Conservation Commission Addresses Wastewater, Zoning, and Recycling Initiatives

calendar Nov 21, 2025 · 5 min read · Wastewater Treatment Recycling Zoning Amendments Environmental Initiatives Hazard Mitigation Town Budget Land Use

The Conservation Commission convened on Thursday, November 20th, to discuss a range of town updates, ongoing projects, and future environmental initiatives. Key topics included progress on the wastewater treatment facility, proposed zoning amendments, the Snow’s Brook remediation project, and new recycling efforts.

The meeting began with the review and approval of the minutes from October 16th (link). During this discussion, a Commissioner noted recent news reports regarding salt contamination in water bodies in Merrimack County and highlighted the town’s proactive efforts to increase the sand-to-salt ratio in winter road maintenance. Minor corrections were made to the minutes, including spelling of names and clarification on the pluralization of “flyers” related to salt management usage.

Town Updates

A representative provided updates on several town projects:

  • Wastewater Treatment Facility: The 30% design for the new wastewater treatment facility has been submitted. A preliminary tax and rate study is anticipated to be presented at a public hearing on December 18th (link).
  • Environmental Remediation: A contracted engineer, familiar with the town, is assisting an environmental firm with remediation efforts on a 13-acre parcel (link).
  • Hazard Mitigation Study: The town has completed its work on the Hazard Mitigation Study, submitting it to the state for review, with subsequent FEMA approval pending (link). The Commission expressed interest in receiving a summary of the study once approvals are complete.
  • Observation Report Handling: Discussion continued regarding the process for handling observation reports submitted by the Commission, particularly concerning the chain of command and feedback mechanism for remedies. The Town Administrator suggested reviewing town bylaws for guidance, acknowledging that the observation form may pre-date current regulations (link). The Commission seeks a clearer process for tracking submitted reports and their outcomes.

Planning Board Update

A Commissioner provided an update from the Planning Board, which recently focused on amendments to be brought before the town for a vote. These amendments include topics such as housing and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) (link).

  • Food Service Regulations: Clarification is still being sought on regulations concerning food services, including food trucks and events at town-owned properties like the Gazebo. The current approach requires permits for such activities, leading to questions about consistency across private and public lands (link).
  • Outdoor Adventure Zone: A public hearing for the Outdoor Adventure Zone site plan application is scheduled for Monday, December 1st, at 6 PM (link).

Old Business

  • Snow’s Brook Remediation Project: The Commission learned that previously encumbered funds for the Snow’s Brook remediation project cannot be carried over as initially hoped. Legal advice dictates that a new warrant article will be required to re-allocate the remaining approximately $41,000 for the project (link). This process will be revisited early next year when the warrant article is prepared. A presentation, potentially including photographs, will be developed to explain the project’s necessity and progress to town residents.

  • Corcoran Pond Buffer Zones: A Commissioner inquired about buffer zones around Corcoran Pond, recalling past discussions about pathways and protected areas. It was clarified that because Corcoran Pond is a non-natural body of water, the standard 25-foot setback does not apply to most of it, except for the area where Snow’s Brook flows in, which is protected (link).

  • Master Plan Action Plan: Discussion on the Master Plan Action Plan was postponed until a specific Commissioner, who has taken a lead on the topic, could be present at the next meeting (link).

New Business

  • Municipal Solid Waste Working Group (MSWWG) / Recycling Initiatives: The Commission received an update on solid waste and recycling efforts (link).

    • Aluminum Recycling: Residents can now place aluminum cans (soda, food cans) in the designated metals bin at the transfer station (link). Staff will add appropriate labeling.
    • Single-Stream Recycling: While single-stream recycling is a future goal, it is not currently feasible due to infrastructure limitations and costs. The town previously attempted single-stream recycling, but it was ineffective due to contamination.
    • Glass and Paper Recycling: There are currently no local options for glass recycling due to the town’s remote location and associated transportation costs. Residents are encouraged to recycle paper at stores like Hannaford and soft plastics (e.g., plastic film, bags) at Walmart in Plymouth, which has dedicated bins (link).
    • Tonnage Reduction: A significant achievement highlighted was the reduction in annual tonnage at the transfer station from nearly 900 tons to under 600 tons since the facility became gated. This reduction is attributed to preventing illegal dumping (link).
    • Trash Pickup & Fees: Trash pickup has been reduced to once a week due to staff shortages (link). The fee for mattress disposal has been increased to $50 to cover the actual cost of disposal, correcting a previous subsidy by the town (link). The Apparel Impact bin for clothing and textiles continues to be a successful initiative, diverting waste from the landfill (link).

  • 2026 Educational Initiatives: The Commission began brainstorming topics for environmental education in 2026 (link).

    • Salt Usage: Positive feedback was noted on the current salt management flyers, encouraging continued efforts.
    • Future Topics: Proposed topics include the environmental impact of lawn fertilization and runoff, non-toxic pest control methods, and the detriments of gas-powered leaf blowers on air quality and wildlife.
    • Zero Waste Insights: A Commissioner shared insights from a New Hampshire Conservation Commission-sponsored zero waste meeting, highlighting initiatives for reducing micro-trash and litter on hiking trails. Collaboration with the resort for spring cleanups was also suggested.
    • Green Burials: The concept of “green burials” was introduced as a future educational topic, emphasizing its environmental benefits over traditional cremation and burial methods (link).

The next Conservation Commission meeting is scheduled for December 18th (link).