PO Box 83, Wilton Town Hall, Wilton, NH  03086

http://www.ci.wilton.nh.us/

Lynne E. Draper, Chair  –  603-654-6795  lynne@bmaworld.com

Spencer C. Brookes II  –  603-654-6771  sbrookes@tds.net

Laurence S. Coronis  –  603-654-5083  laurencecoronis@aol.com

H. Alan Preston  –  603-654-9557  preskee@tellink.net

Leslie P. Tallarico  –  603-878-2656

Philip C. Heald, Emeritus

 

 

Wilton Conservation Commission – Minutes of 11 September 2006

 

Present:  Spencer, Les, Alan, Laurence and Lynne.  Ms. Pinet and Mr. Thigpen for their ZBA application discussion.  Jim Tuttle, Chair of the Wilton Water Commission, and Alec MacMartin, representing the Wilton Planning Board, also for that discussion.

 

 

·        Review Minutes:  Minutes of the 14 August regular meeting were reviewed.  Les moved to approve the minutes; seconded by Spencer.  Passed.  Laurence abstained as he was not present at that meeting.

 

·        2006 Budget:  No activity.  Spencer will contact Peggy/Carla for most recent report.

 

·        Barbara Pinet and Leslie Thigpen, Lot A-64, Burton Highway:  Barbara Pinet and Leslie Thigpen were present to continue the discussion begun at the August meeting regarding their application for a variance to Section 14.3.3 of the Zoning Ordinance on their property, Lot A-64, which borders Mill Brook in the Watershed District and therefore has certain stringent restrictions.  Jim Tuttle, Chair of the Wilton Water Commission, and Alec MacMartin, representing the Wilton Planning Board, were present for this discussion, as they were at the August meeting.

 

Ms. Pinet presented a new map of the site, with topographical lines, which shows the original placement of the house and a new alternate location.  At the ZBA site walk on 05 September both locations were staked out. 

 

Spencer stated that when he, Les and Alan walked the property with DES, they noted that there is what appears to be a wetland near the driveway.  Jim noted that it is already flagged as a wetland area.

 

Spencer mentioned the possibility of the applicants keeping the land as a single family lot with no further subdivision.  Ms. Pinet said the land was sold to them as being subdividable and they see it as a potential “insurance” for them to subdivide in case one of them got sick or they needed the money for some reason.  They are not interested in restriction limiting the entire lot to a single family house lot. 

 

Alec stated that conceptually the problem with the application lies with the issue of putting the house inside the Watershed District, and if we can find a way to put the house outside the district, then that will begin to solve the problem.

 

A discussion was had about the driveway.  Jim suggested that the driveway should tilt in towards the hill to provide for no erosion.  That would require about 8 to 10 feet of fill on the brook side.  Alec said a run-off treatment plan should be devised, what is going to be built and how it’s going to be built.  A defined site plan for the driveway should be engineered in advance, with a cut and fill profile.

 

Discussion resumed on the location of the house.  The plan needs to specify where the house will go.  Jim noted that the best relatively flat spot is in the Watershed District.  However, by moving the house uphill away from the brook, it would still straddle the District, but be mostly out of it, and still in a relatively flat spot.

 

Spencer made the motion to reject the original location where the house is located within the Watershed District.  Seconded by Alan.  Passed unanimously.

 

A lengthy discussion was then had about the footing and foundation of the garage, the leach field and septic tank.  At a minimum the leach field and tank should be out of the Watershed District.  The applicants want to avoid any pumping.

 

Spencer moved that the main house foundation shall not be more than 20 feet into the Watershed District.  All sewage systems (tank and leach field), all fuel systems, storage tanks and fill areas (except propane) shall be outside of the Watershed District.  Seconded by Les.  Passed unanimously.

 

Discussion returned to the driveway, sediment control and run-off issues.

 

Spencer moved that a permanent run-off treatment plan and erosion control system be created to prevent all run-off towards the brook, to be professionally engineered.  Seconded by Les.  Passed unanimously.

 

A discussion was had regarding a 30-foot wide non-disturb riparian way easement along the side of Mill Brook, similar to the one created at Lot F-48 on Intervale Road.  

 

Spencer moved that a 30-foot riparian way be created, using the wording from the one created at Lot F-48 as a guideline.  Seconded by Les.  Passed unanimously.

 

Discussion was had about the Shoreland Protection Act, exempting the driveway.

 

Spencer made the motion that minimum Shoreland Protection Act standards (RSA 483-B9, A-1 and A-2.a) be followed, with the exception of now and future town-approved access points.  Seconded by Alan.  Passed unanimously.

 

The discussion on this matter was then wrapped up.

 

·        Potential Grant:  Spencer presented a letter from the Water Supply Land Grant Program.  Do we want to do this this year?  Spencer indicated he will talk with the Souhegan Watershed Association and the Souhegan Local Advisory Committee.

 

·        Frog Pond:  Spencer asked Jim Tuttle about the big pile of dirt on Route 31 South and if the Conservation Commission could use some to put on the dam (to repair and restore the dam) at the Frog Pond.  Jim said he thought so, and we should talk with the Road Agent.  Discussion was then had about how to get a truck with the dirt up to the Frog Pond.  Alan suggested using the right-of-way next to Stephanie Rockwell’s house, which he had mentioned previously.  The road is in reasonably good shape but needs a culvert.

