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2007 Meeting Minutes

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January 29, 2007

March 23, 2007

May 21, 2007

 

LCHIP Board of Directors Meeting

CDFA Board Room

14 Dixon Avenue

Concord, NH

May 21, 2007

10am – noon

 

In Attendance:

Charlie Bridges

Phil Bryce (left 11:15)

Pete Helm

Rusty Mclear (arrived 10:45)

Van McLeod

Tim Murphy

Bill Norton

Sara Pillsbury

Charlie Royce

Bill Veillette

Craig Welch

Rachel Rouillard, LCHIP

Darrell DeTour, LCHIP

Amy Dixon, LCHIP

Cheryl Carlson, LCHIP

 

Absent:

Sen. Peter Bragdon

Jack Bronnenberg

Sen. Martha Fuller-Clark

Rep. David Hess

Rep. Judith Spang

Linda Stoddard

Steve Taylor

 

Public Members:

None

Craig Welch opened the meeting at 10:10 am. Introductions followed. The board reviewed the meeting agenda. Item #7, Conflict of Interest policy, was tabled, as the policy document was not ready for discussion.

Minutes

The board reviewed minutes from the March 23, 2007 meeting. The minutes originally emailed to board members, had been changed. Members received copies of the revised minutes at today’s meeting. There was no quorum, therefore, no vote on the minutes. They will be presented at the next board meeting for a vote.

Executive Director Update

Rachel reported the following:

  • Folsom Tavern in Exeter held a funders reception on May 17th at 5pm. Amy Dixon attended. The event was a success
  • A site walk will be held at Daniel Webster farm this Friday (May 25) from 3-5pm. A larger celebration will take place in September
  • The most recent newsletter has been mailed out
  • Letters of thanks to House members who have voted for LCHIP, have gone out
  • The Kidder pond project in Alstead has withdrawn their grant award of $160,000. The applicants have tried to make the project work, but in the end, the property had been subdivided
  • LCHIP Day 2007 – LCHIP is working with the Division of Travel and Tourism on this endeavor. LCHIP Day would highlight LCHIP projects and those projects would be open on a certain day to the public. This is a work in progress. LCHIP day will most likely be on July 29th and is hoped to be an annual event.
  • The provision for administration funds in the State biennium budget is still being worked on.

    • Legislative Update

    The board discussed the following legislation:

  • HB239– an act appropriating funds to the barn preservation fund matching grants programs
  • The board discussed the dedicated funding bills for LCHIP that are currently in committee. LCHIP’s request as part of the state operating budget was also discussed.

    •  

    Grant Round 7 – Next Steps

    LCHIP has received 86 pre-applications for round 7 requesting a total of $23.3 million. Review panels in the categories of historic, natural, and cultural resources evaluated the projects. It was recommended to invite the following to submit full applications for Round 7:

  • 25 NR (7 No) - $9.7m requested (23,000 acres)
  • 14 HR, 4 Contingent (4 No) - $2.2m requested
  • 23 CR, 4 Contingent (5 No) - $8.8m requested (6,300 acres)
  • Since this is a self-selecting process, a possible total of 70 applications could be received requesting nearly $21 million
    •

    The board reviewed spreadsheets from the review process. Phil Bryce had concerns about projects that did not mention sustainable management. The board discussed state-owned covered bridges and historic buildings. Allen Brooks at the Attorney General’s office is looking into the issue and an opinion will be given soon.

    After this meeting, staff will inform those who submitted a pre-application if they will be moving forward or not. Those moving forward will be asked to submit a full application with a due date sometime in July.

    Rachel stated that the Congregational Church of Orford has had a roof collapse. They had requested to put in an LCH Register form and for permission to submit in grant round 7. The church trustees are also working with their insurance company. There was consensus among board members to allow the church to submit an application for this round.

    Upcoming Meeting

    Board members suggested canceling the June 21st meeting and trying to schedule a meeting for July instead. Members will coordinate by email on a new date.

    Process Discussion for Executive Director Annual Review

    As in prior years, the review is initiated by a self-evaluation. The board will review the evaluation, and discuss and comment amongst each other. The board will go into Executive Session to discuss this matter at a later date.

