A Community Discussion About Our Future

Key Issue #7 Preservation of Natural Resources

Facilitator: Gerry Fairbairn Recorder: Deanna Powell Spokesperson: not noted
Participants: Kim Burkhamer, Ken Lombard, David Woodbury, Frank Welton, Susan Woodward, Robert Shigley, Debra Claffey, Bob Todd, Pam Ilg, Sue Fehsinger, Lorraine Miller, Maddy Perron, Kelly Kennerson, Bin Clark, Amy Daniels, Beth Widmayer, Philip Lavallee

Clarification of the problem/issue to be addressed:

o breaking up woodland corridors
o chopping up the land for subdivision
o need an inventory of special spaces
o preserve cultural history
o open space plan? Need one
o need completed plan
o FLESA & REPP
o worry about run-off from building (water)
o water quantity and quality
o preserve open fields
o light and noise pollution
o build a resource to raise money to buy land
o build awareness for multiple ways to preserve space
o scenic sights and roads and vistas
o expansion of surrounding towns on New Boston impact
o I-93 expansion
o regional problem
o town cut-through to 114
o maintain gravel roads
o paved roads loose stone walls
o speeders on paved roads
o loss of horse trails
o complex rules and regulations prohibit
o balance between common sense and regulations
o need coordination between different interest groups
o fragmentation is happening faster than our preservation of open spaces and natural resources
o insuring community between government and town with tracking station
o need to be aware of 4-H grounds insure community

Possible Solutions:

o collaborate with other towns
o inventory potential spaces (Plan NH) to protect cultural, special spaces, dirt roads, stone walls
o investigate money resources available
o people resources to work on committees
o impact of losing spaces that may be developed
o build money incentive for keeping open space for landowners (tax burden)
o look at other towns for systems that are successful
o foster stewardship in the young children, utilize school
o incorporate open space plan into Master Plan
o develop plan for development
o increase awareness and exposure to what we have to foster participation (bus tours, websites, brochures)
o bring in UNH Extension resources in for education and workshops (dirt roads vs. paved)
o encourage exploration of your own property to include an inventory
o involve teens - GPS (mapping)
o communicate what we already have done - website
o develop school projects
o preservation ordinance?
o must have incentive for land owners to permanently protect land
o more tax incentive than current use
o significant change to tax structure (state-wide)
o teens involve organizations, scouts, recreation, library, Berlin education
o GPS orientation, scavenger hunts - GEO cache
o preservation ordinances
- historic buildings
- scenic roads
- water ways

Project Evaluations:

High Impact/High Feasibility
o significant change to tax structure
o must have incentive for land owners to permanently protect land
o $ incentive to keep open space for landowners
o more tax incentive than current use
o inventory of cultural and natural spaces (dirt roads/stone walls)
o ID impact of losing spaces that may be developed

High Impact/Moderate Feasibility
o develop plan for development
o incorporate open space plan into Master Plan
o look at other towns that have been successful
o historic buildings
o scenic roads
o water ways
o preservation ordinance
o investigate dollars federal resources available
o people (resources) to work on committees

High Impact/Low Feasibility
not noted

Moderate Impact/High Feasibility
not noted

Moderate Impact/Moderate Feasibility
o exposure to what we have/sponsored hikes on trails
o increase awareness bus trips
o collaborate with other towns

Moderate Impact/Low Feasibility
o bring in UNH resources for education and workshops
o encourage awareness of what Historical Society has

Low Impact/High Feasibility
not noted

Low Impact/Moderate Feasibility
o involve teens (GPS, school projects)
o Geo cache - Berlin education
o fostering stewardship in youth - utilize school
o teens (scouts, recreation, library) organizations

Low Impact/Low Feasibility
o exploration of your own property to include in inventory