Conservation Commission Minutes 01.18.22

January 20, 2022 Meg Fearnley Conservation Commission, Minutes 0

Bradford Conservation Commission Secretary’s Draft Report
January 18, 2022, 7pm at Brown Memorial Library and Zoom format
Present: George Beaton, J Ann Eldridge, Meg Fearnley, Patty Furness, Brooks McCandlish and Doug Southard. Also Nathanial Bruss via Zoom.
Secretary’s Draft Minutes: The draft report of 12/21/21 was reviewed by members present. Brooks made a motion to approve the draft minutes as read. Meg seconded followed by unanimous approval.
Treasurer’s Report: Meg stated $450 was paid for the Bradford Spring site replacement sign from the remaining 2021 budget. The Current Use Change Penalty Tax was received from the town and $4792.91was deposited in the Land Protection Fund.
2022 Saving Special Places: This NH Land Trust Coalition conference will be presented virtually on Friday April 1, 2022 from 12:30-4:00pm and Saturday April 2, 2022 from 9:30am-12:30pm.
Revision Energy Inquiry: Beth McGuinn contacted Ann regarding the availability of any closed gravel pits in Bradford with potential for solar array possibilities. Meg informed us that the solar energy proposal at the Bradford Transfer Station by the Energy Committee was recently rejected by Eversource due to the current grid electric infrastructure is not sufficient to support any new electricity regeneration.
Memorandum of Understanding: The draft for the MOU for the Abenaki Trails at the Bradford Spring Site was completed with much effort from Brooks and other BCC members. It was sent to Anne Payeur at Ausbon Sargent for review and comments. There were questions regarding the plant list for collection (limiting to plants occurring at the site, and amounts to be collected) and needs to be addressed by Sherry Gould.
Potential Land Conservation Project: Ausbon Sargent has hired a certified appraiser to determine if the asking price is realistic. Stay tuned.
Bradford Bog: Heidi Asbjornsen from UNH is applying for a research grant form the US Department of Agriculture to study Atlantic White Cedar regeneration at the Bog. There will be a Zoom meeting with her and anyone interested on Tuesday February 1 at 4pm. Ann will provide the link.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm. The next meeting will be Tuesday February 15, 2022 at 7pm at Brown Memorial Library and via Zoom.
Respectfully submitted,
Patty Furness, Secretary