Present: Spencer Brookes, Andrew LeFrançois, Les Tallarico, Allen Preston
Also: Lynne Draper and Stan Young

7:00 Business Meeting

1. Stan Young of the Heritage Commission spoke about:
A. How he would like to see Wilton land owners contacted to talk about setting up easements on their lands and get their pro’s & con’s to this idea and
B. He stressed the need to control development in the town.

2. Paul Putnam was officially recognized as a member of the W.C.C.

3. Lynne Draper expressed her wish to join the W.C.C., Mr. Brookes motioned that we accept this and the motion passed.

4. Discussed the desire to find out if the W.C.C. could have a voting member on the Planning Board.

5. Discussed annual budget again:
A. noted that the State Conservation Association Membership dues of $200.00 have been paid;
B. noted that the Souhegan River Membership dues of $100.00 have been paid;
C. noted that the W.C.C. has received notification of a bill for $220.00 from the Souhegan Watershed Association for the testing of two portions of the Souhegan River.

6. Noted that the Special Place Conference would take place on 12APR03 and $105 was to be used for Mr. Brookes, Mr. Young, and Lynne Draper could attend.

7. Noted that the AREA Conservation Commissions meeting will take place on the 11APR03 in Mont Vernon.

8. Mr. Brookes spoke about a meeting he attended in which there were concerns discussed about the saving of Temple Mountain from development.

9. Discussed the approximately 17 acres of land gifts by Betsy Dunn. The W.C.C. noted that the only stipulation is that Randy Dunn wants the right to cut some wood, discussed the need to walk the property to see what is on it (on 23 or 30APR03), would like to know the actual size and lots (believe it to be Lots D-84-3 & D-84-2), and answer the question does the land need to be surveyed?

10. Noted and discussed the delaying of the possible donation of a land easement by Joan & Hal Melcher.  Mr. Melcher discussed this issue with Mr. Brookes prior to the meeting.  (Mr. Tallarico brought in a copy of an aerial photo of the property).

11. Noted that there will be no rain day set for the 13MAY03 dedication of the Carnival Hill site, discussed the need to find a place to build bat boxes on this date, and noted that Mr. Preston would precut all lumber needed in the construction of the boxes.

12. Mr. Brookes noted that since the last meeting he has spoken to the state about (Lot E-14-03 & Lot E-015) Russell Hill Bridge/Blood Brook site, that there is currently no news on the walk with someone from the NH Fish & Game or National Fisheries, that the proposed bridge (Lot C-4) across from the former Chalet Suisse building was not going to change current bridge abutments, that there is no change in the status of the York River culvert, and that the Leighton White driveway (Lots F-6-3 & F-6-2) storm related problems and the need for prompt repairs were mentioned to Mr. White and the W.C.C. will be notifying Mr. White that the W.C.C. will review the progress of the cleanup of this site during the June meeting.

13. Discussed the Town of Wilton’s existing conservation easements and want to answer the questions: What land currently labeled as conservation easements are permanently protected and what parcels could still be sold off at later dates?

14. Discussed Goss Park and that the W.C.C. has no major issues with the proposed pond changes, but has only one concern that is: Is the flow from the ponds intake to the ponds outtake going to be effected in any manner, and if so could it cause possible fitting in of the swim lanes with silt?

15. Discussed a wetlands letter received about the highway department.

16. Discussed the Souhegan River wetlands violations on Lots F-42-1 & F-42-3, motioned to file a formal complaint, and the motion passed.

17. Noted and discussed the new information received on the Marden Road (Lot C-17) and Mr. Brookes signed off on the paperwork coinciding with it.

18. Noted the York River (Lots C-35 & C53) approval.

19. Noted the site walk date of 14APR03 of the Dale Street Fire Pond site (Lot B-21).

20. Noted that one William Thomas of the NHDES is serving the situation of Goddard’s wetland status.

21. The W.C.C. discussed (its concerns due to complaints) the Spartan gravel pit (Lots E-21 & E-17) and the proposed new road way there.  The W.C.C. would like to know what is the time allowed between “time of inactivity” and “reclamation” and what are the set of guidelines if any for gravel/sand pits?

22. Noted the next ZBA meeting is 08APR03 at 7:30 PM.

23. Noted that no money was needed to be spent for soil testing at Carnival Hill as previously thought and discussed the draft report of the W.C.C.’s progress with the Carnival Hill site and its LCHIP requirements.

24. Noted a site walk for a proposed fire pond at Four Corners Farm (Lot F-129) on Monday 14APR03 at 5:00 PM.

25.  Discussed “well protection grants” which are money grants to protect wells.  High Mowing is concerned about some wells.  Mr. Brookes motioned that the acceptance of this $30,000.00 state grant be passed on to the Selectmen for their decision on accepting the grant; whereupon the W.C.C. would, under the Selectmen’s decision of acceptance, observe the site awarded the grant twice a year to look for any violations.  The motion passed.

26. Discussed a “trails grant”.

27. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday 01MAY03 at 7:00PM at the Town Hall.