Bradford Conservation Commission
Draft Meeting Minutes
March 19, 2019, 7pm at Brown Memorial Library
Present: George Beaton, Seth Benowitz, Meg Fearnley, Patty Furness, Scott MacLean, Brooks McCandlish.
Secretary’s Draft Report: The draft minutes of 2/19/2019 were reviewed and accepted as read.
Treasurer’s Report: The BCC budget for 2019 was accepted at the recent town meeting. Meg will send payment of $250 for the 2019 NHACC dues.
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.
Mink Hills Report: Three NH House Bills related to ATV regulations were recently considered in committees on Feb 26. HB683 is presently retained in committee.
Aquatic Mitigation: Bruce Edwards recently attended an Aquatic Mitigation workshop in Manchester, focusing on culvert replacements to accommodate stormwater and which allow fish to safely pass through. There is no grant money available for 2019. A grant submission for next year needs to be written.
Warner River Local Advisory Board: Tracy Sales from DES will be leading the next meeting on March 27 with the goal of reorganization and the establishment of bylaws.
Possible Water Quality Issue Warner River: A muddy discharge from a culvert pipe into the Warner River was observed in a section east of Breezy Hill Road. Bruce Edwards has forwarded the information to NH DES for investigation.
Ausbon Sargent: ASLPT will be sponsoring another landowner outreach program this spring at George and Kim’s. Seth will inquire at Town Hall about compiling a list of property owners in the south center of Bradford with 50 acres or more of land. This information can be obtained from the tax rolls, and then applied to an Excel spreadsheet. Seth will share this information with members of the ASLPT Outreach Committee at their meeting on Monday.
UNH BioBlitz: A program offering will be awarded to two NH towns in which UNH will conduct a biological survey to record all living species (trees, plants,insects, etc) within a town owned property of 50 acres or more. This program is designed to promote interest in the uniqueness of town owned properties, and is conducted by experts in various fields, with town participation. Applications are due by May 15. It was noted that this would correspond with the forest management plan update.
Conservation Zoning Information: The Planning Board and CRNHPC have requested a conservation zoning background explanation, or rationale for conservation zoning ordinances. Brooks will provide this information to them at their April Meeting.
Porcupine Program: This prickly program will be presented on Thursday, April 18, 7pm at BML.
Housing Development vs. Open Space: Seth has garnered information previously regarding the tax implications of developing land for housing or maintaining as open space, and will send this data to the Select Board for their consideration.
Conservation Project Invoice: Andy Deegan stated to Brooks that the $194.15 invoice had been paid.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:45pm. The next meeting well take place on Tuesday, April 16, 7pm at BML.
Respectfully submitted,
Patty Furness, Secretary