Bradford Conservation Commission Secretary’s Draft Report
August 17, 2021, 7pm at Brown Memorial Library
Present: George Beaton, J Ann Eldridge, Meg Fearnley, Patty Furness, Scott MacLean, Brooks McCandlish.
Secretary’s Draft Minutes: The draft report of 7/20/21 was reviewed. Brooks made a motion to accept the draft minutes as read, Meg seconded, and the approval was unanimous.
Treasurer’s Report: Meg stated two copies of the new edition of the New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions (NHACC) Handbook were received, and payment of $40 was deducted from the 2021 budget. The current balance is $710.
Fairgrounds Road Map 2, Lot 42: There is renewed concern over the Turco unpermitted junkyard. Flooding on July 29 washed an extraordinary amount of automotive debris, possible hazardous materials, and other trash onto neighboring properties and also down the West Branch Brook. Ann and Doug visited the property across from Turco on Fairgrounds Road at the request of the owner to photograph and document the scattered debris in his pines. A letter was written to the Select Board (SB) stating Bradford Conservation Commission (BCC) concern about the health of the underlying stratified drift aquifer, the wetlands within the property, the West Branch Brook, and the neighboring properties as a result of this non-enforcement of junkyard regulations. The NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) was contacted, as well as the Warner River Local Advisory Committee. George suggested also reaching out to the NHACC for additional suggestions on action that may be taken by the BCC.
Alder Plains Road Map 9, Lot 15: DES has been contacted regarding this unpermitted junkyard.
Breezy Hill Road, Map 18, Lots 06 and 07: A beach replenishment application was denied by DES. However, a sandy beach area was installed before the application was made, so a complaint will be filed with DES for construction of the beach without a valid permit.
Cressy Road Map 6, Lot 74: A neighbor reported to the SB of damage and erosion to Cressy Road related to trucks frequenting the sawmill on this property. The Planning Board previously denied approval of this sawmill, located in a Rural Residential zone, as a home business due to multiple unmet conditions. The SB issued a cease and desist order to the owner of this sawmill until the proper channels are gone through to gain approval as a home business.
Economic Development Committee (EDC): Scott will send Ann notes on the BCC subcommittee recommendations to the EDC of trails to exclude due to parking restrictions or private land in their new hiking map.
Bradford Bog White Cedar Regeneration: Brooks met with Bill Gould, along with UNH Professors and grad students for an on-site evaluation of the white cedar growth at the Bog. It was determined the cedar is healthy and successfully regenerating in certain areas. UNH grad students will be taking on this project in researching best measures to take for optimal cedar regeneration.
Abenaki Canoe Construction: Bill Gould, of the Abenaki Trails Project, requested permission to remove one white cedar at the Bog this winter to be used to construct a canoe. Ann will clear this with Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust. The project was given unanimous approval by BCC members.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:05pm. The next meeting will be Tuesday September 21, 2021, 7pm at Brown Memorial Library.
Respectfully submitted,
Patty Furness, Secretary