Harrisville Conservation Commission

Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 3:00 PM to 5:00 pm
Meeting Minutes

 

Members present: Harry Wolhandler, Tom McGregor, Jordan Long, Don Scott, Ralph Zingaro (by zoom). Absent: Kathy Scott, John Sandri
Recording Secretary: Mary Ann Noyer

 

The meeting opened at 3:15 pm

Agenda Review / Approve Minutes – All approved the agenda. Minutes approved unanimously.


Saving our Hemlocks – Spring 2026
Weather impacts – The HCC discussed the effect of extreme cold on beetles and wooly adelgids. Successful colonies have been established in far upstate New York, which is encouraging information. Cornell has a lab and is raising beetles. Harry and Ralph shared information from the Finger Lakes Region and Cornell program.

Spring monitoring – Harris Center Meeting. Tom McGregor and Ralph Zingaro noted they’ve connected and will meet with Jenna Spear, the head of the school program for the Harris Center and specialist in entomology. The HCC hopes to get “citizen scientists” to help report on adelgid sightings. Ralph noted the program goal is being achieved and has gone from conservation mode to preservation mode.  It’s only an issue if releasing is stopped.

Town expansion – Harry will check on Conservation Fund balance as funds need to be on hand in advance of purchasing beetles. The HCC has released 4,000 beetles so far in 2025 and early 2026, costing $32,000. Funds expended were a combination of private donations and Conservation Fund monies.  If beetles can be captured locally, in heavily dense hemlock locations, the HCC could grow its own beetle population through a local insectary.

Earth Day – Planning & promotion for roadside pickup
Goal: Pride in Pristine Harrisville Environment. Harry created posters for 2026, April 22-24, for the annual Roadside Cleanup.

Semi-permanent Roadside Signage – Harry and Jordan will continue to work on signage. As an incentive, and for fun, Jordan suggested people could pick up collection bags at the Recycling Center, bring them back full, and get a coupon for a free cup of coffee at the general store.  Members liked the idea.

Wetland Permit Reviews
5 Pond Road – Don Scott reviewed the project for expansion of an existing cottage on Harrisville Pond. The project was approved by the ZBA last month. The structure will be no closer to the pond than it currently sits.  Improvements to stormwater runoff, through infiltration trenches and drip lines, as well as a pervious patio are being added.  A Shoreland Permit application is in process. Silt fencing and other measures will be required to protect the area.

Mackey House, 187 Main Street – Don Scott shared the plan submitted to DES for a new septic system for the Mackey House on Main Street, owned by Historic Harrisville. The tanks will be located on the Mackey House property with the leach field proposed via an easement agreement with Harrisville Designs on Skatutakee Road. Piping will cross Stage Road, a dead end, and run adjacent to the property at 181 Main Street, along the property line on Harrisville Designs’ property. Don noted there’s a wood turtle habitat near the location of the proposed leach field work, requiring extra silt fencing for protection to prevent wandering into open ditches during work. DES suggests that work be done before mid-April, as turtles don’t come out of hibernation until after this time; otherwise, onsite surveys and extra fencing will be required to monitor and protect the turtle habitat.  It’s a narrow area of wetlands being impacted, 577 square feet, a roughly 5 square foot wide area. Once the sitework is complete and backfilled, it will be topped with wood chips.  Work can’t begin until DES approves the application.

The meeting adjourned at 5:05 pm.  Calendar for review below

Town report – due in February.  Harry will submit asap.

2026 HCC Calendar
March – Common Threads (due 3/20 for Apr/May)
April – HCC officer elections, Earth Week Roadside Cleanup (4/18 – 4/25)
May – Rain Garden Party, Lari Monitoring
June – H’ville Lakes Meeting, Knotweed Survey
July – August – Weed Watching / Aquatic Invasives
Sept. – Knotweed spraying
Oct. – Dec – Lari Releases