A landowner told the Hampton Conservation Commission that he and his wife bought roughly 5.5 acres on Olive Road and about 5.5 acres on the adjoining parcel off Bulldog and plan to establish a small farm. He asked the commission to schedule a site inspection so members could see the area and the limited work he has done.

“My wife and I bought property at the end of Olive Road in Camden. 5 and a half acres on Camden portion, and then just on the other side for another 5 and a half on Bulldog,” the applicant, Freeman Nelson, said, describing the parcels and his intent to open the land and begin small-scale agriculture. He said he is limiting equipment to a chainsaw and a tractor and is removing mainly small trees to visualize the farm layout. “I'm not clear cutting,” he said.

Commission members discussed availability for a field visit and agreed to meet at the end of Hollow Road next Tuesday at about 5 p.m.; members said they would attend as schedules permit. “Pick a time, Greg... 05:00 would be ideal because my work day ends about 4,” one commissioner said while coordinating times. The applicant said he has staked boundaries and a perimeter trail and asked commissioners to inspect at their convenience.

Nelson said he plans to start agricultural sales this year and noted the state Chapter 61 tax classification requires minimal agricultural history: “This year will be my first year of agricultural sales. Then next year will be my second. I'll have my 2 years of minimum $500 for agricultural sales, and then I'll put it for chapter 61 stats.”

Commissioners clarified that members do not need to be present for the visit but welcomed anyone who could attend. The visit is a site-inspection direction, not a formal permitting decision; commissioners did not take a vote on permits at the meeting. The applicant said he does not currently have a contract in place with a contractor for larger work and expects to limit heavy equipment operations.

The commission will conduct the site inspection as an on-the-ground review; any required permitting, such as a Notice of Intent, will be considered in future meetings if formal applications are submitted.