Conservation Commission Minutes 11.15.16

Bradford Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
15 November 2016, 7pm at Brown Memorial Library

Present: George Beaton, Seth Benowitz, Nathanial Bruss, J Ann Eldridge, Meg Fearnley, Scott MacLean, Brooks McCandlish.

Minutes from Oct 18 meeting reviewed and accepted.

Meg presented the Treasurer’s report.

Budget items:
– We need to get the bill from John McDonald for boards used in Bog boardwalk repair.
– Trail maps need to be reprinted. There is money for this remaining in this year’s budget; Ann will pursue.

Ann, George, & Seth went to the NHACC annual meeting on Nov 12. Reports on various workshops were given.

Ann went to Ausbon Sargent Chairpersons Roundtable. Some items discussed:
– A statewide wetland buffer is being considered. NHACC is involved in this. This would bring consistency to all towns in NH.
– A statewide conservation plan is also being developed.

The Warner River is being nominated for inclusion in the NH River Management and Protection Program. Scott MacLean is representing the Bradford Con Comm in this process. There is a public information meeting on this topic on Thursday, Nov 17, at 7:00 pm in the Bradford Community Center. Scott and Seth will attend.

Ann attended Planning Board meeting on Oct 25. Build out analysis was discussed. The Planning Board will be requesting funds to complete the Master Plan and may include funding for a ‘build out’ analysis at the next Bradford Town Meeting.

Wetlands Ordinance review:
– We discussed adding ‘agriculture’ to the Zoning Ordinance. The Con Comm should come up with some proposed wording for this.
– We should review the ‘allowed uses’ section, and come up with proposed wording for changes.
– Sandy Crystal from the DES is willing to help us review the zoning ordinance, after we develop our proposed wording changes.

Junkyard on County Rd:
– Special Exception has been granted by the ZBA.
– Appeal is being considered by abutters. Does the Con Comm want to make any additional comments to support the appeal? Ann will draft additional comments.

Discussion of issues and progress on the Payne easement in southern Bradford.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Seth Benowitz