Bradford Conversation Commission
Draft Minutes of Meeting
July 18, 2023 — 7 pm
Brown Memorial Library
Present: Ann Eldridge – Chair, Meg Fearnley – Treasurer, George Beaton, Rebecca Herman, Brooks McCandlish.
Absent, Patty Furness, Nate Bruss, Doug Southard. Scott McLean, Seth Benowitz.
Minutes of the June 20, 2023 meeting were reviewed and approved as written.
Treasurer Meg Fearnley will investigate options for reinvesting the CDs in new, higher interest accounts through Maureen, the Town bookkeeper and Marilyn, Town Treasurer.
Plans for a comprehensive after the fact Alteration of Terrain Permit for Property of Breezy Hill Realty, at 10 Breezy Hill Rd. were received by DES, and a copy is available at the Town Office. It was noted that the permit only covers activity on the Breezy Hill Realty property, the site of a log concentration yard run by North Country Lumber. It does not cover adjacent land of Martyn Chivers where there has also apparently been recent excavation for log storage.
A restoration plan was submitted and approved by DES for wetlands violations on property at 493 Center Rd.
The planned Hoyt Brook monitoring session was cancelled due to high water.
Ann will submit the paperwork needed for Becca to represent Bradford on the Warner River Local Advisory Committee.
Hillsboro is considering an ATV trails plan tying into Henniker and other towns. Ann will circulate documents she has received.
Ann is also investigating priority mitigation status for replacement of the culvert where Deer Valley Rd crosses Hoyt Brook.
The CIP committee is looking for input from the Conservation Commission for capital investment planning. The difficulty of fixing an amount and date was discussed, noting that significant conservation opportunities come up irregularly, often without much warning. The board agreed that the CC should submit a request anyway while noting this difficulty.
The draft 2023 Adopt-a-Road report has been submitted by Doug Southard. (Thank you Doug) Minor edits have been suggested by the board, including a request to give the date of field inspection along with individual road reports.
The bridge to the Bradford Pines has been replaced (by the State?)
A wood turtle sighting in Bradford was confirmed by a board member.
Submitted by Brooks McCandlish