    Comments from the Public

    There were no comments from the public at this meeting

    Meeting adjourned at 11:58 am

     

     

     

    LCHIP Board of Directors Meeting

    CDFA Board Room

    14 Dixon Avenue

    Concord, NH

    March 23, 2007

    10am – noon

     

    In Attendance:

    Sen. Peter Bragdon

    Charlie Bridges

    Jack Bronnenberg

    Susan Francher

    Pete Helm (arrived 11:03)

    Rusty McLear

    Tim Murphy

    Bill Norton

    Sarah Pillsbury

    Charlie Royce

    Tom Sloan

    Rep. Judith Spang

    Bill Veillette

    Craig Welch

    Rachel Rouillard, LCHIP

    Amy Dixon, LCHIP

    Cheryl Carlson, LCHIP

     

    Absent:

    Rep. David Hess

    Sen. Martha Fuller-Clark

    Van McLeod

    Linda Stoddard

     

    Public Members:

    None

    Craig Welch opened the meeting at 10:08 am. Introductions followed. The board reviewed the meeting agenda and no changes were made.

    Minutes

    The board reviewed minutes from the February 23, 2007 meeting.

    MOTION: Bill Veillette made a motion to accept the February 23, 2007 minutes as presented. Seconded by Bill Norton. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

    Executive Director Update

    Rachel reported the following:

  • She reminded the board of LCHIP’s informal media policy, in which program-related calls should go to Rachel. Board members generally only make general comments to the media
  • NHPR and NH Business review are in going through the Program’s files as part of an analytical report.
  • Folsom Tavern in Exeter is holding a funders reception on May 17th at 5pm. Board members are invited. Amy Dixon will email board members details of the event
  • The concept of an awards event was discussed. It would be put on by LCHIP and would elevate the importance of what people are doing
    •

    Legislative Update

    The board discussed the following legislation:

  • SB227 – an act authorizing Land and Community Heritage Investment Program donations accompanying motor vehicle registrations
  • HB777 – an act imposing a fee and a fine for certain changes to terrain alteration permits
  • HB868 – an act relative to a surcharge on recording documents with the register of deeds to fund the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program.

    • Partnership Subcommittee Report

    The partnership subcommittee consists of Pete Helm, Tom Burack, Van McLeod, Steve Taylor, Amy Ignatius, Phil Bryce, and Charlie Bridges. The subcommittee discussed the following talking points on March 22, 2007:

  • What are the ways agencies can better support LCHIP and vice versa
  • Integrating missions… is there a better way?
  • Voting vs. non voting issues
  • General partnerships
  • Agencies evaluating LCHIP projects
    •

    What came out of the meeting:

  • Everyone agreed that agencies reviewing projects works well
  • Agencies as non-voting members works since agencies review projects
  • Awareness of LCHIP at the Commissioner levels
  • o Reviews have been good
  • o Awareness at the higher levels seem to be lacking
  • § LCHIP should meet with Commissioners and Directors to inform what LCHIP is doing and what the mission is. The mission is unclear to agencies, citizens, and the Legislature
  • § Make it clear that LCHIP complements agency missions, not duplicates it
  • § Agencies also have to make it known
  • § LCHIP needs to acknowledge what agencies are doing
  • § Agencies will develop a joint statement that all can present at hearings
    •

    Tom and Van will sit down and come up with suggested actions/strategies/next steps. It was expressed that some agencies are burdened with reviewing LCHIP projects in addition to their normal job functions. It was asked if funding is available to compensate the agencies for review time.

    Grant Round 7 Priorities

    The following priorities were proposed for Grant Round 7:

     

    LCHIP Priorities for the 2008-2009 Biennium

    LCHIP will ensure access for all PEOPLE to:
  • Nearby recreational opportunities
  • Clean and abundant drinking water
  • Local farms and local food
  • Open space and special landscapes
  • Significant historic community buildings/spaces
    •

    By giving Priority to and funding the following types of projects:

    Land:
  • The most productive farms in the Merrimack and Connecticut River Valleys
  • Farms of at least 25 acres where there is an existing critical mass of agriculture where conservation of said farm would maintain and/or strengthen synergies among farmers and agricultural businesses
  • Public drinking water supply lands
  • The State’s most significant natural lands receiving the highest ranking or in conservation focus areas, as identified in the Wildlife Action Plan
  • Large contiguous blocks of forestland (over 1,000 acres or in the context of the surrounding region) under a single ownership demonstrating sound forest management principles   
    •

