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ConCom Minutes 08-13-2026

Gene Young chaired the August 13, 2026 Alton Conservation Commission meeting. Minutes from July 23, 2026, were approved with 4 yes and 2 abstain votes. The Commission reviewed several permit applications, including zoning requests and Shoreland permits. For David Devito’s dock extension application (STDWET 2026-02165), the Commission required details showing the permanent impact square footage of the dock extensions. The Cascade Terrace Beach Association (PBN2026-02081) was asked to provide details on the block walls specified in their proposal. The Commission stated no objections to the Frisella (SP2023-01760), Wingate-Dawson (SP2026-01944), and Decker (SP2026-01945) Shoreland permit applications. A smelt survey indicated increased numbers compared to recent lows. The next meeting is scheduled for August 27, 2026, at 6pm. Source: https://alton.nh.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ConCom-Minutes-08-13-2026.pdf

Document

ALTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION 
ALTON TOWN HALL 
August 13, 2026 
Minutes 
Members: 
Gene Young, Chairman 
Russ Wilder, Vice Chairman 
David Mank 
Tom Diveny 
Tara Lamper 
Ken Sheehan 
Bree Rossiter 
Drew Carter, Selectman’s Rep 
Others Present:  Kelly Sullivan, representing Parks & Rec Committee  
 
Members Absent:  Tom Diveny and Drew Carter 
 
Call Meeting to Order:  The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm in the Town Hall second floor 
meeting room. 
 
Approval of Agenda:  The agenda was approved as printed.  
 
Approval of Minutes: Russ Wilder moved and Ken Sheehan seconded a motion to approve the 
minutes of 07/23/2026.  Motion passed with 4 yes and 2 abstain votes.  
 
PERMITS AND APPLICATIONS 
(Any permit or application that has been signed off by the Chair or Vice-Chair is 
entered here for the record, unless any Commissioner has questions or comments) 
 
Planning Board/ZBA Department Head Review Agenda Items: 
Z26-15, Carl & Karen Campbell, Map 72 Lot 35, 44 Larry Drive - 1. A Variance is 
requested from Article 400 Section 452.A of the Zoning Ordinance to increase the lot 
size from .28AC to .35AC to make location of existing house (built 11/30/2018) 
conforming to property lines and setbacks. 2. A Special Exception is requested from 
Article 300 Section 320.F of the Zoning Ordinance to increase a pre-existing non-
conforming lot in order to accommodate the existing house and deck entirely on the 
property after the transfer of 3,054 SF from abutting lot. 
COMMENT: No Concerns, By, Gene Young on 07-22-2026 
 
Z26-16, George & Cheryl Destremps, Owners, Map 72 Lot36, 36 Larry Drive - A Special 
Exception is requested from Article 300 Section 320.F of the Zoning Ordinance to 
decrease a pre-existing non-conforming lot to accommodate the abutter’s existing 
house entirely on their property after the transfer of 3,054 SF from Lot 36 to Lot 35. 
COMMENT: No Concerns, By, Gene Young on 07-22-2026 
Z26-17, Varney Engineering, LLC, Tom Varney, Agent for Henry & Ellen Decker, 
Owners Map 34 Lot 33-11 81 Mount Major Highway - 1. A Variance is requested from 
Article 300 Section 327.A.1 & 2 of the Zoning Ordinance for the replacement of a 
building to be rebuilt 6’ inside the front set back and within 10.5’ in the shore setback. 
2. A Special Variance is requested from Article 300 Section D.3.e of the Zoning 
Ordinance to allow the expansion of more than 10% of gross floor area. 3. A Special 
Exception is requested from Article 300 Section 320.D.3 of the Zoning Ordinance to 
allow the expansion of a non-conforming use. 4. A Special Exception is requested 
from Article 300 Section 320.E.2 of the Zoning Ordinance to allow the replacement of 
a non-conforming structure. 
COMMENT: No Concerns, By, Gene Young on 07-22-2026 

Z26-18, Varney Engineering, LLC, Tom Varney, Agent for The Tina M. Belcastro 
Revocable Trust, Tina Belcastro, Trustee Map 49 Lot 31-2 12 Boat Cove Road - 1. A 
Variance is requested from Article 300 Section 320.E.1 of the Zoning Ordinance for to 
allow the alteration of a non-conforming structure with the deck being partially 
converted to living space. 2. A Variance is requested from Article 300 Section 327.A.3 
of the Zoning Ordinance for the expansion of living space. 3. A Special Exception is 
requested from Article 400 Section 320.E.2 of the Zoning Ordinance for the 
replacement and expansion of a non-conforming structure. 
COMMENT: No Concerns, By, Gene Young on 07-22-2026 
 
