Bradford Conservation Commission Secretary’s Report
December 19, 2017, 7pm at Brown Memorial Library
Present: George Beaton, Seth Benowitz, Nathanial Bruss, J Ann Eldridge, Meg Fearnley, Patty Furness, Scott MacLean, Brooks McCandlish.
Secretary’s Draft Report: The draft minutes of 11/21/17 were reviewed and accepted as read.
Treasurer’s Report: Meg reported the $150 cost of the Bog replacement boards is a donation from John MacDonald, and gratitude was expressed from all present. The remaining funds in the 2017 budget were expended on map updates and printing, and payment of a public beaver presentation by Skip Lisle in the spring. There was discussion of investing conservation funds in markets with higher returns than our current CDs; Brooks will contact Michael James of the Budget Committee to inquire about a possible information session with the BCC members.
Town Owned Properties: Brooks drafted a clarified list of properties with understandable names to be submitted to Town Offices for possible inclusion in the town report.
Beaver Deceiver: We have intent to move forward on installation, so the impacted landowners on Forest St and West Rd will be updated. Also, we need to consult with Barry Wheeler of any other problem areas in town. Ann reported that the NH Animal Rights League is offering a $500 matching grant, and she will inquire with NH Fish and Game about any wildlife grant program to assist with the project. There is also a possible availability of a monetary incentive to landowners.
HB1343: This 2018 House Bill adds protection of beavers to existing beaver dam controls. It provides provisions for the protection of beavers and beaver dams, and requires NH Fish and Game to include advice on beaver control on its website. A report will be required from towns regarding a summary of actual or potential problems, measures taken to mitigate the problem, and number of beavers exterminated.
Saving Special Places 2018: This workshop will be held on Saturday April 7 in Alton, NH.
Bradford Hazard Mitigation Plan Committee: Ann attended the meeting on December 15 and made a report.
New England Wild Flower Society: This organization is looking for volunteers to document rare species in the New England region. Promises of fun and adventure!
Mink Hills Class 6 Road Use: There is a meeting tonight of this group. Seth, our representative, expressed frustration regarding the relevance to our immediate area and suggested it would be more productive to direct energy in collecting baseline data for class 6 roads in the Bradford region for reference in future plans. All were in agreement.
Eagle Scout Project: Patty will contact Brady Lombard regarding his proposed Eagle Scout project at the Lake Massasecum boat landing to collect discarded fishing line.
UNH Coop Extension Granit Update: Brooks will contact Granit personnel to make corrections to the Penhallow lot information.
Fortune Road Ammunition Manufacturing Application: The public hearing is postponed to March 2018.
Bible Hill Road Subdivision: After much discussion, it was determined that this was not a conservation issue, but rather a failure of previous Boards of Selectmen to follow advice of the State and to enforce existing zoning regulations. Comments will follow.
County Road Junkyard: There will be a public hearing in January.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:25pm. The next meeting will take place Tuesday, January 16, 2018, 7pm at Brown Memorial Library.
Respectfully submitted,
Patty Furness, Secretary