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Hillsborough conservation commission to present trail plan after ATV complaint; moves to reroute Shedd Brook segments
Summary
The Hillsborough Conservation Commission agreed to reroute portions of the Shedd Brook trail away from a rock‑wash, will spread native seeds on the Confluence property, and will investigate an ATV complaint on SPNHF land before reporting to SPNHF. The commission is scheduled to present its trail plan to the Selectboard on Nov. 12.
Vice‑Chair James McDonough called the Hillsborough Conservation Commission to order and led a discussion of trail stewardship actions that the commission will take in coming weeks.
The commission agreed to move portions of the Shedd Brook trail away from a rock‑wash area after member Jim Riddle summarized recommendations from a recent trail workshop to follow contours and maintain a slight side slope for drainage. "We want a route that will hold up better over time," Riddle said, and the commission accepted his summary and direction to adjust the trail alignment.
The commission also discussed habitat work. Linda White said she had secured swamp milkweed seeds, and Jim Riddle reported he collected seeds from a rattlesnake‑root plant; Riddle and member Jim Narloch will spread those native seeds on the Confluence property to bolster pollinator habitat. Vice‑Chair McDonough said he is investigating availability of chestnut trees for future plantings.
Recording Secretary John P. Segedy told the commission it is scheduled to appear on the Selectboard agenda on Nov. 12 to present the town's trail plans; Segedy said he will invite the Economic Development Commission and the Planning Board to attend that presentation.
During new business, member Roger Shamel reported a citizen complaint about ATV use on Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (SPNHF) property on Farley Road. McDonough said he and Emily are stewards of that property and that they will investigate the complaint and report their findings to SPNHF. Shamel also noted increased trail use generally, including cars parked at trail entrances.
Member Terry Yeaton reported that Eversource had moved an osprey nest and that signage and online maps are drawing attention to that trail access point.
Next steps: Segedy will coordinate invitations for the Nov. 12 Selectboard presentation; Riddle and Narloch will schedule the seed‑spreading work on the Confluence property; McDonough will investigate the ATV complaint and report back to SPNHF.
