Milton Conservation Commission

PO Box 310

Milton NH 03851

October 3, 2011

MCC Meeting Minutes

Commissioners in attendance: Cynthia Wyatt, Charlie Karcher, Emery Booska, Steve Panish. Mike McDonnell is excused for health reasons.
Meeting call to order at 5:00 pm
1. Cynthia stated that since the MCC meeting was limited to an hour because the MCC arranged to be on the Selectmen agenda at 6:00, she asked Mr. Roberge to present first. Mr. Roberge stated that he owns map 53/lot 282, and has been taxed on 24.55 acres. Mr Roberge assumes that he is being taxed on a portion of the water fronting his property. He is interested in selling the development rights to the property. The Commissioners asked him to visit Kathy Wallingford and get a copy his tax card and a copy of the tax map showing his property to verify what he owns. Cynthia told him that she would also check with Kathy because she has never heard of anyone being taxed for acreage under water. She told Mr. Roberge that they will be in touch when they have more information.
2. The MCC discussed options for ensuring the conservation of the 69.5 landlocked acres referenced as map 27/ lot 1 owned by the Town of Milton for back taxes. Since the Nature Conservancy was not interested in purchasing this property, the board discussed the option of asking the Selectmen to "sell” this property to the MCC using the money that the Selectmen owe the Milton Conservation Fund which is in excess of 100,000. There was discussion about the valuable conservation features on this property: it is contiguous with other conservation lands, it has a portion of a large wetlands complex, has steep slopes, and is close to the Milton Three Ponds.
Emery made the following motion: The Milton Conservation Commission offers the Selectmen the following plan: they turnover the control of the landlocked 69.5 acres referenced by map 27, lot 1 to the MCC for the value of $37,500 to be reduced from what the Selectman owe the Milton Conservation Fund. The MCC's intention is to place a conservation easement on this parcel. If this plan is acceptable, the MCC would like to have a legal letter of agreement drafted by Milton's town attorney. Charlie seconded, all in favor.
3. The MCC reviewed the minutes of September 12, 2011. Emery made the motion to approve the minutes, Steve seconded, all in favor.
4. The MCC discussed the Lyman Brook Survey performed by McEneaney Survey.
Charlie made a motion to pay to McEneaney Survey for the survey. Emery seconded. All in favor.
Charlie made a motion to pay to have the plan recorded at the registry of deeds. Steve seconded. All in favor
Charlie reviewed the survey which he superimposed on an aerial photo. This revealed several encroachments of the easement. The MCC will note these encroachments in the baseline documentation, and will contact the homeowners with a letter informing them of the terms of the easement, but agree that there is nothing to do be done about the encroachments. Charlie is going to research what is recorded in their individual deeds regarding the easement.
5. Charlie Karcher made the motion to adjourn. Steve seconded, all in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Cynthia Wyatt, Chairman