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Conservation Commission

Conservation and More

              by Bruce B. Beckley

Issue #129, November, 2002
ACC Gets Hands Slapped

And rightfully so. It all began with an Eagle Scout candidate noticing that the platform on the pond at Peabody Mill was in sad shape and not accessible to those physically challenged. The scout proposed building a new dock for catch and release fishing and wildlife observation that would be accessible from an existing path. Approval from the state and a building permit were obtained.

In the final design some autumn olive were cut for access to the dock and some gravel placed on the existing path to match the dock’s elevation. That’s where we went wrong. The whole project took place in the pond’s wetland buffer. Invasive species that it is, the autumn olive shouldn’t have been removed or the gravel added to the path without planning board approval. The zoning administrator pointed out that disturbances like this, small or large, are just the kind of threatening action to wetlands that the new wetlands ordinance seeks to prevent without review.

New subdivisions and developments must meet all the provisions of the ordinance before planning board approvals are granted. Problems generally arise when the owner decides to expand a yard, dispose of yard waste or open a view. It is then that buffers and the wetland they protect may take a beating. Advice to property owners: find out where the wetland boundary is, determine the setback requirements in your area, live by the ordinance – it has the force of law!

If you would like help in identifying wetlands or with understanding the ordinance, contact the ACC or the zoning office at 673-9041.

Master, Servants and Bankers

You probably know the story: the master gives his three servants ten, five and one talent to be managed while he’s off on vacation. (A talent in today’s market gets you about $1,000.) Two of the servants invested their amounts which doubled in value by the time the master returned. Number three got jitters and squirreled his talent in the ground. Today, we’d probably say under the mattress. The master , of course, admonished him, suggesting he should have gone to the banker.

YOU are our masters. You produce the money through taxes or gifts that buys the lands which then, Master, you put in our hands to invest for future kids and their folks. You are a good master, an educated master, a forward-looking master. You are good to work for. We too are investing our talents for the future. And who are we? What do we do as ACC members? Here is a short bio-sketch on each of us which, taken together, sketches out what we do as a whole through the ACC.

John Harvey – ACC Chair, keeps the team generally pulling in the same direction, involved with PUC proceedings on Pennichuck Water, working on local and regional land preservation initiatives, provides a rational interface with other town agencies and town folks.

Bruce Beckley – ACC Vice Chair, supports environmental education through writing and special presentations and tours, trail maintenance, open space protection, liaison with the Amherst Land Trust.

Anne Krantz – ACC Secretary, carries the environmental message to many groups, tree steward, wetland specialist, runs youth garden program at PMEC, never shy about investigating and speaking to an issue.

Bill Wichman – ACC Treasurer, keeps our records in harmony with the town accounting, maintains the digital mapping system, maintainer of trails, bridges and buildings, restored sawyer’s cottage at PMEC.

Jan Woodbury – Director of Peabody Mill Environmental Center, former vice chair, manages and directs programs at PMEC including Hartshorne Summer Program, noted environmental science teacher to schools and organizations.

Tom Wilkins – Valuable resource person on woodland management and property ownership, extends the conservation ethic to organizations outside the town, contributor to property maintenance efforts.

Walter Ohlson – Building and property maintenance, managing design of new PMEC educational wing, reviews and acts on dredge and fill issues, planned and directed construction of new Pond Parish bridge.

Richard Hart – Developed and maintains ACC web site, specializes in river quality programs, contact with Souhegan watershed organizations.

Graham Hankey – ACC newest member, focusing on effects of I-93 expansion on perimeter towns, scheduling meeting with DOT.

Dave Gagne – Uses knowledge in environmental education to extend ACC interests to other organizations including BSA.

Libb Crocker – Provides an open avenue of communication with the Board of Selectmen, strong supporter of ACC programs and initiatives.

Every day shows the wisdom of the master and the stewards’ returns on the investment entrusted to them.

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