Members Present: Alicia Flammia, Wendy Grossman, France Menk, Peter Palmiotto (presiding), John Peska, Lewis Shelley

Selectboard Representative:  Steve Dalessio

Alternates Present:  Nicole Adams 

Members Absent:  Tom Beaudry (Alternate)

Call to Order: Peter Palmiotto, Co-Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall. This meeting was audio recorded for the purpose of accurate minutes. 

Introductions:  Everyone introduced themselves for the benefit of the new Recording Secretary.

Meeting Agreements:  Peter reviewed the Meeting Agreements which the Commission developed last October.

Seating of Alternates:  Six members were present, so there was no need to seat Alternates.

Review and Approval of Minutes

Sue noticed that the date in the footer should be May 6^th, not the 5^th.  The property monitoring walks will be June 6^th.  Wendy clarified the next to last sentence under Rail Trails – there will be an opportunity in the fall to consider applying for grants.  John moved to accept the May 6, 2024 minutes as amended. Alicia seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried. 

Public Business

Report from co-Chair:  no report

Financial Report:​ Conservation​$ 225,407.75

​Forestry​: $25,401.33

Correspondence:   The Purpose magazine was received from NH Charitable Foundation.  The US Department of Interior sent a thick document regarding relicensing that was received by the Selectboard.  There were also three declarations, and they were sent at the end of the comment period. Notification was received from DES – see Harvesting Concerns under New Business.

New Business

Harvesting Concerns – DES Notification:  The notification from the Department of Environmental Services concerns a logging project on a property located on Merriam Rd. that was connected to another property on County Rd. There are possible violations related to wetlands, stream crossings that resulted in erosion and sedimentation. Lew lived on the property in question and was a caretaker there for 23 years before moving to an adjacent property to the one being investigated. He did not file the complaint or know who did and feels this is best left to DES to finish their investigation. There is nothing else for the Conservation Commission to do at this time.  If an official statement is requested, the Town Forester will be asked to provide his professional opinion of the condition of the property.  This is similar to a complaint last year at the end of Reservoir Road, so the public seems more willing to file complaints.  

These types of problems can occur if landowners do not hire a professional forester to supervise logging projects using best management practices.  A discussion followed about how the Town might help landowners avoid such issues and complaints, which can be expensive. It was pointed out that if the land is in current use and the owner hires a forester to write a management plan there is a tax break.  The Commission decided to ask Sarah Downing to attend a meeting to discuss current use.

Rest Area Cleanup and Shelter Update:  Lew rewrote the RFQ for shelter roof repairs which is ready and will go out to three vendors on Thursday.  The goal is to respond to the vendors by July 3^rd (the Commission meets July 1^st).

John said we need to find someone to clean the rest areas since the prior employee has stepped away from doing it.  For now, Kara Dexter is volunteering to stop to pick up on the way to work and on the way home.  Kara can be hired as an individual contractor, and she has the appropriate insurance.  John will work with Kara to understand the amount of time required, define the scope of work, and recommend a reasonable pay rate.

Endorsing Commission Member Renewal:  John Peska’s term has ended, and he would like to continue for another three-year term.  Peter moved the Commission endorse John for another term.  France seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

Old Business

Town Lands – Forest Management:  Fanny Mason timber harvest has been marked.  Peter will follow up with Alex Barrett for an update as Alex did not make the meeting.

Master Plan – Conservation Lands Map/Table:  Map continues to be updated.

Property Monitoring:  Wendy will go with Monadnock Conservancy to monitor three properties Thursday morning at 8:00.  Wendy requested a Property Monitoring Committee meeting to develop guidelines and feedback.  Wendy will get the Gateway into the database as soon as possible.  Peter offered maps as needed.  Alicia suggested a discussion of property at the August meeting for fall monitoring.

The Tree Committee:  The committee was formed about a year ago.  Now it is time to identify the species to be planted on the Common so we can plant three this fall.  Peter, as liaison, will reach out to contact.

Other Business

Reservoir Dam:  Steve reported the project is moving forward.  They are working on the borings.  Houghton Brook bridge is stalled because of price.  School Street will be the next big project – working on the brook and all new drainage, but there is no funding available now.  Mill Pond has been identified as a high hazard, which means the dam needs to be raised, and therefore, also the road.  The concern is that if the dam lets go the water could damage Route 12.

