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Commission to survey conservation parcel after encroachment photos; letters, monuments and farmer right-of-way under review
Summary
Following a site walk with SPANF, the commission discussed evidence of encroachment, plans to obtain a full survey with permanent monuments, drafting annual reminder letters to abutters and a cease-and-desist to one abutter, and a proposed right-of-way agreement for a farmer; work is in progress and legal review continues.
The Hooksett Conservation Commission reviewed follow-up items from a site walk with SPANF (the land trust/consultant referenced in meeting materials) and agreed to obtain a full survey of conservation property where photos showed tree removal and stored lumber inside commission boundaries.
Commission members said previous surveys had attempted to minimize costs and did not place permanent monuments across the whole property; the last full survey referenced was from 2013. Members directed staff to obtain quotes that include installation of permanent monuments and markers and to have SPANF and town legal staff draft two types of letters for abutters: (1) an annual informational reminder about the conservation easement and permitted uses, and (2) a specific cease-and-desist letter to an abutter observed performing unallowed mowing within conservation boundaries.
Staff reported discussions with SPANF and noted that some boundary markers are missing and the commission will request a resurvey to clarify the lines. Legal review is underway for a permit/right-of-way agreement that would allow a farmer temporary access across commission land for agricultural activities; that agreement is under review by town legal staff.
Other stewardship items discussed included a mowing plan (the commission has an existing 2021 mowing/stewardship plan prepared by Osprey Ecological and will coordinate mowing schedules to maintain habitat), bollards at the north end of the trail (DPW indicated it will attempt to install bollards within its budget), and coordination with DPW on routine maintenance at trail edges. No formal vote was recorded on the survey funding at this meeting; staff will return quotes and legal drafts for further action.
