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04/17/25 CC Minutes

TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
2155 Main Street
Bethlehem, NH 03574

Bethlehem Conservation Commission 

Thursday, April 17, 2025, 5pm, Town Hall 

 DRAFT MINUTES 

 

Attendees: Cheryl Jensen, Veronica Morris, Margaret Gale, Rachelle Lyons, Joanne Jones  

Guests: Colin Lunetta, Barry Zitzer, John Polaski, Mary Polaski, Wendy (Aldrich) Jordan  

 

Rachelle Lyons called the meeting to order at 5pm and chaired the meeting. 

 

  1. Minutes of March 20, 2025 

Cheryl made a motion to approve as written. Rachelle seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 

  1. Treasurer’s Report

Margaret reported that the Town account has a balance of $264.92 less an outstanding item for $260 that has been paid but is not reflected on the Conservation Commission’s ledger. The remaining balance will be $4.92.  

The savings account has a balance of $15,587.79. 

  1. Mailbag

Rachelle highlighted the following correspondence for the Commission. 

  1. The GSL AoT Permit deadline has been changed to June.
  2. Thursday, 15 May – ACT is hosting an event about extreme weather events with a scientist from the White Mountain National Forest. BCC was asked to co-sponsor. After a brief discussion, the timing is not workable for BCC to be involved with this event. However, the BCC is going to reach out to ACT to better understand what ACT has in mind for support when requesting that BCC co-sponsor an event. 
  3. FYI – Letter from Kris Pastoriza regarding X-178 borings in Thornton.
  4. Easton CC copied BCC on a letter regarding X-178.
  5. Plastics Resolution – Barry Zitser of the Sustainability Working Group

The Sustainability Working Group requests that BCC adopt a resolution to ask the Selectboard to adopt a resolution about reducing plastic waste. The Selectboard’s resolution could then be utilized to support voluntary plastics reduction activities such as obtaining no-cost help from entities who provide usage audits. A shorter resolution than had been discussed previously was read aloud. Rachelle agreed to work on the text for discussion at the next meeting. Mary Polaski urged BCC to encourage the reduction in single-use plastic bags. Rachelle suggested that informal gatherings might be appropriate to discuss issues like this.   

  1. Ammonoosuc Local River Advisory Committee Event – May 5 – Dr Field

Dr. Field will be presenting on riparian geology of the Ammonoosuc River in Lisbon on May 5th.  BCC is one of the sponsors. Due to limited space, contact Andrea Bryant to RSVP. 

  1. Town Forest Update

Joanne recapped the forest walk that was conducted with Jim Frohn, Grafton County Forester, UNH Extension on April 11. The walk included 5 students from Plymouth State University, Joanne, Kevin Jones, and Veronica. Jim will be providing a written report in a couple of weeks. His priority recommendations were: 

  • Identify and, if possible, work to control invasive species including knotweed and honeysuckle.
  • Conduct a detailed forest survey to better understand species diversity.
  • Consider undertaking some active management (logging). 

Veronica noted that Jim identified the possibility of making small cuts for wildlife, depending on the goals. Jim gave an example of what “small cuts” could be – with 60 acres of forest, approximately 6 acres in patch cuts of ½ to 1 acre each to remove overstory around a clearing and increase food and habitat for some wildlife. Veronica also noted that during the walk, there was substantial evidence of deer and that the level of deer browsing, to Jim, was indicative of possible lack of food. 

Rachelle stated that as a group, we do not have a shared understanding of the forest or goals. Joanne’s leadership in undertaking an update of the management of the forest was noted. 

Due to the Spring emergence of invasive Japanese Knotweed being the only time to undertake control or eradication measures, Veronica requested that BCC reach out to the Highway Department. The Highway Department has previously stated that they can and will work on invasive species control. A brief discussion was held about methods and Veronica stated that the only known effective control method for knotweed is a glyphosate-based herbicide.  

The group decided to have a focused meeting on forest goals with Jim’s report and the management plan to help guide decision making. A meeting was scheduled to discuss the forest on Tuesday, May 13, 5pm, at the Bethlehem Public Library.  

Veronica made a motion to request that the Highway Department attempt to manage one patch of invasive Japanese Knotweed that is on the wooded edge of the capped landfill, near the entrance from Prospect Street. Second, Cheryl. Passed 4-1 (Margaret opposed.) 

  1. Natural Resources Inventory Update

Rachelle stated that the NRI is nearly complete. There are a few more edits to make. There was a short discussion about how the NRI should be presented to the community – should it be just to the BCC, should it be a community-wide presentation, should there be both. Veronica noted that because the Planning Board will be using the NRI in the Master Plan update, perhaps they could be specifically invited. Joanne and Margaret noted that Franconia made a point to invite neighboring communities as well, since we all share the same watershed. Ideally, this would take place in May, schedules permitting. 

Margaret made a motion to invite Elise Lawson to make a summary presentation to the community with special invitations to the BCC and the Planning Board. Second, Rachelle. Passed unanimously.  

  1. Update on HB 639 – Cryptomining Bill

Cheryl provided an update on the status of HB 639. It passed the House and has now been referred to the Senate Commerce Committee. No hearing has been scheduled yet. When scheduled, Cheryl plans to send out an alert via the existing communications channels so that interested parties, including the Selectboard, can file their objections with the committee.  

Rachelle made a motion to support Cheryl sending a letter, as Chair of the Bethlehem Conservation Commission, to the members of the Commerce Committee. Second, Margaret. Passed unanimously.  

Rachelle made a motion to support Cheryl sending an alert for public action on HB 639. Seconded, Joanne. Passed unanimously.  

  1. Other / New Business 
  2. New Member or alternate addition

BCC currently has 2 seats available. Wendy and Colin are both here for a second time. A general discussion was held about different duties and how things are currently divided, as well as resources that are available. 

Rachelle made a motion to nominate Wendy (Aldrich) Jordan and Colin Lunetta each to 1 year terms that end March 31, 2026. Second, Margaret. Passed unanimously.   

Cheryl will send short bios from each person to the Selectboard for consideration at an upcoming meeting.  

  1. Veronica noted that the Sierra Club’s upcoming legislative day is scheduled for April 22 and that they had invited members of BCC to attend if they are available. 
  2. Rachelle stated that she had attempted to reach out to Bob Francis, Building Inspector and Code Enforcement, about the new lighting ordinance. That conversation seemed to be a bit of a missed connection so she is going to try again with Bob and possibly add Mary Moritz. 

Upcoming Meetings: 

  • The Town Forest discussion is set for May 13, 5pm, tentatively at the Library.
  • The next general meeting is set for May 15, 5pm, Town
  • Future meetings are scheduled for June 19, July 17 at Town Hall. Tentatively, August 21 and September 18, location 

Rachelle moved to close the meeting at 6:53pm. Seconded, Cheryl. Passed unanimously.  

Respectfully submitted, 

Veronica Morris