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Hillsborough Conservation Commission advances mapping work, addresses beaver dam issue and approves small reimbursement
Summary
At its April 8 meeting the Hillsborough Conservation Commission updated a CAI-led mapping project, noted field mapping of conservation parcels, discussed a beaver dam affecting the Confluence Trail and approved a $75 reimbursement for a member to attend a workshop. The commission set an easement inspection date and updated its web page.
The Hillsborough Conservation Commission met on April 8, 2025, at Hillsborough Town Hall and reviewed progress on mapping and local conservation matters. Vice-Chair James McDonough called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., and members approved routine business before turning to updates on mapping, trail issues and outreach.
Commissioners discussed a mapping update led by CAI, a contracted GIS firm. Therese Smith of CAI (identified in meeting materials as the GIS analyst) will develop the commission's Conservation Layer and has contacted Richard Head about the existing dataset; commissioners suggested that Jim Riddle work with Richard Head to provide the information Smith needs. Commissioner Roger Shamel reported that he and intern Shawna Crosby walked and mapped the House Rock and Low Forest properties as part of recent field work.
Vice-Chair James McDonough reported on a recent complaint about beaver dams along the Confluence Trail on West Main Street (M 11K, L 330-1). McDonough said his investigation indicated the source of the backed-up water was on an abutting property, he spoke with someone at that property, and that person later reported addressing the problem. McDonough also noted that ospreys have returned to nest at the trail area.
The commission reminded members that the annual inspection of the Philbrick Easement at 67 Carter Hill Road (M 3, L 23) is scheduled for April 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
On financial matters, Terry Yeaton presented a bill to register for the Saving Special Places Workshop. Linda White moved to authorize reimbursement of $75 to Yeaton; Roger Shamel seconded. The motion passed 4-0-1, with Yeaton recorded as abstaining.
John P. Segedy, recording secretary, said the commission's intern advertisement would be removed from the town web page and that the Natural Resources Inventory with Conservation Priorities and the Town Marsh Walking Guide would be restored to the commission's page.
Earlier in the meeting, members also moved to approve the minutes of March 25, 2025, as amended; the motion passed 5-0. Roger Shamel moved to adjourn at 7:35 p.m.; Linda White seconded and the motion passed 5-0.
The commission did not take formal land-use actions at this meeting beyond recording incoming correspondence that included an Intent to Cut submitted by Richard and Martha Douglass for Cooledge Road parcels (M 4, L 50 & M 7, L 197) and an Intent to Excavate submitted by Hillsboro Aggregates LLC for Route 9 (M 10, L 44).
