Bradford Conservation Commission Secretary’s Draft Report
May 18, 2021, 7pm via Zoom
Present: George Beaton, Nathanial Bruss, Meg Fearnley, Patty Furness, Scott MacLean, Brooks McCandlish, and Doug Southard.
Appearance: Scott McCaskill, representing the Bradford Economic Development Committee, shared this group’s plans for creating a Bradford business directory with a fold out map showing places of interest, historical sites and hiking trails. They are aware that some trails cross private land, and most have limited parking at trail heads, and will consider these issues going forward, as well as the need to possibly limit usage to non-motorized travel. Conferring with the BCC will be done as this plan goes forward. Scott MacLean stated that the WRLAC has a subcommittee that currently has a similar project to expand knowledge of trails and historical sites in the Warner River watershed and corridor, and he offered to share knowledge and concerns about issues the WRLAC has encountered in doing this with the BEDC.
Secretary’s Draft Minutes: The draft report of 4/20/21 was reviewed. Meg made a motion to accept the draft minutes as read, seconded by Doug, and unanimously approved.
Treasurer’s Report: Meg stated that there is $750 remaining in the budget.
GRANIT: Updated information on conserved lands in Bradford is requested. Brooks will attend to this.
Pleasant View Road: There was an inquiry from a resident concerning a land parcel on this road. George has offered to speak with the property’s current owner.
Langley Lots: The former owner of this donated property is still receiving property tax bills from the town. Brackett has responded to this error and will follow up with the town.
Map 9/Lot 33 Alder Plains Road: Current owner would like to subdivide this property into house lots. This is a Class VI road, and the current zoning ordinance states a variance is needed, and lots on Class VI roads can only be subdivided for agriculture or forestry use, with a minimum lot size of 10 acres.
Adopt a Road Summer 2021 Reports: Reporting is underway. Fall 2020 is posted online. Class VI road mud season road signs are up on most pertaining roads, and Doug has noted that sections of Liberty Hill Rd and Day Pond Rd appear to be healing from past off road ATV abuse during previous mud season years.
Road Salt Report: Doug has been in communication with Chris Avery from NH DES. Calcium chloride use in dust control is an issue; it is a caustic compound and worker safety is of importance. DES’s principle concern is winter use of sodium chloride and deicing as it relates to run off into lakes and rivers. Doug also spoke with Jeff from LSPA, who stated that Lake Sunapee is monitored for a variety of pollutants, with the focus on the use of NaCl on shoreline roads. Information on studies will be posted on the LSPA website as data is collected. Steve Hall is alert to the challenges in using these substances on roads. Doug has offered to continue to work as an interface with these officials.
Class VI Road Review Draft: Ann drafted a letter to town boards regarding a review of regulations and town policies as related to planned residential building on Class VI roads. The draft was reviewed and ok’d for submission.
Cost of Community Services Draft: This draft document cited UNH studies to support the belief that more house construction does not necessarily result in lower town wide property taxes due to increased infrastructure and town services needed. Nathanial encouraged BCC to look at data from other studies before finalizing this report, in order to be prepared for any counter arguments.
Turco: A request for an auto salvage business was canceled. A SB meeting was held to air grievances.
Aiken and Pearl Town Forest: A forestry plan is needed, and Brooks will look into it, beginning with an inventory.
Bradford Bog: Brooks informed us that Atlantic White Cedar is a disturbance species, that it regenerates with disturbance in the habitat. When the time comes for this beneficial action to be taken at the Bog, it will take planning with input from ASLPT, NH DES, and the Dept of Forests and Land.
WRLAC (Warner River Local Action Committee): Patty has joined this effort. Another Bradford member is is needed.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:20pm. The next meeting is Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 7pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Patty Furness, Secretary