Bradford Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
April 16, 2013, 7:00 pm. at Brown Memorial Library
Present: George Beaton, Seth Benowitz, Nathaniel Bruss, J. Ann Eldridge, Meg Fearnley, Patty Furness, Brooks
McCandlish
Secretary’s Report: Minutes from 3/26/13 meeting accepted as read.
Treasurer’s Report: Meg reported $1.08 interest earned in March.
Headwaters Hydrology: Sean Sweeney presented the plan for proposed Breezy Hill Rd bridge replacement (Rte
103 end). Improvement in design includes:
-lengthening the bridge span over the channel and floodplain to 80′. This allows the abutments to be built ‘in
the dry’ and increases sediment control. The increased span enables emergency relief of floodwater to flow under
the bridge rather then across the roadway, as occurred in flooding in 2007.
-the planned design is an integral abutment bridge, which means decreased maintenance and increased life
span.
Conservation Commission concerns which were voiced (and addressed by Sean) were as follows:
-erosion (relieved with vegetated riverbank rather than riprap)
-sediment control (addressed by design)
-reclamation/restoration (shrubs will be planted and fabric encapsulated soil implemented)
-wildlife corridor maintained. Wood turtles have been sighted in the area; need documentation
-possible wetland disturbance on the riverbanks and emergent wetlands
The analysis did not consider the construction impact downstream toward Warner, and this was brought to Sean’s
attention by Ann.
The permit application process will begin in May/June. Sean reported that the town is attempting to obtain FEMA
predisaster mitigation to expedite the process in replacement of this red-listed bridge.
Autocraft: Intend to voice BCC concerns to the selectmen at a future meeting.
Wetland Reserve Program: Possibility still exists for enlisting this federal program for the property at the Rte
114/103 junction that is currently for sale. Intend to contact Sonny Harris to discuss.
Aquatic Resource Mitigation Grant: Ann will contact Laura Hallahan regarding possible application to property
abutting an existing easement.
Ausbon Sargent Chatter Newsletter: Spring topic is ‘why do towns conserve town-owned property?’ Ideas for
article content was discussed. Brooks stated that when considering the net cost of community services, residential
costs are greater than property tax returns. George mentioned that conserved land is protected in perpetuity, at no
cost to the town. Seth added that wooded land managed as sustainable forest would have a perpetual income. Ann
will write and submit the article for the May 8 deadline.
NRI: Thanks to Andrew, the NRI is online, and accessible through the BCC website.
Knights Hill Summit Spur: A trail cutting workday for this last segment to the summit will be Wednesday, April
17, 8:30 am.
The next meeting will be May 21, 2013, 7:00 pm at Brown Memorial Library.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Patty Furness, Secretary