Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes
APPROVED
Newbury Conservation Commission (NCC) – Virtual Meeting
January 12, 2021
Members Present: Katheryn Holmes, Chair; Eric Unger, Vice-chair; John Magee, Steve and Sue Russell, Members; Russell Smith, ex-officio.
Public: Kate Brena
Ms. Holmes called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE:
New Member
Ms. Holmes welcomed Kate Brena to the group. She would be interested in joining the group. Ms. Holmes said that if she chooses to join the group, she can join as an alternate. Ms. Holmes said that she can write a letter of recommendation to the Board of Selectmen. If the Board approves her, then she would get sworn in. Ms. Holmes will move forward with writing the letter this week.
Minutes
The Commission reviewed the minutes of November 30, 2020. Corrections were made. Mr. Smith made a motion to accept the minutes. Ms. Russell seconded the motion. All were in favor.
The Commission reviewed the minutes of December 8 2020. Corrections were made. Mr. Magee made a motion to accept the minutes. Ms. Smith seconded the motion. All were in favor.
UPDATE ON EASEMENT:
Ms. Holmes said that the easement deed is currently at the Ausbon Sargent Preservation Land Trusts’ (ASPLT) lawyer. As soon as the lawyer is finished looking at it, the document will then be forwarded to the Board of Selectmen and the town’s lawyer. Ms. Holmes assured the Commissioners that she has not heard anything negative about the document to date and she is happy about that. Mr. Unger asked if the Commission will have a chance to look at it before it goes to the Board of Selectmen and Ms. Holmes assured him it will.
She is hoping to hear from Ausbon soon so she can include it in the annual town report for the Newbury Conservation Commission.
Mr. Unger said there is a great write-up on the easement that was written by George Emblay and Ben Nugent. Ms. Holmes said it would be great to include this in the next newsletter. Ms. Long asked Mr. Unger if he could ask Mr. Emblay and Mr. Nugent if they could send her the original article and images.
INTENT TO CUT:
- Jeffery Snitkin & Sarah Jenness Rt 103A, TaxMap#/Lot 016/080/242 - Acreage of Lot: 11. Acreage to Cut: 10
TREE CUTS IN PROTECTED SHORELAND:
- 0
DES:
Wetlands Permit -P BN&Non-site Specific Permit# 2020-0297 - Douglas & Jane Paradis 8 Lake Ave. - TaxMap#/Lot0350-0537
Ms. Holmes said the new DES website is phenomenal.
NEW BUSINESS:
Office of Strategic Initiative-Municipal Land Use Regulation Annual Survey 2019-2020 Survey Results – updated November 2020
COMMUNICATIONS:
NHACC - New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions – Ms. Brena mentioned that she signed up for this event and will report back to the Commission about the event.
Flash on the Beacon
OLD BUSINESS:
NNC Newsletter – This will focus mostly on our easement. Ms. Holmes asked Mr. Russell if he wanted to include something about the old forest and asked Mr. Magee if he would like to include something as well. Mr. Magee asked about a deadline. Ms. Holmes as soon as the easement is all set and ready to go, we would like to release the newsletter.
Tree Application Review – Ms. Holmes said she found some holes in the tree application. They want everything to be done virtually now. The applicants need to take before and after pictures. This should be done by the homeowners. Ms. Russell asked how they will do this. Ms. Holmes said they would like the Commissioners to look this over, send her suggestions and we can discuss at a future meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
NCC Zoning Presence – Ms. Holmes said she thinks the old procedures used to work really well, and she feels like the new process is a bit frustrating. Mr. Smith said the Board of Selectmen is working on this right now. Ms. Holmes said that she feels the CEO is overwhelmed. Ms. Holmes also said that she does not support the ZBA handing things over to the CEO for reinforcement.
There was discussion about the Zoning Board decisions and enforcement. Ms. Holmes said she feels that the CEO does not know all of the regulations pertaining to the shoreland. Mr. Smith said Ms. Holmes should mention her concerns to the Board of Selectmen. She said she is bringing these concerns up with the Commission because they are conservationists. Ms. Holmes said she would love other Commissioners could join her at the Board of Selectmen meeting. Mr. Smith suggested that she call and put herself on the agenda for next Tuesday’s meeting. Ms. Russell said that she would like the group to compose their own report on what has been going on. Mr. Magee asked for some clarifications on the current process. Mr. Smith said the CEO is completely overwhelmed due to the fact that there are numerous people moving into the area. Mr. Smith said they are discussing finding an assistant for the CEO. Mr. Smith said he suggests that Ms. Holmes meet with the Planning Board as well. Mr. Magee suggested there be a flow chart, so applicants know where they are in the process. Mr. Smith thought this was a great idea.
Mr. Smith made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Russellseconded the motion. All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Long
Recording Secretary