Members:
James Finn - Chairman (Excused)
Tom Seniow - Vice-Chairman
Gerry Capron - Member (Excused)
Cherie Howell - Member
Lisa Linowes - Member
Pamela Skinner - Member
Dianna Fallon - Alternate
Terri Lucas - Alternate (Absent)
Bernie Rouillard - Alternate (Excused)

Alternate Appointment
The Acting Chairman, Tom Seniow, appointed Mrs. Fallon to replace Mr. Capron for this meeting.

Minutes
Mrs. Howell motioned to accept the August 8, 2002 minutes as amended. Miss Skinner seconded the motion. Passed unanimously.

Castle Reach - Phase II
Presenter - Peter Zohdi of Herbert Associates
Jenny's Hill Road
Lots 7-A-400, 3-B-290B, 8-C-50
Mr. Zohdi explained to the Commission that he was at the meeting to get a signature for the expedited Dredge & Fill Permit for the end of Hancock Road. This Dredge & Fill proposes to fill 980 square feet of bordering wetland to create a road crossing to gain access to the adjacent buildable uplands, ultimately extending Hancock Road from one subdivision to another. The right-of-way will go thru a portion of the buffer zone of the vernal pool. At the request of the Planning Board, Mr. Mark West looked at the vernal pool. Mr. Zohdi, Mr. Gove of Gove Environmental, and the Commission Members discussed recommendations that were made by Mr. Mark West, Wetland Scientist, at the Planning Board Meeting. One of the suggestions by Mr. West was to have some vegetation around the vernal pool. The Commission discussed the suggestion made by Mr. West at the Planning Board meeting for a culvert. Mrs. Fallon said that Mr. West did not think a culvert would facilitate any of the amphibian travel; they would probably cross the road rather than use the culvert. Mr. Gove explained that there would have to be structures to direct amphibians to the critter crossings. Mrs. Howell recommended that the road width be reduced to 24-feet. Mr. Gove explained that work would not be taking place in the vernal pool but adjacent to it. Mr. Gove said that the State of New Hampshire's position is that you are allowed access to your land but they ask that it be done with the least amount of impact. Mrs. Howell motioned to approve and sign the Dredge & Fill. Miss Skinner seconded the motion. Passed unanimously. Mrs. Linowes advised the Members that the Planning Board has planned a site walk for Wednesday August 28, 2002 at 6:00 PM. Additional comments may follow after the site walk. The following recommendations were made to the Planning Board.

• The Road width should be decreased to 24-feet.
• Proposed Head Wall and pavement should move to the east as pavement decreases.
• Care should be taken to properly re-plant former cul-de-sac and adjacent area with plants that would enhance the vernal pool with the intent to re-grow the canopy.
• The Planning Board should encourage Hancock Road homeowners to allow this area to re-grow.
• 2:1 instead of 3:1 slope as presented allowing a culvert for an amphibian crossing through fill area.
• Shoulder widths through fill area should be reduced if possible.
• On lots 7-A-759 (now known as 7-A-760) and 7-A-758 (now known as 7-A-761), the Planning Board should encourage care in house placement near vernal pool.
• On lots 7-A-735 and 7-A-736, the WWPD should be a "no-cut" zone.
• Great attention should be paid to the unique natural resources in this area, primarily wetlands connecting to Spruce Pond, Seavey Pond, Flat Rock Brook and Mitchell Pond. Area is listed in the Master Plan as an area of great conservation value

Additional comments may follow the August 28, 2002 site walk.

Heritage Acres (Ryan) Subdivision - Minimum Impact Dredge & Fill
Presenter - Mr. Peter Zohdi of Herbert Associates
Heritage Hill Road
Lots 24-F-150, 24-F-300, 24-F-169
Mr. Zohdi stated that this is a Minimum Impact Dredge & Fill application for 2748 square feet. There will be two headwalls on both sides of the wetland. No additional trees will be cut. At the August 8, 2002 Conservation Commission Meeting Mr. Rouillard motioned to approve the Dredge & Fill with the condition to decrease the distance between the headwalls to road width plus the appropriate shoulder. Mr. Capron seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Spruce Pond Subdivision - Planning Board Plans
Open Space Subdivision
Bissell Camp Road
Lots 3-B-600, 800, 890, 1200, 1300
After reviewing the submitted plans the Conservation Commission had the following recommendations.

• Great attention should be paid to the unique natural resources in this area particularly Spruce Pond and the wetlands connected to Mitchell Pond, Seavey and Flat Rock Brook.
• This area is listed in the Master Plan as an area of great conservation value. See copy of the Natural Resources Inventory.
• There are extensive existing woods roads in this area; connectivity of such should be maintained both for recreation and access to significant conservation areas and with state recreation trails.
• The size of this development warrants a baseline wildlife study.
• The Conservation Commission respectfully requests being included in all the Planning Board site walks for this area.

Other Business
The Members discussed the Applefest scheduled for September 22, 2002.

The Members discussed procedure and protocol and the need for By-Laws. Mrs. Howell motioned to add procedure and protocol to the next agenda (September 12, 2002). Miss Skinner seconded the motion. Passed unanimously.

Mail

1. Memo from Jim Daddona regarding cablecast issues.
2. DES Letter of Compliance File #2002-00330, 33 Indian Rock Road.
3. New Hampshire Municipal Association - 15th Annual Municipal Volunteer Awards.
4. DES Acknowledgement of Receipt of File #2002-01714, Ryan Rev. Trust, Heritage Hill Road, lots 24-F-150, 169, 300.
5. Rockingham Planning Commission, August 22, 2002 Newsletter.

The next meeting of the Conservation Commission is scheduled for September 12, 2002 at 7:30 PM at the Planning & Development Office.

These minutes are in draft form and are respectfully submitted for approval.