Conservation Commission
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Meeting Minutes

Members present: Harry Wolhandler, Andrew Maneval Select Board Representative, Ralph Zingaro, John Sandri, and Don Scott
Attendees: Jessica Zander, Winston Sims

Agenda, Minutes of previous meeting – Members approved the agenda, and the minutes of the September meeting.

Restoring Native Vegetation along town roadsides: Knotweed removal.  Following the HCC’s Community Conversation in August and the SB approval of treatment in designated places, HCC members sprayed herbicide on knotweed patches in two locations:  at the town gravel pit, due to concerns that road material containing knotweed and its seeds is causing spread of the invasive along town roads; and at the Russell Reservoir Dam on South Road, where numerous knotweed stands grow and risk hindering the infrastructure. The locations were mapped in order to assess the effect of the spraying.  Other than monitoring, the knotweed removal project is on hold until January / February. The HCC Chair will check in with Dublin on any repeat removal efforts, or change or developments in their program.

Preserving Hemlocks from Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Populations. The Chair noted that Dr. McDonald will be in town mid-October for field training for volunteers for the Laricobious Beetle Project and for a seminar hosted by the Harris Center, a supporting partner on the project. The Chair will host a potluck on Oct 14th. The Harris Center talk is scheduled for Tues Oct 15 and will be webcasted by the NH Association of Conservation Commissions.

Field training for volunteers will likely be Monday 10/14. It will include identification of Wooly Adelgid, locations, and method for release of Laricobious Beetles, and how to monitor after release. HCC members can also train subsequent to his visit.

The Chair noted that Conservation Fund funds will pay for upcoming activities, while pledges/donations that come in will replenish the Conservation Fund.  The HCC is in the process of reaching out to landowners, on whose properties dense hemlock groves exist, to discuss the program and to ask for permissions and donations.  The Chair also noted that, pending the damage from Hurricane Helene, population of available beetles may be affected and the program may have to be postponed.

With beetles coming from Dick McDonald, Ryan Crandall, NH State Forest Expert, stated he does not need to inspect them upon arrival and prior to release.

Membership recommendation. The HCC welcomed Jess Zander to her second meeting. With her background and her interest in commission membership, Harry Wolhandler moved to recommend her formal appointment as an HCC member.  All voted in favor. Per the required process that the SB make all appointments to the town’s boards and committees.

Report on actions of other boards and committees.  The Select Board begins budget planning for 2025. The HCC should keep in mind what it might need in the year ahead. Mr. Maneval also noted the Buildings Committee, a subcommittee of the SB, will consider new and/or different uses for town properties, beginning with the Old Fire Station on Harrisville Pond, adjacent to the boat ramp.

Planning Board – The Ordinance Review Committee will meet Fri 10/4 at 3:00 pm at Town Hall to discuss buffers adjacent to linear wetlands, short-term rentals and other topics.

Additional comments. Mr. Sandri asked that the HCC, as an environmental question, please take up the matter of the use of road salt on town roads.  Mr. Maneval shared that such an exploration would include research, comparison of road treatment with salt versus sand, community and Highway, Police and Fire Dept input, followed possibly by a recommendation to the Select Board and/or Town Meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.