Annual report of the Town of Hampton, New Hampshire

CONSERVATION COMMISSION
This year our Commissioners, Nancy Batchelder, Betty Callanan, Dan
Gangai, Bonnie Thimble, Peter Tilton, Jr., Ralph Fatello, alternates Ellen
Goethel, Alberta True and myself, have reviewed thirty-five NH State Wetland
applications, twenty-nine Hampton Special Permit applications, and eight
Planning Board referrals, Several violations were also investigated. This was
double the applications submitted in 1997. Our outreach program which helps
applicants prepare and present acceptable applications, was kept busy with this
unusually high number of permit applications.
Thanks to Ralph Fatello 's creative design, the Conservation
Commissioners now have auto identification cards to be used when on site
reviews around Town. Our vehicles can now be easily identified when we are
out and about on site walks in your neighborhood.
We are pleased to report that we have been able to purchase over three
and one half acres in the Twelve Shares area for $3,000.00. This parcel is
adjacent to the Perkins property which the town purchased in the early nineties.
It is our goal to acquire conservation easements or to outright purchase as many
parcels as possible, especially in the Twelve Shares area of town, for the
enjoyment of all residents. We are in the process of marking all conservation
land and easements so that they can easily be identified. There isn't all that
much open green space left in our town. We must act before beautiful wooded
areas, trails, and all wild life disappear from Hampton.
Our salt marsh restoration program has proven to be successful in the
Landing Road marsh. The "experts" are very pleased with the increased
salinity in the area which was being invaded by phragmites.
These plants which
were beginning to choke the marsh are themselves being choked by the increase
in salinity and consequently allowing the return of saltmarsh vegetation.
This
past year the $15,000 special money article for salt marsh restoration was
matched by $12,000 from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, $2,500 from Ducks
Unlimited, $2,500 from Gulf of Maine Council and another $10,000 from
various federal agencies. Because of the town's commitment to this ongoing
project, we have first rights to available grant monies. With your continued
support of the salt marsh restoration money article, the plan is to proceed in the
marshes near Charles Street and Meadow Pond where the invasive phragmites
are not only threatening the life of these marshes but are a serious fire hazard.
In July, the Conservation Commission was honored by the Heritage
Commission with their presentation of the 1998 Historic Preservation Award for
our initiative in the salt marsh restoration program and our efforts in acquiring
and protecting open green space for our town. We are most grateful for this
recognition of the many years of committed service by all past and present
Commissioners.
In August, Dan Gangai went to the Board of Selectmen with the
problem that the jet skiers are creating in the marshes.
They were most helpful
-no-