Meeting held 21 March, 2005 at Monadnock Paper Mill in Bennington
Present:
Antrim: Rod Zwirner, Bennington: Jeff Rose, Concord: Ted Hilton, Hillsboro: Marian Baker,
Jaffrey: Ron Rogstad, Henniker: Michelle Hamm, Hancock: Dick Bell, Rindge: Shirley Carney
Deering: Ed Cobbett
Visitors: Jeff Porter and Laura Weit from SWRPC
Regrets: Beth Cote:Peterborough, Byron Carr:Hopkinton, Loraine Carey Block:Antrim, Bob Henderson:Rindge
Presentation on Brownfields Program:
Laura Weit gave a power-point presentation on their Brownfields Assessment program.
They provide funds for assessment, cleanup, technical assistance for cleanup. The
key feature of the brownfields program is removing the uncertainty of liability
for prospective buyers of property They handed out copies of their new flyer.
(If you missed this meeting, you can get one from Marian). The program is a two
phased assessment to see if it looks like a potential source of pollution, then do
monitoring to follow up to confirm if they are hazardous. They work only with towns
that belong to southwest region. They showed a list of sites they are already aware of.
If we know of others, contact them. Those from Central RPC towns should check with Mike
Winsette of DES Brownfields about potential sites.
News of towns:
Concord - A developer has been found to take over the old tannery building in Penacook. Controversy continues over a proposed landfill in floodplain area along the upper Merrimack in Canterbury side of Concord.
Hopkinton - Controversy over the Bioenergy project continues. Hamm updated us on several bills in NH legislature concerning emission requirements for waste burning of demolition debris and other incinerators. The most important is one that requires all new permits and permit renewals to have the best available control technology as well as continuous monitoring. Discussion followed on the issues of demolition burning.
Hillsboro - A letter was written on behalf of our committee about the Walmart issue of Hillsboro. Baker was asked to send out the letter to all on email and then if approved send into local papers. Cobbett updated us on protection of our river in this section. According to DES the section of our river from Pierce Lake to main stem of Contoocook River is not regulated. However it is protected under Shoreland protection act as it is a fourth order stream from the confluence of Shedd and Beards brook to the confluence of Contoocook River main stem. Baker was asked to call Gary Springs concerning the continual Hillsboro Ford violations in that section of our river.
Jaffrey - Wastewater treatment- EPA required them to build a new wastewater treatment facility costing $10 million. (After grants etc. the towns portion will be 4 million.) Drinking water - The state said they do not have to look for another source at this time. Study approved for cyanide plume study to find out how much water can be removed without affecting the plume. (during the process of trying to control the amount of milfoil) Ice- on river was 18 inches thick this winter.
Hancock - The conservation commission is working on a study of Norway Pond that drains into Moose brook, a tributary of the Contoocook. Bell is looking into timber cuts along the Greenfield side of the Contoocook and will continue checking into potential members for our committee from Greenfield.
Rindge - Converse meadow inventory report was received. No school replacement yet due to high cost of wastewater costs of Jaffrey the other town in its SAU.
Bennington - Late snow and extreme cold may result in a large flooding. Dams at paper mills have been lowered to get water downstream to avoid flooding.
Antrim - Rezoning of the land along the North Branch failed to pass at town meeting.
2. Corrections to minutes- The previous minutes were approved as received.
3. Legislative update. Other pending bills include one checking with public access to rivers, and another one requiring all large water withdrawals to register with the state. We are all urged to notify our representatives and senators to support Bill no. 69. that gives towns the voice to look at any permits in process and can have input on developments.
New interpretation of regulations- anything done within 50 feet of reference line- must go through a special waiver, no building allowed. They will require notification to the LAC for any significant alteration of terrain within ? mi of any protected river. Ed Cobbett will send this information to our secretary.
4. Upcoming events:
5. Update on Educational Grant Baker with the help of Beth Cote: Treasurer finally purchased a new powerbook computer and printer/scanner/copier to be used for CNBRLAC work ($1099.99 was CBRLAC's share.) The balance will come from the grant money and other donations. Dues money, ($20 each), has come in this month from the towns of Antrim, Deering, Hancock, Hillsboro, and Stoddard plus Concord's that arrived today.
5. Old business Baker was thanked again for sending out a suggested annual report to towns. It was placed in at least four other town reports. Members seemed enthusiastic for occasional email updates or suggestions for things they can do in between our meetings to help our river.
6. Our next meeting will take place again at Monadnock Paper Mill conference room with the DES coming to train both our committee and some members of Trout Unlimited on volunteer monitoring. Please bring any photos or material to be put in a newsletter to that meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 9:20PM
Respectfully submitted,
Marian Baker, Secretary