Conservation Commission
MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission Statement of the Freedom Conservation Commission Committee (FCC) is to protect, preserve, and enhance the natural beauty and ecological health of our town’s lakes, forests, and wildlife habitats. We are dedicated to fostering a deep connection between the community and the environment through education, stewardship, and sustainable practices. By working together, we aim to ensure that these vital natural resources remain vibrant and accessible for generations to come.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The FCC is an advisory board organized for the proper utilization and protection of natural resources within Freedom. The FCC works closely with the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Select Board, Forest Advisory Committee and local lake associations. They also collaborate with local and state conservation organizations in NH.
The Freedom Conservation Commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm at the Town Hall. Deadline for agenda items is the Tuesday prior to the posted meeting date. Items submitted either after the deadline or incompletely filled out, will not be placed on the agenda. Such applications will be deferred.
2026 Meeting Schedule
The Freedom Conservation Commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall. Deadline for agenda items is the Tuesday prior to the posted meeting date. Items submitted either after the deadline or incompletely filled out, will not be placed on the agenda. Such applications will be deferred.
| Application Submittal Closing Deadline | Regular FCC Meeting |
| January 13 | January 20 |
| February 10 | February 17 |
| March 10 | March 17 |
| April 14 | April 21 |
| May 12 | May 19 |
| June 9 | June 16 |
| July 7 | July 21 |
| August 11 | August 18 |
| September 9 | September 15 |
| October 13 | October 20 |
| November 10 | November 17 |
| December 8 | December 15 |
Committee Members
Jeff Nicoll
Susan Marks
Robert Oram
Vacant
Nancy Cristoferi
Megan Broderick
Rachel Plescha
Susan Hoople
Vacant
Support Staff
Nicole Ricciardi
Resources
- Town of Freedom Natural Resource Inventory
- An In-depth Overview of our Town’s Natural Resources (Lakes, Rivers, Forest, Wetlands, etc)
- FCC Bylaws and Rules of Procedure
- Created from the State of NH Guidelines for Conservation Commissions (RSA 36-A)
- Ossipee Lake Alliance
- Freedom Town Forest Nature Trail
- Shoreland Protection Act
- Things to know if you live on the water!
- Green Mountain Conservation
- Click here for the latest Water Quality Testing results in Freedom and other ongoing local conservation efforts and education.
- NH Fish and Game
- Scrub Oak Scramblers
- UNH Coop Extension
- Check out the latest education and conservation efforts
- NH Lakes
- Check out the latest education and conservation efforts
- NH Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater Management
- Donate Now!
- To help the FCC efforts in Freedom, checks can be made payable to The Town of Freedom with a letter/note explaining it is for the FCC. They can be dropped at the office Mon-Thurs 8-3 or mailed to PO Box 227. We thank you for your support!
October 20, 2026
Public Meeting of the
Freedom Conservation Commission and Forest Advisory Committee
will be held
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
6:30 pm
At the Freedom Town Hall
Note: Deadline for agenda items for this meeting closed at 12:00 pm on October 13, 2026.
| # | Agenda Item | Est. Time (Min.) |
| 1 | Quorum Check, Roll Call – FAC/FCC | 5 |
| 2 | Approval of Minutes
– FAC – Minutes of September 15, 2026 – FCC – Minutes of September 15, 2026 |
10 |
| FOREST ADVISORY COMMITTEE (FAC) | ||
| 3 | FAC – Forest Projects and Information
– Annual Forest Inspection by DNCR (conservation easement monitoring) – report – Trout Pond water quality test – status of results (GMCG / UNH; sampled August 13, 2026) – Boundary line flagging and blazing (Dube / Ford) – progress; Northeast corner (Purity Springs) – Forest logging – status |
15 |
| 4 | Freedom Town Forest – Deer and Bear Baiting – 2026 NH Fish & Game Permit to Bait Wildlife (Applicant: Zachary R. Smith) – FAC REFERRAL TO FCC
