Dublin Conservation Commission
Minutes
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Attending: Jack Lewis (chair), Anne Anable, Jerry Branch, Suzan Macy, Selectman Charlie Champagne, and Planning Board member Neil Sandford
The minutes of the meeting of Wednesday, March 12, 2008 were reviewed and approved.
Wetlands Definition: Neil Sandford opened the meeting by stating that the Planning Board was considering revising its restrictions on wetlands development to ease restrictions on “man-made” wetlands. In conjunction with this, the Planning Board was looking input from the Commission. Commission members were sympathetic to the Planning Board providing some flexibility (the example most used was not calling a logging truck wheel mark a wetland simply because it fills with stagnant water). However, the Commission recommended that any relaxation be carefully phrased and specifically define those types of man-made wetlands which could be reviewed. The Commission was very concerned that a general reference to “man-made” could significantly weaken the
current restrictions on wetlands development.
Elections: Jack Lewis noted that the meeting was the first meeting subsequent to the Town meeting and the appointment of new Commissioners. As such it was the appropriate meeting for the election of Commission officers, a Chairman and a Secretary. Jack Lewis was elected Chairman and Sue Yarger and Karen Bunch (who were not in attendance) were provisionally elected to share the office of Secretary. Jack agreed to write up the minutes for the April meeting.
Open Space Plan: Jack mentioned that the Open Space Planning Committee had held its second Public Information meeting and had put together a relatively final draft of an Open Space Plan. The Plan had been sent to the members of the Commission, and the Open Space Committee has asked that the Commission review the plan and either accept it or recommend revisions to it. Commissioners were generally quite positive about the plan, but some had not had a chance to fully review it. The Commission voted to accept the plan provisionally, with the understanding that members would pass on any comments to Jack Lewis for forwarding to the Open Space Committee. Commission members suggested that the document include a listing of the members of the Open Space Planning Committee.
LCIP Property Monitoring: The Commission reiterated that April 19 would be LCIP property monitoring day for the Commission members. Members and other interested people would meet at the Mud Pond Turnoff on Route 101 at 9:30 AM and proceed from there.
Dublin Conservation Easements with Forest Society Backup: Suzan Macy and Jack Lewis volunteered to review the two properties on which the town holds easements which are backed by executory contracts with the Forest Society. They will inform the Commission when dates for review have been set with the property owners involved.
Knotweed Control: The Commission reviewed the known areas of knotweed infestation but put off until its May meeting the appointment of a person or group to coordinate the control program outlined at its March meeting.
Meeting Schedule: The Commission decided to continue to meet at 7 PM on the second Wednesday evening of each month. The next meeting scheduled for May 14, 2008.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 PM.
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