The Conservation Commission met on March 24 to discuss the status of the town’s natural resource inventory, a topic raised during public comment and one that quickly broadened into a larger conversation about long term planning and capacity.
Resident Ray Breslin opened the discussion by asking whether Londonderry currently maintains an up to date natural resource inventory. “I think natural resources are very important, and I’m sure you folks do too,” he said. “Does Londonderry have a current, up to date natural resources inventory?”
A natural resource inventory typically catalogs a community’s conservation assets, wetlands, forests, wildlife habitat, water resources, and other environmentally significant features. According to Alternate Mike Speltz, Londonderry does have an inventory, but it is outdated.
“The good news is that we submitted it as part of the Town’s Strategic Plan,” Speltz explained. “We hope it will appear in that Strategic Plan.”
What it would take to update the inventory remains uncertain. Chair Marge Badois questioned whether the town would need outside help. “If we were to redo that, who would we hire to do it? Southern New Hampshire Planning? Is that an option?”
Speltz noted that updating the document would require both time and funding, and that historically, a small number of dedicated staff members completed the work internally. The Commission is also in the middle of hiring a Town Forester to develop a forest management plan, adding another layer of complexity.
“We’re in the process of hiring someone for the forest management plan,” Speltz said. “That’s not for the whole town; it’s probably just for Musquash.” A natural resource inventory, by contrast, would cover all of Londonderry.
Breslin encouraged the Commission to consider the update, pointing out that nearby communities such as Pelham have completed recent inventories. Commissioners agreed the topic could be incorporated into upcoming Strategic Plan discussions.
The Commission also turned its attention to seasonal matters, including whether to reinstall the Scobie Pond Boat Launch. “The Department of Public Works is slow right now and they’ve asked if we want the Scobie Boat Launch put back in,” Badois said. With the required five month removal period ending in mid-April, the question became how far out to place the dock.
Speltz noted that spring snowmelt typically raises water levels, while summer conditions are harder to predict. Another member described the process as a “turkey shoot,” given the uncertainty of rainfall and lake levels.
“If they have time now, I would absolutely tell them to get it in,” said Alternate Susan Malouin. “No matter when we put it in, it could be under water or out of the water.”
The next meeting of the Londonderry Conservation Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Moose Hill Conference Room.