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Minot Trail Land Trust pursues riverfront addition; commission plans outreach and beaver guidance
Summary
Members heard that Minot Trail Land Trust is seeking to acquire about 13 acres adjacent to the Scantic River to expand riverfront access and discussed planned outreach (a new Town of Hampden Conservation Commission Facebook page) and a beaver‑control webinar summary on when emergencies allow removal or use of water‑control devices.
The commission heard multiple non‑regulatory updates at the Feb. 18 meeting, including a land‑trust acquisition, outreach plans and guidance from a beaver‑protection webinar.
Members said Minot Trail Land Trust is pursuing approximately 13 acres near the Scantic River that the land trust hopes to acquire to improve riverfront access. The parcel is largely landlocked; commission members said access would use the town hiking parking lot on South Road and that the land trust hopes to propose the acquisition at the town meeting in May. "She's trying to acquire that, too… I believe it's 13 acres," a member said.
On outreach, the commission announced a new Town of Hampden Conservation Commission Facebook page and plans for Earth Day presentations and short educational videos on plant identification to help residents recognize wetlands. Staff emphasized the page is for education and that residents should contact the commission directly for official questions.
A commissioner who attended a state beaver‑protection webinar summarized key points: agencies such as health or fire can declare a beaver dam an emergency if a structure, well or septic is threatened; otherwise, homeowners generally must file a Notice of Intent and bear costs for mitigation. The presenter described water‑control devices that allow flow without removing a dam and noted potential grant sources (the MSPCA was cited as one example) for installing devices.
The items are informational; the commission said it will continue outreach work and will follow the land‑trust acquisition and any formal filings. Members said they will perform site visits and coordinate with partners as needed.
