone cribs supporting 30’ – 6 x 34 boathouse, within change configuration or location. Barge will be utilized during repairs.
OLD BUSINESS:
Warner River Head Waters Conservation Easement –
Mr. Deegan gave an update regarding the easement. He said that Ausbon Sargent Preservation Trust has purchased the property. He said that the town needs to know that they are taking on an easement and will need to enforce any encroachments on the property. By November he said they need to discuss the terms of the easement and what is and is not permitted on the property.
Ms. Holmes asked Mr. Deegan to clarity the trail plan for the property. He said there are no definitive plans on the property yet. In the future, he said they might want to include trails on the property and open them up to the public. He said he would rather have a definitive path for people to go on than just wherever they want to walk. He said he does not see many changes happening to the property.
Mr. Unger said he is totally against putting in hiking trails on the Avery property and felt that he was misled on Ausbon Sargent’s intentions. He said that he was led to believe that, except for erecting and ASLP sign, nothing would be done physically to the property.
Discussion ensued about the possibility of trails on the property. Mr. Unger is worried that the property will be as populated as the Andrew Brook Trail. Mr. Russell said he thinks the Andrew Brook Trail is advertised heavily and is really popular and he does not think putting trails on the Avery property would be as busy.
Mr. Stewart said he thinks this property really needs to be preserved and wants to look at what effects would occur if and when trails were put in.
NEW BUSINESS:
Janet Lautsen Resignation
Ms. Holmes told the commissioners that Ms. Lautsen has resigned from the Conservation Commission.
Horizon Engineering Presentation
Mr. Will Davis gave a presentation regarding the overall projecton the Morton Property on 93 Grace hill Road. He showed the area that will be affected with the tree removal, the pool house and the existing buildings.
Communications
Ms. Holmes mentioned the NHACC 50th annual meeting and conference scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2020.
Mr. Stewart made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Smithseconded the motion. All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Long
Recording Secretary
ACCEPTED Newbury Conservation Commission Page 3 of 3October 14, 2020