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Rye Conservation Commission approves warrant article to expand Town Forest and consolidate easements, 5–2
Summary
The Conservation Commission voted 5–2 to place a warrant article on the town ballot to designate two additional parcels into the Rye Town Forest and authorize consolidation/amendment of conservation easements with Rockingham County Conservation District under RSA 47:45-47.
The Rye Conservation Commission voted to approve a warrant article that would add two parcels to the Rye Town Forest and authorize the Conservation Commission to grant and consolidate conservation easements with the Rockingham County Conservation District.
Secretary/Clerk Hugh Lee reviewed statutory definitions that, he said, describe a town forest as a managed forest and noted his concern the draft supplemental easement language appeared to limit access to pedestrian uses, which could constrain future forest management that requires vehicle access. Chair Victor Odryna and other commissioners countered that consolidating conservation properties under a single easement streamlines management and protection. Attorney Eric Maher provided a revised draft of the easement language prior to the meeting (the minutes record distribution timing concerns; see separate discussion).
The warrant article — as read into the record — asks voters to: (1) designate Tax Map 12, Lot 80 and Tax Map 16, Lot 204-1 (about 20 acres combined) into the Rye Town Forest; (2) authorize the Conservation Commission to grant a conservation easement over those plots pursuant to RSA 47:45-47 to be held by Rockingham County Conservation District as part of the Town Forest; and (3) authorize the Commission to negotiate and execute an amended and restated conservation easement consolidating existing Town Forest parcels.
Commission debate noted the non-contiguous nature of one parcel and conflicting views about whether to wait for contiguous access; Member Joe Marttila and Secretary/Clerk Hugh Lee opposed the warrant article, expressing concern about including a parcel that is not clearly contiguous and about limiting future uses. Members in favor, including Vice-Chair Mike Garvan and Member Shawn Joyce, said protection and consolidation were consistent with the Town Forest’s purpose and that recorded access issues are being addressed.
The motion to approve the warrant article was seconded by Chair Victor Odryna and passed 5–2 (Opposed: Joe Marttila and Hugh Lee). The approved motion authorizes the Commission to proceed with the warrant article language as prepared by Town Counsel and to take actions incidental to placing the article on the ballot.
