Atkinson commission approves $4,900 invasive-plant treatment for Sawyer Town Forest

The Atkinson Conservation Commission voted unanimously March 25 to authorize a $4,900 invasive-plant mitigation contract with the Rockingham County Conservation District (RCCD) for work scheduled this fall at Sawyer Town Forest. Member Jeff Nenart made the motion and Alternate Sandy Cannon seconded; the vote was 5-0-0.

Commission members discussed two RCCD proposals: a $3,415 option that matches a prior town warrant allocation and a more extensive $4,900 option that would expand treatment. Chair Bill Steele and Member Nenart said the larger treatment is more likely to achieve lasting reductions in bittersweet and other invasive species. Steele noted environmental concerns about glyphosate raised by a member but characterized the proposed treatment as the lesser of two evils compared with uncontrolled invasive spread.

The Commission agreed to fund the $4,900 contract with $3,415 from the earlier warrant allocation and $1,500 from the Commission’s approximately $11,000 annual budget. Members discussed the possibility of splitting the work—doing the first phase now and deciding later on additional treatment—but noted scheduling constraints with RCCD could make that difficult.

The motion specifies RCCD will perform the mitigation in the fall and the Commission recorded the vote at 5-0-0. No amendments to the motion were recorded at the meeting.

The authorization is intended to address heavy bittersweet infestations noted on Commission property. The Commission did not set additional reporting requirements at the meeting; members said they expect contractors to coordinate scheduling with Commission representatives. The next Commission meeting is scheduled for April 22, 2026.