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hop_con_com_aug_26_minutes.pdf

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Hopkinton Conservation Commission 
August 18, 2026 Meeting 
Held at the Hopkinton Town Hall 
 
8/18/2026 Minutes – DRAFT 
 
Present: Ron Klemarczyk, Molly Hardenbergh, Katherine Mitchell, Scott Clay, Bob LaPree 
Visitors: Aaron Wechsler- Aspen Environmental Consultant; Sarah Hewitt, Mike Tardiff -
CNHRPC  
 
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Ron Klemarczyk, Chair.  
 
1. Aaron Wechsler of Aspen Environmental Consultants made a presentation regarding a 
Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow work in the wetlands buffer behind the Apple tree 
Veterinarian clinic on Maple Street in Contoocook.  The project involves moving the septic 
system out of the wetlands buffer though the landscaping around the system would impact 
the buffer zone.  They also proposed creating better storm water runoff control.  Because 
the topic was not formally noticed, the Commission could not vote on it but did not have 
any significant issues with the proposal. 
2. Sarah Hewitt and Mike Tardiff of the Central NH Regional Planning Commission 
presented the results of the Town-wide survey.  There were 145 responses, with water 
quality, drinking water and wildlife habitat seeming to be of higher concern. 
3. HCC minutes for June 16, 2026 were accepted.  
4. HCC mail:  No mail received.  
5. Treasurer’s report:  Katherine reported $5,069.02 in the Town Forest account and 
$191,427.28 in the Conservation account.  However, $683.55 in expenses had not yet been 
paid.  
6. Brockway Preserve bridge across the dam: Ron has still not heard back from the NH Dam 
Bureau.  
7. Karen’s Woods footbridges: Ron presented estimated costs for the bridges and trail 
expansion but held off any voting until the September meeting when the full Commission 
will hopefully be present.   
8. S&M Forest Trust subdivision on Jewett Road – Bruce Stockwell:  Nothing new to report.  
9. Dustin Woods trails: Ron received a cost from Chuck Rose regarding the trailhead 
construction as well as estimated costs for a kiosk and a road sign.  A meeting was held on-
site with Lucia Kittredge of the Trails committee and Jeff Evens of the Five Rivers 
Conservation Trust to discuss fencing along the Bluff Trail to help prevent erosion as well 
as for safety reasons.  Jeff requested that about 160 feet of fencing be installed, but voting 
on the costs of the fence and trailhead was postponed until the September meeting.  
10. Discussion on a potential Chuck Rose land swap was postponed until September meeting.  
11. The proposed subdivision on the Branch Londonderryt Turnpike was discussed.  The 
Commission’s main concerns were the ownership of the Open Space Conservation land, 
how the boundaries of the Open Space will be marked and who will do the monitoring and 
enforcement.  Ron plans to attend the September Planning Board meeting to bring up these 
concerns.   

12. Ron requested a price for mowing the Rollins Lot field from the person who did the brush 
hogging last year and hopes to have a price by the September meeting.   
13. Transfer Station fencing: Nothing new.  
14. Legislative update: Nothing new.  
15. Commission membership:  Nothing new.  
16. Ron was contacted by Kim Marcellino regarding a complaint from a citizen about the use 
of herbicides at Elm Brook Park.  She was told that it is Federal land and we have no 
authority there.  However, there is a problem with invasive plant species at the Park and 
herbicides are often the only effective way of ridding those plants.  Kim said that she would 
pass that information on to the person who complained.   
17. “Turtle Crossing” signs:  Scott has removed the “Turtle Crossing” signs and had received 
positive comments from the public.  .   
 
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.  Next HCC meeting is scheduled for 7:00 on September 16, 2026 
at the Town Hall.   
 
Minutes submitted by Ron Klemarczyk, Chair.