Hooper Institute Board Update: Nicole reported that the Board will meet Wednesday.  They are focusing on facility repairs.  There hasn’t been an update on the trails.

Walpole Gateway:   The Gateway has been hayed.

Trail Committee: Wendy reported the Trail Committee had its first meeting with her as Chair on May 8^th.  The Trail Committee members brainstormed ideas for activities, both maintenance and other events.  She is also still working on the special use permit language to brush hog the Rail Trail.

Website:  France suggested two changes to the website:  

1. Change the heading “Trail News” to “News” so more information can be included – this was acceptable to the members.

2. Add a Farming section to the website.  Members discussed the idea as farming is integral to the conservation of the character of the town.  It was suggested that Tom Beaudry, as a fellow farmer, be asked to assist to ensure the project is a collaborative and inclusive effort with the farmers in Town before any additions to the web page are done.

France is also putting some news on the front page and adding places for people to comment.  She gets the comments.

Hooper Map:  Lew found a new, and better, map of Hooper that may shed light on the Cranberry Meadow exchange with Walpole.  The map helps, but the deed was not recorded with the County, so the mystery is on-going.

Adjournment: John moved the meeting adjourn.  Seconded by France.  Peter declared the meeting adjourned at 8:37 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note:  These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the July 1, 2024Conservation Commission meeting.)

Members Present: Alicia Flammia, Wendy Grossman, Peter Palmiotto, John Peska (Presiding), Lewis Shelley

Members Absent:  France Menk

Alternates Present:  Nicole Adams, Tom Beaudry

Visitors Present:  Alex Barrett, Town Forester

Call to Order: John called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm in the Town Hall. This meeting was audio recorded for the purpose of taking accurate minutes. 

Seating of Alternatives:  There were five members so there was a quorum.

Review and Approval of Minutes

Corrections to the April 1, 2024 minutes:  Holly & Christian Goudy own and operate Brookfield Farm, the Ballam Farm is part of the Gowdy’s farmland in Walpole (i.e. they own the land called Ballam Farm).Tom Beaudry owns and operates Elm Island Farm; the Conservation Commission cannot support or endorse the Monadnock Climbers’ Association’s plan for Fall Mountain until they develop a draftmanagement plan and coordinate with North Walpole.

Peter moved to accept the April 1, 2024 minutes as amended. Alicia seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried. 

Public Business

Report from co-Chair:  no report

Financial Report: Conservation:  $223,411.78 and Forestry:  $25,176.40

Correspondence:  We received an announcement about the Lakes Conference.  The Commission will cover the registration fee if anyone on the Commission wishes to attend.

New Business

Forest Management – Fanny Mason update/next project:  Alex Barrett, Town Forester, reported that the project about three years ago at Hooper was very successful.  The project at Fanny Mason forests has been on the back burner but now has his attention.  Some work was done a couple years ago by Peter Rhoades (former town of Walpole Forester), who did a good job and left even more buffer than required by law.  The next step is to focus on the east side of Route 12.  There is a small grove of large hemlock trees that should be conserved, and also what may be old growth white oak east of the north bound rest area.  According to DOT, we own up to 100 feet from the center line.  Alex will contact DOT about access from Route 12 for the harvest which will likely be next winter and summer unless this is an extremely dry summer.  Specifically, he will inquire about using the rest areas as access points for hauling out logs.  Alex will have a planning map for the June 3^rd meeting.

Alex also suggested some proactive items for consideration:

• There is a stand of red pine on the west side of Route 12.  There is a lot of red pine scale in the area which blows in and kills the trees.  It would be worth considering proactively taking the red pine before they get hit with scale.

• A couple of years ago invasives were treated at the Gateway and Hooper.  It might be time to treat those areas again in August or September, and some treatment will likely be needed in the Fanny Mason harvest area.

• Suggestion:  create a “Friends of the Town Forest” – a nonprofit for fundraising.  There is a lot of money available now for nonprofits, but it is not available to the Town.  The Friends might not be formed in time for the current funding, but it will be ready next time.

