Bradford Conservation Commission
Draft Meeting Minutes
June 21, 2017, 7pm at Brown Memorial Library
Present: George Beaton, Seth Benowitz, Nathanial Bruss, J Ann Eldridge, Meg Fearnley, Patty Furness, Scott MacLean, Brooks McCandlish.
Secretary’s Report: The draft meeting minutes of 6/16/17 were accepted as read.
Treasurer’s Report: Meg reported $8.52 interest has been earned on accounts over the past 3 months.
Warner River Nominating Committee: Scott reported that a draft of the proposal has been submitted and accepted by the Department of Environmental Services. The next step will be a public hearing presented by DES and NH Rivers Advisory Commission on Tues, July 11, 2017 at 6:30pm at the Warner Town Hall. Scott encouraged members to attend to show support. Thanks was given to Scott for his dedication to this project.
Warner River Watershed Meeting: Scott and George attended this presentation on June 14, and displayed a culvert map of Bradford waterways. Culverts where a failure is anticipated within the next 20 years were indicated; four of which were adjacent to Lake Massasecum. Bruce Edwards of Bradford Emergency Management was present and stated he will apply to the state for funding to correct and replace identified culverts. The Warner River watershed encompasses 150 square miles with 208 road crossings and effects 20 towns.
Volunteer River Assessment Program: Scott attended a team training session in Warner in May. The team will assess the health of the waterways in the Warner River watershed, through testing factors such as water quality and pH.
Map 9/Lot 12 and Road Fill: This E. Washington Road Property has road fill that is encroaching on a wetland area. The members agreed that a complaint form should be submitted to the Selectmen.
Center Road Road Fill: George volunteered to speak to the owner of the property to alert and advise him on the problem.
Map /Lot 13/Lot 1 Timber Harvest: Ann has witnessed a potential wetland violation in that the harvest is within 50 feet of a perennial stream and pond. There is also inadequate fencing to prevent silt from washing downstream. Ann contacted Doug Miner a forest ranger from NH Division of Forests and Lands who will investigate this matter.
Map 22/Lot 20 Erosion Complaint: A concerned resident on Lake Massasecum has submitted a town complaint form stating there is erosion on the right of way with possible septic system involvement on this home property. Ann and George investigated and assessed the situation. They reported there is minor erosion which can be easily corrected, and the septic system is not involved.
Bear Conflict: Every spring there are reports of unwanted bears searching for food around Bradford homesteads. Often this is a result of neglecting to remove temptations such as bird feeders and trash containers, or from direct feeding. The drafting of a bear ordinance was discussed, but it was decided that education be the first step. A notification of bear’s emergence from hibernation will be posted every year in the Bridge and Intertown Record to alert the public and as a reminder of suggested measures to be taken to prevent such occurrences.
Forest Street Beaver Dam: The town has attempted to eliminate beaver activity at this site on Forest St., but beavers are determined. To prevent conflict, the installation of a ‘beaver deceiver’ was discussed. To avoid expense, Seth volunteered to build one of these units and install.
Map 8 / Lots 30,31 and Map 12 / Lots 5,6 Possible Hunting Preserve: An application for Special Exception for a hunting preserve on E. Washington Rd was accepted by the ZBA. A pulic hearing will be held on Wednesday, July 5. This would be a commercial business in a rural residential zoned area. A comment from the BCC to the ZBA was discussed, with Ann, Brooks and Nathanial recusing. BCC concerns are related to potential detrimental effects on the Bradford Bog and the Hotel site due to noise disturbances and increased traffic. This type of activity would threaten the public enjoyment of these two peaceful and pristine areas that have been preserved and maintained over the years through efforts of the BCC and volunteers.
Tall Pines Dead Tree: George reported that he and Tom Wilkins assessed the condition of the fallen tree top, and it was determined to be too decomposed for salvage.
Blitzer Hike: This trek, led by Ausbon Sargent, will take place on Thursday, August 25 from 2-4pm on Rowe Mountain Rd.
Thank You: Gratitude was given to Francie Vonmertens and Bill Duffy, for making the pollinator workshop so educational and enjoyable. Also, thanks to George and Scott for cleanup and trail maintenance on Knight’s Hill and Blitzer property.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25pm. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at 7pm at Brown Memorial Library.
Respectfully submitted,
Patty Furness, Secretary