Bradford Conservation Commission Meeting Notes
Date: March 15, 2011
Time: 7pm
Location: Brown Memorial Library
Present: Meg Fearnley, Brooks McCandlish, J. Ann Eldridge, Carol Meise.
Absent: Andrea LaMoreaux, Nathanial Bruss, Perry Teele.
Members of the public attending: Mary Keegan Dayton, Phyllis Wilcox, Audrey
Sylvester, Bill Glennie, Beth Rodd. Seth Benowitz, Patty Furness, Beth McGuinn (ASLPT).
Conservation: Beth McGuinn explained conservation easements as Brooks McCandlish and Meg Fearnley signed documents for Sillars/McCandlish and Fearnley conservation easements, adding nearly 500 acres of conserved land to Bradford. These properties border the New Forestry easement, part of the Pillsbury/Sunapee Highlands complex of conserved land. The Rural Heritage Connection of Bradford assisted Meg financially in
completing her easement. Mary Keegan Dayton took notes for an article for the Bridge. A public tour of these properties is scheduled for September 1.
There was discussion on how to promote further easements on appropriate properties. A program for the public and key landowners was proposed, to be held in June. A list of landowners potentially interested in protecting their properties will be drafted.
Secretary’s Report: Draft minutes from February 15, 2011 were accepted as written.
Treasurer’s Report: Interest earned.
Elections: Elections of Conservation Commission officers were as follows: Nathanial Bruss, chair; Meg Fearnley; treasurer. J. Ann Eldridge, secretary. Motion made, seconded and approved unanimously to ask Selectmen to appoint Seth Benowitz to full member, replacing Perry Teele.
Correspondence/workshop announcements:
• NH Annual Land Conservation Conference ‘Saving Special Places’ will be
held Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the Kearsarge High School in Sutton. Nathanial interested in attending, also possibly Seth and Ann.
• Wildlife Action Plan presentation in Washington March 16. Seth to attend.
• Conference on water and watersheds, Plymouth NH March 28. Seth to attend.
Attendees will be reimbursed for workshop attendance fees.
Planning Board: Brooks and Seth attended the Planning Board meeting on March 8. There was preliminary discussion of an automotive salvage (junk) yard by Martin Chivers, Breezy Hill Road. The property is within the Residential/Business and Rural Residential Zones. Phil Lamoreaux, Chairperson, advised that the follow restrictions apply: the Shoreline Protection Act requires a 250’ setback from Warner River; junkyards are not permitted in the Residential/Business zone without a variance; within
the Rural Residential zone, junkyards are permitted by special exception only. If Mr. Chivers decides to pursue a special exception and or variance, a public hearing will be scheduled once a complete application is accepted by the ZBA.
Programs: Cynthia Bruss is available to speak on several topics. It was voted to invite her to give public presentation at the library in April on ‘Wildlife in Your Backyard’.
Several dates suggested. Nathanial will contact her.
Selectmen: The Selectmen signed a note granting permission for individuals designated by the Conservation Commission to burn brush on conservation and town forestlands.
The Bradford Springs Hotel site is the current need.
Update of NRI: A subcommittee meeting was held on March 5 with Bill Duffy (Northern Geomantics) Brooks, Seth, Nathanial, and Ann reviewed maps and made suggestions.
Andrew Pinard offered assistance putting events and materials on the town website. Suggested items include: hikes and programs to be put under the ‘events’ listings; the trail map; Battles Farm brochure from ASLPT www.ausbonsargent.org; the Natural Resource Inventory as it is completed.
Adjourned: 9:30
respectfully, J. A. Eldridge