Hillsborough conservation commission authorizes chair to take draft wetland ordinance to planning board

The Hillsborough Conservation Commission voted unanimously June 23 to authorize Chair Richard Head to present a draft Wetland Ordinance to the Hillsborough Planning Board for review and support.

Commissioners reviewed the draft, discussing possible wetland categories and setback distances and suggesting additional background materials to inform the Planning Board. Commissioner Doug Lischke recommended compiling examples from adjoining towns and providing contextual information alongside the draft; Linda White said she would check with the New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions (NHACC) and Head said he would contact New Hampshire Planning for guidance.

The motion, made by Linda White and seconded by Roger Shamel, passed 7-0. The motion text recorded in the minutes was: "To authorize Richard Head to present the Draft Ordinance to the Hillsborough Planning Board and ask for their support." The commission did not adopt the ordinance at this meeting; the vote authorized staff and the chair to seek Planning Board input.

Members framed the discussion around ordinance structure rather than final policy choices: the minutes record discussion of "the different categories and setbacks" and suggestions to provide adjoining-town examples as useful references. No specific setback numbers or ordinance text were adopted or recorded in the minutes; further detail will depend on subsequent Planning Board review.

Next steps: Chair Head will present the draft to the Planning Board and report back to the Conservation Commission. The minutes indicate the commission expects to continue deliberations after receiving Planning Board feedback and additional comparative materials.