Wilton Conservation Commission

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 12 June 2006

 

 

Present:  Les, Alan, Laurence, Spencer and Lynne.   Citizen Jessie Salisbury.

 

 

  • Review Minutes:  Draft minutes from 08 May meeting were reviewed.  Laurence said he was not present at the May meeting, so change that.  Spencer moved we accept the minutes for the 08 May meeting, with that change; seconded by Les.  Passed unanimously.

 

  • 2006 Budget:  No activity.

 

  • ZBA:  

-         Discussion of June meetings of ZBA regarding the Zahn/Kennedy application for a gravel pit at 537 Isaac Frye Highway.  Spencer will continue to attend these meetings. 

-         ZBA meeting scheduled for 11 June includes an application by Zavgren/Mooney (at the Old Red Mill) in West Wilton for a variance to run a wedding business.  Our concerns include shoreline protection, as this property is next to a brook; also parking would be a concern.  Spencer will attend the meeting.

 

At this point, we broke off from the Agenda and met with the developers of  Westview Farms.

 

  • Westview Farms:  At 7:30 PM the Commission met with Steven Desmarais and Jamin Warren, owners/developers of Westview Farms, and Dawn Tuomala, their surveyor, to discuss the possibilities of the Conservation Commission (Town) purchasing approximately 90 acres of land for conservation.  This parcel abuts Town property to the north so there would be access from that point, and also possibly from Pead Hill Road.  They stated that if the Conservation Commission (Town) is not interested in purchasing any of the land which we have previously discussed, they will ask the Planning Board for more house lots, the exact number to be determined, but it looks like somewhere between 13-20 lots.  They will have two separate parts to the development, the cluster subdivision accessed off Dale Street, and the other house lots accessed off Pead Hill Road. 

 

When the developers left, the Commission had further discussion and decided to consult with Jon Sargent and the Todd Szewczyk, the Fish & Game officer, to discuss whether there is valuable wildlife habitat land there and if there is a lot of wildlife activity in the area.  Also, to discuss whether an appraisal might be needed.  This next work session will be on Monday, 19 June.  After a discussion, Spencer moved that if we decide to hire an appraiser, we limit the work to two hours.  Seconded by Les.  Passed unanimously.

 

Back to the Agenda.

 

  • Planning Board:  No agenda yet for next week’s meeting.  Need to continue to follow New Spartan Properties Riverwalk Cluster Subdivision, and Westview Farms (Ben Holt Land) subdivision.  On Westview, the Planning Board had some questions regarding who would own the open space; the matter was referred to Town Counsel.  Spencer and Lynne will continue to attend Planning Board to follow these matters.

 

·        Violations and Complaints:  No new activity.

 

  • McKay Dredge & Fill Permit:  Alan took some pictures on or about May 15th showing more activity in this area.  Our concerns continue.  DES is in charge and we are waiting for them to take some action or make a decision.

 

  • 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 for the time being.

 

  • Hoover Easement:  No activity.

 

  • Frog Pond: 

-         Spencer received a Storm Survey from the State which he has filled out.

-         During the latest rains, the diversion spillway worked correctly.  Alan was up there during the rain storm of May 15.  Spencer and Steve Elliott checked it during the other storm.  Each time, everything seemed fine.

-         Lynne was present at last month’s Planning Board meeting when the sign permit was approved.  The sign is now up (on the fence at the Maple Street entrance).

-         Spencer spoke with the new owners of Mrs. Paro’s property abutting the Frog Pond on Maple Street.  They would be very interested in “expanding” their back yard if we could get that project going.

-         Chris Carter is mowing the path up from Maple Street again this year.

-         Laurence inquired about the status of a conservation easement on the property.  Spencer noted that would need to be done at Town Meeting.  It is our intention to put an easement on the property, but we are waiting for Milford’s Falcon Ridge development to deed their portion of the Frog Pond  land to Milford, and then do it all at once.

 

  • Carnival Hill:  The barrier from the parking lot to the hill has not been installed yet.

 

  • Four Corners Farm:  Spencer still needs to check to see whether the asbestos has been removed, and he is continuing to work on the telephone poles/creosote matter.

 

  • NRI:  Spencer and Les still working on this.  No new update.

 

  • Trails:   No activity.

 

  • Miscellaneous:  No new activity on any of these items.

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:55 PM.

 

 

Minutes Submitted by Lynne Draper

 

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