The Walpolean

Town of Walpole, New Hampshire

Conservation Commission Minutes

June 2, 2025

Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the July 7, 2025 Conservation Commission meeting.

Members Present: Nicole Adams, Wendy Grossman, Paul Happ, Peter Palmiotto (Co-chair), John Peska (Co-chair & Presider), Carolyn Vose (Selectboard)

Alternates Present: Tom Beaudry

Members Absent: France Menk, Lewis Shelley

Visitors Present: Kara Dexter, Hale Morrell, Nick Tsichlis

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

Seating of Alternatives: No Alternates were needed for this meeting.

Review and Approval of Minutes

After a discussion of the process of creating, publishing and storing minutes, Peter moved that the word “Minutes” be added to the title, and the notice that these are draft minutes be moved from the end to the top of the minutes.  Nicole seconded and the motion carried unanimously.  (See above.)

There is one correction to the 5/5/2025 minutes: the bird walk to be led by Chris Liazos will be at 9:00 am on Saturday, June 28th, i.e. before the Old Home Days Parade, not after as the minutes said.  Paul moved to accept the May 5, 2025 minutes as amended. John seconded and the motion carried unanimously. 

Public Business

Financial Report: 

• Conservation $280,663.74 (as of 5/13/2025)
• Forestry $52,368.91

It was noticed that the budget vs. actual report seems to have too high an actual figure for trail maintenance.  John will follow up with Rich Kreissle.

Correspondence: The Commission received the Selectboard approval for Paul to serve as Commissioner. There is a postcard from NH Lakes for a meeting on June 5th.  We received thanks from Becky Pearson, winner of the winter trail contest, for her prize which she looks forward to using as she hikes around Town.

The Commission also received a letter from Hale Morrell stating that she would like to serve as an Alternate on the Conservation Commission.  Peter moved to approve Hale as an Alternate.  Paul seconded and the motion was approved unanimously.  Hale is recommended to the Selectboard. 

New Business

None

Old Business

Forest for the Birds Contract: Nicole reported that the Hooper Board approved the study and agreed to pay half the cost.  They also requested that a Conservation member be point person – Peter volunteered to continue. Chris Liazos contacted Monadnock Conservancy about the two study points on their land.  There is no problem continuing to use the two points, but they cannot help pay for the study.  As a result, Chris took the two study points out of the cost to Walpole, but the sites will still be monitored and included in the final report.  The cost to the Conservation Commission and to Hooper Institute will be $572 each.

Gateway Invasives: The contract was amended to state that treatments will be done after June 30th as agreed to in email conversations.  The contract has been signed.

Old Home Days Planning: Not everything for Conservation is in the current published schedule, but it will be in a printed update and all electronic versions of the schedule.  Fish and Game has been asked to be at the Conservation table.  There will also be a chart of invasives.  The invasives chart will be posted at Recycling after Old Home Days to help people recognize any invasives so they can be burned instead of composted.  The bird walk in town will be on Saturday at 9:00.  The Trail Committee will be at the Gateway on Sunday for a 7:00 AM bird walk and 10:00 AM River Ramble on the new trail.  The Trail Committee table on Saturday will have maps of Walpole trails available.  Wendy will send an update to the Walpolean after the Trail Committee meets this month. 

Trail Committee

Updates: The Trail Committee would like to have a tablecloth with the Committee’s name for Old Home Days.  The cost for the tablecloth and the printing is $150.  Since it would only be used a couple times a year, the Commission doesn’t feel it is a good use of tax dollars.  Several less expensive ideas were suggested. 

HOT (Help our Trails) Day had fewer people this year, but they accomplished a lot.  Seventeen people broke into four groups.  Three groups worked on the Rail Trail and the other group worked at Mill Pond removing a downed tree and leveling the path.  The new tools (two pulaskis and a rogue hoe) arrived in time and were helpful, and the cost ($225.49) was significantly less than the amount approved.  

Green Mountain Club looked at the Academy Ravine.  It is very steep, and it is not a good idea to put a trail there.  There could be a rim trail, but it is all private property.  Concern was expressed about some of the trees down in the Ravine and damage that could be caused if one gives way and causes flooding.

Rail Trail Brush Hog: The hay at the Gateway is looking good.  The Town has insurance information for brush hogging the Rail Trail.  The latest version of the contract from the State just arrived and is awaiting Selectboard approval.

Other Business

Dam Updates: no report

Hooper Institute Board Update: The Bird Count approval was already discussed.  The Board meets Tuesday.

