Conservation Commission

City of Rochester Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday April 22, 2026 Cocheco Meeting Room 33 Wakefield Street, Rochester, NH (These minutes were approved on May 27, 2026) Attendance Presence Commission Member Notes Members of the Public Present Dylan Dowe, Chair Jon Clement Present Kevin Sullivan, Vice Chair Don Gilbert Present Mike Dionne Absent Mark Jennings Excused Absent Merry Lineweber Excused Present Dan Nickerson Present Tom Willis Present Dennis Raymond Present Sue Walthour Present Renée McIsaac, Planner I 1) Call to Order: Dylan Dowe called the meeting to order at 5:32pm. 2) Public Comment: Don Gilbert introduced himself and explained that he owns a property on Estes Road that is mostly wet. He stated that at one point in time he tried to give it to the City. Recently the property taxes have increased, and he does not intend to pay them. In the meantime, he has received a notice of lien against the property. He decided to reach out to the Conservation Commission to see if they could provide assistance with a possible donation of the land to the City. He noted that the City would incur costs to send certified mail for owed taxes over the next three years before it is eligible for tax deeding. Renée McIsaac noted that from the City’s perspective, they would want to ensure that they are not assuming responsibility for a property with environmental contamination and she was not sure if a survey or evaluation would be needed. Don Gilbert indicated that he was interested in a simple quit claim deed for the property. He noted that he has not done anything with the property since it was obtained in 1983. He recalled that the previous landowner would barricade this section of Estes Road and it was maintained as a private road from Washington Street to Dry Hill Road. Commission members noted the ecological and water protection resource values of the property. They requested that guidance from City staff be sought to ask about the feasibility of the City taking ownership. 3) Approval of Minutes: a. Review Meeting Minutes of March 25, 2026. Dan Nickerson made a motion to approve of the minutes as drafted. Mike Dionne seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously. b. Review Meeting Minutes of April 11, 2026. Kevin Sullivan made a motion to approve of the minutes as drafted. Mike Dionne seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously. 2026-04-22 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 1 of 4  4) NH DES Applications: a. Alteration of Terrain Application - Eastern Pines Camping Resort; Tax Map 0209- 0009-0000 (34 Little Falls Bridge Rd); File Number: 20260413-083 Kevin Sullivan noted that the Conservation Commission previously reviewed the project and did not really have concerns. Mike Dionne commented that he is less concerned about the proposal after seeing the elevation change between the river and the proposed campground location. b. Alteration of Terrain Application - Soil Borrow Area Expansion; Tax Map 0262- 0022-0000 (14 Taylor Ave); File Number: 20260409-080 Tom Willis commented that as long as the application is consistent with the presentation provided to the Conservation Commission that he did not have any concerns. c. Notice of Intent to Construct – Spring 2026 LFG Well Installation; Tax Map 0267- 0002-0000 (60 Steele Rd); DES-SW-SP-95-001 Commission members had no concerns. 5) Notice of Intent to Excavate: a. Tax Map 0268-0005-0000 (489 Rochester Neck Rd); 26-389-01-E b. Tax Map 0268-0006-0000 (455 Rochester Neck Rd); 26-389-02-E c. Tax Map 0268-0007-0000 (0 Rochester Neck Rd); 26-389-03-E d. Tax Map 0208-0012-0000 (0 Farmington Rd); 26-389-04-E e. Tax Map 0216-0009-0000 (68 Farmington Rd); 26-389-05-E Commission members reviewed GIS maps of the excavation areas and had no concerns or comments with the above applications. 6) New Business: Review of LACE scores following site walk Commission members who attended the site walk asked a couple of clarifying questions about the scoring process. Members then provided their scoring sheets for incorporation into the project file. There was a brief discussion about how the property could be used by the public and the benefits of a forestry management plan. Tom Willis recommended something akin to the SELT property accessible from Route 202 in Barrington. Renée McIsaac indicated that the meeting date is still being finalized and she will follow up with members. 7) Reports: a. Technical Review – Renée McIsaac gave a brief description of projects moving through the Technical Review Group process. b. Planning Board Review – not discussed 2026-04-22 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 2 of 4  8) Old Business: a. River Day Planning Renée McIsaac gave a brief update on planning for the event. Members signed up for the following shifts. 08:00 - 11:00 Kevin, Mike 10:00 - 01:00 Dylan, Dennis 12:00 - 03:00 Mark 01:00 - end Tom Willis will check on availability for the event. Commission members agreed on the following: reuse the quiz board from last year’s Lilac Family Fun Fest and a leaf rubbing art activity for engagement. For the leaf rubbing art activity, paper and crayons are needed. Tree identification could be tied into the leaf rubbing with specific tree species noted on the art attendees create. Additional items needed for the event were discussed. Members agreed that gloves, trash grabbers and a 3-gallon water jug should be procured. Mike Dionne made a motion to authorize spending up to $500 for the items described above. Tom Willis seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously. b. Lilac Family Fun Festival Planning Commission members agreed to be ready to sign up for volunteer shifts and identify the engagement piece for the event at the next meeting. 9) Adjournment. A motion was made by Mike Dionne and seconded by Tom Willis to adjourn at 6:52pm; the motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Renée McIsaac Planner I 2026-04-22 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 3 of 4 2026-04-22 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 4 of 4