Recently it was brought to my attention that the members of the Wolfeboro Conservation Commission passed a resolution to hire a contractor to use RoundUp (which contains cancer causing Glyphosate) to kill an invasive species of plant (Bittersweet) in Front Bay Park and the Town Gardens. These are right on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. 

Much research has shown that glyphosate not only wipes off onto wildlife and any people that may pass by, but it can be inhaled and, most horrifyingly of all, it can also seep into groundwater.

I am trying to get as many signatures against this as quickly as I can, so that I can present it to the planning board and hopefully stop this before the spraying or ‘spot treatment’ begins. 

 

See the meeting minutes I have included below. 

November meeting: III. Other Business

Lee Gilman & Associates – Invasive Species Management Program Cost Estimate

The Commission received a cost estimate for managing invasive species at Front Bay Park and Towns

Garden. Not all Commission members had read the proposal so it was not discussed at length however, the

Commission agreed that the first step, which needs to be done during the plants’ dormant season and

before the snow falls, is of some urgency.

Brian Gifford stated he would want to begin with the Bittersweet.

Nancy Byrd stated she would prefer to only use herbicide as a last resort.

Lenore Clark read the first step of the proposal, which indicates spot-treating the plants for now rather than

spraying, though that may come later.

Warren Muir asked if the Commission needs to use a licensed herbicide applicator.

Dan Coons replied yes, because its public land.

It was moved by Art Slocum and seconded by Jeff Marchand to approve Step 1 as outlined in Lee Gilman

& Associates’ Invasive Species Management Program, dated November 27, 2020, for Front Bay Park in

the amount of $2,800 and for the Towns Garden in the amount of $1,400.

Discussion of the motion:

The Commission discussed the Town’s procurement policy and agreed the criteria was met to contract Lee

Gilman. The Commission noted Bartlett Tree and Taylor Invasive Plant Control (Jeff Taylor) both declined

the Commission’s request for a quote and Lee Gilman was the third contact.

Roll call vote: Roll call vote: Lenore Clark - yes, Art Slocum - yes, Warren Muir – yes, Nancy Byrd – yes,

Brian Gifford – yes, Jeff Marchand – yes, Dan Coons - yes. The motion passed (7-0).

The Commission agreed to discuss the remaining steps noted in the Invasive Species Management Program

proposal later following a decision of the Budget Committee regarding the funding request for a new $10K

line item.

Town of Wolfeboro RIB Project NHDES Application

Jeff Marchand questioned whether the Commission had formally weighed in on the RIB remediation project

to NHDES given following the Commission’s review of the Town’s Standard Dredge and Fill application.

Lenore Clark replied no and stated she, Dan Coons and Brian Gifford attended the pre-bid site walk with

Dave Ford, the Town’s engineer and contractors. She asked if anyone had any comments forward to DES.

None of the members of the Commission had any comments regarding the application.

It was moved by Brian Gifford and seconded by Jeff Marchand to adjourn the November 30, 2020 Conservation

Commission meeting. Roll call vote: Roll call vote: Lenore Clark - yes, Art Slocum - yes, Warren Muir – yes, Nancy

Byrd – yes, Brian Gifford – yes, Jeff Marchand – yes, Dan Coons - yes. The motion passed (7-0).

There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 12:17 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lee Ann Hendrickson   Done