The Waterville Valley Conservation Commission convened on July 9th to discuss ongoing projects, master plan initiatives, and critical updates regarding the town’s waste management system. Key topics included the Snow’s Brook remediation project, the management of town-owned conservation land, and efforts to enhance community engagement through the town website.
Planning Board Update
A commissioner provided an update from a recent Planning Board meeting, highlighting several items relevant to conservation efforts (link). Discussions included test boring on the Britton property, zoning mapping and overlay, and fire protection strategies for the valley. The Planning Board’s landscaping subcommittee also reviewed plans for parking areas, shade trees, and shrubbery dividers, with a draft document expected to be made available on the town website in the near future (link).
A concern was raised about a third-hand report of a truck and possible digging activity on the Britton property. The commission noted that no test boring has been allocated or scheduled to occur there yet, and suggested the observed activity was likely related to staging work by a contractor already operating in the area.
Snow’s Brook Remediation Project Faces Eligibility Questions
The Snow’s Brook remediation project encountered an unexpected hurdle regarding its eligibility for Forest Service approval (link). Following a meeting in early June among the project consultant, town staff including the Assistant Town Manager and Town Manager, and a commissioner, the small project update form was considered complete on the town’s side. However, a Forest Service representative subsequently expressed concern that eligibility requirements had not been fully met, reportedly stating the project was “not even close to being eligible” (link).
The project consultant is scheduled to meet with the Forest Service representative on July 20th at the Forest Service building in Campton to address these concerns. Commissioners expressed surprise and frustration at the setback, noting the project has received support from the Forest Service, Fish and Game, and NH DES over multiple years, and that the town has voted to fund it twice. The commission agreed that a representative should attend the July 20th meeting to reinforce the town’s commitment and ensure clear communication to prevent further delays.
Master Plan Action Topics: Conservation Land and Community Engagement
The commission discussed two key action items from the Master Plan:
1. Management Plan for Town-Owned Conservation Land
The commission highlighted the need to develop a management plan for town-owned conservation land, with a focus on the 13 acres donated by David Britton (link). The land is not yet formally designated as conservation land — it currently sits as undevelopable property pending NH DES approval — but the commission expressed both an opportunity and an obligation to take the lead in planning its future use. The Britton property is protected from development by shoreline regulations and current zoning. Commissioners also noted that the commission owns a separate 0.8-acre greenbelt lot on the other side of Valley Road, which includes a scenic path open to the public and could be highlighted in future outreach materials.
2. Enhancing Community Engagement via the Town Website
Commissioners stressed the importance of improving the Conservation Commission’s presence on the town website as a tool for community engagement and education (link). While a broader town website overhaul has been anticipated for some time, the commission agreed it should not wait and should proactively update existing content. A commissioner volunteered to draft initial content organized under topic headings, which could then be reviewed and expanded by the full commission. Topics suggested for inclusion include the Snow’s Brook remediation project, invasive species, firewood transport and storage, fertilizer use, sprinkler usage, salt management, trail connectivity and access, and the Britton property. The goal is to have draft content ready so that when the town’s web system is updated, the commission’s pages can be populated immediately.
Municipal Solid Waste Working Group Update
A commissioner provided a comprehensive update from the Municipal Solid Waste Working Group (MSWWG), also known as the Steering Committee (link). The group is scheduled to meet with the Select Board on July 15th to prepare for a public information session planned for August, aimed at informing residents and businesses about significant upcoming changes to the town’s solid waste system.
The Bethlehem transfer facility is slated to close by April 2027, and the town’s current trash truck has been experiencing repeated mechanical failures, creating what was described as an unreliable and inefficient system (link). The MSWWG has obtained estimates from three major waste management companies — Casella, Witcher, and Waste Management — and is currently leaning toward Waste Management based on pricing and the fact that they are already servicing the valley.
The commission also discussed the significant financial deficit the current system has been running. Recent annual losses totaled approximately $63,000 in the most recent year, $140,000 the year prior, and over $230,000 the year before that (link). To address these structural issues, the town is gathering cost estimates to fully build out the transfer station, which currently lacks a compactor, a drive-up ramp for trash disposal, and a roof structure (pole barn). The roof is considered essential for employee safety, public safety, and to prevent snow and ice accumulation in bins that results in additional disposal costs. Construction funding will likely be presented as a warrant article at the next Town Meeting.
The interim period — from approximately April 2027 through completion of construction — will require a bridging plan, potentially including leasing a truck. The MSWWG is also actively promoting single-stream recycling at the transfer station and educating residents about recycling options available in Plymouth, including drop-off locations at Hannaford and other stores for plastics, paper bags, and aluminum cans. The possibility of shared services with neighboring towns was discussed, but past outreach efforts to those communities have not resulted in a cooperative arrangement.
Commission Membership and Meeting Times
The commission discussed strategies for attracting younger members, noting that current meeting times during weekday business hours conflict with most working schedules (link). An alternate member has communicated directly that she is frequently unable to attend for this reason and that a later meeting time — potentially 4:00 p.m. or later — would be more accessible to working members. A commissioner agreed to follow up with her to identify a workable time, with the understanding that room availability at Town Hall would also need to be considered.
The commission also addressed a vacant full member seat. An alternate member who has been actively contributing to the commission’s work is being encouraged to apply for the full position, and his appointment is expected to be considered by the Select Board on July 15th. The commission confirmed that remote participation from abroad is permissible as long as an in-person quorum is maintained. To broaden its membership pipeline, the commission plans to place a notice in the Wig Wag to raise public awareness about open positions and the commission’s work.
Grafton County Conservation District Open House
The commission received a report on a recent open house held by the Grafton County Conservation District (link). Two commissioners attended the four-hour event in North Haverhill, organized by the district’s director. Key themes included increasing youth engagement in conservation and improving communication among area conservation commissions. The commissioner reported that New Hampshire has 217 conservation commissions comprising approximately 1,500 volunteers. Waterville Valley was specifically invited to participate, and the commission expressed interest in developing a closer working relationship with the district, which offers resources on invasive species education, native plant sales, and outreach to schools. The district’s office is located in North Haverhill, approximately 45 minutes from Waterville Valley.
Hazard Mitigation Plan Review
The commission briefly reviewed the town’s hazard mitigation document, which is currently in a public comment phase before proceeding to state and FEMA review and approval (link). No formal action was required from the commission, but members were encouraged to submit any comments to the consultant managing the plan. The commission noted that the document is comprehensive in scope, covering topics such as emergency equipment inventories and natural hazard risks throughout the town.
The next Conservation Commission meeting is scheduled for August 27th at 1:00 p.m., though the meeting time may be adjusted pending the outcome of discussions about member availability.