– FAC action of September 15, 2026: motion not to allow baiting in the Town Forest carried 3-2-1 – FCC action: consider the FAC referral and act on the Commission’s position as managing authority of the Town Forest |
15 |
| 5 | FAC Land Use Proposal – Scrub Oak Scramblers Snowmobile Club – Winter Carnival
– One-time event; proposal dated October 1, 2026; contact David George – Applicant to address the FAC under the Town Forest Land Use Proposal Process; FAC review and recommendation to the FCC |
10 |
| 6 | FAC Invoices
– B.H. Keith Associates, Invoice #01-4078, 10/5/26 – $487.50 (September 1 – October 5, 2026: forest administration, site inspection, boundary inspections) |
5 |
| 7 | Public Comment / Other Business | 5 |
| 8 | Adjourn FAC | — |
| FREEDOM CONSERVATION COMMISSION (FCC) | ||
| 9 Applications for Review | ||
| 9.1 | 132 North Broad Bay Road – NHDES Standard Dredge and Fill Wetlands Permit (Tax Map 35, Lot 2)
– Applicant: Peter L. Costello; agent: Edgewater Strategies (A. Fopiano, P.G.); application dated September 3, 2026 – Companion NHDES Shoreland Permit File No. 2026-01469 (received 6/9/26; RFMI 7/7/26) – prior iteration of the same project |
10 |
| 9.2 | 41 Packard Drive – NHDES Shoreland Permit (Tax Map 42, Lot 12)
– Applicant: Welsh Family Revocable Trust of 2024; agent: Berry Surveying & Engineering (J. Berry) – Shoreland permit under RSA 483-B (no statutory comment window); plans revised 9/3/26 for a Freedom ZBA special exception application |
10 |
| 9.3 | 112 North Broad Bay Road – ZBA Variance (Tax Map 35, Lot 8)
– Applicant: Brandon M. Brocato & Michelle C. O’Keefe; agent: SFC Engineering Partnership; Zoning Officer denial September 11, 2026 – Prior FCC agenda: May 19, 2026, item 12.1 – NHDES seasonal dock (Wetlands PBN File No. 2026-00964) |
10 |
| 9.4 | 271 West Bay Road – ZBA Variances (Tax Map 37, Lot 5)
– Applicant: Stephen & Sarah Fitzmaurice; agent: Mark McConkey – NHDES Shoreland Permit File No. 2026-01519 issued July 11, 2026 (walkways, patios, parking, steps to dock) |
10 |
| 9.5 | 249 West Bay Road – ZBA Special Exception and Variance (Tax Map 37, Lot 2)
– Applicant: The Denise A. Tinguely Rev. Trust of 2008; agent: Verdantas (B. Walsh, PE); filed October 12, 2026 – Previously reviewed: FCC comment letter of March 17, 2026 on NHDES Wetlands File No. 2026-00242; NHDES RFMIs of 3/23/26 and 8/4/26 (the latter directs the applicant to address the FCC comments) |
10 |
| 10 | Proposed Land Gift – Sullivan Major Subdivision (Tax Map 7, Lot 4) – 4,975 sq. ft. parcel near Square Brook / Ossipee Lake Road
– Planning Board letter of September 18, 2026; Board of Selectmen vote of September 28, 2026 to accept the gift – Board of Selectmen request for the Commission’s recommendation under RSA 41:14-a – FCC action: recommendation to the Board of Selectmen |
10 |
| 11 | Aquatics Update
– 2027 NHDES Exotic Aquatic Plant Control Grant – confirmation of submission – Berry Bay Association – $300 annual donation to the Freedom Aquatic Invasive Species Committee (letter of September 27, 2026) |
5 |
| 12 | FY2027 Budget Requests – Conservation Administration (4611), Water Quality Testing (4612), Aquatic Invasive Species (4595)
– Review of 2026 year-to-date and vote on 2027 requests – Board of Selectmen budget review for FCC / FAISC / FAC: Monday, November 16, 2026 |
10 |
| 13 | FCC Invoices
– New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions – 2027 Membership Dues, Invoice #3933, 10/7/26 – $260.00 (due 12/31/26) – B.H. Keith Associates, Invoice #01-4078, 10/5/26 – $487.50 (Town Forest; FAC item 6) |
5 |
| 14 | Other Business to Come Before the Commission
– Ossipee Lake Watershed Management Plan, Phase 2 – Berry Bay Association request for the Commission’s role (R. MacCarthy, September 18, 2026; GMCG response of the same date) – NH LAKES Lake Advocates Network – proposed legislation to require full shoreland permit applications be sent to towns; request for a Commission letter of support (S. Marks) – Carroll County Conservation District – Invasive Species Webinar Series, community feedback survey |
10 |
| 15 | Public Comment | 5 |
| 16 | Adjourn FCC | — |
| JOINT OPENING AND FAC SUBTOTAL (items 1–8; approx. 6:30–7:35 pm) | 65 | |
| FCC SUBTOTAL (items 9–16; approx. 7:35–9:10 pm) | 95 | |
| GRAND TOTAL ESTIMATED TIME | 160 | |
Meeting Minutes
2024 Minutes
01-16-2024 – Cancelled
Meeting Minutes
2026 Minutes
2024 Minutes