    Historic:
  • At-Risk resources including: Seven to Save and those facing imminent demolition or structural failure
  • Meetinghouses
  • Iconic landmarks
  • High-level resources: National Historic Landmarks and National Register listed properties having ‘national significance’
    •

    Cultural:
  • Land adjacent to historic resources
  • Community-defining landscapes, last surviving place of its type (i.e.: last dairy farm or orchard)
  • Historic structures whose rehabilitation will add significant economic value to a downtown or a community
  • Save America’s Treasures projects
    •

    Before project funding is considered, applicants must fully demonstrate:
  • Strong and broad community support
  • Imminence of threat
  • Stewardship ability
  • Financial need
  • Capacity to implement project
    •

    The board discussed the document and the following changes were proposed:

  • 1st bullet, strike ‘nearby’ replace with ‘Open lands providing outdoor passive’
  • 3rd bullet, restructure to read ‘locally produced farm products’
  • 7th bullet, add to the end of bullet point ‘or large in the context of the surrounding region’
  • 10th bullet, restructure to read ‘Large contiguous blocks of forestland (over 1,000 acres or large in the context of the surrounding region) providing a sustainable forest resource
  • Add check box under the 10th bullet that says ‘under single ownership’
  • 13th bullet, add ‘or unique’ after Iconic
  • 15th bullet, strike ‘Land’, replace with ‘Properties’
    •

    It was noted that the Grant Round 7 priorities end after the last bullet point under Cultural. The remaining bullet points were for board reference and are items that are in the CGP.

    Process for Grant Round 7:

  • Invite all applicants on the LCH register to submit a pre-application
  • Self-selecting process according to stated priorities
  • Agencies will review pre-applications based on stated priorities
  • Applicants who meet stated criteria will be invited to submit a full application
    •

    The board also discussed whether to invite all applicants who submit full applications to give a presentation to the Board. Since the number of full applications is impossible to gauge at this point, no decision was made on presentations to the board.

    MOTION: Bill Veillette made a motion to open grant Round 7 according to the process laid out above and to use the Grant Round 7 priorities as amended. Seconded by Rep. Spang. Approved by unanimous vote.

    Comments from the Public

    There were no comments from the public at this meeting

    Meeting adjourned at 11:58 am

     

     

     

     

    Board of Directors Meeting, CDFA Board Room, Concord NH

    January 29, 2007

     

    In Attendance:

    Charlie Bridges

    Pete Helm

    Bill Norton

    Bill Veillette

    Rusty McLear (via conf call)

    Van McLeod (via conf call)

    Charles Royce (via conf call)

    Rep. Spang (via conf call)

    Craig Welch (via conf call)

    Rachel Rouillard

    Cheryl Carlson

    Amy Dixon

    Darrell DeTour

     

    Absent:

    Linda Stoddard

    Jack Bronnenberg

    Steve Taylor

    Sen. Johnson

    Sen. Larsen

    Rep. Merrow

    Phil Bryce

    Thomas Burack

    Tim Murphy

     

    Bill Veillette opened the meeting at 9:10 am. Introductions followed. The board then reviewed the agenda for today’s meeting. No changes were made.

     

    Executive Director Update

    Rachel Rouillard updated board members on the following items:

  • Latest edition of the LCHIP newsletter is being mailed out soon to all legislators and board members. 100 extra copies will be available as well as a .pdf version

  • LCH Register stats to date: 287 projects totaling $255 million in total project costs and $66 million in grant requests. The total acreage for all projects is 45,000 and 137 structures.

  • Board subcommittees are still holding meetings. The subcommittees will give updates in February

    •

    Legislative Updates

    Craig Welch and Rep. Spang updated the board on legislative meetings. The board also discussed the following LSRs:

     

    2007-H-0927-R establishing land and community heritage investment program number plates. Prime Sponsor: Rep. Andy Peterson

     

    2007-H-1143-R relative to a surcharge on recording documents with the register of deeds to fund the land and community heritage investment program. Prime Sponsor: Rep. Judith Spang

     

    2007-S-1265-R authorizing land and community heritage investment program donations accompanying motor vehicle registrations. Prime Sponsor: Rep. Joe Kenney

     

    Comments from the Public

    There were no comments from the public

     

    Motion to Adjourn

    Charlie Royce made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 am. Seconded by Van McLeod. Meeting adjourned.

     

    The next board meeting will be held on Friday, February 23, 2007 from 10:00 am-noon.