Bradford Conversation Commission
Draft Minutes of Meeting
March 21, 2023 — 7 pm
Brown Memorial Library
Present: Ann Eldridge – Chair, Meg Fearnley – Treasurer, Nathanial Bruss, George Beaton, Rebecca Herman, Brooks McCandlish
Minutes of the February 21, 2023 meeting were reviewed and approved as written.
Treasurer Meg Fearnley reported no new transactions pending approval of 2023 budget.
Elections of Conservation Commission officers will be held at the April meeting after Town Meeting.
Doug Southard’s application to attend the 2023 Coverts program has been approved. A motion was unanimously approved to authorize payment of the $50 fee for the program if the Conservation line of the 2023 Town budget is approved at Town Meeting.
A motion was unanimously approved to support the NHACC in opposition to HB2 elimination State licensing and certification of Wetland Scientists, Soil Scientists, Foresters, and certain other professionals.
DES review of property on Breezy Hill Road and Warner River – Map 3 Lots 74A and B. Owners were
required to submit temporary stabilization by late February and complete an after-the-fact Alteration of Terrain application in March. The Warner River Local Advisory Board is concerned that stabilization measures may not be adequate to handle spring runoff events.
The owner of property at 493 Center Road will be meeting with the Selectboard March 27, arguing that recent road work by the Town created the wetlands behind their house. The Conservation Commission believes that the evidence shows clearly that the stream and associated wetlands on the property have been there for decades if not centuries, predating any road work in the area.
Discussion of updates to the Bradford Trail Map included adding new protected properties, removing the Selected Historic Sites due to space limitations, adding a prominent disclaimer noting that parking is very limited at most of the trail heads, and indicating on the map locations where parking is available, including the Tall Pines and the Bradford Bog.
Submitted by Brooks McCandlish