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Conservation Commission — May 13, 2026

Meeting consisted of routine approvals, informational updates, and one exploratory motion with no significant public pushback or internal division.

Date Wednesday, May 13, 2026 Public comments 3 Decisions 3 Routine

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Summary AI-generated to surface controversy & community impact without bias — always verify against the actual meeting before relying on it.

At its May 13 meeting, the Andover Conservation Commission heard resident concerns about ditching on Old College Road that could affect stone walls, wetlands, and a scenic road. The board offered no direct follow-up or investigation plan, instead suggesting the resident contact the Highway Supervisor.

The commission also voted to explore an easement with the Select Board to address boundary issues at Bradley Lake properties. The motion covered demarcation, septic location, and costs, with plans to report at the May 21 Select Board meeting.

Multiple agenda items, such as the budget update and communications, were not addressed during the session.

May 13, 2026 3 public comments 3 decisions Routine
Notable statements Drag to browse

“Motion to work with the SB to explore how the easement could be done and the issues associated with it”

— Jesse Schust · Bradley Lake properties discussion 00:00
This meeting — choose a section

Topics ⁠discussed

Each topic expands to quotes and full context.
Speakers: Miranda Dawalga, Nancy Teach
What was discussed

Regular meeting and field work minutes were approved as amended.

What happened

Motion passed; all in favor.

Speakers: Janet Eklund
What was discussed

Janet Eklund presented a proposal to add clean sand to a beach area, requiring DES permit and ACC sign-off.

What happened

Janet Eklund to complete documentation; Don to sign off; ACC needs to sign off.

Speakers: Barbara Couturier
What was discussed

Barbara provided update on voluntary Lake Host inspections starting Memorial Day to prevent invasive species.

What happened

Select Board approved tent and signs; data report due in September.

Speakers: Miranda Dawalga, Jesse Schust
What was discussed

Discussion of Select Board preference for easement over line adjustment to resolve boundary issues with abutter's house and well on town land.

What happened

Motion by Jesse to explore easement approach with Select Board, including issues of demarcation, septic location, and costs.

Speakers: Sandra Graves, Pecco Beafauys
What was discussed

Concerns raised about ditching on Old College Road, stone wall stability, and erosion on rail trail near Eagle Pond.

What happened

Report rail trail issues via FNRT website; wait for assessment before DES report.

Speakers: Nancy Teach, Sooze Hodgson, Nancy Robart
What was discussed

Potential town forest parcels discussed; updates on beaver deceivers, McDonough Trail/bench, green burial, and upcoming ZBA meeting.

What happened

Research town forest documentation requirements; Ricker Miller to provide McDonough bench to-do list.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.

Potentially controversial issues

01

Old College Road ditching and wetland/road impacts

Resident raised risks of flooding, stone wall collapse, and wetland damage on a scenic road; board provided only partial direction without committing to investigation or follow-up.
Board position: Suggested resident contact Highway Supervisor; no direct action taken
low concern

Community vs. board tension

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
3
Total speakers
1
Addressed
1
Partial
1
Not addressed
Janet Eklund
Addressed
Janet Eklund presented a sand replenishment project proposal for the beach area, including drawings, aerial photos, and a plan to add no more than 10 cubic yards of clean sand at a cost of $85 per yard. She noted the project requires DES approval (permit valid for five years) and an $650 application fee, with new sand placed over existing sand. Key concern
Obtaining town and ACC approval/sign-off for the sand replenishment project.
Board response
The commission discussed next steps including filling out documentation, Don signing off, informing the Select Board, and Janet keeping the ACC updated.
Board engaged directly with project details and outlined clear next steps for approval.
Barbara Couturier
Not addressed
Barbara Couturier provided an update on the Highland Lake Protective Association's Lake Host program, which begins Memorial Day weekend as a voluntary boat inspection effort to prevent invasive species. She covered program logistics, training completed, collaboration with other groups, upcoming events, and water testing plans. Key concern
Expanding and sustaining the voluntary Lake Host program and related lake protection efforts.
Board response
The commission received the update with no specific action or questions recorded in the transcript.
Item presented as informational update with no board feedback or decisions noted.
Sandra Graves
Partial
Sandra Graves raised concerns about ditching work on Old College Road that could cause flooding, road undercutting, collapsing stone walls, and wetland damage. She also mentioned gravel issues on her Maple Street property and questioned whether the highway supervisor was aware that Old College Road is a scenic road. Key concern
Potential damage to roads, stone walls, and wetlands from ditching, plus property impacts.
Board response
Commission suggested she contact Don Sieburg, noted her prior positive conversations with Highway Supervisor Jeremy Cornell, and Pecco added related concerns about stone walls on Tucker Mountain Road.
Board acknowledged the issue and provided direction but did not commit to direct action or investigation.

