Minutes of the 4/6/06 Meeting

In attendance:

Aimee Ayers, Lake Sunapee Protective Association; Andy Chapman, NH DES;
Deane Geddes, Town of Newbury; Terry Dancy, Town of New London; Peter
Dzewaltowski, Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission; June
Fichter, Lake Sunapee Protective Association; Cynthia Hayes, Town of Springfield;
Charlie Hirshberg, Town of Sunapee; Ken Lawson, Town of Springfield &
Kolelemook Lake Protective Association; Bill Thomas, Town of Sutton.

June Fichter opened the meeting at 5:30 p.m. Peter Dzewaltowski distributed updated
copies of the “Terms of Reference,” as discussed at the September 14 meeting. June
Fichter distributed samples of the updated brochure for the December 13 informational
workshop.

Peter Dzewaltowski recommended that from now on, the Coalition use the Action Item
list as an agenda for the Steering Committee meetings, and having the full Coalition
meetings consist of a general update on the large issues such as the Watershed Action
Committee’s work on the watershed protection plan. Members agreed on that order
of procedure, and at this meeting they addressed eight action and/or carry-over items.

1. Minutes-October 12

Ken Lawson moved to accept the minutes of the October 12 Steering Committee
meeting. Terry Dancy seconded. No further discussion. Motion unanimously approved.

2. Website and List-serve

Ken Lawson reported that the list-serve he had been considering turned out to have a
worm. He is researching the quality and efficacy of other list-serves, and it is
conceivable that the Coalition will have to use one of those which charge a fee.

Regarding the Coalition’s website, he said that the cost for this is $12 a month.
Members noted that there is a $3000 allocation for web site maintenance in the grant,
and June Fichter reminded Ken to get to her with that cost as well as his time spent
working on the website, so she can apply that to the matching grant.

As far as the list-serve goes, Steering Committee members agreed to not proceed with
that until more information regarding reliability and costs can be obtained.

Bill Thomas asked if all this should rest on someone’s personal computer. He raised the
possibility of SAWC getting its own hardware. Terry Dancy said that a number of
towns have substantial computer systems. A SAWC terminal in one of the town offices
would not be a substantial addition there. Peter Dzewaltowski wondered if the
volunteer maintaining the website and (eventually) the list-serve will want to travel to the
location of the terminal to do that work. Terry Dancy suggested that they could just
provide the computer to the volunteer for SAWC’s work. There was some question of
whether or not the coalition could use money to provide a computer to one person. Bill
Thomas suggested it would not be a problem, as the computer would be for the benefit
of a particular entity--SAWC, and the volunteer is a representative of that entity. Over
time, if the volunteer maintaining the website changes, the computer could change
(locations) also.

Cynthia Hayes added that some towns as New London and Springfield have their own
websites, and could have a link to SAWC’s website.

3. Outreach to Towns

Terry Dancy opened this discussion, noting that the grant is for two years, and now is
the time to begin speaking to the Towns regarding their support of SAWC’s work. He
understands that the Town Administrators from New London, Newbury and Sunapee
(which share an assessor) have discussed SAWC’s need for some Town support at
one of their joint meetings, but it is not certain that any commitment has been made yet.
Cynthia Hayes pointed out that Towns have begun their ’07 budget process now, and
suggested that now is the time for SAWC to bring the six towns in (to SAWC’s budget
discussions) while costs are still relatively low. Andy Chapman asked what the towns
will need by way of information, and Peter Dzewaltowski asked how the request can
be presented to them, and who will do that. Terry Dancy asked if this is a subject that
could be broached during the workshop. After some discussion, it was agreed that the
workshop should be reserved as an informational session, rather than budgetary.

Steering Committee members agreed that meeting with Select Boards for each of the
six towns in the watershed, and at the same time having something in writing to present,
would be the best way to initially approach the towns regarding some financial support.
June Fichter said that she and Jennifer Palmiotto do plan to attend a Selectmen’s
meeting in each of the six towns prior to the December workshop, to fill them in on the
upcoming workshop as well as to update them on SAWC’s activities. That would be
the best time to broach the subject of Town support. Terry Dancy suggested they
contact the SAWC representative(s) from each respective town to be at the Selectmen’
s meetings with them.

Bill Thomas suggested that this Committee brainstorm its anticipated expenses now,
provide that framework to the Education/Outreach Subcommittee to flesh out, than get
back to this Committee before presentation to the Towns.

To that end, the Steering Committee agreed that the following comprise its anticipated
operating expenses:

o        Newsletter, including printing and mailing. Members agreed to anticipate two
mailings per year in its budget.

o        Other printing/copying. June Fichter said that LSPA will undertake some
copying costs, but these could be included in budget discussions.

o        Publicity, as for the upcoming workshop, i.e. the cost of the brochures and other
advertising. June Fichter noted that the workshop will also involve a custodial fee for
the facility, as well as the cost of refreshments, altogether about $150. Jennifer
Palmiotto has confirmed that GSRWA will underwrite the cost of a half page ad in the
Kearsarge Shopper.

o        General Advertising. Steering Committee members agreed that they should
budget for at least two advertising stints per year.

o        Survey. June Fichter said that the Colby Sawyer people who looked at the
results of the first survey, did not think that another would yield new information. Ken
Lawson said that if and when the coalition would like to do another survey, the website
does have that capability.

In conclusion: Aimee Ayers will put together some estimated figures, and June Fichter
will email those to Steering Committee members for comment, prior to her meetings
with the Boards of Selectmen.

4. Matching Grant

June Fichter reminded members to report to her all their SAWC-related expenses—
both time and financial, including travel (mileage at $.44/mi.), attending workshops,
working on outreach or on the website, other.

5. Flow & Management Chart

Aimee Ayers reported that that is ready in Excel spread sheet form, but she has not yet
mailed it to Ken for inclusion on the website. She pointed out that as discussed at an
earlier meeting, she has included on it only the large objectives, and she asked if the
smaller action items ought to be included there as well. Bill Thomas suggested listing
those in a primary outline, with each action item having a link to a display of monthly
changes related to that action item. Members agreed, and Aimee will put that
information together and get it to Ken Lawson for inclusion on the website.

6. Annual Town Reports

Terry Dancy reported receipt of a memo from New London’s Administrator to area
non-profit organizations reminding them to submit reports (by email or on a floppy disc)
for inclusion in the annual Town Report, by January 5, 2007. Members agreed that
inclusion in annual town reports is important publicity for SAWC, and June Fichter
volunteered to draft that.

7. Reference File

The collection of watershed-related articles, undertaken by Edythe Anderson, is still in
progress.

8. Scheduling

June Fichter reported that on Tuesday November 14, at 1:30 p.m., she and other
members of the Watershed Action Committee will be meeting with Jennifer Palmiotto.
Terry Dancy reminded everyone that on the same day, the Land Use Subcommittee
will be meeting with Tara regarding the matrix of town regulations.
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Meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah A. Denz
Recording Secretary