Conservation Commission Minutes 02.21.12

Bradford Conservation Commission Meeting Notes
Date: February 21, 2012
Time: 7pm
Location: Brown Memorial Library

Present: Brooks McCandlish, J. Ann Eldridge, Seth Benowitz, Meg Fearnley, George Beaton. Absent: Nathanial Bruss, Andrea LaMoreaux, Carol Meise, Patty Furness, Amy Blitzer (alternates). Also present: Sam and Andy Rushia.

Presentation by Sam Rushia on plans to rebuild the tilting Bog platform as an Eagle Scout project. He showed drafts of the platform construction, has enlisted aid of Perry Teele who will assist with design and lumber. George Beaton will also donate materials as needed. Ausbon Sargent will be contacted by easement monitor Seth B., Brooks to mark possible trees for base posts. Geocaches will need to be moved, hardware donations sought etc.  All will be organized by Sam as part of his Boy Scout project. A motion was made and passed unanimously to sign approval for this rebuild. Time line: to be completed by June.

Secretary’s Report: Draft minutes from January 17, 2011 meeting read and accepted as written.

Treasurer’s Report:  Interest earned, approx. $3.15.

Mail pick up: No mail at town offices for Conservation Commission this month.

Town Hall Restoration Committee: a support letter was offered for the Conservation Commission to sign. Discussion followed, decision to bypass Conservation Commission heading as this restoration effort is beyond the scope of a conservation commission.

Planning Board: Public hearing for lot merger on proposed auto salvage yard, owner M. Chivers. Attended by JA Eldridge and Seth Benowitz. Comments and concerns raised about the aquifer, the drainage channel emptying directly into the Warner River, fencing to prevent sprawl of cars in the Shoreland Protection Zone, parking lot snow pushed into the river also an issue. Hearing on site plan continued in March or April.

Dumpster storage site downtown has apparently been discontinued.

Liberty Elm Tree:  Spoke to Daughters of the American Revolution in Warner. June 10 suggested. Need to recheck with Bradford Historical Society about possibility of planting by Blacksmith Shop. BCC to retrieve this large, free tree from Keene. BHS meeting on Feb. 29.

Field trips: Hike on Bradford Bog set for September 13 (a Thursday) with Ausbon Sargent.

Hike on Battles Farm easement set for August.  Crew headed by Brooks to delineate and build trail.  Need to contact Ed re: entrance to trail.

Natural Resource Inventory: Review of remaining items. Hard copy of chapter on invasive species passed out.  Will email draft items for appendix. Continuation of NRI update on February 28, at Library at 7pm. This meeting will be posted.

Membership: Selectmen approved request for membership of George Beaton and Patty. New members will need to report to Town Clerk. Current membership list to be sent to Town Clerk office.

Adjourned: 9:10pm , respectfully, J. A. Eldridge