Members Present:  John Peska (facilitating), Steven Dumont, Wendy Grossman, France Menk, Peter Palmiotto (minutes recorder), Lewis Shelley

​​          

Members Absent:  Alicia Flammia

Alternates Present:  Kara Dexter, Nicole Adams

Visitors Present:  Peggy Pschirrer (SelectboardLiaison)​​    

Call to Order:  John called the meeting to order at 7:02 in Town Hall.  The meeting was not 

​​  recorded.

Recording secretary – There was discussion for the need to hire a recording secretary.  Position is posted on the town bulletin board.  No interest has been expressed yet.  All will attempt to recruit interest.    

Review and Approval of Minutes: Peggy Pschirrer raised concern about the ‘adverse possession’ reference to the Knapp property as recorded in the December 2023 minutes.  The information had been read from a letter that Wendy pulled from the conservation commission’s files.  Peggy requested Wendy to send a copy of the letter to her and Sarah, and Wendy agreed to do so.  Peggy is concerned that ownership of the property is not clear and wants the minutes to state that research into the Knapp property ownership is continuing.

A motion to approve the January 2024 minutes was made (France)  and seconded (Wendy), all voted in favor. Motion carried.

Public Business

Correspondence:  

Letter received from the NH Charitable Foundation naming the contribution to the conservation fund of $9618.66. NH Charitable Foundation magazine Purpose Fall/Winter 2023. Monadnock conservancy letter –  solicitation for support.  Pamphlet form Environment & Human Health Inc promoting the Adoption of Bottle Bill redemption laws.  

Letter was received from Kara Dexter, whose term as alternate expires in March 2024. The letter informed the commission that she will not submit a letter to renew her alternate status.  

Steve Dumont and John Peska’s terms expire March 2024, they need to send a letter to the selectmen’s office to request appointment for another 3 year term.  

Financial Report:  John shared the financial information he received from Rich Kreissle dated 1/31/2024. Conservation Fund $221,457.96, plus $9618.66 (NHCF check), Forestry – $24,956.22, Walker Road –  $719.30.  Fanny Mason fund amount read by Peter from 12/31/2023 sheets – $469,596.90 and $20,322.19. 

New Business:

Graffiti at Fanny Mason pole barn, John named numerous tags are appearing in numerous locations through town.  Peggy will inquire with police – defer to the next meeting for any action to take. 

Walpole Gateway

-pursue farming options, talk to local farmers to determine options that are available

-Discussion occurred about mowing edges for access 

-Upper field – trail corridor – need permission from State to plant in rail corridor

Cold River Joint Commission needs a member –  commission asking for an interested volunteer.

Web page – fee $73 annually, if we go with Word press – $96 annually will provide us more functionality with web maintenance and covers the domain name.  Provides direct support.  France will find out about web security. 

Rail trail – discussion on signage that limits motorized vehicles – need to inquire with the state about additional signs. Wendy will inquire.

Idea of introducing community / School age community members about trails – talk to Hooper Institute to bring to schools to elevated awareness.  

Old Business:

Dam – Fuss and O’Neill engineering firm will send reports by Thursday on Reservoir Dam, Houghton brook and school street bridge.  These projects have been ongoing for years and concern is expressed about the length of time it is taking to complete.

Boundaries – Fanny Mason parking area – Lew secured information that informed us the town owns beyond 100’ from center line – ie., town owns the property outside the corridor – so we can maintain shelters, lawn and thin forest to improve area.  

Trail committee report – no meeting

Rail Trail – Wendy proposed a presentation on the future of the rail trail at the next meeting by her and Will.  Scheduled is a 20-30 minute presentation and discussion to follow.  Plan is to invite trail committee members and snowmobile club members to attend.  Note that the public can attend all town meetings without a specific invite.

Property monitoring

Action item – Aldrich Easement – Alicia and Peter will monitor in March.  Kara will send them information that Wendy had sent her.  The Stewardship Committee will meet to continue the development of the monitoring and stewardship protocols.   

Kara asked if  the debris was cleaned at the Ramsay Hill and Reservoir Road harvesting site.  No one had been there to answer the question.  

Announcements:

Town Budget meeting on Thursday.

Adjourn 8:30  pm

The next meeting will be on Monday, March 4, 2024.

Respectfully Submitted,

Peter Palmiotto, acting Recording Secretary

** These minutes are in draft form until approved at the March 4, 2024 meeting.