Bradford Conservation Commission
Draft Minutes of Meeting
December 17, 2024
Brown Memorial Library
Present: George Beaton, Seth Benowitz, J Ann Eldridge, Meg Fearnley, Becca Herman, Brooks McCandlish, Doug Southard, and Rett Weber.
The meeting was called to order at 6:03 pm by J Ann Eldridge, chair.
Ann suggested submitting a paragraph to the Bradford Bridge monthly as BCC news. The general consensus was that this was a great idea. Ann agreed to provide the paragraphs.
A draft of the annual report was distributed to members ahead of this meeting by email. After a brief discussion about the report, George moved, second by Doug, to approve it, as verbally amended during this meeting. All were in favor.
Meg (Treasurer) reported that $5.36 remained in the budget. Brooks moved, seconded by Rett, to transfer the remainder to the Conservation Fund. All were in favor.
Rett announced that the FEMA BRIC grant application for the culverts has been submitted. Rett met with Steve Hall (the town highway department manager), Ben Nugent (N.H. Fish & Game), and Stephanie Alexander (Central Regional Planning Commission) to discuss. The grant will cover the preparation work for installing the culverts and a benefit cost analysis. Stephanie sent a letter of support. If the grant is awarded, it is likely that funds will be encumbered until the town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan has been approved this coming summer. If the grant is not awarded, it sounds as though FEMA and/or the N.H. Homeland Security and Emergency Management will assist in identifying other funding sources. The grant would require 25 percent matching funds from the town.
On November 2nd, Rett attended the N.H. Association of Conservation Commissions annual meeting at Pembroke Academy. Of interest to him was a presentation provided by Amy Manzelli of BCM Environmental & Land Law about a town which permitted the construction of a barn too close to a wetland. Although the courts became involved, the town was eventually absolved. It is important to be clear about what is being approved, and for town officials to walk property lines prior to approving anything.
Ann has not heard back from the NHDOT with regard to the beaver dam removal on the NFI property along Route 103. A resident inquired about this state action last month.
Ann announced that a special meeting may be held to review a Conditional Use Permit for a property along Center Road. She will distribute details by email after speaking with the applicant and applicant’s wetland scientist to set a date and time.
Doug provided a Hazard Mitigation Committee update. The committee has completed identifying hazards and is now establishing mitigation steps to address them. Three mitigation steps may impact the BCC. Beaver control – this hazard will be mitigated by the town highway department in consultation with the BCC. Drought conditions – this hazard will be mitigated by a rain barrel campaign and the committee hoped that the BCC would be willing to assist with the campaign. Hazardous waste disposal – the committee planned to recommend an annual or biannual collection day, possibly in conjunction with other towns, and in consultation with the BCC. The goal was to prevent illegal dumping and impacts to groundwater and surface water.
At 7:00 pm tonight, the Planning Board will be holding a public hearing on proposed revisions to the Bradford Zoning Ordinance to establish a surface water overlay district.
Future meetings may be held at 6:00 pm instead of at 7:00 pm. This idea will be discussed further in our next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 6:55 pm.
Submitted by Rebecca Herman
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