Monday, July 20, 2026

Vernon Family Farm parking plan process

Motion to reach out to UNH and/or NRCS for help issuing an RFP for soil testing passed, all in favor, with the chair recused.

On July 20, 2026, the commission took this item out of order, and the chair stepped away from it. The vice chair read an email the chair had sent to the town's attorney. She said it raised concerns about the chair's impartiality. She then argued for soil testing at Vernon Family Farm. She said the conservation easement (a legal deal that limits how land can be used) calls for farm work to follow UNH Cooperative Extension and U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) practices. She said a 2015 farm plan listed soil testing but no test records exist. She said about 75 cars park there at up to 50 events a year, and that the engineer's plan relies only on observation. A commissioner said the Rockingham County Conservation District had called the newer plan thin. Members of the public said the farm should pay for testing and that UNH and NRCS can help write a request for proposals (RFP, a public request for bids). One commissioner said the commission could do the soil testing itself. Later the chair said the commission would likely need legal help, paid from its budget, because the town's attorney has a conflict and another attorney was named. A Select Board liaison agreed that talking to an attorney is worth it.

Bylaws revisions

No vote taken.

The chair said the final edits to the commission's bylaws were done, and the select board's review was finished in May. He said the draft has been final since June 7. The vice chair said she wanted to revisit a few items.

Board rules, courtesies, and June minutes correction

Motion to add a sentence to the June minutes about the error of holding the meeting without proper notice passed, all in favor.

The chair said that after advice from the New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA), the June meeting was held without the agenda posted in time, though no votes were taken. He said agendas must be posted by 2pm on Thursday, and only a high-level agenda is needed. A commissioner said a short agenda limits public input. The chair said he would post it at the post office on Thursdays. He also said members who recuse (step away from a topic) may speak as citizens but not as board members, that personal matters should be left out, and that letters should be shared before meetings. He said two members made up 74% of the discussion time in the May minutes and asked that discussions be shared more evenly. A commissioner said the chair had also talked a lot that night, and the Select Board liaison suggested shorter comments.

SELT monitoring visit of Sellers-Newlin land

The chair said a monitoring visit by SELT (Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire, a nonprofit that protects land) of the Sellers-Newlin 1, 2 and 3 properties took place, and the Newfields Garden Club took part. No report had been seen yet. A commissioner said the property is larger than expected, and another said it may offer a chance for a trail in the future.

DES wetlands rules and process

The chair said the state Department of Environmental Services (DES) held a webinar on changes underway to its wetlands rules. He asked for a commissioner to become the commission's wetlands specialist and present on this in October. One commissioner volunteered.

Resource Waste Services permit update

The chair said DES approved the permit for Resource Waste Services in Epping, but at one-third limited capacity. He said public involvement may have helped limit it. A commissioner asked about an emergency response plan. The chair said the company said it would follow the regulations that apply.