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Heritage, conservation commissions plan Hackett Preserve signage, seasonal clearing and Earth Week bluebird events
Summary
Heritage Commission Chair Bob Servacek presented sketches for the Hackett Preserve and requested historical signage and arrow markers; the groups scheduled spring clearing, delayed fall tree work to protect American Woodcocks, and planned Earth Week cleanup and a bluebird-house giveaway.
Heritage Commission Chair Bob Servacek presented sketches of the Hackett Preserve at the April 8 Brookfield Conservation Commission meeting and requested a set of historical and directional signs to mark features at the Hackett site.
Servacek asked for three "Outhouse Pit - 1806" signs, two "Well - 1806" signs, several markers for discard piles and four arrow signs to point to areas not visible from the cellar hole. Chair Frank Frazier said he will make the letters on the signs three inches tall and use the state park font to match other area signage.
The commissions also agreed on a clearing schedule: Heritage Commission members plan to clear plant matter around stone walls beginning about May 1; a larger fall clearing of trees between former barns and the Hackett property line will occur later in the season. Members specified that clearing between the Chestnut plantings and the road will be postponed until late September to early October to avoid disturbing American Woodcock migration and nesting. Member Leah Gage reported hearing at least a dozen Woodcocks performing mating calls at dusk on April 3, reinforcing the need to avoid earlier clearing.
The meeting included planning for the town—s Earth Week kickoff on April 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Town Offices. The Town Clerk will be open for dog registrations that day. Leah Gage volunteered to prepare bluebird handouts and retrieve maps and supplies; Chair Frazier said he would prepare up to 10 bluebird houses and kits to distribute. Alternate Jen McGown will research the New Hampshire Bluebird Society and recommended placing houses in pairs to match the species—s preference.
The commission also discussed trail work: Frazier will provide Jeremy Marcotte with additional trail marker signs and arrow signs for areas where trails are not obvious. Chair Frazier said he wants to attend the NH DES Drinking Water Source Conference in Pembroke on June 3 (cost $55) to advance a proposed water-protection ordinance and to attend PFAS classes; it was not clear whether other members will attend.
Selectman—s Representative Austin Fifield reported that the Town will now require volunteers at town-organized events to sign a volunteer sign-in sheet for liability reasons and noted that anyone charging for Preserve tours as a small business would need to sign a liability waiver pending Select Board approval.
The commission adjourned at 7:00 p.m.; the next meeting is May 6, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Town Offices.
