Thanksgiving Holiday Town of Exeter employees will be observing the Thanksgiving Day Holiday on Thursday, November 26 & Friday November 27, 2009. All town offices will be closed. Trash/recycle pick-up for Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday will on schedule. Thursday pick-up will be Friday, Friday pick-up will be Saturday.
For more information call the Public Works Dept. at 773-6157.
For Conservation Commission questions and information contact Kristen Murphy, Natural Resource Planner at 418-6452 or kmurphy@exeternh.org
Are you a trails user? We want to hear from you! The Planning Dept, Conservation Commission and members of the community are working together to develop a town-wide Trail Management Plan. The purpose of this plan is to guide future trail development, determine trail management and create a connected trail network.
We could use your help identifying the needs of trail users and evaluating the trail potential of conservation areas. We meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 5:30PM in the Nowak Room at the Town Office.
The Conservation Commission is currently looking for volunteers to serve on the Conservation Commission. If you are interested in serving on the Commission call the Planning Dept. at 773-6112 for more information
The Exeter Conservation Commission was established in 1965 in accordance with Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) 36-A to assist in protecting the natural resources of the municipality. The Commission advises and makes recommendations for the protection, development and utilization of local natural resources and open space.
The Exeter Conservation Commission serves as an advisory board to the NH State Wetlands Bureau and the Exeter Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment. The Conservation Commission has two broad responsibilities. The first of these is to evaluate and make recommendations to the State of NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) on permits to do work in or near wetlands. The second responsibility is to make recommendations to the Planning Board and Zoning Board on matters pertaining to the Natural Resource Protection overlay zoning districts and site plan reviews.
The Commission meets the second Tuesday of each month in the Nowak Room of the Town Office at 7PM. Residents are welcome to attend the meetings and share their concerns regarding the town's natural resources. Meetings are also broadcast live on cable channel 22.
Conservation maps and publications can be purchased at the Exeter Planning & Building Department office at the Town Office at 10 Front Street, Monday thru Friday 8:00AM - 4:30PM, or call the office at 773-6112.
Where can I find out where Exeter's Conservation Land is located?
Conservation maps can be obtained in the Town of Exeter Planning & Building Department office. They are 11"x17" in size and cost $2.50. The Planning & Building Department office also has detailed Town Forest Maps available. You can also view Town Forest Maps by clicking HERE.
What is a wetland and why is it treated differently than other types of land?
Wetlands require special management and care because the water contained within them makes them different than other land areas. They may be drinking water sources, or natural habitats for certain water-loving plants and animals. In addition, wetlands may be unsuitable for building because of their weak soils, and changes to wetlands may have a wide influence on surrounding land.
The commonly accepted definition of a functional wetland considers three characteristics:
SOIL-TYPE: Is the soil of a type and consistency that it will retain water?
HYDROLOGY: Does water frequently inundate or saturate the soil?
VEGETATION: If vegetation is present, is is of the type frequently found in saturated soils?
Under most definitions, all three of these criteria must be satisfied in order for the land to be recognized as a wetland deserving of special protection. Under these criteria, natural ponds and streams, swamps and bogs all qualify as wetlands: man-made drainage ditches, maintained farm ponds and small pockets of wet soil usually do not.
Can I build on or disturb a wetland?
The NH Statute regulating the dredging and filling of wetlands (RSA 482-A) and allows a Conservation Commission to request time to investigate an application for a NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Wetlands Bureau Dredge and Fill permit. If the Commission makes a request to intervene within 14 days of the date the application is signed by the Town Clerk, the Bureau must delay action on that application until a report is received from the Conservation Commission or until 40 days from the date of the Clerk's signature, whichever comes first.
The Town of Exeter also has regulations in their zoning ordinance and site plan regulations that govern work in a wetland.
How can I obtain a wetland permit?
Wetland permits can be obtained through the State of NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES). Click HERE to access the NHDES website.
Can I clear trees down to the river's edge?
Buffers are important along rivers for they help prevent erosion and they serve as a natural trail for wildlife. The State of New Hampshire has shoreline protection rules. The Town of Exeter has a shoreland protection overlay district that also has guidelines and regulations. Both state and town regulations need to be researched before any shoreland tree cutting commences.