Wetland Permit By Notification (PBN): 
PBN2026-02081 Cascade Terrace Beach Association, M39, L26-1, Route 28A – 
Proposal: 1. Repair/replace existing piling supported docking structure and (2) 
associated ice-clusters (570 sf) “in-kind” with no change in size, location, 
configuration or construction type; 2. Repair/replace existing deteriorated/failing 
beach timber walls (295 lf) with block walls “in-the-dry” and with no change in size, 
location or configuration; and 3. Replenish (3) perched beach areas within a 1,430 sq 
ft total area utilizing approximately 10 cu. Yds. Sand placed above legal full lake 
elevation along the shore of this Lake Winnipesaukee property. 
After discussion, the Commission noticed that there are no details mentioned for the block walls 
being used and should be provided.  
 
Standard Wetlands, Dredge and Fill Applications (STDWET): 
STDWET 2026-02165 David Devito, Lakerim A Condominium, M38, L55-1, Grammy’s 
Way – Plan is to install a boat hoist with timber pilings and to extend U shaped dock 
four (4’) feet longer. 
After discussion, the Commission noticed that the permanent impact should show the square 
footage of the dock extensions.  
Shoreland Permit Applications (SP): 
SP2023-01760 (Amended) Adam & Eve Frisella, M79, L28, 536 Rattlesnake Island - 
Proposal: the addition on the east side (back side) of the cottage is being increased 
from 8’ by 12’ to 8’ by 20’. This results in an amended impervious area of 2,198 sq ft, 
an increase of 64 sq ft from the existing approved permit area of 2,134 sq ft. 
The Commission has no objections to this application.  
 
SP2026-01944 Kirsten Wingate-Dawson, M79, L36, 492 Rattlesnake Island – Proposal 
Tear down an existing cottage and replace it with a new cottage. A state approved 
septic design will be obtained and installed. A shed for storage will be built. 
Dropline infiltration trenches and a porous patio will be built. 
The Commission has no objections to this application.  
 
SP2026-01945 Henry & Ellen Decker, M34, L33-11, 81 Mount Major Highway – 
Proposal: Tear down an existing house and replace it with a new house. The 
footprint remains the same. A foundation will be built. The second story is expanded 
to the entire footprint of the house. Existing community septic approval 141051 to 
remain in use. Stormwater measures (drip edge, rain gutter downspout/drywell) 
will be installed. 
The Commission has no objections to this application.  
 
 

Reoccurring/Unfinished Business & Projects: 
(Incompleted projects may not be discussed at every meeting) 
• Water Quality testing and monitoring 
• Bree Rossiter reported that LWA will have 2 interns at Downings Landing for a Creel 
Survey starting the week of August 17th through the end of September.  This is in 
cooperation with Fish and Game is for purely informational purposes and will be 
completed on random days/times to limit bias.  
• Fish and Game is doing their annual smelt survey this week, the past 2 years the numbers 
were very low, and there were concerns of this being because of the spiny water flea, but 
this year preliminary findings show the numbers have increased comparatively.    
 
• Social Media Accounts 
• Tara Lamper reported that the Conservation website’s “Mushroom Monday” brings lots 
of fun banter and education.  
 
• Trails Committee 
• Ken Sheehan reported that he has a growing list of trail volunteers.  He will be having a 
mini outing at the end of August with them.    
• Ken will be walking one of the trails with The Gilmanton Meeting House Historical 
Society. 
 
Notice of Intent to Cut Timber: M5, L40 & 41, Coffin Brook Road – Forester to cut 35 
acres ASAP 
Correspondence: 
• STWET 2021-02967 Hopewell Rd – Amended and Approved 
• STWET 2026-01349 5 & 9 Shields Way – Revised plan 
• Violation 2026-02014 Timber Ridge 
 
Date and time of next meeting: August 27, 2026 at 6pm  
 
Adjournment:   The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 pm.  
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Lisa Partington 
Lisa Partington, Conservation Secretary