Dublin Conservation Commission
Minutes
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Attending: Jack Lewis (chair), Karen Bunch, Suzan Macy, Howard Thomas, Ned Whitney, Selectmen Sterling Abram and Anne Anable.
The minutes of the meeting of Thursday, April 26, 2007 were reviewed and approved.
Dublin Lake: Karen Bunch reported on a number of developments regarding Dublin Lake:
1. Water Testing- Last year we decided to move from the University of New Hampshire to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services as the organization to test and report on the quality of Dublin Lake’s water. Karen attended an excellent workshop sponsored by NHDES for the Volunteer Lake Assessment Program. She reported that she learned a lot, that we would be testing three times a year, and that test results are public and the results show up almost immediately on the VLAP part of the NHDES website.
2. Dublin Advocate- The next Advocate will have a large article on all the groups that are involved in the lake and in keeping it healthy.
3. Lake Level- Karen brought to the Commission the Lake Preservation Committee’s request for support in formalizing the agreement on responsibility for determining the appropriate level of Dublin Lake at various times during the year and for taking the actions needed to implement such decisions. The Commission agreed that getting this completed was a good idea, and expressed interest in also getting a clearer understanding of who determined the level of Howe Reservoir, on what basis it was done, and how the town could influence the water level decision. During the last couple of winters the water level has significantly affected the beauty of the western gateway to the town. It would be useful to know if this winter view could be improved.
4. Lake Host Program- Almost everything is in place for the program. It appears that two hosts will split the weekend work, and that Len Korpi has agreed to allow his porta-potty to be used by the Lake Hosts. (It will not be available for public use.)
Mud Pond Monitoring- In Sue Yarger’s absence, Jack Lewis updated the Commission on the May 7 visit of Steve Walker who is responsible for monitoring Dublin’s LCIP properties. Steve made his inspection visit into an excellent training session for six Dublin and Peterborough residents. We walked a number of the LCIP properties, learned what a monitor should be looking for, what documentation one needs, and how to review and report on the properties. As part of the monitoring review we came across one property which had trash dumped nearby, and another where there was some potential encroachment from a neighbor. We also took a good look at a town owned property behind Life Safety which is not part of the LCIP program.
Town Forest Monitoring: Jack Lewis updated the Commission on the visit of Forester George Frame of the NHSPF, who inspected the town forest in southwest Dublin on May 22. George found no problems on the property, and said that Town Forester Swift Corwin appeared to have done a fine and comprehensive job of marking the forest for selective logging.
Cemetery Lot and Wetlands: The calls made so far to NHDES have not produced any tangible results. Jack was advised to get more responsive names from Ed Germain.
Valley Road Cell Tower: Jack Lewis reported that a meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment had taken place and that the Commission’s opposition to the location of the driveway that is on the current plan was made known to the ZBA and to the company proposing the cell tower. The ZBA meeting was adjourned until after there is a balloon test of the location.
Class VI Roads: Suzy Macy briefly described the concern that the Jaffrey Conservation Commission had about an attempt to open for development a Class VI road which goes through virtually unfragmented land in northeast Jaffrey. The Commission agreed that specific consideration of the status and future of Dublin’s Class VI roads should be a part of an Open Space Plan.
Other Items:
· Jaffrey Conservation Commission members have asked informally whether the Struga Trust property was a priority for purchase or conservation by Dublin. It could affect the three-town conservation area being worked on in southwest Peterborough and northeast Jaffrey.
· Suzy Macy initiated a conversation about alternative energy sources by mentioning the idea of erecting windmills on or near the Howe Reservoir. Howard Thomas expressed concern about the effects the current wind power technology is having on birds, and especially bats.
· Jack Lewis stated that he would send the Commission members some Open Space materials prior to the Commission’s next meeting. At that time the Commission will go over the findings and recommendations of the ad hoc committee, and will start to discuss next steps for open space planning. with respect to this important long term issue.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM The next meeting is scheduled for 7 PM on Thursday, June 28, 2007.
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