RINDGE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES – AUGUST 14, 2008
The Rindge Conservation Commission met at the Rindge Town Office on August
14, 2008. Present were members Richard Mellor, Rick Godin, Derek Saari, Bill Preston,
Bob Henderson, Tom Peragallo, Anne Thomas, Kathy John, David Drouin, and Bob
Cleland (Secretary).
Present in the audience were John Hunt and Josh Bond.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Mellor at 7:00 P.M.
1. UPDATES:
A. RED GATE LANE VIOLATION – David Duvernay was not present at the
meeting and it was determined that the Commission could not render an opinion on the
case until we confer with him about the case or be given more information. David Drouin
suggested that the Commission send a letter to the Board of Selectmen explaining why an
opinion could not be rendered.
B. FRED DODD – ROBBINS POND DAM – MAP 1, LOT 3 –PERMIT 200702278 – Richard reported that he had not received any information from Mr. Dodd.
C. SANDBACK WILDERNESS SIGN POSTING – Members Richard Mellor,
Derek Saari, Bill Preston, Kathy John and her husband, and Anne Thomas posted signs at
the easement lots owned by Rindge and the NH Charitable Foundation at the Bush Hill
property formerly owned by Amy Sandback on August 10, 2008. It was suggested that
the Commission write a letter of appreciation to Amy and inform her that both lands had
been posted. It was also suggested that we try to get a photo of Amy and Commission
members at one of the signs to be used as a press release. Josh Bond of the Monadnock
Ledger Transcript offered to work with Richard and Amy to establish a press release in
the immediate future.
D. GARDNER CONSERVATION EASEMENT – Tom met with Ryan Owens of
the Monadnock Conservancy and Elizabeth Gardner in reference to a possible easement
of her property. In the discussion, Ryan indicated that he contacted an appraiser. An
appraisal is necessary for all easement purchases to prove that the land trust is not paying
above market value. The cost of the appraisal would be absorbed by the Commission if
the easement is accepted. Two options were also discussed with possible cost
considerations. Option #1 – An easement with no options for a house lot. Option #2 – A
reserved right in the conservation easement to withdraw from the easement a sufficient
area of land for a future house lot. Further discussions will continue.
E. CC RULES OF PROCEDURE – The Commission discussed the Rules of
Procedure and determined that Article 6 – Project Reviews was not necessary and that the
Secretary renumber the document. David made a motion which was seconded by Rick to
accept the Rules of Procedure with the corrections indicated. All were in favor.
F. CROWPOND INC. OFFER – Richard reported that at the last Selectmen’s
meeting, the Selectmen rejected the Crowpond Proposal to accept the dam.
G. WAPAC WILDERNESS – Richard reported that the Northeast Wilderness
Trust informed him that they will place a plaque on the trail to indicate the Commission’s
participation in securing that property, and that the Commission should develop the
wording for the plaque. It was decided that TOWN OF RINDGE – CONSERVATION
COMMISSION would be appropriate, and that Richard would contact the Trust to inform
them of our decision.
H. CAMP WILDWOOD LEADERSHIP PROJECTS – Bob C. reported that
although contact had been made with the LID leadership, rain interfered with any actual
dates. Bob took Alex out to Tetreault Park and showed what the Commission would like
to have accomplished, and Alex will try to go there if time is available to the team.
I. GRANT – SHED/DECK PROJECT – Bob C. reported that at the Building
Permits Committee meeting last week, the committee reviewed the Grant Application and
determined that DES saw no problems with the proposed structure or run-off
considerations. The committee accepted the application as submitted.
2. SITE REVIEWS – John Hunt Dam
A site review was planned for Friday, August 22, 2008 at 4:30.
3. JOHN HUNT DAM – John Hunt gave a history of the dam to the Commission and
explained that it has two parts – an earthen dam and a stone dam. He also explained that
the Dam Bureau and DES have no problem with the restoration if the dam is restored on
the original footprint. Mr. Hunt plans to bring in a pug machine and to use Roll
Compacted Concrete as the method for restoration using his own gravel as one of the
ingredients. There is no mitigation currently planned since Mr. Hunt has not opted to
dredge for top soil at this time, but he might come back to do so at a future date.
4. SHORELAND WORKSHOP – Richard Mellor, Bill Preston, Anne Thomas, Rick
Godin, and Bob Cleland attended the Shoreland Workshop in Fitzwilliam. The members
discussed the materials given out and the workshop in general.
5. SHORELAND PERMIT APPLICATION MAY 37, LOT 22-2 – After reviewing
the application, the Commission determined that no response was needed.
6. TRAIL MAINTENANCE & OTHER PRIORITIES – The Commission will look at
the properties that Larry Harris brush-hogged last spring and will inform Larry if they
need to be done again. The Commission will submit the three bids for the construction of
the Converse Culverts to Mike Cloutier for his review and then discuss which contractor
to use.
7. NEW BUSINESS – Richard submitted a report of Town Owned Land for the
Commission’s review. It was determined that members review the report and that it will
be discussed at the next meeting.
8. APPROVE PREVIOUS MINUTES (7/14/08) – David made a motion to approve the
minutes of 7/14/08 which was seconded by Rick. All were in favor with Tom and Bill
abstaining.
9. NEXT MEETING – August 28, 2008
Rick made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 P.M. The motion was
seconded by Bill. All were in favor.
Robert J. Cleland
Secretary