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
00:00
Approve regular and field work minutes as amended
Motion by Miranda, seconded by Nancy Teach
All in favor
00:00
Explore easement option with Select Board for Bradley Lake properties boundary issues
Motion by Jesse to examine demarcation, septic location, costs, and related issues
Motion passed
00:00
Adjourn meeting
Motion at 8:32 by Laurel, seconded by Lee
All in favor

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community concern raised but given limited board response
At the May 13 Andover Conservation Commission meeting, resident Sandra Graves raised flooding, stone wall, and wetland risks from ditching on Old College Road. The board suggested contacting the Highway Supervisor but made no... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/andover/conservation-commission/2026-05-13/ #MeetingWatch #AndoverNH
325/280 chars
specific decision and next steps on boundary matter
Andover Conservation Commission approved exploring an easement with the Select Board for Bradley Lake properties boundary issues on May 13. Motion by Jesse Schust included checking demarcation, septic location, and costs before... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/andover/conservation-commission/2026-05-13/ #MeetingWatch #AndoverNH
327/280 chars
agenda items skipped during the meeting
Several items listed on the May 13 Andover Conservation Commission agenda received no discussion, including budget balance, transfer station recap, communications, water district update, and pollinator garden. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/andover/conservation-commission/2026-05-13/ #MeetingWatch #AndoverNH
306/280 chars

X thread

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At the May 13 Andover Conservation Commission meeting, resident Sandra Graves flagged ditching work on Old College Road that risks flooding, undercutting scenic road walls, and damaging wetlands. The board acknowledged the issue but directed her to... #MeetingWatch #AndoverNH
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2
The same meeting included a motion to explore an easement approach with the Select Board for Bradley Lake properties boundary problems involving an abutter's house and well on town land. Jesse Schust's motion specified reviewing demarcation, septic placement, legal costs, and related deed issues.
297/280
3
Official minutes have been published. No roll-call votes or dissents were recorded on the approved motions, including minutes approval and the easement exploration. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/andover/conservation-commission/2026-05-13/
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Facebook — long form

At its May 13 meeting, the Andover Conservation Commission heard resident concerns about ditching on Old College Road that could affect stone walls, wetlands, and a scenic road. The board offered no direct follow-up or investigation plan, instead suggesting the resident contact the Highway Supervisor.

The commission also voted to explore an easement with the Select Board to address boundary issues at Bradley Lake properties. The motion covered demarcation, septic location, and costs, with plans to report at the May 21 Select Board meeting.

Multiple agenda items, such as the budget update and communications, were not addressed during the session. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/andover/conservation-commission/2026-05-13/ #MeetingWatch #AndoverNH

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Complete project documentation for sand replenishment; keep ACC updated
Assigned: Janet Eklund
Contact Vicky Mishcon regarding Skip and beaver deceiver maintenance
Assigned: Jesse Schust
Attend Select Board meeting on the 21st to discuss easement approach
Assigned: Miranda Dawalga / ACC member · Due: 2026-05-21
Follow up on McDonough bench site work with Ricker Miller
Assigned: Nancy Robart

Member ⁠positions

3 issues · 0 explicit · 8 inferred
Absent
Present
Bradley Lake Properties Easement YES
Minutes Approval YES ~
Present
Minutes Approval YES ~
Adjourn meeting YES
Present
Minutes Approval YES
Bradley Lake Properties Easement YES ~
Present
Minutes Approval YES ~
Present
Minutes Approval YES
Bradley Lake Properties Easement YES ~

Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position. UNCLEAR means the vote was split but the record did not name how this member voted — it is not a “yes.”

Accountability ⁠flags

Documented procedural gaps. Each item links to its source.

Agenda items not discussed

Topics discussed — not on agenda

Transcript vs. official minutes

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Report composed by grok-4.3, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-22.