Fanny Mason: Kara reported there is a lot of standing water which means lots of wet trash.  However, there is less litter since Fance put up the signs.  It is not clear whether the signs or wet weather are responsible.  The north-bound rest area is particularly bad with standing water in the path to the shelter and deeper standing water beside the walk.  This area is always a problem, not just this year.  There was a discussion of unmowed grass, standing water and needing a new path to the shelter.  It was decided additional information and estimates are needed in order to develop a plan to correct the issues.

Next Meeting July 7, 2025 – Agenda

• North-bound rest area:  unmowed grass, standing water and the path to the shelter.

Adjournment:  John declared the meeting adjourned at 8:23 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

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.)

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

APRIL 7, 2024

Members Present: Nicole Adams, Wendy Grossman, France Menk, Peter Palmiotto (Co-Chair), John Peska (Co-Chair, Presiding), Lewis Shelley

Alternates Present: Tom Beaudry, Paul Happ

Members Absent: Carolyn Vose (Selectboard)

Visitors Present: Chris Liazos, Hale Morrell, Alex Barrett

CALL TO ORDER: John called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm in the Town Hall. 

SEATING OF ALTERNATES:  All members present – no alternates needed

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

France moved to accept the March 3, 2025 minutes as written. Wendy seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried. 

PUBLIC BUSINESS

Financial Report: No account balances were available.  We received the annual income from the Hubbard Endowment in the amount of $9,731.25 for this year. 

Correspondence:

• Reservoir Dam Wetland Application has been submitted.  The application and maps were available.
• National Grid will be using herbicide from Bellows Falls to the Surry town line starting in June.  The landowners have been notified. 
• Monadnock Conservancy’s 2025 fundraising goal is $2,000,000.  Amanda Littleton has been appointed the new Executive Director.
• A deed was shared that indicated William S. Fletcher granted the Town an easement for Cranberry Meadow Bog Dam back in the 1990s.
• We received the new NH Planning and Land Use Laws book. 

NEW BUSINESS

Forest for the Birds – Chris Liazos, Antioch: Chris’ thesis is to create a standardized process and report for developing a Conservation Value Index which looks at birds (the varieties and number) in treated and untreated forests.  This project works with NRCS, towns and landowners.  For his thesis, he can do 10 study points in an area.  Each point would be monitored 10 minutes five times a year.  Treated property can impact birds in the surrounding land also. eBird tracks hotspots and the monitored land would be added to eBird.  After a discussion of possible forests, it appears that the Hooper Forest has the best ages and species of trees, some small clearcuts (1-3 acres) and some wetlands.  Alex will send Chris a map of Hooper Forest.  Chris will put together a proposal that will be shared with the Hooper Board to see if they are interested.

Forest Management Update – Alex Barret, Longview Forestry:  Fanny Mason will probably be harvested next winter unless this summer is super dry because the landing is very wet.  Chris Ricci will do the timber pricing closer to the harvest – lumber sales are even more in flux now (pine and ash are no longer purchased by China). 

There is a lot of red pine scale in Swanzy.  We should probably harvest the red pine at the west rest area on Route 12 soon.  There are white oaks among the pine.  If we decide to thin the red pine, there is a chance there will be blowdown, but the surviving trees will get stronger in a few years.  Could clearcut to get a view to the west, but the removal of all trees may be shocking.  Alex will check with the State, but he thinks we may be able to use the rest area for the landing since it is Walpole’s property and provides two paved drives to Route 12.  There is already some root rot, but new stumps can be treated to prevent further infection.  There are invasives on fence but not in woods yet and they need to be treated this summer. Peter made a motion to contract Longview to prepare a recommendation for the red pine harvest and invasives treatment.  France seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Beaver Deceivers – Mill and East Street Ponds:  The Beaver Deceiver at Mill Pond is working – the brook is not rising.  The one at East Street Pond is not working and the Highway Department had to clear the culvert.  There is one beaver still active.  Mike Symonds has a trapping license and hopes to remove the beaver.  A larger deceiver is needed for that culvert, so it blocks beaver access to the culvert.

Old Business

Gateway and Hooper Invasives: The plans for the Hooper treatment are in place, but the Commission is awaiting a revised plan for the Gateway.  Alex will remind them to send it.  Treatments at Hooper need to be avoided the week of July 21st and just before that because there will be an Adventure Camp in the Forest.  The Trail Committee is planning an event for June 29th at the Gateway for Old Home Days.  Usually treatment is done July – September so treatment will not interfere with either event.

Commission and Property Monitoring Files – Record Keeping (RSA 33-A:4-a): A file hanger is needed for the property management files. The keys to all the file cabinets have been found and the Town is making copies.  There was a discussion of missing information and how to fill the gaps.  We will talk about the record-keeping goals for the conservation property at some time.  Perhaps some of the information should be electronic and available to the public.

