Warner Conservation Commission

Minutes of Meeting

April 7, 2010

Attending:  Nancy Martin, Brian Hotz, Doug Allen, Mimi Wiggin, Peg Bastien, Russ St. Pierre, John Dabuliewicz (recording), and new member Scott Warren. Also Peter Bates for the Kearsarge Trail Snails.

Introduction of New Member

The Chair introduced Scott Warren, who lives on Bartlett Loop.  The Select Board recently appointed Scott to a vacant full member position. Scott is a retired professor who taught botany, biology and related subjects at Connecticut College. The Chair expressed the Commission’s thanks for his willingness to join and welcomed his expertise.  Scott then briefly discussed his background, and the other members introduced themselves.

Minutes of March 3, 2010

The minutes of the meeting of March 3, 2010 were approved as submitted.

Trail Snails/Gore Farm Discussion

Peter Bates, representing the Kearsarge Trail Snails Snowmobile Club, came to the meeting to discuss the status of a snowmobile trail, in connection with the acquisition of the conservation easement on the Kearsarge Gore Farm property owned by Bob Bower.  Peter explained that the Club does extensive work with private and public landowners to assure that the trail system they arrange for and maintain, which links with statewide trail networks, continues to be viable.  He wanted to assure that the easement would not impinge on maintaining an existing trail. Brian noted that he had asked Mr. Bower about the presence of an area snowmobile trail on the easement property, but the response was that it did not cross that property.  After consulting a map and aerial photo of the easement property, it was determined that the trail runs on the right (east?) side of Gore Road, as you come down from Kearsarge Mt. Rd., and the easement property is mainly on the left (west?) side of that road. 

The tentative conclusion was that there is not a snowmobile trail presently crossing the easement property, but both Brian and Peter will check further to assure that this is a correct conclusion.  Peter will contact Brian, or the Commission Chair, if any question remains, since the easement language is not yet completed.

Brian also explained that it has been the Commission’s practice with other easements it has acquired to seek to provide explicitly for the continuance of any snowmobile trails already in existence on such properties (e.g. the Badger Easement).  That same practice would be followed in this case if a trail did exist.   Brian also pointed out that the easement neither requires nor prohibits snowmobile trails and, absent any pre-existing trails, the matter would be left up to the landowner and the Club to negotiate, exactly as is the case with no easement.

 

Nancy thanked Peter for coming to the meeting and reiterated that the Commission wishes to work cooperatively with all groups interested in the Commission’s work.  She encouraged sharing of ideas and concerns by any group or individual.

Article for Publication

Nancy asked if someone should do an article on the successful February Bound Tree “Snowshoe” Hike (40 people attended), perhaps for the Kearsarge Happenings publication.  John offered to prepare a short article for the next town newsletter on the recently completed Conservation Plan instead.

Saving Special Places Conference

Peg and Jim will attend this conference on April 10.  Peg will report on it at the May meeting.

Wetlands Issues

Russ reported that there were only two recent applications, one by Public Service for routine power line maintenance (cutting bushes etc.) and one forestry notification for land on Gould Road.  No concerns were raised.

Planning Board Report

None, as no one present attended the last meeting.

Old Business

Brian, on behalf of the Forest Society distributed a memo on the Kearsarge Gore Farm easement.  He summarized the contents, which address funding issues with the Purchase and Sales Agreement (P&S) and easement language.  The proposed agreement’s language on price states:  “Purchase price for the 461.5 acre easement is $232,500.00.  Should the land to be found (sic) to be larger then (sic)  461.5 acres the Purchase Price will increase by $502.30 per acre”  The P&S will be contingent upon. funding from LCHIP and the two towns (Warner and Sutton) being provided 15 days prior to closing.  If it is not then Warner will not be obligated to provide any funding. 

Brian expects the P&S to be signed within two weeks, provided the easement language is approved by necessary parties so it can be attached to the P&S.  Brian will e-mail a copy of the draft easement to Commission members soon for review. Any comments should be returned to Brian within a week and a half at the latest.

Brian also explained the public access provisions of the easement which, pursuant to RSA 227-M, explicitly permit access for “hunting, fishing, nature observation, hiking, cross-country skiing and similar transitory low-impact, non-commercial, recreational purposes.”  As explained above, snowmobile access is neither required nor prohibited by the easement language. Brian also discussed several other provisions desired by the landowner and more fully discussed in the memo. 

The survey work will commence after the P&S is signed, to be followed by formal appraisal and title work.  He expects the closing to occur in the fall.

Brian asked if he needed to submit a letter to the Selectmen resigning with one year left on his appointment, which he does, and he will do so in the near future.  Regrets about his departure were again noted, and his offer to work on easement monitoring was again noted, with the Commission’s gratitude.

New Business

Nancy pointed out that, based on an e-mail exchange between Jim and the NH Association of Conservation Commissions (NHACC) all WCC members should be receiving the NHACC newsletter via e-mail in the future.

Mimi inquired as to whether the staggering of Commission terms was being properly maintained, considering that four of the nine slots (2 full, 2 alternate) all expired this year.  Nancy replied that she thought Jim was asking the Select Board about this and asked Mimi to follow up with him.

The next meeting is May 5, 2010.

Meeting adjourned at 8:36 P.M.