Commissioner Seat Available – Advertise: Steve Dumont resigned so that seat needs to be filled.  The vacancy will be posted on the Walpolean.  

Old Business

Dam Updates:  Reservoir Dam – Fuss and O’Neill were to select an access route for the drilling rig to the dam and select locations for three bore holes.

Walpole Gateway: The gate has been unlocked and the area is accessible to the public.  A carabiner is being used to hold the chain up.  It is unlocked.  Persons are expected to put the chain back up after dropping off boats.

Master Plan – Conservation Lands Map/Table:  Peter and Wendy have been identifying issues with the maps and table.  The previous map although only six years old carried information forward about from twenty years ago and, in that time, we have added a lot of land with easements, etc. The map includes the cemetery and school which are public, but don’t have easements.  The consensus is that we need two maps – one for the public showing public lands with and without public access which should include NH access rules, and a second map for the Conservation Commission showing all useful data on all conserved land including details of easements, etc.  There probably also needs to be education for the public, for example in Maine and New Hampshire trees marked with two purple rings means the land is open to hiking but not hunting.  Current use property with the 10% recreational allowance is open to the public. Peter feels the Conservation Commission’s maps need to include historical information such as that High Blue used to be Warner Forest for the owner who put the land into conservation, or that Harold Putnam put the Town Forest into easement, which was one of the first easements on town owned land in the State.

Property Monitoring:   Monadnock Conservancy monitors all land with easements including Town forests. Wendy will walk three lots with them on June 8^th.  The remaining five lots will be walked later.John, Peter and Wendy are the current contacts for Monadnock Conservancy, and they will forward notices to the rest of the Commission so others can join the walks if interested and available.

Rail Trail – Bureau of trails visit, use permit:  Wendy reported “permitted uses” signs would be helpful if available.  We need a bond or memorandum of agreement.  The permit to bush hogging is still in process.  There is now $2,000,000 available – there is a good chance to get funding if apply.  We need people to work on grants. In the fall we will need a group to apply for funds for next year. DOT finished the work at Great Brook.

Trail Committee – HOT Day Reflection:  Wendy reported that Saturday was a great day.   Twenty-four people participated.  Leaders from the Trail Committee and volunteers did a number of projects, including painting out all the graffiti at the pole barn.   Paint and other supplies totaled $170.90.  Lew moved Wendy be reimbursed $170.90 from the Conservation account.  Alicia seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Lew reported that the RFP’s for repairs (roof replacements) to the Fanny Mason shelters are ready and will  be sent to several vendors.

Other Business

Hooper Institute Board Update: To date no scholarship applications have been received, but one is expected.  Encourage others to apply – see the Clarion for qualifying requirements.

Distant Hills: Distant Hills is sponsoring a Liberty Utilities biodiversity study.  They will be available on May 8^th from 9:00 – 12:00 on March Hill Road.  

Cold River Materials:  Cold River Materials has made a hazardous materials list available.

Next Meeting:  June 3, 2024 at 7:00 in the Town Hall

Sarah Dumont and Westminster Fit Body: Sarah Dumont owner of Westminster Fit Body created a garbage collection challenge with a goal of 50 bags to be collected wherever participants were.  A total of 179 bags were collected including 22 bags collected by Kara Dexter.  As the beneficiary, the Conservation Commission will receive $500.

Adjournment: Lew moved the meeting adjourn. Seconded by Wendy.  John 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 June 3, 2024Conservation Commission meeting.)

Walpole, NH  Conservation Commission

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.

Members Present:  Peter Palmiotto, France Menk, Lewis Shelley, Wendy Grossman  

Members Absent:  John Peska, Steven Dumont, Alicia Flammia

Seating of Alternates: Nicole Adams

Visitors Present: Peggy Pschirrer (Selectboard Liaison), Jean Kobeski (Recording Secretary)

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

Review and Approval of Minutes:  Wendy recommended the following corrections/clarifications be made to the December 4, 2023 minutes:

1. Ryan Owens stated that the Monadnock Conservancy would automatically send its monitoring reports to the Town rather than the Town needing to ask for them, as stated in the minutes.

