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Epping Conservation Commission shortens meeting time, approves membership fee and plans trail work
Summary
The commission voted to move its regular meetings to 6:00 PM and asked the town to pay $400 for the NH Association of Conservation Commissions membership; members also reviewed Prescott Orchards bridge work, discussed formalizing a trail-maintenance plan, and learned a seller withdrew from a potential Hunter Drive land sale.
The Epping Conservation Commission on Jan. 21 voted to permanently change its meeting start time to 6:00 PM and approved a request that the Town pay $400 for the commission’s annual New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions membership.
Chair Liz Wilson moved to change the meeting time from 7:00 PM to 6:00 PM; the motion was seconded by Joe Trombley and passed 5-0. Wilson also moved that the Town pay the $400 membership fee from the operating budget; Dan McCombs seconded and that motion also passed 5-0.
Members spent time on operational matters. Joe Trombley reported he purchased lumber, hardware and trail and arrow signs from the 2025 budget for work at Prescott Orchards, and said a 16-foot bridge will be built in situ in the spring. Trombley said Trail Closed signs will be installed where hikers have been moving stacked lumber used to block foot traffic, and he suggested placing flat stones to address muddy spots.
The commission discussed a plan to install a backdrop and affix chains from bridges to trees at the Tilton Conservation Area once the freeze-thaw window passes; members agreed chain work should be prioritized before sign installation. On outreach, Dan McCombs said the upgraded PollUnit subscription used for the photo contest reverted to a less expensive plan until June; the commission confirmed second-place winner Sherry Dionne received a $25 gift certificate and will revisit contest rules and Standard Operating Procedures to disallow commission members from entering.
On property matters, Dan McCombs said the Southeast Land Trust (SELT) sought easement-monitoring reports for the Hall property; John Clark completed a 2025 report but monitoring records from 2001–2006 remain missing and McCombs will search commission files. Joe Trombley also reported the seller for a pending Hunter Drive land purchase has decided not to pursue a sale to the Town; no reason was specified and any future conservation-related development would likely require new Planning Board review.
The meeting ended after members discussed goals for 2026, including formalizing trail stewardship, scheduling recurring cleanup dates, pursuing grant opportunities, and engaging Eagle Scouts and local school trips for volunteer work. Chair Wilson asked Vice Chair Gabe Porter to add a trail maintenance plan to the next agenda. The commission adjourned at 6:48 PM.
