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Newfields commission asks landowner to move porta-potty and fuel cube on Gilmore easement
Summary
After a monitoring visit to the Gilmore easement, the Newfields Conservation Commission voted to accept the monitoring report and approved a motion to send the Vernons a letter requesting relocation of a porta-potty and removal or movement of a fuel cube found near the conserved property.
The Newfields Conservation Commission voted to accept the Gilmore monitoring report and to request that the landowners, the Vernon family, relocate a porta-potty and, if appropriate, move a fuel cube that sits on conserved land.
Chair Allison Watts summarized the monitoring findings and noted that the recent site review used aerial imagery because heavy snow prevented an accurate ground survey. Members recorded uncertainty about the exact easement corner — "about 3 feet" was cited — and discussed commissioning a corner resurvey next spring. Watts said the monitor would be scheduled as soon as snow conditions allow.
Commission members described on-site details: one porta-potty is very close to the easement corner and two dumpsters were observed on conserved property (one labeled recycling contained loose paper bags). A fuel cube used to store diesel for tractors was also observed and raised spill concerns; the commission asked staff to identify any easement or statutory provisions that would prohibit fuel storage on the conserved property and to provide a citation for any such restriction.
The commission moved to accept the report as presented with a request for corrected photos and to send a letter to the landowners. "I will make a motion that we send a letter to the Vernons requesting that they move the porta potty ... and that we look into and, if appropriate, ask them to move the fuel cube," Watts said. The motion carried.
Why it matters: The commission’s actions are part of routine easement stewardship meant to protect conserved land from encroachments or activities that could damage natural resources. The commission will follow up with a targeted survey and draft letter citing any statutory or easement-based obligation that applies.
Next steps: staff will locate statutory language or deed references (as requested), the monitor will be asked to correct photos in the report, and the chair will circulate a draft letter to the Vernons for commission review.