Old Home Days Planning (6/25-29): Gary Speed was mentioned, but he is no longer trapping. One suggestion was a bird walk around the Common.  The Fish and Game Warden in Walpole might be part of our booth, not necessarily with his working dog (black lab).  The Trail Committee will have a table next to the Conservation Committee.

MCA Mount Kilborn – Letter of Support:  Peter recommended a list of tasks that MCA needs to do, including preparing a management plan that can shared with the towns involved before the Conservation Commission can write a letter of support.  France will contact them for an update.

Common Tree Planting – Committee Meeting:  Peter will reach out to the Committee members to plan a meeting.

TRAIL COMMITTEE

Updates: The Trail Committee is planning  Help Our Trails (HOT) Day for May 3rd.  Everyone will meet at the Town Hall.  The Committee is also planning an Old Home Days event on Sunday, June 29th, hopefully at the Gateway.  There will be an inspection of the Mill Pond trail so a plan for needed maintenance can be prepared. 

Rail Trail Brush Hogging: The Town now has the 2024 Bond back.  Nicole has insurance and is working with Rich Kreissle so he is ready to do a check for the 2025 bond as soon as the Selectboard gives approval to the application and bond.  We would like to have permission by mid-May so brush hogging can be scheduled for early June.

OTHER BUSINESS

Hooper Institute Board Update:  Nicole will share the Forest for the Birds proposal with the Hooper Board as soon as it arrives.

New Commission Member:  France moved to add Paul as a Commissioner.  Lew seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.  Paul will send a letter to Sarah Downing stating that he wishes to join the Commission.

Town Website:  France reported the town website update is complete.

Hazard Mitigation Plan: John is working on the team updating the Town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. 

AGENDA – NEXT MEETING MAY 5, 2025

• Old Home Days Plan
• Forest for the Birds Proposal

ADJOURNMENT: John declared the meeting adjourned at 8:42PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note:  These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the May 5, 2025 Conservation Commission meeting.)

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

MARCH 3, 2025

Members Present: Nicole Adams, Wendy Grossman, France Menk, John Peska, Co-Chair (Presiding), Lewis Shelley

Alternates Present: Tom Beaudry, Paul Happ

Members Absent: Peter Palmiotto, Co-Chair

CALL TO ORDER: John called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM in the Town Hall. 

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

France moved to accept the February 3, 2025 minutes as written. Wendy seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried.

PUBLIC BUSINESS

Financial Report: 

• Conservation $ 244,033.71
• Forestry $ 51,988.87
• The Hubbard Fund donated $9,731.25 that will be added to Conservation.

Correspondence:  Cheshire County Conservation’s Meet and Greet will be March 6.

NEW BUSINESS

Member Renewals: Alicia Flammia is not renewing, and she will be missed.  Peter and France have submitted letters to the Selectboard Office expressing interest in another three-year term.  Wendy moved the Commission approve Peter and France as continuing members on the Commission.  Nicole seconded.  With all present in favor, Peter and France were unanimously approved for another term.  Next month a new member will be selected to succeed Alicia.  Everyone on the Commission is asked to recruit possible Alternates. 

Commission and Property Monitoring Files: The Commission’s left cabinet is not full.  The bottom drawer of the right cabinet could be cleared to the other cabinet to make room for property monitoring records.  At some point, John and Peter need to look at historical files to determine what can be purged.  By consensus the bottom drawer will be cleared and used for property monitoring.  In the future the old files can be sorted and purged.  NHACC may be able to provide guidance on what to save and the Selectboard Office may also have guidelines.

John moved that the Commission thank Alicia Flammia and recognize her for her twelve years on the Commission, including several as Chair.  Seconded by France.  The motion passed unanimously, and the Conservation Commission thanked Alicia for her service.

Annual Goals: 

• Old Home Days: it was agreed that the Commission wants to have a booth on the Common on Saturday.  We will have a map of the conservation land in Town, and perhaps experts on the local wildlife.  The Trail Committee will also have a table next to Conservation with maps of trails.
• The tree planting will continue this year.  The Tree Committee will develop a plan for the Common and some of the streets in the village.
• There is interest in determining if some Class VI roads should be designated as Class A trails so they can be improved and maintained.  A Class A trail is a temporary status, and abutting landowners may continue to use vehicles on the trail.  The Selectboard can designate Class A trails and can also change them back to Class VI roads.

OLD BUSINESS

All agenda items will be discussed next month when the appropriate experts are available.

