Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Conservation Commission

May 5, 2025

Members Present: Nicole Adams, Wendy Grossman, Paul Happ, France Menk, Peter Palmiotto (Cochair and Facilitator), John Peska (Cochair); Cheryl Mayberry (Selectboard)

Alternates Present: Tom Beaudry

Members Absent:  Lew Shelley

Call to Order: Peter called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall. 

Seating of Alternatives: None needed

Review and Approval of Minutes

John moved to accept April 7, 2025 minutes as written.  France seconded and all voted in favor. The minutes were approved.

Public Business

Financial Report: 

• Conservation $280,663.74
• Forestry $52,368.91
• Mason Forest Expendable $525,816.29
• Mason Forest Nonexpendable $23,387.78

Correspondence: None 

New Business

Aquatic Resource Mitigation Fund Grants: NH DES has $7,000,000 available for grants for aquatic resource mitigation.  $1,044,000 is available in our region.  Erosion control is especially needed above the dam in North Walpole, where prior efforts have not been fully successful.  Currently the dam is used to control the flow of the river to decrease erosion.  Other sites were also discussed.  Cheryl is willing to write the pre-application, which is due May 31st, so get possible project ideas to her as soon as possible.  If NH DES selects a project to apply, the full grant application is due in the fall.  

Old Business

Forest for the Birds Contract: The next step is to see if the Hooper Board wants to share the contract cost.  There was a discussion of the long-term benefits of this study, which is to use bird count and the varieties to score an area of forest.  The information can then be used to recommend how to enhance the forest in the future.  It was noted that there are observation points on the Skofield property which is owned outright by the Monadnock Conservancy.  Hooper Board is interested and Nicole will ask them about financially supporting the project.  With observation points on Monadnock Conservancy land, Chris Liazos will need to contact them for permission and to see if they want to help with the project cost. 

John moved that the Conservation Commission agree to the Bird Count proposal that the Commission will fund up to half the project cost.  The project is not to exceed $1,500.00, and if it does it requires permission from the Walpole Conservation Commission before continuing. In addition, permission must be obtained from the Monadnock Conservancy regarding the Skofield property they now own, and they should be asked if they are interested in contributing to the project.  All this is pending agreement from the Hooper Board. Paul seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Gateway and Hooper Invasives: The proposal from Longview to treat invasives at the Gateway for $1,800 was discussed.  The area would be expanded from the previous treatment two years ago. The chemicals used by Longview cause less damage than other herbicides.  The treatment will not harm the corn in lower field (the farmer agrees).  Nicole moved to approve the contract and treatment can proceed after July 1st for a cost of $1,800.  John seconded and the motion carried.  Paul and France abstained. Peter signed the contract.

Old Home Days – Planning: There will be two tables:  

• The Conservation Commission will have the Fish and Game Officer.  There will be maps of Conservation property and charts of invasives (Wendy has the invasives chart).  There is a very big wooden sign for the Conservation Commission in the tool shed that might be of use.  Wendy will have either GEM or Staples laminate the invasives poster, and it will be put up at the Recycling Center after Old Home Days.  Chris Liazos will lead a birding walk around town after the parade on Saturday.
• The Trail Committee will have trail maps.  The Committee would like to print their name on a tablecloth.  France will get the cost from GEM.  They will have two special events on Sunday at the Gateway.  First Sharon will lead a birding walk at 7:00.  They would like to create a new trail about a quarter mile long along the berm overlooking the river and then wrapping back around the field.  They’ll lead walks there on Sunday morning. 

Town Hazard Mitigation Plan: The plan has been revised.  They were pleased that they received a lot of public input.  The plan will be on the Town website May 15th for two weeks for public review.  One change was that Reservoir Dam is now ranked higher than it was.  In addition to having the plan for safety reasons, it will help us get grants to address the issues – the Town is already working on these issues, and the public is involved.

Response to MCA Request: Since the hiker fell the Commission has been in communication with Jeff, the group leader, and encouraging them to close the loop with North Walpole and to plan for rescues.  This communication will continue to work with and encourage them.

Trail Committee

Updates: HOT (Help Our Trails) Day was moved from May 3rd to the 17th at the last meeting.  They are currently planning projects for the day and getting organized. There was a review of Mill Pond trails.  Some of the needed work can be done on HOT Day, but some tasks will have to be done at other times. After an inventory of the tool shed, it was recommended they purchase two pulaskis and a rogue hoe for about $275.  Wendy made a motion to purchase the two pulaskis and a rogue hoe for a total price not to exceed $275.  Paul seconded and the motion passed.  Wendy will purchase the tools and submit receipts to Rich for reimbursement.

The Green Mountain Club will be coming to review the Academy Ravine trail and recommend what additional work is needed.

Rail Trail Brush Hogging: the draft permit application is with the state.  They responded that there needs to be a $1,000 bond and they provided typical language.  The Town Attorney needs to be review it before the Selectboard approves.  It was also noted that the Town must be added to the contractor’s “additional insured” for the duration of the project.

Other Business

Dam Updates: All the permits are filed for Reservoir Dam, and Fuss & O’Neill have had all the information requested for about a week.

Hooper Institute Board Update: The Board meets tomorrow night.  As discussed earlier, the Bird Count is of interest, and the lesson plans might be particularly helpful to the new Executive Director while getting up to speed.

2023 Rail Trail Grant Questions: Cheryl is answering questions for the Town audit of 2023.  The Commission was able to answer all the questions asked by the auditor about the 2023 Rail Trail grant and associated funding.  

Agenda – Next Meeting June 2, 2025

• Old Home Days

Adjournment: Peter declared the meeting adjourned at 8:24 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the June 2, 2025 Conservation Commission meeting.)

Tagged: CONSERVATION COMMISSION, Meeting Minutes