Dublin Conservation Commission
Minutes
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Attending: Jack Lewis (chair), Karen Bunch, Suzan Macy, Howard Thomas, Ned Whitney, Selectman Sterling Abram and Eric Nemitz from Dublin School
The minutes of the meeting of Wednesday, October 10, 2007 were reviewed and approved as amended.
Town Property near Life Safety: The Commission discussed the condition of the property and some possible uses for it. The members decided to visit the property at 2:30 PM on Saturday, November 24 to gain a better feel for the property’s prospects.
Ditchings: Sterling Abram reported that the Highway Department is developing a budget figure to clarify the cost of storing rather than simply dumping at several roadside locations the materials removed from the town’s roadside ditches on an annual basis. The ditchings contain both sand and organic matter, and no large rocks. They could be valuable fill for residents if stored and made available.
Dublin Lake:
1) Water Testing: Karen Bunch reported that Ken Warren and Walter Henderson, two biologists with NHDES had come to Dublin on October 23 to review the sites on Dublin Lake where high levels of E. coli or phosphorus had been found in September. They were joined by Karen, Anne Anable, Jack Lewis and Paul Waterman.
They confirmed that the September 11 water tests performed by Karen Bunch and Felicity Pool, which showed high E.coli results, were done during the first real rain after a long dry spell. They said such results were non unusual under such conditions. They inspected the sites of the four worst tests, and found no evident potential causes of ongoing high readings. The NHDES personnel took a water sample from the Meryman Road culvert, which was the only one reviewed which had flowing water. The sample was tested and was found to have a very low E. coli reading.
Ken Warren recommended that the town retest the problem sites early in the next rain, but he was not at this point worried that the town had an environmental problem on an ongoing basis. Karen concluded by stating that she and Felicity Pool needed help if the town was to maintain an effective water testing program for Dublin Lake.
2) Lake Host: Karen reported that Jerry Lawler has stated that he will not be able to serve as volunteer coordinator for the Lake Host program for 2008. She is looking for a replacement, and would be happy to get recommendations.
Other Water Testing: The Commission briefly discussed the status of water quality testing on its other ponds. It was noted that Leslie Whone tests Frost Pond, that the Town of Jaffrey tests Thorndike Pond, that the town of Marlborough tests Stone pond, and that, while no one is known to test Howe Reservoir, there are not many residences on the reservoir and it is little used for swimming.
Coordination with Dublin School: The Commission discussed with Eric Nemitz, who teaches Environmental Science at Dublin School, the possibility of having Dublin school students work with the Commission on planning and implementing improvements to town conservation lands. Such efforts might include trail maintenance, trail development, making land use recommendations, and implementing approved plans. Both Eric and the Commission members were quite excited about the possibilities of such activities involving the Route 137 property near Life Safety, the property on Howe Reservoir, and the property abutting Dublin School on Beech Hill. Eric volunteered to talk with others at th Dublin School, and to get back to the commission with a somewhat concrete plan of action.
Open Space: Jack Lewis commented that the Open Space Planning Committee had had a Public Information Meeting on November 7 to get input from other residents. At the meeting it presented a map showing proposed areas Open Space value and described the characteristics of each area which make it valuable. With initial input from the public, the Committee’s next step is to put together a draft plan.
Howe Reservoir and Life Safety Fields: Jack Lewis reported that both properties had been mowed, but that additional work was needed to keep them viable public space.
NHACC Activities: Jack Lewis reported that he had been to the New Hampshire Association Of Conservation Commissions (NHACC) Annual Meeting, and that he had found it informative and interesting. He recommended that other Commission members attend the next Annual Meeting., and also that they put April 5, 2008 on their calendars. This is the date of the 2008 statewide Land Conservation Conference
Meeting Schedule: The next meeting of the Commission is Wednesday December 12 at 7 PM.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM.
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