OTHER BUSINESS

Dam: John just received the minutes of the January meeting to determine how to proceed with the Reservoir Dam.  The project will be broken into two parts: first the culvert replacement and drainage which is critical to prevent property damage, and later the slope of the dam.

Hooper Institute Board Update: The Board meets Wednesday.  They are focusing on finding Helen Dalbeck’s successor and filling the part-time educator position.

Trail Committee:  The Rail Trail brush Hogging will need another special use permit this year as the long-term permission form is being revised and not currently available.  Walpole did not get the 2024 bond back, so it needs to be rolled over to 2025.  Brush hogging will be $450 each time for the third year, but the price may have to increase in 2026.

Help Our Trails, a town-wide trail work event, will be held on May 3rd.  This year the Trail Committee plans to focus its trail maintenance work on the Rail Trail and the Mill Pond Trail.

Conservation Commission on the Town Website: Access has been granted, and training is available so the Conservation Microsite can be updated as discussed last month.

Rest Area Work: Due to the weather this winter the April workday will have to be postponed to June.

AGENDA FOR APRIL 7, 2025

• New Commission member
• Gateway and Hooper Invasives – Alex Barrett
• Fanny Mason Logging – Alex Barrett
• Bird Study – Antioch graduate student

ADJOURNMENT: John declared the meeting adjourned at 8:17 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note:  These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the April 7, 2025 Conservation Commission meeting.)

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

FEBRUARY 3, 2025

Members Present:  Nicole Adams, Wendy Grossman, France Menk, Peter Palmiotto (Co-Chair), John Peska (Co-Chair, Presiding), Lewis Shelley

Alternates Present:  Tom Beaudry, Paul Happ

Members Absent:  Alicia Flammia,

Visitors Present:  John McCollister 

CALL TO ORDER: John called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall. 

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Peter moved to accept the January 6, 2025 minutes as written. Lew seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried. 

PUBLIC BUSINESS

Financial Report: 

• Conservation $242,206.76
• Forestry $51,812.70
• Mason Forest Expendable $516,984.35
• Mason Forest Nonexpendable $22,962.00

Correspondence:

• Notification was received from the state that they plan to replace a culvert at the top of Prospect Hill.  The work is planned for this spring or summer.
• An Antioch grad student is available to do a bird study/count in an area that was last managed two to ten years ago, and he would work with the Town Forester.  Peter will invite the Antioch student and Alex Barrett, Town Forester, to the March meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Webpage: Currently the town website goes directly to the Conservation website when Conservation Commission is clicked.  Other organizations and departments have a page with useful details.  Each group was given the opportunity to create a page when the site was being set up.  It was decided that France will work with Sarah Downing to get trained and create a Conservation Commission webpage for the Town website that will link to the Conservation Commission’s website.

OLD BUSINESS

Route 12 Rest Areas – Shelters, Cleanup:  Both shelters have new roofs that look great.  Although not in the initial quote, some of the pine boards needed to be replaced.  A deposit was made so the remaining amount due is $7,728.60. Lew moved that we accept the invoice and pay it.  France seconded and all voted in favor.  The motion carried.

 Additional cleanup is needed, e.g. any timber that needs replacing, painting, power washing, etc.  The work will be planned at the March meeting and the work session will be in April.

Fanny Mason Harvesting – Update: The contract will be presented to the Commission in the spring.  Peter will ask Alex for an update at the March meeting.

Gateway & Hooper Invasives: An update is needed in March.  Nicole will check with the Hooper Board to see if they have concerns.

Property Monitoring: In December all the sites that needed monitoring were visited and the reports were filed.  

There was a discussion of where records are kept, the issue being very full files.  Wendy and Peter will sort out the files and have it done by the end of the month.  Monitoring reports need to also be filed in the property folders and there is some information in the property folders that Conservation needs.  Wendy will work with Sarah on new processes after Town Meeting.

OTHER BUSINESS

Reservoir Dam: Steve and John attended an online meeting with DES, the Army Corp of Engineering, and Fuss and O’Neill. The goal is to avoid mitigation while fixing the dam – Steve will work with Fuss & O’Neill.  Walpole also needs to split the project into two parts.  The first will be the culvert and spillway to protect the Town, and the second will be the slope of the dam.

The ARPA funds will be used to put generators on the pump houses.  The generator from the cistern on Prospect Hill will be moved to Town Hall.

Hooper Institute Board Update: The renovation is ongoing, and they are looking for Helen’s successor.  There will be a pause in the construction for summer camps and renovations should be finished in the fall. 

