Milton Conservation Commission PO Box 310 Milton NH 03851 September 14th 2009 Workshop/Meeting Minutes Members Present: Chair-Cynthia Wyatt, Vice Chair-Charlie Karcher, Emery Booska, Michael McDonnell, and Alternate-Steve Panish (Tardy) Members Not Present: Tom Gray (Excused) Others Present: Randy Orvis and Land Use Clerk-Michelle Beauchamp. The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:39PM. 1. Discussion Re: Open Space WORKSHOP The Chair presented a draft Open Space map prepared by Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) and noted that the planning map could be used to help the Commission strategize for conservation priority areas. The map includes public water supplies, stratified drift aquifers, well head protection areas, important farmland soils, NH Core Focus Areas, NH Fish and Game Co-Occurrence Areas, Moose Mountain Regional Greenway evaluated wetlands, National Wetland Inventories and other natural resources. C.Karcher pointed out missing data and inaccurate boundary lines. The Chair agreed and noted that the map is missing updated conservation land. There was a general discussion regarding the working maps that were submitted. E.Booska recommended that the maps are signed and dated for reference. He added that the date on the working map should be referenced on the maps provided from SRPC. The Clerk noted that it may be helpful to request the working map be returned so that the work can be double checked. It was noted that one of the Commission members will go back to SRPC and have the map corrected. M.McDonnell made the motion, for procedural matters, that the By-Laws include a policy that maintains a level of continuity for the maps. E.Booska seconded. All in favor 4-0, motion passed. 2. Discussion Re: Baseline documentation and monitoring of Milton Conservation Commission easements. 1
The Chair noted that Mike Simmons will drop off the baseline report on Frizzell easement. All the boundaries have been marked except one portion of the boundary that he felt was ambiguous and should be done by a surveyor. The Chair noted that the baseline documents should be forwarded to Strafford Rivers Conservancy after the Commission has reviewed and approved the materials. She added that M.Simmons has been doing a great job. 3. Discussion Re: Town owned properties to go under conservation easement: Jones Brook Park (Map #4, Lot #2) 20.42 Acres Payne Property (Map #14, Lot #6) 4.20 Acres Milton Wellhead Protection Radius (Map #37, Lot #110) 24 Acres Town of Milton (Map#27, Lot #1) 92 Acres -Landlocked parcel that needs to be surveyed and placed on 2010 Warrant. The Chair noted that M.Simmons will move onto the Jones Brook Park and then the Payne Property for baseline documentation. REGULAR MEETING C.Karcher stepped down from the Commission. S.Panish attended the meeting and stepped in for T.Gray. 1. Review: Bids submitted for survey of Town owned property (Tax Map #27, Lot #1). It was noted that T.Gray verified that the Town hold clear title to the property. Copies of the deed were submitted to the Assessing Office and a copy with be kept in the CC files. Norway Plains: Scope of services to include: Research & review record documents; Field location of boundary evidence; Computations; Monumentation of missing lot corners; Preparation of a plan suitable for recording at the Strafford County Registry of Deeds at a cost of $15,000. Not included in the quotation are reimbursable expenses such as Registry of Deeds copy and recording fees, etc. Geometres Blue Hills, LLC: Scope of Services include: Research documents; consultation with abutting property owners and other persons with knowledge of local history; reconnaissance of the area to uncover pertinent boundary evidence; field work required to locate existing boundary line evidence, monumentation and significant natural features adjacent to boundary lines; reconciliation of differences between monumentation and deed descriptions; computation, plotting and other data processing required to determine locations of boundary lines; one mylar plat suitable for recording, one print for submission to the Town and five prints for the Commission; monumentation of property corners and lines using iron rods with identification caps or aluminum disks in rock and brightly colored PVC flagging at a cost of $9,350. Expenses for mileage, stakes, monuments, blueprints, plan reproducibles, deeds, plans used in research and other research costs are included. 2
Pohopek Land Surveying & Septic System Design, LLC: Scope of Work includes: A perimeter boundary survey, monument any missing corners and to prepare a survey plan at a cost of $8,600. McEneaney Survey Associates Inc: Scope of Work includes: Document research, field work, calculations, and drafting to complete a boundary survey; a boundary plan suitable for recording; and set permanent markers at all unmarked property corners at a cost of $8,500. Berry Surveying & Engineering: Scope of Services includes: Deed Research; traverse the requested area; computation of the traverse conducted; computations resulting from the deed research resulting in a solution of the unmonumented lot corners; boundary survey plan suitable for recording and a copy to the municipality; monumentation with #5 rebar (5/8") with distinctive cap at the unmarked property line corners; with a stonewall, a drill hole will be place in a suitable foundation stone or a witness rebar placed directly behind the stonewall on the property line. This estimate includes the placement of six rebars at corners which may be unmonumented. Any additional boundary markers, either required to monument the survey or requested by the Commission, will be set at the rates attached; and provide digital data. The estimate would be in the amount of $9,110. This does not include the fee of recording the plan at the Registry of Deeds. The Chair asked the Clerk to review the bids and clarify with McEneaney Survey Associates if the estimate includes a digital form or any other missing information. It was noted that the digital form should be compatible with the Town Mapper's software (AutoCAD 2000.dwg.). C.Karcher joined the Commission. 