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Forester reports timber-sale revenue; commission discusses road gating, radio-tower grant and parking plan
Summary
The forester reported Little Ledge sale completion and $17,794 in year-to-date revenue from recent land sales; the Commission discussed gating a logging access road, plans for road work, a $21,000 cement/fence item noted in a radio-tower grant, and next steps for reopening glades parking for backcountry skiing.
At the March 5 meeting, forester David DeGruttola reported that the Little Ledge timber sale is complete and that work on the Farrar tract is scheduled to finish before April 1. He told commissioners that year-to-date revenue from Bowman Treasure and Little Ledge totals $17,794 and that additional payments are expected.
DeGruttola said he met with the State of New Hampshire Forests and Lands and NH Fish and Game for the annual conservation-easement monitoring tour; both agencies expressed approval of the Commissions efforts to create wildlife habitat.
To protect infrastructure during logging, DeGruttola recommended gating the Pond of Safety Road access and proposed purchasing three gates (two to install and one spare). He said planned road work on Jimtown Road will continue and that areas where logging is active will be blocked off temporarily.
DeGruttola also reported that the forest-products market is unsettled because of recent tariffs, which has complicated planning and operations. Separately, Paul Jadis said the initial radio-tower site proposal lacked clarity and that towns requested a clear list of responsibilities; he reported hearing from Chief Cloutier that $21,000 for cement work and a fence had been included in the original grant. Jadis advised that Randolph will donate the land for the site and maintain the access road and that the excavator may be made available when work proceeds.
On recreation, commissioners discussed holding another public hearing about parking for the glades used by backcountry skiers. Suggestions for reopening the area included defining parking spaces, moving rocks to allow plowing, designating parking for residents only, and improving signage. The Commission plans to contact Jeremiah Hawkins and develop a management plan before deciding to reopen.
Mark Kelley also reported that the Peeko Folsom Bridge over Carlton Brook was washed out in December 2023 and will need replacement.
