TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 4, 2024
Members Present: Wendy Grossman, France Menk, Peter Palmiotto (Presiding), Lewis Shelley
Alternates Present: Nicole Adams, Paul Happ
Selectboard Present: Steve Dalessio
Members Absent: Alicia Flammia, John Peska, Tom Beaudry
Visitors Present: Members of the Monadnock Climbers Association: JC Woodward, Rob Koning, and Jeff Archibald; Katherine Kopij and Rose Bolio
Call to Order: Peter called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall.
Seating of Alternatives: Because only four members were present, Nicole Adams was seated.
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES
No changes were requested. France moved to accept the September 9, 2024 and the October 7, 2024 minutes as written. Lew seconded and all voted in favor. The minutes were accepted.
PUBLIC BUSINESS
Report from co-Chair: John could not attend.
Financial Report: Conservation N/A
Forestry N/A
Mason Forest Expendable (9/30/2024) $527,162.08
Mason Forest Nonexpendable (9/30/2024) $23,151.85
Correspondence: NHACC membership invoice for $250; invoice to reimburse Kelli Wilson for the website domain and hosting for $220.90.
NEW BUSINESS
OLD BUSINESS
Climbing Group – North Walpole Property: The Monadnock Climbers Association, who first came to the commission in May, returned to share more information on their ideas for Fall Mountain climbing areas. The discussion furthered the understanding of their ideas as they shared a draft management plan. Peter will provide suggestions and questions on areas that need attention based on questions and comments made during the discussion. Katherine also will confer with the N. Walpole commissioners.
Rest Area Shelter – Roof Bid, Pressure Washing, Paint/Stain: Two bids were received. After discussing both bids, Lew moved that we go with Long’s Roofing for a new metal roof as described in the quote for a price not to exceed $7,500. France seconded. Lew will generate a purchase order with funds to come from the Fanny Mason Fund account and get it to Rich. A $200 deposit is required, half will be due when work starts, and the remaining balance due when the work is complete. The work will be done in cold weather and will be completed on each shelter once it is started.
The pressure washing and painting or staining will have to wait until next year – it is getting too cold now.
Workday at the shelters, November 16th at 9:30 AM, will focus on cleaning up around the buildings to provide access for the roofers. Lew and Peter will do some preliminary work the day before.
Fanny Mason Harvesting – Update: Alex Barrett (Longview Forest) is working on a contract with Chris Ricci. It should be harvested either this winter or next summer. France moved approval to pay an invoice for $4425 for marking trees for harvest. The money will come from the Fanny Mason Fund because that is where the harvest income will go. Wendy seconded. The motion was accepted unanimously.
Invasives Treatments: We have a quote for the second treatment of invasives at the Gateway: the treatment area is 3.66 acres, and it would be treated during the 2025 growing season at a cost of $2520. Nicole and Lew know other companies who also treat invasives who could be asked for a bid on the Gateway invasives. There was a discussion of the value of treating invasives, and whether once you start with one company it is critical to continue treatment with them. Questions on the effectiveness of the first treatment arose and a few commission members will assess and Peter will follow up with Longview
We also received an estimate for treating invasives in the Hooper Forest. Nicole will take it to the Hooper Board which meets November 6th.
Property Monitoring – Follow Up: From the recent NHACC conference, Wendy learned we should be monitoring all the property we own and all property with town-held conservation easements. It is important to follow up on all violations. This year, Wendy will monitor the Ballam farm, Beatrice Graves easement, and a portion of Mill Pond. For next year we need to plan and carry out more complete monitoring.
OTHER BUSINESS
Dam Updates: Steve got the drawings for Reservoir Dam just before the meeting. He will get a copy to John. We will now be getting biweekly updates from Fuss and O’Neill. The project is on schedule to be complete during 2025. The requirements changed during the project so rather than preparing for twice the 100-year flood, we now need to prepare for the 1,000-year flood.
John is still trying to find someone to mow around the Knapp Cranberry Bog dam.
Hooper Institute Board Update: The Board meets November 6th.
Trail Committee: The Committee is doing routine maintenance. Lew put up new signs at River Road Rail Trail parking area. The Mill Pond inspection walk was canceled due to rain. Rail Trail maintenance on November 23rd will focus on ditches, culverts, and getting ready for winter. There will be a Happy Trails Party open to the public at the Town Hall on December 11th at 7:00 pm. It will be informative and fun with the goals of publicizing Walpole trails, attracting new members and trail workers, and soliciting public input. France is working on a lending library for winter gear: It must be easy, centrally located and it must operate with no staff.
New Commissioner: Peter nominated Nicole Adams to be a Conservation Commissioner. Nicole accepted the nomination. All were in favor. Nicole will get a letter to Sarah Downing by noon tomorrow so it can be voted on at the next Selectboard meeting on November 6th.
North Walpole Request: There is an area between the North Walpole Park and the railroad tracks that the North Walpole Commissioners are asking for advice on how to maintain. The Park belongs to Walpole, but research is needed to determine whether this area belongs to Walpole or the railroad.
New Alternate: Katherine Kopij would like to be an Alternate. Steve asked if she is permitted to be a North Walpole Commissioner and on the Conservation Committee. That needs to be determined before proceeding with a new member.
Adjournment: Wendy moved to adjourn. Lew seconded. Peter declared the meeting adjourned at 8:47 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the December 2, 2024 Conservation Commission meeting.)
Tagged: CONSERVATION COMMISSION, Meeting Minutes
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