Lee Conservation Commission
Minutes of Meeting of December 3, 2012
Present:
Members: Laura Gund, Antoinette Hartgerink, Bill Humm (Chair), David Meeker, Tim Moody, David
Shay, Anne Tappan, Richard Weyrick, Emeritus Member
Alternate Members: Catherine Fisher
Ex Officio: Laurel Cox, Land Protection and Community Development Administrator
Visitors: Carol Evans, Kristin Forselius, and Justine Roberts representing the Lee Public Library and
Community Center Foundation.
Approval of Previous Minutes: Minutes of meeting held on November 5, 2012, approved as written.
Updates and Announcements:
LCC Bank Balance: The balance in the LCC account as of November 30, 2012, was $12,972.49
composed of
LCC Funds
$9,519.31
Dave Allan Fund
$3,453.18
ZBA Report: A. Hartgerink reported that Sabrina Campbell’s culvert placement and wetland crossing
was approved without the “utility clause” that is often included in such projects and would have
permitted further construction in the area related to utility construction.
Forest Walk: C. Fisher cancelled a previously scheduled forest walk and rescheduled for the coming
Saturday, December 8.
Conservation Lands Management: B. Humm reported that he had contacted the private firm, BioSpray,
concerning the eradication of Oriental Bittersweet in the Town Forest. After a site walk the owner
recommended cutting the plants before spring and then spraying the re-growth of foliage in the fall of
2013 with “Brush-Be-Gone” (triclopyr). It is expected that additional applications of the herbicide
will be needed for the next 2 or 3 years for complete eradication. The project was assessed as too
small to require a license from NH DES and is expected to cost less than $300. A. Tappan asked if
BioSpray will put up notices in the area informing the public of the project.
“Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers”: B. Humm presented example signs for posting at Wheelwright Pond and
one design was selected. It was noted that the signs should include the statement “By Order of the
Selectmen”.
Coming Meetings: The “State of the Estuary Conference” will be held in Portsmouth on December 7 and
a “Rabbit Pellet Identification” training session will be held by NRCS on December 14 at the
Bellamy River Wildlife Management Area in Dover, NH.
Community Planning and Land Protection: L. Cox gave a review of current and proposed activities.
Semi-centennial Anniversary: It was noted that in 2016, when Lee will celebrate its semiquintennial
celebration, the Conservation Commission, started in 1966, will celebrate its semi-centennial
anniversary.
OLD BUSINESS:
Unclassified Town-Owned Lands: B. Humm presented draft warrant articles permitting the Board of
Selectmen to sell four of the properties that were judged to have little or no conservation value. After
a discussion the two nearly isolated properties (tax map 35-3-1 and 35-3-6) off Wadleigh Falls Road
near the Newmarket line were recommended for sale as was the parcel off Old Mill Road (tax map 59-11). After considerable discussion the parcel off Wheelwright Pond (tax map 11-1-31) was not
recommended for sale at this time. A motion reflecting these decisions was made, seconded, and
approved unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
Lee Public Library and Community Center Foundation: Visitors Carol Evans, Kristin Forselius, and
Justine Roberts presented an introduction to the Foundation and its purpose of arousing interest and
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support for the project and goal of raising money to supplement Town funds for the construction of
the proposed library and community center. The Foundation is proposing a 3-pronged approach:
Town warrant articles ($100,000/year), fund raising, and a bond issue. They asked the LCC for
advice in developing support within the community. Several issues were discussed with the
identification of a number of important components of the development program and future use of the
facility.
Ath-Mor Conservation Easement: L. Cox discussed the details of the proposed easement on the former
Ath-Mor Farm on Lee Hook Road being negotiated by the Merrill family and The Society for the
Protection of NH Forests, Southeast Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, and the Lamprey River
Advisory Committee (U.S. Park Service). The Merrill family has asked the Town of Lee to assume
the executory interest in the easement. B. Humm has discussed this matter with the BOS and they
have no objections to the action. A motion:
“Moved that the Lee Conservation Commission accept the executory interest in the Ath-Mor
Conservation Easement and contribute $1,000 to LRAC toward the transaction costs associated with
the project.”
The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Restoration of NE Cottontail: A. Tappan presented a letter from NH Fish and Game Nongame and
Endangered Wildlife Program seeking a contribution in support of a pair of NE Cottontails to be
maintained in a prepared enclosure near Great Bay. A motion proposing a $100 donation from LCC
was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
Lee Crier: B. Humm will contribute an article describing the three properties (see above) proposed for
sale by the Town and R. Weyrick will write an article describing recent activities at Lee Five Corners.
Kennard Property on Stepping Stone Road: A. Tappan moved and L. Gund seconded a motion: “That
the Lee Conservation Commission provide an amount up to $1,000 for an initial appraisal for an
easement on the Kennard property on Stepping Stone Road”. The motion passed unanimously.
Next Meeting: January 7, 2013
Submitted By ________________________________________
David Meeker
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