Monday, May 18, 2026

Vernon Farm parking management plan review

No vote taken. The plan is to update it with the requested changes and review it in June without the farm's representatives present.

On May 18, 2026, the Commission reviewed a 27-page plan from Vernon Family Farm (VFF) for parking on land under a conservation easement (a legal limit on how land can be used to protect it). The plan was due and filed by May 1. It covers a parking area of about 0.7 acres. It says the soil is likely sandy loam that drains well, that no impact has been seen after 7 years of parking, and that a 915 ft. plant buffer separates the area from the Piscassic River. The farm's lawyer and engineer presented. They said parking would stop in wet conditions, such as 0.5 inch of rain in 24 hours with rutting over 2 inches, and that the farm would manage this itself with a yearly end-of-season check. Commissioners asked about oil and brake-dust pollution, the lack of soil testing at the site (the engineer said none was done), who judges a shutdown, where rain would be measured, and the word "occasional." A commissioner said soil testing is free through NRCS (a federal conservation agency) or about $25 through UNH. The farm's lawyer said there were 30 events in 2024 (50 allowed) and 12 planned for 2026. One commissioner recused herself from the discussion and spoke later as a member of the public. Requested edits: the farm gets a rain gauge and considers a neutral location; add a checklist and checks for loss of plant cover and concentrated runoff; change "occasional" to "regularly scheduled, seasonal"; add the April 14, 2026 site visit date; add the two historic buildings to the scenic view section; list allowed vehicle types; explain why parking cannot go elsewhere; email yearly reports to the Commission; make the shutdown wording clearer.

Treasurer's report

Accepted. A commissioner moved, another seconded, and all were in favor.

The Conservation fund balance was $75,653.91 and the Current Use fund was $21,770.79. (Current Use is the fund that receives land-use change money.) Only one invoice was due: the ESRLAC invoice.

ESRLAC invoice payment

Approved to pay $350 for 2026. All in favor.

ESRLAC covers the Squamscott River. The yearly donation gives the Commission access to its reports on the waterways it monitors. The Commission had budgeted $300, but ESRLAC raised the requested donation to $350. A commissioner moved to pay $350 for 2026.

Bylaws update

At the last meeting the Commission voted to send its draft bylaws to the town's lawyer. The Select Board said this was not needed, so they were not sent. A Select Board member reviewed the draft and made a few short comments. The bylaws will go to a final vote after the full draft is done.

Proposed subdivision on Oaklands Road

A commissioner reported that the Planning Board took up a subdivision plan on May 14 and continued it to its next meeting. The developer, Copley Properties, is also planning work on the Rugg property. The land is held in two trusts. Plans show 3 new lots on Oaklands Road with septic systems by the road and homes behind them. The rest of the land would be put into conservation with the state, not the town. The land now has recreational uses that may not stay protected, depending on who holds the conservation land. Sources gave different information about water lines. The Commission will wait for more details to decide how it may be involved. One commissioner will recuse himself (step aside) from any discussion or vote on this item.