EATON CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Section 1. This Commission shall be known as Eaton Conservation Commission.

Section 2. The principal office of the Commission shall be Evans Memorial Hall (Eaton Town Hall), Brownfield Road, Eaton, New Hampshire.Article 2 Purposes

Section 1. The duties and responsibilities of the Commission are those provided by New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated, chapter 36-A:2, under which the Commission is authorized. A copy of this statute is provided in Appendix 1.

Section 2. The specific purposes of this Commission are properly to utilize, protect, and enhance the natural resources of Eaton and to protect its watershed resources. The Commission shall conduct researches into its local land and water areas and seek to coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes.

It shall keep an index of all open space and natural, aesthetic, or ecological areas within Eaton, with the plan of obtaining information pertinent to proper utilization of such areas, including lands owned by the State, or lands owned by a town or city.

It shall keep an index of all marshlands, swamps, and all other wetlands in a like manner, and may recommend to the Selectmen or to the Department of Resources and Economic Development a program for the protection, development, or better utilization of all such areas.

The Commission may advertise, prepare, print, and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets that in its judgement it deems necessary for its work.

Section 3. The Commission encourages use of the Town lands under its jurisdiction for educational and recreational purpose as hereinafter described.

Article 3 Officers and Membership

Section 1. The Chairman shall be elected from the membership annually at the August meeting of the Commission. He / she shall, in addition to the duties imposed by law, preside at all meetings of the Commission at which he I she is present. He I she shall direct the calling of special meetings of the Commission.

Section 2. The Vice-Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Commission in the absence of the Chairman and shall perform all duties and shall have all powers of the Chairman in case of temporary absence or incapacity of the Chairman. He / she shall be elected from the membership annually at the August meeting of the Commission.

Section 3. The Secretary shall attend all meetings and take minutes of the proceedings. He I she shall be responsible for posting public notices as required by law at least 24 hours prior to each meeting, and shall make available for inspection within 72 hours of each meeting the minutes of such meeting. Only emergency sessions are exempted from requirements of prior notice. He / she shall be elected from the membership at the August meeting of the Commission.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall keep financial records of the fiscal affairs of the Commission and inform the members of the financial affairs and financial status of the Commission. He I she shall be elected from the membership at the August meeting of the Commission.

Section 5. The Commission may, by vote at any meeting appoint Associate Members who shall be registered voters in Eaton. Associate Members shall not have the right to vote, but shall have the right to attend all meetings of the Commission and perform such duties as the Chairman may assign to them.

Section 6. The Commission may elect Honorary Members from among former members of the Commission. They shall have a! the rights and privileges of members except the right to vote.

Section 7. Ad hoc subcommittees may be appointed by the Chairman, with the advice of the members, for the study of special problems. Members of the general public who are taxpayers or residents of Eaton may be so appointed. At least one member of the Commission shall be a member of each ad hoc committee. The Chairman is, ex-officio, a member of all committees, with one vote in each committee.

Section 8. Original appointments to the Commission are made by the Selectmen. The Commission shall inform the Selectmen of any vacancy in the membership caused other than by expiration of a term of office.Article 4 Meetings

Section 1. Meetings shall be held on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. local time.

Section 2. Four (4) members of the authorized membership of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. A majority of those present and voting, if a quorum is present, shall be sufficient to take any action.

Section 3. Executive sessions of the Commission may be held unless evidence, information, or testimony in any form is to be received. Other limitations to the public s right to know are listed in Appendix 2.Article 5 Acquiring Property

Section 1. Pursuant to enabling legislation, the Commission may receive gifts of money and property, both real and personal, in the name of the Town, subject to the approval of the Selectmen. Such gifts are to be managed and controlled by the Commission. No land received by the Commission shall be transferred.

Article 6 Financial Support

Section 1. The whole or any part of moneys appropriated by the Town of Eaton for the support of the work of the Commission in any year may be placed in a conservation fund and allowed, by vote of the Town meeting, to accumulate. Money may be expended from this fund for the work of the Commission. Moneys received from the sale of timber cut from Town lands are applied to the Forest Management Fund. Moneys received from the sale of, or contract form blueberry crops on Town lands shall be retained by the Commission in the conservation fund.

Article 7 Use of the Town Lands

Section 1. Hiking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, hunting, and fishing shall be permitted on Town lands under jurisdiction of the Commission.

Section 2. Timber cutting, according to approved standards for optimal protection of the environment and administered by the Town Forester may be permitted, with resulting revenues paid to the Commission s Forest Management Fund.

Section 3. Firewood cutting of dead wood only under supervision may be permitted to residents and taxpayers of Eaton for their own use if they have obtained a permit from the Secretary-Treasurer of the Commission. No charge will be levied for the wood, but a limit of five (5) cords per family per year is imposed.

Section 4. Hand picking of blueberries in designated areas may be permitted at appropriate times to be announced by the Commission. Commercial pickers, except those under contract with the Commission, are excluded. The general public is prohibited from using blueberry rakes. Picking on Brooks Pasture may be restricted to residents and taxpayers of Eaton by decision of the Commission.

Section 5. Fires shall not be built on Town lands that are under the jurisdiction of the Commission, except as approved for maintenance purposes.

Section 6. Camping is permitted at the discretion of the Commission on Town lands under the jurisdiction of the Commission, except that overnight stays are limited to twenty-four (24) hours continuous occupancy by a group or groups not exceeding a total of fifteen (15) persons in any one area. No structure, shelter, or tent shall be erected on Foss Mountain. Use of Town lands for recreation and education by groups including schools, summer camps, churches and any commercial endeavor shall not exceed the group size of 15 and shall require a permit issued by the Selectmen.

Section 7. No permanent structures are to be built upon Town lands under jurisdiction of this Commission.

Section 8. The use of motorized vehicles on land under Commission jurisdiction is prohibited excepting those used in blueberry and timber operations. Snowmobile use is restricted to State approved and maintained trails only.

Section 9. Trapping is prohibited, except when, in the opinion of the Commission, with the advice of Fish and Game Department officials, removal of beavers is necessary to prevent damage to roads and highways.

Section 10. Cutting new trails or permanent marking of new trails is prohibited except for trail projects approved by the Commission.

Article 8 Amendments

Section 1. These bylaws may be suspended or amended at any regular meeting of the Commission by a majority vote of the total Commission, a quorum being present, and notice of the meeting having been sent to each member of the Commission at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting at which the proposed action is to be taken.

Appendix 1. References: NHRSA 36-A: 1-6 (enabling statute), and NHRSA 483:1 -4-b (wetlands). Handbook for Municipal Conservation Commissions in New Hampshire, pages 29 - 31.