Conservation Commission
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Meeting Minutes
Members present: Harry Wolhandler (by zoom), Ralph Zingaro, Tom McGregor, Kathy Scott, Don Scott, John Sandri
Members absent: Jordan Long
The meeting opened at 3:00 pm.
Agenda, Minutes – No changes to the agenda. Members approved the minutes of the June meeting.
Japanese Knotweed
1) Contract for Vegetation Services – HCC discussed the contract for service with Andy Powers for the coming year for $1850, including labor, diluted chemical solution and state permitting fee. Mr. Powers is mapping locations and creating a GIS shape file. The HCC anticipates the program will cost less than last year. Harry Wolhandler moved to approve the contract to get the permitting process started. Ralph Zingaro seconded. Harry noted the SB will hold a public discussion on the topic at its July 23 meeting for public input and questions. He reiterated the spraying will be along town roadsides. Kathy Scott requested Con Com members attend on 7/23. All voted in favor to approve the contract. The chair noted the contract is not binding if the work is not done.
2) Dead Knotweed Stalks – John Sandri recommended the stalks be left in order to be able to monitor effectiveness and locations of new shoots. Following discussion members agreed the stands should not be removed until possibly, after a second spraying, they be removed along town roads.
Hemlock Initiative
1) Ralph shared results of June monitoring research conducted by Ralph, Dr. McDonald and Lee Barnes, who funded research, the purchase of microscopes and a rental facility in Nelson. They worked for five or six days, looking at ova sacs, and drafted a paper. Dick McDonald is drafting a research paper of the Harrisville initiative. They have a relationship with Cornell to communicate, verify findings (such as silver fly, summer predator, in addition to the laricobious winter predator).
2) Harry noted White Mountain has received 501(c)(3) approval enabling the creation of a Regional Hemlock Initiative. Beetle releases and fiscal management will move out of the Harrisville Conservation Commission and into White Mountain Horticultural Research Foundation. The new 501c3 provides a tax-free mechanism for people outside of town to contribute and participate, and it expands the pool of participation. It also addresses the Select Board’s concerns relative to the HCC’s assistance with other towns. A 501c3 board will manage the program. The HCC has raised 80K in cash and in-kind donations so far.
Old Home Days
– The HCC will set up at 8:30 or 9am on Saturday, July 18, and take down about 3 or 3:30 pm. Harry will make more posters to describe work to date and project developments. Will also re-use knotweed posters. Harry, Tom, Ralph and John will be on hand. The focus is on education.
Other business:
The Chair moved to distribute Lake Association Funds to the three Lake Associations, Silver Lake Association, Skatutakee Lake Association and the Harrisville Pond Association at the same amounts as in prior years. Kathy Scott seconded. All voted in favor.
Sandri Companies completed Pocket Park work on Sanford Pond. Trails Group is meeting tonight at 7 pm to discuss location of benches for visitors to the Rail Trail.
The Future of NH Forests, Friday, July 10, @ 7pm at Amos Fortune Forum in Jaffrey;
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in NH, Aug 11 from 6-8 pm at Peterborough Town Library on Woolly Adelgids.
The Ordinance Review Committee next meets July 24 at 3pm.
The meeting adjourned at 4:30 pm.