The Manchester Conservation Commission held its annual organizational meeting on Aug. 28, electing officers for the coming year and discussing outreach, easement monitoring, and several regional infrastructure projects that intersect with the commission's conservation work.

Commissioner Don Waldron was nominated and elected chair. Commissioner Sue Boucher was elected vice chair; Jennifer McLaren was elected secretary, and Lauren Zielinski was elected treasurer. The commission also approved minutes from its June 26 meeting by voice vote.

The commission reviewed its current conservation fund balance, which the finance department reported as $9,872.99. Staff noted the commission's ability to use those funds for professional easement monitoring, reimbursements for member training, or other commission activities. Commissioners agreed the city should consider covering routine professional monitoring through municipal funding rather than relying solely on fundraising.

Staff described a New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions wetlands-training program scheduled for Sept. 12 and 19 (online) with a Sept. 26 in-person field day. The fee is normally $50; members receive a reduced rate of $25. Commissioner Lauren Zielinski was approved for a $25 reimbursement to attend the training. The motion to reimburse was made and seconded and passed by voice vote.

Commissioners reviewed the commission's inventory of conservation easements. Staff said the group currently monitors eight easements, including a large parcel off Bryant Road (Apple Brook Way / South Ridge area) and parcels near East Industrial Drive, Madison Heights and Brodsky Parkersville. The commission discussed recent monitoring findings such as informal vegetable gardens or deer stands within easement areas, and recent corrective actions including installation of granite boundary posts and removal of man-made structures that encroached on easement land.

Commissioners also discussed potential outreach events for the coming year: an autumn cemetery tour that drew large attendance in past years, tours and outreach with The Nature Conservancy at a local wetland referred to in meeting materials as "The Swamp," and possible public programming tied to regional infrastructure projects, including the city's combined-sewer overflow (CSO) tunnel project and the approved dam removal in nearby Goffstown that could change riverine character in connected waterways. The commission noted those projects could provide opportunities for public education but stressed timing and coordination with other events and partners would be important.

The commission closed the organizational portion of the meeting and moved on to routine business and other items scheduled for future meetings.