All towns · alton

ConCom Minutes 08-27-2026

Document

1 / 4
ALTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
ALTON TOWN HALL
August 27, 2026
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:  Carole Ingham, Town treasurer
Call Meeting to Order:  The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm in the Town hall
Approval of Agenda:  A PBN from Leah Shea, 272 Big Barndoor Island, was added to the agenda, 
and the agenda was approved as amended.
Presentations/Consultations:  Carole Ingham, Alton Treasurer
The Town Treasurer, Carole Ingham, presented a report on the Commission’s Conservation Fund 
account and the Forest Fund accounts.  The Conservation Fund of $394,275 is held mostly in 
savings, with an additional $110,990 in a 2% CD, which is maturing on 9/18/26.
Tara Lamper moved, and Ken Sheehan seconded, to authorize the Treasurer to move $100,000 from 
savings and add it to the amount from the maturing CD and to purchase a 9-month CD at the current
interest rate of about 3.8%.  The motion passed unanimously.
Approval of Minutes:   08/13/2026
Russ Wilder moved, Bree Rossiter seconded, a motion to approve the minutes of 8/13/2026 as 
printed. The motion passed with 6 yea, Tom Diveny abstained.
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)
Wetland Permit By Notification (PBN):
PBN 2026-  Leah Shea, M80, L20, 272 Big Barndoor Island – proposing to remove the 
existing 7’X10’ concrete boat ramp and replacing in kind with two precast concrete 
slabs measuring 7’X5’ each.  The replacement ramp will remain in the existing 7- SF 
footprint and same location.  Any disturbed areas will be stabilized before 
completion.
Upon review, the Commission comments “the plan lacks delineation of the 504.32 reference line.  
The Commission notes a severely broken up area of concrete immediately landward of the proposed 
site of the 7’X5’ new slabs.  Will any change take place in this area?  What erosion control measures 
will be used?”
PBN 2026-    Robert Morin, M73, L45, 328 Sleeper Island – Proposal – need to replace 
the majority of the existing dock.  The part of the dock in need of replacement is 46.5’ 
x 4’ out into the lake with a portion along the shore as 12.5’ x 4’. We will remove the 
portion of the dock in failure and rebuild it in the same footprint.  In order to do this 
we must remove the rotting timbers in the breakwater.  We will deconstruct portions 

2 / 4
of the breakwater containing the rotting timbers and replace with new material and 
then reset the breakwater with the existing material.
Upon review, the Commission comments “the plan lacks delineation of the 504.32 reference line.  
How will construction debris be disposed of?”
PBN 2026 – Robert Morin, M73, L45, 328 Sleeper Island – Proposal – need to remove 
a rotting stump from under a portion of a drystack stone wall.  The stump is 
destabilizing the wall so it will eventually collapse.  The patio is also undermining 
from the rotting stump; material under the pavers is being pulled out by moving 
water.  We intend to deconstruct the portion of the wall which is failing, remove the 
rotten stump, add crushed stone to fill the void and reassemble the wall with the 
existing material.  The patio pavers will be removed, the subgrade will be removed, 
compacted and replaced with crushed stone and pea stone.  New pavers will be 
installed.  The failing wall section is 17 feet in length and the patio is roughly 200sqft.
The Commission reviewed the application, and comments “the plan lacks delineation of the 504.32 
reference line.  The distances from the apparent shoreline to the proposed work area do not seem 
accurate when compared with the photos of the area.  The location of the rotting stump is not shown 
on the drawings.  No plans are provided for the protection of the shrubs between the stone wall and 
the reference line.”
Shoreland Permit by Notification (SPBN):
SPBN 2026-   Jana Sunshine c/o Winnipesaukee Island Services, M80, L29, 116 Big 
Barndoor Island – Proposal – Provide a small addition (418.5 sqft at overhang) to the
rear of an existing cottage to provide a home office and porch area.
After review, the Commission has no comment.
Shoreland Permit Applications (SP):
SP 2026-      Jennifer McCullough, M41, L14, 132 Echo Point Road – Proposed project 
includes a partial tear-down of existing building (1,100 sqft) and rebuild in 
approximately the same location, further back from the shoreline.  Proposed 
construction of a new 24’x28’ garage is planned for the Fall of 2026.  Wooden stairs, 
ramps and patio areas will also be removed.
After review, the Commission has no comment.
Reoccurring/Unfinished Business & Projects:
(Incompleted projects may not be discussed at every meeting)
1) Water Quality testing and monitoring


Sawmill Brook – second occurrence, testing?
A second occurrence of a large movement of sediment down Sawmill Brook and into the lake 
was reported.  Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance (LWA) was authorized to include Sawmill Brook 
in the sampling program for the remainder of this year.  Further site visits will be carried out.
2) Property Management, Monitoring, and Reporting


Discussion of this year’s monitoring and reporting
The letters to the owners of CE properties advising them of our monitoring visits will go out 
after Labor Day, so monitoring can begin anytime after they are sent.  A discussion on the 
tools available for monitoring will be held at one of the September meetings.
3) Social Media Accounts
4) Current Year Budget
5) Trails Committee

3 / 4
Ken Sheehan will be arranging a couple of weekend work days for the trails.
6) OneDrive
7) Master Plan ConCom Action Items
8) Current and Future Conservation Projects
9) Alton Power Dam,  Mill Pond


NH Dam Bureau email


Wentworth Pond and Mill Pond Drawdown Questions
The Q&A document that was prepared for the last Selectmen’s meeting with the Dam Bureau’s
chief engineer will be made available via link on Facebook.
New Business:


Halfmoon Lake Association’s Letter of Support


Watershed Management Plan – Priority Sites 4, 5, 6
The Commission approved the letter of support for the Half Moon Lake Association’s 319 
grant application for phase II of their mitigation plan.
Commissioner Reports:
Chairman Report
Map 10, lot 4 Frohock Marsh
The chairman reported that due to boundary questions that have been raised, it may be 
necessary to verify the boundary of the Frohock Marsh fee property.
Sawmill Brook parcels for conservation
A resident has inquired about conserving his land.  The Commission decided to arrange
a site visit.
Vice Chair Report
Russ Wilder reported that the final lake water sampling of the season will be done in 
September.
Member Reports
Bree Rossiter presented a plan by LWA to host a “State of the Lake” presentation at Ames 
Farm on September 21 at 5:00 pm.  The Commission agreed to sponsor the event.  Those 
wishing to attend should RSVP on the LWA website.
Correspondence:


Alton Zoning Ordinance Section 328


Forestry SPN 2026-01986 - Approved


Hidden Springs Clearcut Management Comments to DPW


Letter of Compliance 2024-03481 44 Sleepers Island - Approved


Morse Preserve Prescribed Burn Update


PBN 2026-01558 13 Beaver Dam Road - Approved


PBN 2026-02081 Rte 28A – Approved


PBN 2026-02114 870 Rattlesnake Island – Rejected


Shoreland Accessory Structures Fact Sheet


STDWET 2026-00218  972 Rattlesnake Island - Approved

4 / 4
Date and time of next meeting:   09/10/2026 at 6:00 pm
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:33 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Gene Young, chair