Bradford Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
July 21, 2015, 7pm at Brown Memorial Library
Present: George Beaton, Seth Benowitz, J Ann Eldridge, Patty Furness, Brooks McCandlish
Secretary’s Report: The meeting minutes of 6/16/15 were accepted as written.
Treasurer’s Report: Meg on vacation; no report this month.
Bradford Pines State Natural Area Advisory Committee: Brooks contacted Chris Frey (Bradford Fire Department representative) regarding the status of any negotiations with the State over this area. Chris stated the issue is on hold at this time.
BCC Interview Request: The NH Public Radio environmental reporter would like to do a report on any town’s conservation commission’s experience with wetland violations (shoreland, alteration of terrain, subsurface) and the process that ensued. Ann noted that she was recently contacted.
Warner River Protective Designation Program: There will be a meeting in Warner Wednesday August 5 at 7pm to continue work on the application process. It is necessary to demonstrate that the Warner River is worthy of this protective designation; a grant for mapping was recently awarded. Scott was nominated to attend this meeting as the BCC representative.
Emerald Ash Borer: This invasive insect threat has now been discovered in Gilmanton. There are now a total of four counties under quarantine: Belknap, Hillsborough, Merrimack, and Rockingham. The Emerald Ash Borer has reportedly infested eleven towns within these counties.
Bradford Master Plan 2016: The Planning Board is updating the town’s Master Plan for 2016, and input from the BCC is an important component. The Cost of Community Services could be included as an educational function; there was discussion on the worthiness of partnering this with a Buildout Analysis. The BCC needs to be involved with the Natural Resources section of the Master Plan (formulating the community questionnaire, mapping the town and existing ordinances). Brooks stressed the importance of keeping the source of the questionnaire local to optimize compliance in response. Seth volunteered to attend the Planning Board meeting on Tuesday 7/28.
Ausbon Sargent Cost of Community Services Workshops: Seth mentioned the following workshop dates: Thursday 10/29 and Thursday 11/05/15.
Moose Plate Grant: The central regional grant round is due 9/25/15.
NH Rail Trail: The Rural Heritage Committee has graded the Tilly Wheeler trail (thanks Nate Kimball!), and Ann cleared vegetation to improve visibility of the Whitman Park sign (thanks JAE!).
Ausbon Sargent July 4th Educational Booth Feedback: Seth reported there was a verbalized increased awareness of the value of conservation from many people who visited the booth. Well done!
Dragonfly Walk: This Ausbon Sargent workshop will be Tuesday 7/28, 2-4pm at the Blitzer conservation property on Center Rd. Preregistration is required.
Fern Walk: Jane Williamson will lead this talk/walk on Sunday 8/16, 10a.m.to noon at the Pearl Town Forest. Ann submitted an article to The Bridge and Intertown Record. It has also been posted on Facebook, and a poster will be made and displayed.
Natural Resources Inventory Chapter Synopsis: Invasive species will be submitted to the August edition of The Bridge.
The meeting adjourned at 8pm. The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday August 18, 2015, 7pm at Brown Memorial Library.
Respectfully submitted,
Patty Furness, Secretary