Wolfeboro Conservation Commission 2016 Annual Report
Wolfeboro Conservation Commission
2016 Annual Report
The Wolfeboro Conservation Commission once again responded to the environmental concerns of Wolfeboro’s citizens and worked to protect the natural resources within the town.
We continue to support and work with the efforts of the Food Pantry Garden Committee, Lakes Region Technology Center, Wolfeboro Food Bank and GALA to promote the productive use of the Town Garden property. The Commission hired a student intern program starting in 2014, from the Lakes Region Technology Center to assist in the efforts and activities of the Food Pantry Garden. We continued those efforts through 2015, but were unsuccessful in finding a student to work during the summer of 2016.
We worked with the Student Conservation Association towards management of invasive vegetation. They performed mechanical removal of various species of plants at Front Bay Park, Beech Pond, and the Town Forest.
The new trail from Browns Ridge Road to the summit of Whiteface that was constructed in 2015 receives a fair bit of foot traffic, and we are working with the Land Bank of Wolfeboro Tuftonboro and an abutting landowner to construct an improved parking area in 2017.
We have been busy planning and outlining a new trail network on the Willey Brook property that is managed by the Commission. The new trails are scheduled for completion in 2017, and will initially encompass 3 miles of trail on the 55-acre parcel adjacent to Fernald Station that was purchased by the Commission in 2002.
We continue to work with UNH Cooperative Extension towards implementation of the Wildlife Action Plan. We plan to hold a public information session in 2017. We also worked with UNH Cooperative Extension placing Emerald Ash Borer traps in two locations in Town. We did not trap any of these invasive species during the sampling period.
Regular recurring activities included the review and recommendation to New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) for Wetlands Bureau applications. These applications include the construction and/or repair of docks, breakwaters, beaches, retaining walls, culverts, and for the dredging and filling of wetlands among other issues. We reviewed 44 of these applications compared to 26 in 2015. We also provided review and recommendation to the Wolfeboro Planning Board on 4 Special Use Permits, and to the Wolfeboro Board of Selectmen concerning 2 requests for building permits on Class VI roads.
I would like to thank the members of the Conservation Commission for their support and commitment to protecting Wolfeboro's unique character and resources. In addition, we would like to thank Rob Houseman and Matthew Sullivan, Directors of Planning and Development, Dave Ford, Director of Public Works, Lee Ann Hendrickson, Administrative Assistant, for their support, guidance and commitment, and the Board of Selectmen and other Town Staff, Departments and volunteers for their continued support and assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
Daniel Coons, Chairman et al