Professional Services
Asset Mapping
Assets are the roads, bridges, culverts, sanitary sewer systems, storm sewer systems, water distribution systems, guard rails, retaining walls, signs, street furniture, etc. that are critical to our health, safety, and quality of life. Private communities and towns have hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars invested in assorted infrastructure but often do not have a handle on what they have, where it is, the condition it is in, or the replacement life. A run to failure mode is often the only management strategy. Governmental regulatory agencies are increasingly requiring these assets be mapped and that the owners demonstrate the assets are being managed. Asset mapping lays the foundation for Asset Management. The value of Asset Management is enormous in:
predicting asset performance and budget planning for replacement,
aiding the identification and implementation of routine maintenance activities,
reducing liability and exposure,
improving public health and safety, and
extending the life of infrastructure.
Knowing what you have is a big step in the right direction. Utilizing sub-meter GPS, Powell Asset Mapping can field map your infrastructure and create an interactive map that enables owners to know what they have which in turn enables them to prioritize maintenance activities. Easy to use on-line GIS maps are made available to clients so there is no need to purchase expensive specialized software.
Town & Municipal Services
Towns and municipalities sometimes need assistance with such tasks as town boundary perambulations, site plan reviews, road status determination (public vs private), wetland delineations, shore land and wetlands permitting, 911 address assignments in subdivisions, and hazard tree management along town roads to name just a few. I have many years of experience performing these services. In addition, there are occasions when towns are faced with nuanced situations that require some degree of research before requested responses can be made. In my tenure with municipal publics works I had many occasions to negotiate easements, file temporary use agreements with rail roads, research utility pole licensing, sewer connection permits, number of sewer units charged to buildings, etc. I found the tasks invigorating and took pride in sifting through the layers of detail to find the appropriate information for crafting reports. If you need assistance on some issue, give me a call. If it’s an area outside my expertise, I will not hesitate to point you to professionals who can better serve you. I would be glad to assist in any way I can.
Soil Mapping
Soil maps are frequently used in land use planning to represent the diversity of soil properties on a landscape. These maps with accompanying reports provide valuable information for the use and management of soils. Soil properties such as color, texture, structure and consistence, redoximorphic features, etc. are examined in the field to identify map units of similar properties. Critical information such as saturated hydraulic conductivity can be interpreted from field observations. As a certified Soil scientist I can produce Site Specific Soils Maps and High Intensity Soil Maps for your land use planning and permitting needs.
Wetlands Mapping
Wetlands are unique habitats that function to provide flood attenuation, nutrient filtering, and critical wildlife habitat to name just a few benefits. Wetlands consist of hydric soils, wetland vegetation, and evidence of hydrology which is the driving force of wetland formation. Most towns have protective buffers surrounding wetlands. Before any project whether large or small proceeds, the presence or absence of wetlands should be verified by a wetland scientist. As a NH certified wetland scientist I would be glad to assist you on your project.
Current Use & Woodlot Boundary Marking
New Hampshire RSA 79-A is the Current Use Law. This is a property tax incentive measure for landowners to encourage conservation and preservation of open space land. It taxes land at its income earning capability rather than at an ad valorem (development value) basis. The value of this tax assessment option in preserving New Hampshire family farms and woodlots has been substantial. A Layperson's Guide to New Hampshire Current Use is a good summary highlighting the value of Current Use assesment.
The acreage threshold for enrolling in Current Use assessment is generally 10 acres or more. However, there are a few exceptions such as tracts of unimproved wetland of any size, a certified tree farm of any size, and tracts of undeveloped land of any size actively devoted to growing agricultural/horticultural crops with an annual gross income from the sale of these crops of at least $2,500. I am a licensed forester and along with my soil scientist and wetland scientist certifications, and GPS mapping capabilities I am well equipped to assist you with the application process to qualify for this property tax assessment benefit.
Woodlot Boundary Marking
New Hampshire law allows licensed foresters to re-mark known boundary lines in order to carry out forest management activities to meet landowner objectives (NH RSA 310-A74, IV). These objectives may include opening scenic vistas, improving wildlife habitat, timber sales, etc. If you have a recorded survey and the corner monuments are in place, I can assist you with marking your woodlot boundary lines. However, if any monument is missing only licensed land surveyors are allowed to establish boundaries common to another owner when the corners or boundary is unknown. The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Service has a helpful article on Woodlot Boundary Line Marking.