Conservation Commission

Minutes are posted after they have been adopted by the public body.  If you do not see the set of minutes you need on the website, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.

Active Members:

	First Name	Last Name	Type	Term Expire
1	Kathryn	Kinsella	Regular	12/31/2027
2	William	White	Regular	12/31/2028
3	Michele	Chalice	Regular	12/31/2027
4	Barbara	Richter	Regular, Vice Chair	12/31/2026
5	Steven	Bill	Regular	12/31/2028
6	Gary	Flaherty	Regular, Chair	12/31/2027
7	Kenneth	Bergman	Regular	12/31/2028
8	Robert	Milliken	Alternate	12/31/2028
9	Thomas	Haynes	Alternate	12/31/2027
10	John	Therriault	Alternate	12/31/2026
11	Alexander	Von Plinsky	Alternate	12/31/2028
12	Positon	Vacant	Alternate	12/31/2025
	Last Updated:	02/02/2026

Conservation Commission Member Bios

Gary Flaherty, Chair. 

Gary has over 50 years of experience in various aspects in the environmental field including, but not limited to wetlands, soils (he is certified in both), working as a conservation officer and a conservation agent for municipalities, and various roles in the hazardous waste field. He is a licensed septic designer, holds four post-secondary degrees, and has spent years attending and teaching industry related workshops. 

Barbara Richter, Vice Chair. 

Barbara is the Executive Director for the New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions and has served in that role since 2016. Her extensive experience in land protection includes working at the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and at the Monadnock Conservancy.  Barbara has a master’s degree in environmental studies from Antioch New England University and a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Syracuse University. 

Katie Kinsella, Regular Member. 

Katie has more than 20 years of experience in environmental consulting, with a focus on the development and permitting of large-scale renewable energy projects. She holds two post-secondary degrees, is a Licensed Professional Wetland Scientist, and has expertise in rare, threatened, and endangered species; hydrology; coastal systems; soils; alternatives analyses; and mitigation. Additionally, she manages national and international clients. 

Michele Chalice, Regular Member & City Councilor At-Large. 

Michele is a former Landscape Architect (since 1982), BA, MA and is still designing, educating and advocating for residential wildlife habitats, edible landscapes and pollinator gardens for native bees with @HealthyHomeHabitats. She’s delighted to be semi-retired so that she can serve on this amazing commission to continue to expand the health of Keene’s natural areas & ecosystems. 

Steve Bill, Regular Member. 

Steve is a retired geology faculty member of Keene State College. He taught a wide range of courses involving the surface of the Earth, particularly geomorphology and glacial geology with many field experiences in the Monadnock area and nationally. He continues to attend a number of geology field trips to continue his learning of the Earth and human interactions with the planet. 

Ken Bergman, Regular Member. 

After earning a PhD in Biology, Ken retired in 2016 from the faculty of Keene State College, where he taught courses such as genetics, cell biology, vertebrate zoology and ornithology for 37 years.  He is an avid naturalist, birder, wildlife photographer, and conservationist who first joined the Conservation Commission in 2017. 

John Therriault, Alternate Member. 

Mr. Therriault is retired.  He is a hobby beekeeper, President of the Monadnock Beekeepers Association and Vice-President of the New Hampshire Beekeepers Association.  Mr. Therriault initiated the request that Keene become a Bee City USA affiliate in 2020. 

Alexander (“Sparky”) Von Plinsky, Alternate Member. 

Sparky moved to Keene in 2013 and is a Landscape Architect and lifelong conservationist. He believes that our landscapes aren’t a “resource”; they are a part of us, and we are a part of them, and we need to protect them as such. 

Bob Milliken, Alternate Member. 

Bob has lived in Keene for over 40 years. He worked with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management at Walden Pond, restoring native plants around the pond and removing non-native plants. He recently retired from SAU29 as Director of Technology. Now, he is Vice President of the board for the Hogback Mountain Conservation Association and serves as the chair of the invasive species committee at Hog Back. 

Tom Haynes, Alternate Member.

Tom joined the Conservation Commission around 2010, served two terms as chair of the commission, and currently serves as an alternate and chair of the Goose Pond Stewardship Committee, which oversees the recommendations in the 2019 stewardship plan for the City’s Greater Goose Pond Forest.