ALTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MEETING
ALTON TOWN HALL
October 10, 2025
Agenda
Members:
Gene Young, Chairman Dana Rhodes, Vice Chairman Russ Wilder
Tom Diveny David Mank Tara Lamper
Ken Sheehan, Alternate Drew Carter, Selectman’s Rep
Others Present:
Members Absent:
Call Meeting to Order:
Approval of Agenda:
Presentations/Consultations:
• Chris O’Brien from Division of Forests and Lands - presentation about Rx Fire plans at Morse Preserve.
Approval of Minutes:
- Minutes of 8/28/25
- Minutes of 9/11/25
PERMITS AND APPLICATIONS
(Any permit or application that has been signed off by the Chair or Vice-Chair is
entered here for the record, unless any Commissioner has questions or comments)
Planning Board/ZBA Department Head Review Agenda Items:
1) Z25-35, Varney Engineering, LLC, Tom Varney, Agent for Thane LLC, Kristian Johnson, Manager, M11 L28-13 Swan Lake Trail - A Special Exception is requested for Article 400 Section 401.D.17 to permit a Contractor’s Yard in the Residential Rural District.
Gene Young commented “We note that in the upper right corner of page 1 of the plan, that the applicant claims to have received a Notice of Decision from the Alton Planning Department on October 2, 2025. Is this wishful thinking? The plan calls for 15 parking spaces, but only ten are shown on the drawing. The narrative states that there is a compost pile on site, but the drawing indicates that the compost pile is off-site. Which is correct? Is the pile properly enclosed and is any drainage from the pile properly contained to protect the surrounding land from runoff?” Signed by Gene Young 9/18/25
Z25-36, Changing Seasons Engineering PLLC, Stephanie Richard, Agent for Richard Lundy, Owner, M 15 L9-3-1 Miramichie Hill Road - A Special Exception is requested for Article 400 Section 401.D.17 to permit a Contractor’s Yard.
Gene Young commented “The plan calls for arborvitae on the screening berm along one border of the parcel. Arborvitae are very susceptible to damage from browsing by whitetail deer. We suggest juniper to avoid attracting deer and the potential for five or six feet of defoliation” Signed by Gene Young 9/18/25
Wetland Permit By Notification (PBN):
1) NHDES Wetlands PBN Application – 154 MMH Realty Trust,154 Mount Major Highway M36 L42 – This project involves removing and replacing in-kind a 29’x39’ sf boathouse and 181 sf of decking this fall with no change in dimensions or impervious area.
Gene Young commented, “Decline to sign this PBN. Replacement of the boathouse necessarily requires removal of the second story residence. If he residence is also being replaced, what are the provisions for domestic water supply and waste disposal?”

2) NHDES Wetlands PBN Application – Ann Bettencourt, 41 Smith Point Road M63 L23 – Make repairs to existing retaining wall, specifically where rocks have fallen out or have been displaced. The wall is 86+/- linear ft along Lake Winnipesaukee. Work will be done fall 2025 while water is extremely low and will have no impact to shoreline. – No Conservation signature needed.
Standard Wetlands Dredge and Fill Applications:
Shoreland Permit Applications:
Reoccurring/Unfinished Business & Projects:
(Incompleted projects may not be discussed at every meeting)
1) Water Quality testing and monitoring
2) Property Monitoring and Reports
• LRT Monitoring Report for 2025
• Frohock Brook Marsh Report for 2025
• Tree Growers Easement
• Gontarz Marsh AMR
• Stockbridge AMR
3) Gilman Pond Management
4) Current Year Budget – 2025 Budget Justification sheet
5) Future conservation opportunities
6) C.C Master Plan Action Items
7) Informational meeting at the East Alton Meeting House
8) Onedrive Updates and improvements
New Business:
• Annual Meeting Registration Reimbursement
• Trails Use Policy
• BRCC Membership Form
• HMLA Donation
Commissioner Reports:
Russ Wilder, Tom Diveny – Water sampling report for public
Chairman Report
Vice Chair Report-
Member Reports-
Notice of Intent to Cut Timber:
• Map 12 Lot 66 Powder Mill Rd
• Map 18 Lot 30 Roberts Cove Road
• Map 21 Lot 8 Hopewell Road
Correspondence:
• Visit to 512 Drew Hill Road
• Comment to NHDES, 169 Hopewell Rd.
Date and time of next meeting:
October 23rd 2025 @ 6PM
Adjournment: