Bradford Conservation Commission Meeting Notes
Date: November 15, 2011
Time: 7pm
Location: Brown Memorial Library
Present: Brooks McCandlish, J. Ann Eldridge, Nathanial Bruss, Seth Benowitz, Meg Fearnley. Also in attendance: George Beaton. Absent: Andrea LaMoreaux, Carol Meise, Amy Blitzer (alternate) Patty Furness.
Secretary’s Report: Draft minutes from September 20 meeting read and accepted with minor corrections – the date and the absence of Carol Meise. Note: there was no quorum for a meeting in October.
Treasurer’s Report: Budget for 2012 reviewed. The budget was overspent due to costs of meeting attendance, boardwalk repairs, and final payment for Natural Resource Inventory maps. The budget for the conservation commission has been decreasing every year for some years, but the costs of meeting/workshop attendance is going up. Popular trail maps will need updating and printing. Moved to increase ‘conference and seminar’ line of the budget to $90. Total budget request of $790. Discussion of difficulties in communication with Budget Committee – never know when the commission’s budget will be discussed, did not receive a form for the budget from Selectmen’s Office.
Correspondence/workshop announcements:
· Newbury will be hosting a forum on Forestry Laws on December 8 at their town hall. All day event. Field trip in afternoon. This event is aimed at town officials. Seth to attend… possibly others.
· George, Seth, and Patty attended the all-day annual meeting/workshops of the NH Association of Conservation Commissions. Seth took workshop on NRI and updated method of Wetland Inventory. George braved the Shoreland Protection laws and the beginner conservation commission member course. Patty took workshop on interaction with public/conservation commission and others.
Discussion of potential update of Wetlands Inventory at some point.
Planning Board: Public hearing on December 13 concerning application for an automotive salvage yard on OE Trucking site. Although the owner has agreed to abide by the ‘Greenyards’ program, we would strongly recommend a stormwater pollution prevention plan be added to conditions of approval. Concerns raised of snow plowed from parking lot to Warner River. Information will be given to the Planning Board.
Public hearing November 22 for application of Corsair Realty. Concerns raised of erosion, run off and fill of wetlands. Comments sent to Planning Board.
Annual Bog Boardwalk Repair Day: Snow date of November 6 successful. Article written for Bridge. Thank you to Lumber Barn for discount on lumber. Bog platform still in need of repairs.
Battles Farm: Discussion of public walk on property coordinated with Ausbon Sargent. Suggested for summer when summer residents available. New trail to be blazed. Winter snowshoe also possible.
Natural Resource Inventory: Aerial map reviewed. Discussion of appropriate method of framing and where to display.
Discussion of membership: Membership list to be sent to Town Clerk and Selectmen’s office.
Adjourned: 8:45pm , respectfully, J. A. Eldridge