Trail Committee:  It was a good meeting on January 9th with three new people.  The focus was planning for this year.  There was a discussion about whether trails should be publicized online.  It was suggested that this should be a decision of more than just the Trail Committee because of the impact on the whole area.

 Nicole said she has a lighter load this time of year and offered to work on the permit for the Rail Trail maintenance.  She would work on getting a permit for more than just this year.

AGENDA FOR MEETING ON MARCH 3, 2025

• Alex – Updates on harvest, invasives
• Peter – Antioch student
• Annual  Goals – including tree planting
• Old Home Days – what does the Conservation Commission want to do?  In the past we had the game warden once; Gary Speed another time

MEMBER RENEWALS:  Alicia, France and Peter need to renew their membership on the Commission.  Send a brief letter to Sarah Downing to start the process.

ADJOURNMENT: John declared the meeting adjourned at 8:14 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note:  These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the March 3, 2025 Conservation Commission meeting.)

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

JANUARY 6, 2025

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

Alternates Present:  Tom Beaudry, Paul Happ

Members Absent:  Nicole Adams, France Menk

Visitors Present:  Whit Aldrich, Eileen Spiltoir, Becky Brown

CALL TO ORDER: Peter called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall. 

SEATING OF ALTERNATES:  Since five Commissioners were present, no Alternates were seated.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Peter moved to accept the December 2, 2024minutes as written. John seconded and all voted in favor. The motion carried. 

PUBLIC BUSINESS

Financial Report:  Conservation $242,288.58

Forestry $51,617.09

Mason Forest Expendable $525,402.62

Mason Forest Nonexpendable $23,371.73

Correspondence:   A letter was received from the Town stating that Nicole Adams is officially a Commissioner.  A report was received informing the Town of a project to prevent Cold River from washing out a lot containing a home.

NEW BUSINESS

Town Report input due on 1/21/2025:  John will do a first draft and circulate it.

Overnight Parking at the Route 12 Rest Areas:  Becky Brown and Eileen Spoltoir attended the meeting to discuss the issue of dog poop and tires at the eastside rest area – it was difficult to access the trail due to the numerous poop piles, so they cleaned up the poop.  It was noted that two Great Danes are living in the RV that frequently is seen parked at the rest stop and others frequent the site with dogs.  There is a no overnight parking sign that has been up two days.  The Police Department is working on the issue, but the first step was to put up the no overnight parking sign.   

Eileen and Becky left the meeting.

It was discussed that Tim Smith will be starting any time to roof the shelters.  They will put up tape to designate the work area.  A barricade to keep vehicles out of the lots would be better for roofing and the harvest later this year.  Further discussion of the continued rest area problems that have occurred over the years was a suggestion to eliminate the U-shaped drive and make it a trail head parking lot with one entrance.  The trail is popular, so parking for local walkers is needed. 

OLD BUSINESS

Dam Updates:  Tomorrow there will be a Zoom meeting with the State, Walpole, and Fuss and O’Neill on the dams to determine what needs to be done.  Alicia, John and Steve plan to participate.

Barry Conservation Camps: The Hooper Institute has not yet nominated a student for the conservation scholarship to attend the camp, but they are working on it.   

Timber Harvest this Summer:  The harvest on the east side of Route 12 is planned for this summer.  The commission will review the contract once it is received in late spring when more updated timber prices can be included closer to the planned harvest time.  The commission is considering adding the red pine on the west side of Route 12 to the contract.  The Mason Fund would be requested to pay for the costs during the harvest (estimated at $1,500 for overseeing the harvest).  Income from the harvest will go into the Mason Fund.  

OTHER BUSINESS

Trail Committee Report:  The Happy Trails party had about thirty people, including several new people.  The evening included a picture presentation, talks, food and entertainment.  It was a successful evening.  Wendy distributed a list of 2024 trail repairs.  The Trail Committee meets every second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM.  The next meeting is Wednesday, January 8^th, in the Town Hall.

The Monadnock Rail Trail Coalition is creating a map which shows parking.

Property Monitoring:  The snowmobile bridge that washed downstream into conservation property has been removed from the Town Forest.  The snowmobile trail in Great Brook has been closed due to the washout.  Rob Westover will GPS the snowmobile trails in town if there is snow, and he can take out his snowmobile.  This will allow the trails to be superimposed on maps of Town property.   In December Wendy monitored Mill Pond, Graves, Ballam Farm, March Town Forest, and Nelson Town Forest.

ADJOURNMENT:  Peter declared the meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

(Note:  These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections will be found in the Minutes of the February 3, 2025 Conservation Commission meeting.)