2. Approval of Minutes: February 18th 2009 Minutes No action could be taken. August 10th 2009 Minutes C.Karcher made the motion to approve the August 10th 2009 minutes. E.Booska seconded. M.McDonnell seconded. All in favor 5-0, motion passed. S.Panish left the meeting. 3. Discussion Re: Townhouse Lake concerns. M.McDonnell noted that he met with the lakefront owner and inspected that area of concern. He noted that this year, there is an incredible amount of bladderwort. He added that it is a good weed but it is abundant. M.McDonnell noted that this weed floats and tends to pick up stuff with it and it has grass growing in it as well. He will follow up and inform the property owner that this is a natural occurrence. 3
C.Karcher stepped down from the Commission. 4. Review: A 3-Lot Subdivision for property owned by Richard & Grace Drapeau (Tax Map #40, Lot #28) located at 123 Hare Road, Milton NH; Low Density Residential. C.Karcher, representing Norway Plains, presented a 30-acre tract of land which is proposed to be divided into three lots. He noted that the two new 2-acre lots had the road frontage, contained no wetlands and test pits have been done for the septic system. He added that the land does slope down, however, it was not severe. He noted that the Planning Board has waived the requirement of the entire 30-acres being surveyed. He added that the 30-acres is mostly wooded with pine and mixed hardwood. He noted that the 27-acres will remain with the existing house and that there would need to be an easement for the existing driveway. He added that there was plenty of site distance. E.Booska noted that the woods road is very close to the wetland. C.Karcher noted that the existing logging road is not in use. The Commission noted that they support the subdivision as presented. 5. Discussion Re: 2010 Draft Budget The Commission reviewed the proposed budget and made the following changes: Line Item #340-Contracted Services: They would like to include Mike Simmons who prepares the baseline documentation for the conservation easements for $1,000. Line Item #395-Professional Services: They would like an increase for the additional UNH water testing expected by the Lay Lakes Association (M.McDonnell will have an estimate prepared for the 2010 budget). Line Item #850-Membership & Dues: They would like to increase the Three Ponds Protective Association membership by $50 bringing it to $150. 6. Correspondence: M.McDonnell stepped down from the Commission. NHDES Shoreland Permit Application; property owned by Ida & Michael McDonnell; located at 59 Lakeside Drive, Milton NH (Tax Map #28, Lot #26) M.McDonnell noted that they are proposing to remove the existing entrance deck on the back of the house and replace it with a 112 square foot mudroom. He noted that this would be an unheated three season room. He added that there will be no machine digging involved since the additional will be on posts. There was a general discussion regarding the Milton Shoreland Permit. M.McDonnell noted that the front of the house is 75-feet from the shoreline. E.Booska made the motion to send a letter to DES in support of the application. C.Karcher seconded. All in favor 3-0, motion passed. M.McDonnell joined the Commission. 4
NHDES Complete Forestry Notification; property owned by Richard Brannon; located at 357 Hare Road, Milton NH (Tax Map #30, Lot #2) It was noted that the total acreage for the lots was 36-acres and most of the acreage was wet. It was noted that Dames Brook runs through the property and the lot is within Flood Zone A. C.Karcher noted that the land includes muck & peat, gloucester soil, and leicester-ridgebury soil. The Chair noted that the applicant should show the impact area. E.Booska made the motion to send a letter to DES thanking them for keeping the Commission in the loop however, the Commission cannot confirm that the conditions are being met because there is no information available on file for the crossings. The Chair added that there is not enough information for the Commission to comment or to make an assessment, but we do know that there are substantial wetlands on this property. C.Karcher seconded. All in favor 4-0, motion passed. NHDES Shoreland Application #2009-01777 property located on Charles Street Milton NH (Tax Map #42, Lot #184, #185, #186 & #187) The Commission reviewed the application and no comment was made. NHDES Standard Dredge and Fill Application for the State of NH for the Milton Three Ponds Dam property located along White Mountain Highway, Milton NH (Tax Map #42, Lot #139) The Commission reviewed the application and no comment was made. 7. Other business that may come before the Commission. The Commission reviewed a letter from Varney Engineering LLC to NHDES Wetland Bureau regarding File #2008-00802 on Middleton Road, known as Tax Map #39, Lot #1. It was noted that Mr. Varney has not received and approval or response for the application from the State. 8. Adjournment C.Karcher made the motion to adjourn at 8:07PM. M.McDonnell seconded. All in favor 4-0, motion passed. Cynthia Wyatt, Conservation Commission Chair Michelle Beauchamp, Land Use Clerk 5