Bradford Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
20 December 2016, 7pm at Brown Memorial Library
Present: George Beaton, Seth Benowitz, Nathanial Bruss, J Ann Eldridge, Meg Fearnley, Patty Furness, Brooks McCandlish.
Secretary’s Draft Report: The minutes from 15 November 2016 were reviewed and accepted as read.
Treasurer’s Report: The remaining $88.13 of the 2016 budget will be used to purchase nails for use in the Bog boardwalk repair.
Saving Special Places 2017: This annual NH land conservation conference will take place on Saturday, 8 April in Alton, NH.
Natural Resources Conservation Service: The NRCS is expanding targeted conservation efforts for wildlife that depend on agriculture benefit from conservation and rural land management, and grant funding is available in this effort. Applications may include creating buffers, restoration of wetlands, lowering culverts, and timing of mowing and haying of fields. Battles Farm was discussed for possible involvement in this.
Warner River Nominating Committee: The final public informational meeting is 12/20 in Contoocook. The WRNC will meet 12/21 to review minutes from the five public meetings, and create the final report. Scott will brief the BCC on the results of this at the next meeting in January.
2016 Master Plan: BCC commented on the Master Plan update concerning the transportation chapter, recommending that the Planning Board refer to the Natural Resources Inventory; specifically, the discussion of Class VI roads.
Bradford Pines: A lot line adjustment was discussed at the December meeting of the Planning Board.
Thistle and Shamrock Inn: There was a hearing for change of use of this Bradford Inn by Sweet Beet. The BCC informed the Planning Board of our support of this project.
Heselton Junk Yard: The Zoning Board will reconsider its decision on the County Road junkyard at their meeting on 1 March, 2017. Any additional information and documentation from appealers on this matter must be submitted by 1 February, 2017 to the ZBA. Seth questioned if a certification of compliance had been completed, which must be included in any junkyard application, according to regulations.
2016 Annual Report: Highlights of our conservation efforts were reviewed for inclusion in this report which is due by the end of January. Seth will submit photos to accompany the report.
Greenland Public Presentation: Bill Duffy will give a program highlighting his recent adventure in Greenland on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at the Bradford Community Center.
Pollinator Workshop: A class may be offered in the spring by Francie Von Mertens. Ann will contact her to arrange this.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm. The next meeting will be held Tuesday, 17 January, 2017, at 7pm at Brown Memorial Library.
Respectfully submitted,
Patty Furness, Secretary