Select Board

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  • Introduce the findings of the Scenic Locales Committee by means of neighborhood meetings, with Upper Valley Land Trust participation. Outline options for municipal action and for citizen and landowner participation in scenic protection. Solicit citizen input.
  • Increase the Land Acquisition Fund by annual commitment of 100% of the Land Use Change Tax, and by additional annual contributions from the budget, to be voted on at Town Meeting as was done in previous years. Remove the option of spending the fund, or any of the tax, for purposes other than land protection. Direct the Conservation Commission to set goals for annual acquisition or purchase of development rights. Special value should be given to those scenic lands that serve multiple purposes such as augmentation of publicly owned lands, protection of wildlife corridors and habitat, buffering of water courses, or habitats of endangered vegetation. Alternatively, build a specific program of acquisition and protection into a 20-year Capital Improvement Plan, with a commitment to the costs attached.
  • Prepare ahead for timely municipal action when land becomes available that the town wishes to acquire or protect.
  • Conduct vigorous on-site supervision during construction at all times, and particularly where sensitive terrain or scenic locales are involved.
  • Hold developers to their conditions of approval. Require performance bonds and levy fines and penalties for violations.
  • Adopt standards based on "Best Management Practices" for all forestry in Hanover. Monitor and enforce vigorously.
  • Provide staff assistance to the Conservation Commission to monitor and enforce conditions of easements held by the town.
  • Establish a Heritage Commission (as per RSA 674:44a). Responsibilities would include conducting an historic features survey, and creating a map that should then be adopted into the Master Plan, and used by municipal boards and commissions.
  • Clearly identify municipal ownership of the rights-of-way of all Class VI roads to assure their protection as public trails. Use signage, surveys and mapping.
  • Expand and connect walking trails and Class VI roads by purchase and acquisition of easements.
  • Investigate the use of sewerline easements for recreational purposes.
  • To the extent practicable, adopt a policy of maintaining rural dirt roads in unpaved condition.
  • Institute a cooperative owner/town maintenance plan for mowing fields and clearing brush along stone walls for preservation of existing views from roads.
  • Provide incentives for pasture reclamation and farming.
  • Coordinate with Dartmouth for protection of the scenic qualities of Hanover.
  • Commission a "Year 2000" photographic study of Hanover, using a combination of volunteer and professional photographers.