Bradford Conversation Commission
Draft Minutes of Meeting
September 20, 2022 — 7 pm
Brown Memorial Library
Present: Ann Eldridge – Chair, Meg Fearnley – Treasurer, Doug Southard, Scott MacLean, George Beaton, Brooks McCandlish.
Minutes of the July 19, 2022 meeting were reviewed and approved with two corrections:
- Replace “Payment was made for replacement boards for the Bog boardwalk, with no further repairs anticipated for the year” with “Payment was made for replacement boards for the Bog boardwalk. Further repairs to the Bog boardwalk are still needed.”
- Replace “It has been determined it is not the town’s responsibility to determine the buildability of a lot for a potential landowner” with “Matt Monahan and Karen had a conversation with the Town’s attorney, who will write a statement outlining the Town’s responsibility in providing detailed information about properties to prospective buyers.”
Meg Fearnley reported no new transactions other than interest received.
Correspondence and Communications
Ann Eldridge reported she:
- had contacted the Road Agent about beaver activity and possibly blocked culverts along East Washington Road;
- met with Claire James and provided written recommendations and suggestions regarding the stream, wetlands, and invasive species on the Corner Gardens property on East Main Street;
- had discussions with Sherry Gould about a Possible Warner River cleanup project;
- fielded a landowner’s questions about a proposed new septic system and wetlands on West Main Street;
- fielded questions by a prospective buyer about building on Class VI portion of Alder Plains Rd;
- received an offer of a donation to the Bradford Conservation Commission towards the Bradford Bog.
Permits and Enforcement
- The Conservation Commission did not comment on a Shoreland permit application to replace a retaining wall on Lake Massesecum.
- The Selectboard issued a Cease and Desist order and filed a complaint with DES in response to unpermitted filling of wetlands on Tax Map 6 Lot 26 in Bradford Center.
Conservation Projects
- Hoyt Brook
- Ben Nugent of NH Fish and Game is looking for a Bradford volunteer to coordinate ongoing monitoring of Hoyt Brook.
- Ben Nugent also asked the Conservation Commission for a letter of support for a grant to replace the culvert where Hoyt Brook crosses Deer Valley Rd. Ann Eldridge will start a draft for review by the Commission.
- Atlantic White Cedar Research
The initial grant request by Heidi Asbjornsen of UNH to support cedar research on the Bog was denied, although some funding was found from another source. Dr. Asbjornsen is still pursuing funds to cover the full project, and feels there is a good chance of succeeding.
- Bog Headwaters
Ausbon Sargent Land Protection Trust continues to coordinate fund raising for the Bog Headwaters project. Mooseplate and LCHIP grant decisions are still pending.
- Knights Hill Trail
A volunteer work day for the Knights Hill Trail was scheduled for Saturday October 15 (rain date Sunday 10/16), meeting at 9 am on Dunfield Rd of County Rd. Ann will put a notice in the October Bridge.
- Bradford Bog Maintenance
George continues replacing planks. Seth and Ann reset old and replaced new plant ID signs.
Submitted by Brooks McCandlish