Present: Spencer Brookes, Andrew LeFrançois, Les Tallarico, Allen Preston
Also: Paul Putnam and Lyne Draper

7:30 Business Meeting

1. OK’d the minutes of the past two meetings.

2. Nominated Mr. Brookes as chair for another term and Mr. LeFrançois as secretary for another term.

3. Motioned to except Paul Putnam as a member of the W.C.C., motion passed.

4. Discussed annual budget:
A. approved our 2003 budget;
B. motioned to allocate $200.00 for State Conservation Association Membership dues, motion passed;
C. motioned to allocate $100.00 for Souhegan River Membership dues, motion passed;
D. motioned to test two portions of the Souhegan River (Mr. Tallarico spoke on this and suggested to have more than one test done in town, one sample taken from somewhere on the Souhegan and the other from where Stoney Brook and the Souhegan converge), both tests would cost $120.00, motion passed.

5. Discussed the Special Place Conference and OK’d up to $135.00 for members to attend.

6. Noted that the Conservation Commissions of the surrounding towns will be meeting together on the 11APR03 (possibly in Mont Vernon).

7. Noted that we can go look at the approximately 17 acres of land to be gifted by Betsy Dunn (site walk date to be determined).

8. Noted and discussed the possible donation of a land easement by Joan & Hal Melcher.  The W.C.C. wants to sit down with Mr. Melcher (to be determined) and discuss land use restrictions and house footprint.  Mr. Tallarico will obtain and bring in an aerial photo of property for the future discussion.

9. Discussed trail right of ways and agreed that the W.C.C. will need to discuss more on this subject and the legality of it.

10. Discussed canoe trips on the local rivers.

11. Discussed the need to reword forest & timber permits, therefore clarifying them, so as to stop the making of “super highway” logging roads which can lead to the property becoming developed.

12. Noted that 13MAY03 will be the dedication day of the Carnival Hill site.

13. Discussed the letter sent by the US Fish & Wildlife Service and the NH DES visit to the (Lot E-14-03 & Lot E-015) Russell Hill Bridge/Blood Brook site and how it will be protected due to it being a “cold water” environment.  Noted that the W.C.C. would like to walk with someone from the NH Fish & Game or National Fisheries.

14. Discussed the York River culvert site.

15. Discussed the existing easements & ownerships: Society of the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Nature Conservancy, Hearthstone Community, and New England Forestry Foundation.

16. Discussed the letter received about the Tannery Brook, Frog Pond Dam (Lot D-93).

17. Discussed letters received from the State of NH and the Wilton Selectmen regarding the Town’s Highway Department.

18. Noted that Mr. Brookes met with the landscaper of the new Wilton Police Station grounds.  He noted to the W.C.C. that the person(s) involved in landscaping have no intention of planting any invasive species at the site.

19. Set a site walk date of Monday 31MAR03, at 5:00 PM, for the viewing of both possible sites of two fire ponds; one on (Lot C-17) Marden Road and the other on (Lot 21) Dale Street.

20. Discussed the letter received about the filling of land next to Convenience 101.

21. Discussed the AT&T cellular tower (Lot G-24), the Planning Board report, and the balloon test at the proposed site on 05APR03, between 10 AM – 4 PM.  The following concerns were noted: stream crossing(s) to proposed site, culvert possibilities, policing of the proposed site, and the need for gates at the point of entrance.

22. Noted the next Z.B.A. meeting of 08APR03 at 7:30 PM.

23. Discussed the following on the Carnival Hill property:
A. Site walk with John Nute on 02APR03 at 4:00 PM (to be discussed at the next meeting).
B. Discussed the need for two soil tests of the property, motioned that these be carried out with the expenses paid by the W.C.C., and the motioned passed.
C. Discussed a Natural Resource Report of the property.
D. Discussed the need for a LCHIP report in June.
E. Discussed the need for gates, well decommissions, and well houses.
F. Discussed establishing a contract with Land & Water Conservation Funds.

24. Noted that at the next meeting the Four Corners Farm status and the N.R.P.C. (protected lands information) will be addressed.

25. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday 10APR03 at 7:00PM at the Town Hall.