Tuftonboro Conservation Commission (TCC) Minutes
Regular Meeting of
Members Present: Barbara Garabedian, Dawn Evans, Gary Chehames, Win Wood, Dave Durham, Jerry Light
Visitors: Jake Evans, Lane Evans, Mark Meehan, Wright-Pierce Engineering Company (Neil Cheseldine), and NHSC Inc. Environmental Consultants (Sherrie Davis)
Items discussed:
Boy Scout Project-Jake Evans presented preliminary details of a
project he would like to be sponsored by the Commission. The project is to
build a bird watching stand on Copps Pond. The
project is a part of his fulfillment of requirements leading to the rank of
Eagle Scout. Jake’s presentation reflected strong orientation to the mission of
the Commission. Details presently reflect an 8 x 8 platform, a boardwalk, a
wetlands permit application, and a small parking area. All in all, the
Commissioners were impressed with the concept and indicated that it could
provide some funds for the project.
Mr. Cheseldine explained the applications (one for Tuftonboro and one for Wolfeboro) are presently deficient inasmuch details of the proposed improvements bordering on the wetlands have not been surveyed as to location and infringement. The woods road is an easement granted in a purchase and sale agreement with Whitten. One of the Commissioners also noted that the subterranean filtration-leaching area (hereafter called "sand filter area"), which extends into Tuftonboro, was omitted from the depiction of the sand filter area. That is, only the sand filter area located in Wolfeboro is reflected. The Commissioners advised Ms. Davis and Mr. Cheseldine that these were major deficiencies and requested that they notify the Commission when these items would be included with the applications and sent along to the DES. They both agreed to do this. The Commissioners also stated they wished to perform a site walk with DES cognizant review officials when the applications were deemed complete, particularly with regard to a full delineation of the affected wetlands.
Mark Meehan, an abutter, also spoke. Mr. Meehan reported that his well is in the pathway of the effluent discharge. He asked for guarantees that his well will still be good 5-10 years from now? Mr. Cheseldine replied there is no evidence the effluent will get to his well. Some Commissioners expressed their skepticism of the computer modeling underlying Mr. Cheseldine’s response.
A commissioner then asked Mr. Cheseldine why a new road is needed when one already exists and is being used at present to serve the site? He replied he did not know.
Mr. Meehan then questioned whether a survey had been done, and whether they were aware of where his property line is located and that the area of the proposed road improvements is all marsh and swamp? Mr. Cheseldine replied only the upland side of the road will be affected by improvements, not the wetlands side. Mr. Meehan also asked what will they do when they find they’re on his land and damage the root system of his 380 trees? No response.
Win Wood then inquired as to the welfare of wildlife along the brook because no one can really predict what will be in the effluent and a conservation impact study is needed to find out for future reference 40 years from now? Nobody has done any study. It was also noted by the Commissioners that there are water shortages everywhere. Perhaps Wolfeboro should consider a Stage 4 facility that will purify and reclaim the water. Where will we be if this system breaks down in 30 yrs? No response. The only choice should be to go to a Stage 4 system anyway. No response.
Mike asked if there has there been any study of what will happen to the wetlands after all this effluent gets dumped in there? Mr. Cheseldine responded that computer modeling of the site of injection shows the brook’s health will be better.
The commissioners then asked Mr. Cheseldine to inform them the survey has been updated so that they can set up a site walk.
The Commissioners expressed concern over the possibility of the brook becoming greatly elevated during time of peak outflow from the sand filter area. Wouldn’t this eliminated current wetlands it was asked? No response.
Conservation Commission’s letter responding to SRA notice-Win Wood attended
this morning’s Selectmen Meeting. He reported that the Selectmen received a
request to reprimand the Commission for the letter it sent in response to the
SRA notice and which was subsequently paraphrased by the Granite State News. In
a separate article, the Selectmen declined the request. The Commissioners then
discussed that newspaper’s response to the letter. It was the consensus of the
Commission that the newspaper’s way of handling the letter was very unfortunate
and served no constructive purpose: it was intended that the letter be
reprinted, not paraphrased.
Tuftonboro Water Study Group (TWSG)-Following the discussion about the Selectmen Meeting, some of the Commissioners expressly noted the letters recently published in the Granite State News. One of the letters cited some technical points of concern regarding the WWTF upgrade project centering on the composition and quality of treated effluent that would be injected into the sand filter area. It was agreed that these points of concern should be further addressed by the Commission as matters that needed to be resolved.
It was also agreed that TWSG
was not on a path that was encouraging critical evaluation of the WWTF upgrade
project. The TWSG was not proactive and seemed directed to pooling resources
with Wolfeboro, which refused to reciprocate in the event of damage to Tuftonboro. The memorandum of agreement, although positive,
obtained no protections for Tuftonboro or the
environment, and the data it called for would be furnished regardless of its
existence. In light of this and because of the urgency of responding to legal
notices such as the one from the SRA, the Commission believes it is important
to get the DES to sit up and take notice. The Commission will respond to the
DES regarding the various permit applications that have been submitted by
Wolfeboro to start construction of the WWTF upgrade project. Further, it will
not send out copies of future correspondence to the
Libby Park-Chairman Phelps reported that the issue of
Discussion on CIP-Chairman Phelps received a request from the CIP
for budget inputs. We could consider submitting costs for land acquisition and
easements, legal fees, damage repair, trail maintenance, and signage.
Permit Application Matters
WETLANDS AND NON-SITE SPECIFIC PERMIT
Robert Calhoun Tax Map #
File #2007-00599
Gregory and Barbara Jones Tax Map
#
File # 2006-01842
REQUEST
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Stephen & Jennifer Yamane Tax Map #
File # 2007-00574
492 NH Rt. 109,
NH Fish & Game Department Tax Map #
Wetlands file # 2007-01463
$30,000 to clean up, want to do it right away; dock owners will have to pay for it.
Replace crib and dock;
Lainie Jones Tax Map # 52-1-20
Jack Parson filed complaint based on excavation of shoreline, hay bales in water.
Jack & Joyce Munsey Tax Map #
File # 2007-01086
Install hinged concrete pad for seasonal dock
This is a re-application; previous application incomplete.
Karen Beane Tax Map # 37-1-24
File # 2007-00816
Re: Alteration of Terrain Permit Application #061117-01
CJ Winny, LLC/Ridgeway Tax Map # 41-1-16
File # 2007-01351
Richard and Diane Quimby
Didn’t send in NHB certificate
CJ Winny, LLC/Ridgeway Tax Map # 41-1-16
File # 2007-01351
There is a new fee schedule
for permits and applications as of
Win said Wolfeboro would be sending all its health information data regarding the WWTF upgrade project to our health officer, Jack Parsons. He expressed concern that no health professionals are involved. He suggested a “health committee” be formed and that it include health care providers. He noted that there is a local “Pandemic Committee” in place, led by Adam Thompson. It was suggested that information should be sent to them. No action.
Wolfeboro is hiring someone
to collect samples;
Chairman Phelps asked if the Commission should ask Jack Widmer, about moving the Commission’s bank account to someplace more profitable. Current balance: $15,107.82
There is a new June Lakeside magazine available to read.
Minutes of the Commission’s
regular meeting of
Motion to Adjourn- Motioned by
Vicki Kinnaman
Conservation Commission Secretary