12/18/2025 CC Minutes

Bethlehem Conservation Commission

Dec. 18, 2025

Bethlehem Public Library

MINUTES by Chris Jensen

 

Attendees: Cheryl Jensen, Veronica Morris, Joanne Jones, Colin Lunetta, K.P. Petersen and Wendy Aldrich Jordan.

Absentees: Ivan Ash, Rachelle Lyons and Chris Jensen

Minutes by Chris Jensen

 

The meeting began at 5:03 p.m.

 

Minutes of November 20, 2025

Ms. Jones suggested several edits and Ms. Jensen made a motion to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Ms. Jones and unanimously approved.

 

Budget

Ms. Jones reported that the balance in the appropriations budget is $33.67. Ms. Jones said she would ask the town to transfer that amount into the savings account. The savings account has $16,152 and 51 cents. That includes $1,669.75 from the land use change tax.

 

Noise Update

Ms. Jensen said the planning board voted on Dec. 17^th to put the proposed noise ordinance on the ballot on March 10th.  There was a discussion about the timing and design of a mailer to help voters to understand the noise proposals. Ms. Petersen’s offer to work on graphics was gratefully accepted. The goal is to mail it in the middle of February.

 

Priorities for 2026

It was noted that the commission successfully undertook major projects in the last two years, including dark sky and noise regulations. There was a discussion about dialing back on such major projects to spend time educating residents about those projects. For another thing, the commission needs to have the time to make sure environmental concerns continue to have a prominent place in the new master plan, which will be a major town project next year. Reviving Adopt-a-Spot was noted as well as keeping tabs on legislative efforts in Concord.

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Report

Ms. Jensen suggested commission members contact the absent Mr. Jensen if they have any corrections or additions to his draft of a 2025 town report.

 

Update on Johnson-Tellman Town Forest

Ms. Jones said that the some no-hunting signs have been posted in areas of most-likely access. But, she said, more help is needed with posting. There was also a discussion about work on the town forest and the possibility of an interpretive trail.

 

Other

Ms. Morris said North Country Environmental Services has filed an alteration-of-terrain (AOT) permit on which the commission has the authority to comment. The permit application is for the NCES CAP 5 closure, NHDES File Number: 251208-210, Tax Map #209, Lot #22.

 

Ms. Morris said NCES filed the AOT because they are moving so much dirt on the top of the landfill. Ms. Morris said there are no wetlands and it is already “radically disturbed” soil and – in her opinion – at this time it is not worth commenting.

 

Ms. Morris also volunteered to monitor X-178 regulatory documents from Eversource that are before the Site Evaluation Committee. Ms. Petersen made a motion to accept Ms. Morris’ offer to be liaison. It was seconded and rapidly and unanimously approved.

 

Tenure

Ms. Jensen clarified her remarks from the last meeting. At the end of 2026 when her term ends, she is stepping down from the conservation commission, which she joined in 2007. It was also noted that the commission must review the tenure of members to make sure expiration dates are staggered appropriately.

 

Adjournment

Ms. Morris made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Ms. Petersen and unanimously approved. The meeting concluded at 6:38 p.m.

 

Next meeting

The next meeting will be January 15, 5:00 pm, Bethlehem Public Library