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Minutes of the Bethlehem Conservation Commission 
Thursday, July 16, 2026, 5pm 
Library Meeting Room 
 
Attendees: Cheryl Jensen, Joanne Jones, Colin Lunetta, Rachelle Lyons, Veronica Morris, Christopher 
Jensen (alternate), Ivan Ash (Alternate) 
 
The meeting was called to order at 5:03pm. 
 
Christopher Jensen and Ivan Ash were appointed as full members. 
 
1. Minutes: June 18, 2026 
Three typographical changes were made to the minutes. ​
Motion to approve the minutes as amended: Veronica​
Seconded: Joanne 
Approved: Unanimous 
 
2. Shoreland permit application on River Road: 
The application was approved without incorporating any comments from the BCC. ​
Chris Jensen suggested that BCC send a letter to DES for feedback on our permit review to see if there is 
something that we should have done differently, ​ 
Motion to send letter: Veronica​
Seconded: Joanne​
Approved: Unanimous 
 
3. Treasurer’s Report: No charges, only credit is interest to the savings account.  
Appropriation account: $633, Savings: $15,283.70 
 
4. Data Center in Littleton 
Cheryl raised the issue that per the Caledonian Record and meeting information available, some 
companies have been looking at LIttleton for a possible data center site. The existing Littleton Planning 
and Zoning regulations seem to be not as robust as Bethlehem’s. Littleton Water and Light does not have 
the current capacity to support the power consumption that has been discussed by potential developers. 
BCC members are having conversations with appropriate counterparts in Littleton with suggestions as to 
strategic ways to strengthen Planning and Zoning ordinances that would protect the region from a large, 
disruptive industrial use.  
 
5. Leadership and Membership Transitions 
Cheryl announced that she resigns as chair as of this meeting. She plans to remain as a member of the 
BCC. 
Motion to reluctantly accept Cheryl’s resignation as chair with many thanks for her years of leadership: 
Veronica​
Second: Ivan 
Approved: Unanimous 

 
Cheryl passed on the message that KP has expressed her need to resign from the Conservation 
Commission.  
Motion to reluctantly accept KP’s resignation: Cheryl 
Second: Chris 
Approved: Unanimous 
 
Motion to nominate Rachelle Lyons as Chair, Veronica Morris as Vice Chair: Ivan 
Second: Colin 
Approved: Unanimous 
 
Upon discussion, the meeting will be changed to the third Wednesday of the month and start at 5:30pm. 
Rachelle will book the room with the library.  
 
6. Tellman-Johnson Town Forest:  
The knotweed patch near the landfill has expanded to approximately 100 feet wide and 20 feet deep. The 
patch on the waterline is an unusual shape but significantly smaller.  
 
Rachelle met with Doug Cygan, the uplands and invasives management guy for NH Extension, and he 
would be happy to do a walk with members of the Commission as well as LWL, possibly the local 
conservation commissions and the public as a workshop on invasives. Rachelle will talk with Doug 
about a workshop in the week of September 21.  
 
BCC will need to put out a RFP in October for knotweed control to get on their schedule for 2027. 
Veronica will alert the Town office to the expected RFP. Three people who have worked in the region 
have been identified and would be specifically invited to bid on our RFP. Veronica will work with Mary 
on the RFP issuance.  
-​
North Country Invasive Services - Lancaster CC has used him. Set fee for a site visit and then 
works on time & materials basis (rate $65/hour). Can cap the amount. He’s flexible with cost 
reduction methods, like allowing BCC to do the cutting. 
-​
Keep It Native, Stratford, NH - Lancaster CC has used him.  
-​
New England Forestry Consultants, Boscawen, NH - Campton CC has used him as have other 
towns.  
 
Joanne has gone out several times looking to identify a possible trail route. There have been significant 
blowdowns in areas where a trail could have been. There is a shorter, approximately ¼ mile trail section 
that could make a good short trail that could be made an accessible trail from the Buckthorn Patch to 
Prospect Street.  
 
A question was raised about how much use a trail might get considering Bretzfelder across the street and 
the Riverlands up the road. An accessible trail could be a difference and a benefit compared to other 
trails in the area. Would want to pursue grants to build and possibly consult with the XNHAT regarding 
their experience with trail construction and maintenance costs.  
 

Parcel 5 has now been posted against hunting.  
 
Medallions - Need to use between the no hunting signs. Joanne will find out who ACT is using right now 
as a vendor since they have recently bought medallions. Will look at pricing but approximately 100+ 
seems like a good idea, depending on cost, so that they can be used widely, old medallions can be 
replaced as needed, and they can, potentially, be used as some sort of gift.    
 
6. Updates 
Adopt-a-Spot: Form and spreadsheet have been recreated in the Bethlehem.gov space.  
 
Dark Skies: Heard that someone in town might be interested in getting a property certified by/for Dark 
Skies. Cheryl will follow up and see if she can find out more information.  
The SAU 36 Superintendent included in his recent newsletter something about a “scoreboard” and 
Cheryl let him know about the sign and lighting ordinance. The scoreboard is planned to be indoors. 
Cheryl continued the conversation to suggest that the lighting at Profile, BES, and other schools be less 
intense, emit less light pollution.  
 
Riverlands Work Day, July 10: The Riverlands work day was sparsely attended - Joanne and her husband 
were able to attend on Friday and Saturday. Late notice was an issue for some people.  
 
Motion to adjourn, 6:25pm: Cheryl Jensen 
Second: Ivan 
Approved: Unanimous 
 
Minutes prepared by Veronica Morris