2. On page 3 under Cranberry Meadow, it should be noted that no one from the Knapp family had claimed the land for 60 years; therefore the Town does own the land by adverse possession.

3. On page 4 under Rail Trail, the statement about the bond money being returned to Lew would best be placed at the end of the Rail Trail section of the minutes.

4. Phil Warren was planning to monitor Nelson Town Forest at 9:00 a.m. rather then 4 p.m. as written.

Peter noted that on p. 3 under Fanny Mason Clean-up, the steps on the east side are wooden, not stone, as written. Wendy moved to accept the minutes as amended.  Nicole seconded and all voted in favor. Motion carried.

Public Business:  There are no correspondences or financial report this month.

Peggy announced that on Thursday, February 8, at 5:30 p.m. in Town Hall there will be a public discussion of the town budget.  Among topics to be discussed is the warrant article for solar panels at the recycling center.  She encouraged everyone to attend.

Old Business:  Peter announced that Aiden Sweeney, an eight grader at Walpole Middle School, will receive the Barry Conservation Camp Scholarship.

Dam Update:  John reported to Peter that the state is reviewing the Fuss and O’Neill plans for Reservoir Dam.  John spoke to Mark Houghton about the Cranberry Meadow clean-up.  Mark said equipment will definitely be needed for the job; therefore a DES permit will be needed.  Wendy asked if there is money in the budget for permitting and work, and Peter answered  money is available.

Fanny Mason Rest Area:  Lew stated that major roof repair is needed. He said the roofs are cedar shingles.  He measured the roofs and will get an estimate for materials.  Peter asked if cedar is needed and a discussion of possible alternatives ensued. Peggy asked if the work would be sent out for bids and was told it would.

Lew called the state about clearing brush and trees but received no response.  He said he would personally visit the offices to discuss this.  He made other suggestions to improve the area:

5. Remove the wooden steps.

6. Remove some trees for greater visibility.

7. Create signage to designate the trail. 

Peter led a brief discussion about mowing the area.  It was concluded that ownership of the property needs to be established first.

New Business:  There is no new business at this time.

Other Business

Walpole Trails Subcommittee: There was no meeting in December.

Rail Trail:  Wendy reported that they have received the $20,000 RTP grant money and a positive report on the Rail Trail work from a visiting team. 

The Town also received a refund of the $1,000 bond that had been provided to the State for the brush hogging Special Use Permit.

Wendy proposed that she and Will make a presentation at the March Commission meeting about the Rail Trail and discuss moving forward. It was agreed that this would be a good idea.

France reported that a friend of hers saw someone driving a truck on the Rail Trail.  Lew asked that she find out precisely where it was so that they can begin to address the issue.

Lew asked Wendy if she had any information on the progress of the Keene RTP Grant work.  Wendy said she and Will visited that area.  Trees had been cut down and ruts smoothed out.

Monadnock Conservancy Monitoring:  Wendy accompanied the Conservancy as they monitored the Nelson and March Town Forests.  She went with Phil Warren, who does not actually work for the Conservancy, but does monitoring for them. 

Ramsay Hill and Reservoir Roads:  Wendy reported that loggers have created large ruts and have dumped trees and brush in the Watershed Town Forest.  She checked with Alex at the Monadnock Conservancy on the easement. He came and walked it with her and said  this was in violation of the easement and recommended that it be discussed with the landowner and logger.  This was done, and the logger should be clearing the debris this week. Peggy said there was never any intent to damage property and the landowner has been very cooperative throughout the process. 

Property Monitoring:  Wendy completed monitoring Ballam Farm with Chris Gowdy and the Graves Easement and submitted the easement reports.  She said the Forest Society needs someone to do the Aldrich easement.

Pamphlet Distribution:  Peggy said she distributed pamphlets in December explaining how conservation commissions can approach the state about creating a bottle bill. Peter will check with John to see if he has the pamphlets.

With no further business to discuss, Lew moved to adjourn the meeting.  France seconded, and all voted in favor.  Peter adjourned the meeting at 7:54 p.m.

The next meeting will be on Monday, February 5, 2024.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jean Kobeski, Recording Secretary

** These minutes are in draft form until approved at the February 5, 2024 meeting.