Bradford Conservation Commission
Secretary’s Report
February 19, 2019, 7pm at Brown Memorial Library
Present: George Beaton, Seth Benowitz, Nathanial Bruss J Ann Eldridge, Meg Fearnley, Patty Furness,
Scott MacLean, Brooks McCandlish, and Doug Southard.
Secretary’s Draft Report: The draft minutes of 1/15/19 were reviewed and accepted as read.
Treasurer’s Report: The proposed 2019 BCC Annual Budget was reduced by $150 by the Selectboard. Meg stated that several projected expenses for 2018 were not incurred, such as the Bog repair boards (donated), trail map printing (not needed), and program fees (none). However, these are usual expected annual expenses, so the plan is to contest this decision at Town Meeting next month. [The day following this meeting it was brought to our attention that the Selectboard’s $150 reduction in our budget may have been rescinded. The Budget Committee supports our full budget of $900]
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Adopt a Road: Doug and Brooks reviewed current Class VI Road ordinances and sent recommendations for updates and improvements to the Selectboard.
Friends of the Mink Hills: Doug attended the 2/19/19 meeting and reported on several points of discussion. There are noted areas in the Minks where problems have arisen due to ATV usage, and incorporating these onto a map would be helpful in finding solutions. Also, there is a need to look at the big picture and develop a strategic plan for the Minks. Finally, there are three NH House bills related to ATV regulations being considered on Tuesday February 26, such as HB683 which would require notification of landowners abutting areas where change in Class VI road use is being considered. Doug plans to present testimony in support of these bills, and other BCC members will be attending.
Ausbon Sargent: ASLPT will be sponsoring another landowner outreach program late spring/early summer. Seth will harvest further details, and George and Kim have offered to host at their beautiful homestead.
Saving Special Places:This annual land conservation conference will be held on Saturday April 6 from 9am-4pm at Prospect Mountain High School in Alton. Workshop information and sign up forms are available online.
Forest Street Beaver Deceiver: Skip Lisle has been notified of the existing problem and will attend to it later this spring.
Snowshoe Hike: Join George and other adventurous souls in trekking to the summit of Knight’s Hill to pay homage to the former and future NH Champion Red Spruce on Saturday February 26 at 9:30am. Contact George for further details.
Porcupine Presentation: Ann and Bill will bring their knowledge and fabulous photography of all things porcupine, including a slide show featuring the legendary Rodentia Bob, on Thursday April 18, 7pm at Brown Memorial Library, pending coordination with the library.
Environmental Protection Agency: The EPA is considering a change in the definition of ‘waters of the United States’ due to an Executive Order by the White House. Under this potentially devastating action, areas such as bogs, vernal pools and tidal marshes would no longer be protected by the Clean Water Act.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:00pm. The next scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday March 19, 2019, 7pm at Brown Memorial Library.
Respectfully submitted,
Patty Furness, Secretary