On Wednesday, April 3rd at 6pm, the Salem Conservation Commission held its monthly meeting the Knightly Meeting Room located within the Salem Town Hall. A recap of the items discussed is included below. You can view the recording of the meeting here.
NEW BUSINESS
- New Members and Alternates (Appointed at April 1st Town Council Meeting)
The Commission welcomed Alan Lord, new member, and Claudia DeFuria, new alternate. The Commission also welcomed back Councilor Keith Stramaglia as the new regular Town Council representative for the next year. Ruth Tanner Isaks and Clarie Karibian were also recently re-appointed for three-year terms.
- Presentation from Salem Friendship and Garden Club
Lorie Ball, Conservation Commission Alternate, and President of the Salem Friendship and Garden Club (SFGC), shared a PowerPoint of the work the SFGC plans to do in the Salem Town Forest. Items include: clearing underbrush in planting area, installing landscape timbers to delineate entrance walkway, filling area behind timbers with soil, adding large stones to naturalize area, planting a variety of native bushes and perennials, installing a bench near the large bolder and much more. The Commission approved their work and is looking forward to seeing this improvement once complete. Those interested in helping or donating to this project can reach out to the SFGC at FriendshipGarden03079@gmail.com
- Election of Officers (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary):
This item was moved to the end of the meeting. Commission member Linda Harvey made a motion to elect Georgia Brust as Chair, Caitlin Fitzpatrick as Vice-Chair, and Claire Karibian as Secretary. The motion was seconded by Keith Stramaglia, Town Council Representative, and passed unanimously. The Commission would like to thank Ruth Tanner Isaks for her hard work and time dedicated to serving as Chair.
- Conservation Commission Bylaws Update:
Commission Members reviewed the Bylaws and clarified a few further changes to the document. Updates to the Bylaws were approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
- Review and Approval of Braemoor Woods Conservation Area Sign Addition:
A discussion was held about the location and visibility of current sign located along Veterans Memorial Parkway. Discussion led to Commission looking into having a new quote provide for a multi-sided sign and longer poles. This will be discussed again at the next meeting.
OTHER COMMISSION BUSINESS:
- Review of Minutes
Minutes from the March 6th meeting were approved.
- Town Forest
Discussion was held about the Town Forest, there are currently numerous trees down along several trails. The Commission is always looking for volunteers to help aid with trail maintenance. If anyone would be interested in helping with this tasks please email Crayton Brubaker, Community Development Program Manager (staff liaison to Conservation Commission), at cbrubaker@salemnh.gov or Conservation Commission Chair, Georgia Brust, at gbrust@salemnh.gov.
*The Salem Conservation Commission is hosting a ‘Town Forest Maintenance Day’ on Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 9 AM – 12 PM. If you can – please bring gloves, rakes, pruning shears, brush cutters, and pole saws.
Please park at either the Salem Town Forest parking lot or near the NHDOT salt shed located at 54 Shadow Lake Road. Please do not block the garages at the NHDOT facility!
If you plan on bringing a group, please email Crayton Brubaker at cbrubaker@salemnh.gov. We hope to see you there!
- Conservation Commission Goals:
a. ‘SMART’ Goals for Town Council Consideration
The Commission discussed and approved the following goals to be presented to the Town Council at their Monday, April 29, 2024 meeting.
3 Conservation Commission “SMART” Goals 2024
- Complete Valentine Park Improvements; Due November 30, 2024
- Started: June 2021 – started as an independent capstone project by Commission member Georgia Brust.
- Recreate the parking area, create a natural meadow for pollinators where the existing parking lot/lawn is, install picnic tables – handicap table donated by the Knights of Columbus, establish landscape bed along roadside, and remove invasive vegetation near back tree line (glossy buckthorn, cutting back has begun and buckthorn baggies have been placed).
- Started: June 2021 – started as an independent capstone project by Commission member Georgia Brust.
- Town Forest Pollinator Plantings & Improvements in partnership with the Salem Friendship & Garden Club; Due December 31, 2024
- Create naturalized pollinator planting in the areas of the kiosks within the Salem Town Forest
- Update Town Wetland Ordinance; Due March 31, 2025
- Ad-hoc working committee will be held with members of the Conservation Commission to develop the Wetland Ordinance. The Commission is currently determining the date and attendees.
b. Goals Setting Workshop
Discussion was tabled until next meeting to set up a separate meeting time to further discuss goals for the upcoming year.
9. Other – Town Hall Times Website for Articles
Crayton pulled up the Town Hall Times website (news.salemnh.gov) to demonstrate where articles regarding the Town will be showcased and encouraged members to contribute articles.
The next Conservation Meeting will be held at 6PM on Wednesday, May 1st, in the Knightly Meeting Room located within the Salem Town Hall.