Bradford Conservation Commission Secretary’s Draft Report
February 18, 2025, 7pm at Brown Memorial Library
Present: George Beaton, J Ann Eldridge, Meg Fearnley, Patty Furness, Becca Herman, Scott MacLean, Brooks McCandlish, Doug Southard and Rett Weber.
Secretary’s Draft Report: The draft minutes of 01/17/25 were reviewed. Meg motioned to accept the report as read, George seconded, followed by unanimous approval from members present.
Treasurer’s Report: Meg presented the accounts spreadsheet. The 2024 Bradford current use change
penalty tax ($26,336) has been deposited to the Land Protection Fund, as well as the line item
conservation money from the 2024 Town Meeting ($1000).
Beaver Dam Rte 103: There is still no response from NH DOT regarding the BCC suggestion of
installing a beaver exclusion device on the NFI property at the beaver dam site.
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Community (BRIC) Grant: This grant application for culvert
replacement has been completed. Rett reported that there are four culverts in Bradford needing
replacement, and proposals were submitted for three of these for a BRIC Grant. Heaps of gratitude was
expressed to Rett for his diligent effort with the committee to see this through.
NH HB683: This recent bill proposed changes to the ATV/OHRV laws in NH, and sought to expand ATV
riding areas in several counties in NH, including Merrimack County. It would end abutter notification
when a state road is being considered to allow ATV passage. Doug attended and testified at this House
hearing, and reported that HB683 failed. Thanks, Doug for representing!
Cryptomining in NH: NH Association of Conservation Commissions (NHACC) sent an email regarding
NH HB639-FN. This bill is the Blockchain Basics Act, or the “Right to Mine” Act, and would remove
town control in the attempted establishment of cryptomining businesses within a community. Information was presented which warned of the harmful environmental impacts of cryptomining.
493 Center Road, Map 6 Lot 26: There will be a site walk on Tuesday February 25 at 5pm, followed by
a public hearing for consideration of a wetlands Conditional Use Permit by the Planning Board at 7pm at
the Town Hall.
Cottrell Baldwin Environmental Lectures: This series takes place Tuesdays in March and April from 7-
8:30pm at Fox State Forest’s Henry Baldwin Center in Hillsborough. This year’s weekly headliners are
“Woodlands, Wildlife and Wisdom form New England Authors” and will feature four New England
authors writing on themes of wildlife and forests from their own personal experiences as wildlife
biologists, naturalists and foresters. Detailed information is available online.
UNH Bradford Bog Research Study: A recap of the 2024 research study and plans for 2025 will be
presented by UNH grad students at the Town Hall on Wednesday April 2, from 3:30-6:30pm.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:45pm. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday
March 18, 2025, 7pm at Brown Memorial Library.
Respectfully submitted,
Patty Furness, Secretary
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