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Hillsborough conservation commission discusses Confluence Trail, asks Eversource about leaving pole with bird nest
Summary
The commission reviewed Confluence Trail applications, tabled a kiosk decision, and asked Eversource whether it can leave an old pole housing a bird nest while moving service to a new pole; DES permit items and an updated NHB Datacheck were also noted.
The Hillsborough Conservation Commission discussed applications for the Confluence Trail on West Main Street and deferred a decision on a kiosk while staff follow up on permit details and mapping.
Why it matters: Commissioners flagged pending Department of Environmental Services permit items tied to wetlands and requested an updated New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau (NHB) Datacheck number before advancing trail work.
At the Aug. 13 meeting, Chair Richard Head summarized correspondence from DES indicating additional information was required for the permit-by-notification and standard wetland permit applications for the West Main Street trail segment. Recording Secretary John P. Segedy noted DES had requested photos and clarification about a change in trail location. The Commission recorded an NHPDIP account balance of $228,926.47 as part of routine correspondence.
Member Linda White raised a separate operational issue involving an Eversource pole replacement along the trail. White said she had contacted Eversource and been told by an employee named Evan that the utility schedules pole work when birds are not using nests. She said she would ask the company whether it could leave the old pole with the nest in place and move the wire to the new pole to avoid disturbing nesting birds.
The Commission tabled action on a proposed kiosk until the next meeting to allow staff to gather additional information and to confirm the NHB Datacheck result that DES requested. No formal vote was taken on the trail applications at this meeting.
Next steps: staff will pursue the updated NHB Datacheck, collect requested photos and mapping details, and report back. The Commission will revisit the kiosk and trail applications at a future meeting.
