The Marlow NH Historical Society Minutes / August 08th , 2006

These minutes will be reported in our next e@newsletter as there are many details that must be included . Guest Lydia Stevens. Lydia is retiring as Chair of Monadnock Music Marlow and we are seeking another to fill her shoes. She has been a loyal soldier since the beginning; getting Monadnock Music here for the first concert and then maintaining their interest to play here. It is not easy, and even though it happens once a year, it hangs on one's shoulders longer than the one day they arrive to play. It takes work and dedication and the very fact that the Society relies so heavily on the reliable profits from the Dinner proves that without the concert and those who follow MM from venue to venue the success of the dinner would questionable. MMB

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General Meeting Minutes- unapproved / Marlow Historical Society / August 17, 2006

Joint Meeting with the Conservation Commission

Since the Conservation Commission was to join us at 7:30 PM, be began with a quick business meeting before their arrival. The meeting opened at 7:00 PM. Loisanne Foster read Secretary’s Report which was approved as amended.

Candy Wiggum reported on our Elm Tree Project. We have raised over $27,00.00 for this. The Odd Fellows have pledged $100.00 and Pat Gallup, $500.00. Candy showed us the standard plaque done by the Keene Liberty Elm Project. The plaque will come with holes drilled for fastening it to tree, bench, or rock.

We discussed benches, fences, and markers for all the new elm trees. We discussed where to find a granite monument stone. A commercial source would cost around $450.00. Several private sources were suggested/volunteered. Richard Rock volunteered to purchase a cast memorial to the Veterans.

Mary Blank read the Treasurer’s Report which was accepted as read.

At this point, the Conservation Commission arrived: John Asseng, Greg Farquar, Jen Brown, and Linda Fuerderer. John Asseng, acting as spokesman for the Commission, defined the CC’s purposes as to educate the town about conservation laws, programs, grant moneys available, and easements and to educate people to do wise things with their land, not in the hope that things won’t change, because they will, but in the hope that local people will guide the coming changes wisely. John said that the goal is not preservation, which would mean no changes which is impossible, but conservation which is wise use of natural resources.

Candy Wiggum described the Liberty Elm Project which will include ten trees. Tony Davis will to help us pick them up and plant them. Two of our earned free trees will be set aside for a raffle for Marlow residents. Pat Gallup is planning to purchase four or five elms for the Christmas Trees Inn. We asked for the help and advice of the Conservation Commission which was happily granted. We used the terms “cultural landscape” and “public view shed” in discussing how these trees might be distributed on public and private property. Charlie Strickland pointed out that, if we plant too many trees, we will lose some of our beautiful village view. We promised to keep this in mind in selecting the sites.

Tom Coleman pointed out that trees planted within the 20 foot right of way along public roads really are on public property, not that anyone would force anyone to take a tree. He pointed out that elm trees planted opposite each other can create an arch. John Assing pointed out that, if you plant them that close together, sooner or later “one of them will win out.” John also noted that we need to look into how the road is going to affect the runoff since salt is still used on the roads and will affect the trees. Jen Brown added that we must not plant the trees too close to buildings because, if they grow to pose a danger to the buildings, they would have to come down. Mary noted that the elm tree has a long tap root, so the roots do not spread as much as with some trees, but they still must be at least 15 feet away from all roads and buildings, and Tony Davis wants to remind us to watch out for utilities above and below ground. Tony will call DIG SAFE and do research on underground safety for planting, once all the sites are tentatively selected. Charlie Strickland said that the town does not own trees by the highways. The trees are owned by the adjacent landowners.

Jen Brown suggested putting several elm shade trees on the school grounds. We will call Joe Sharp, the School Board Chairperson to look into this. Tom Coleman asked, “Does the Elm Tree Society mention companion trees such as locusts?” Sometimes shade trees are started with companion trees which may later be cut down.

Candy said that the elm tree planting will be in September and the dedication will be during the Harvest Festival, the first week in Oct.

John Asseng asked if we have a plan for watering the trees which should be watered every few days through the fall. We have had plans to share the watering. John Assing said the Conservation Commission will be glad to help with the planting and watering during the first few weeks.

Jen Brown said that we should test each planting site to see what the soil needs for optimal health and growth. We contact the County Extension Service for the necessary materials.

Mary asked John if he would be willing to check out our locations for appropriateness, and John said he would look at them.

Candy said that during the first few years, the trees will need to be pruned. John Asseng and Greg Farquar will be glad to check out the planting sites and later take care of the pruning. Also, someone suggested that we consult with the County Foresters. They not only advise big landowners, but also help towns and individuals with their plantings.

Mary asked the Commission, “how can we help you in your mission?” John said, “Well, we’d like $75,000.00 to buy Grassy Brook Watershed from the town.” Apparently it is for sale, and it is of interest to a number of conservation groups as it is “prime conservation land” in danger of being despoiled by development. We all agreed that we don’t want more and more houses here. We would like the land utilized and managed wisely. John suggested calling Steve Burch who is the head of LCHIP as LCHIP funds are sometimes used to conserve land. John also suggested checking with Jeff Jones in Stoddard who is engaged in acquiring more public land in a town already wealthy in conservation lands.

We discussed the possibility of presenting a warrant at the next meeting proposing that the town turn over the Grassy Brook watershed to the Conservation Commission in exchange for certain long-term benefits such as, possibly, timber rights, and we agreed that the best approach to this would be to persuade the Selectmen to issue the warrant.

We discussed raising public awareness about the Grassy Brook Watershed. With that in mind, the Conservation Commission may join us with a booth at the Harvest Festival in Oct. with information and brochures.

Jen Brown suggested that the Conservation Commission and MHS cosponsor Tom Wessels, Professor at Antioch, with his talk and slide presentation and a hike for 20-25 people covering the subject of stone walls, their construction, uses, and meaning. This would cost $600.00. We discussed the possibility and also discussed the idea of asking Steve Taylor, N.H. Commissioner of Agriculture, who lives in Meriden to talk to us and show his slides on stone walls. Apparently he is an expert as well and would most likely charge us little or nothing for his presentation.

Mary Blank suggested that we should record the walls and foundations in Marlow and attempt to establish the identity of each.

This led to a discussion of the placement of the U.S. Cellular tower coming to Marlow Hill. Linda asked “Has anyone done an overlay of historic buildings to show that the tower will not impact artifacts?” Loisanne said that we have Tracy Messer’s maps of the early foundations there. Greg noted that he has explored the proposed site of the coming tower and that it is well back off the Marlow Common to the rear, left corner.

Having found many interests and purposes in common, we adjourned at 9:07 PM.

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