 

Les moved that we discuss with the Road Agent the improvement of the right-of-way road and installation of the culvert as necessary, and to utilize the Frog Pond Fund money, up to the amount of $2,000.00 to accomplish the work.   Seconded by Spencer.  Passed unanimously.

 

Spencer stated we need to have the study done by Meridian for the Frog Pond land and dam.  Discussion ensued.

 

Spencer moved to have Meridian work with the Conservation Commission and the State on efforts to restore the dam and spillway, using Frog Pond Fund money, up to the amount of $2,000.00 at this time.  Seconded by Laurence.  Passed unanimously.

 

Alan stated he had finished the work at the Frog Pond and presented his bill for clearing the brush and weeds on the dam, in the amount of $320.00.  The invoice was approved for payment.

 

·        ZBA:  Upcoming ZBA matters at tomorrow’s meeting of WCC interest include;

-         Pinet/Thigpen application;

-         Request by Millward/Buonamano for a variance to Section 6.2.5 to permit the installation of a septic system disposal field in the setback of Lot B-131 at 956 Isaac Frye Highway; and

-         Request by M. Harwood for a variance to Sections 5.2.1 and 5.2.2 to permit the subdivision of Lot L-28 at 235 Gibbons Highway, into two lots, one of which would have less area and frontage than required.

Lynne and Spencer will attend.

 

·        Planning Board:  At the 16 August meeting, items of WCC interest:

-         New Spartan Properties Riverwalk Cluster Subdivision:  accepted and conditionally approved.

-         Westview Farms (Ben Holt Land) subdivision:  continued to September.

-         Application by J. Priscilla Bergeron to subdivide a lot she owns on Marden Road was presented with a new configuration with no wetland crossing.  Continued to September.

Lynne and Spencer will attend the meeting scheduled for 20 September.

 

·        Violations and Complaints: 

-         Regarding the complaint by Mrs. Blagbrough about possible violations by A&T Forest Products on Lot A-21-1 (wetlands crossing violation) and Lot A-30 (removal of soil), members of the Commission will attempt to walk the land soon (tentative date Monday, 18 September).

-         Richards land on Route 31 North:  A complaint was received about possible illegal wetlands filling.  Spencer and Les will attempt to take a look and try to get some pictures.

-         Mark Gabel:  The excessive vehicles are still on the land and appear to be across the line and on Town land.   Discuss with Selectmen.

-          

·        McKay Dredge & Fill Permit:  The site walk was done with DES on 22 August.  Spencer, Les and Alan attended; Spencer submitted a brief report.  Alan questioned where the stumps went; they are not supposed to be buried.  There is no report from DES yet. 

 

·        DES Hearing of 15 December 2005 regarding Granite State Concrete (unpermitted generator on site):  Still no answer from DES at this time.  It was agreed to keep this item on the agenda.

 

·        Hoover Easement:  Spencer said Mr. Hoover’s attorney responded to the letter sent by Town Counsel.  Spencer will follow-up with Selectmen.

 

·        Main Street Program Sidewalk Reconstruction: 

-         Spencer still thinks there is an underground stream coming down from the old Abbott House on Maple Street.  He needs to check with Charlie McGettigan.

-         Spencer stated a representative from the Bank contacted him about the Bank being re-roofed.  Originally they wanted to put a dumpster out behind the Bank but after checking it was decided they would try to do the work from the front of the Bank on Main Street to eliminate any chance of debris falling into the river from the back of the Bank.

 

·        Carnival Hill:  Follow-up on the barrier from the parking lot to the hill (not installed yet).

 

·        Four Corners Farm – Asbestos/Creosote Issue:  Spencer stated the letter to Mr. Moheban has not yet been sent since there are some further issues which remain unresolved.

 

·        NRI:  No activity.

 

·        Trails:   No activity.

 

·        Wegener Lot on Potter Road:  Spencer reported that when he and Les looked at the lot, they were originally mistaken about which lot this actually is.  They have now correctly located the lot, which has on it a stone memorial to Wendy Wegener.  The land is a mixed forest which might be good for timbering, as suggested by Jon Nute, County Forester.  Spencer has talked with Dan Reed, the forester from New England Forestry Foundation.  Dan suggested that before we do anything with this lot, we need to have a philosophy for the site.  Agreed to table this item so that everyone has a chance to walk it and then have the discussion.

 

·        Miscellaneous: 

-         Local Open Space – No activity. 

-         Souhegan Watershed Association – Need to find out what is the cost for the  “Designated River” signs.  Spencer will contact George May.

-         Souhegan River Local Advisory Committee (SoRLAC) – Bacteria Count Project still continuing.

-         Regional Open Space Team (ROST) – Work on trails website still proceeding very well; Frog Pond trail is now on the website.

-         Souhegan Valley Land Trust – Planning an annual meeting.

 

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 10:45 PM.

 

 

Minutes Submitted by Lynne Draper

 

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