Lakes and Waterways Commission

City of Amesbury Lakes and Waterways Commission Meeting of August 20, 2020 Location: Video Conference MEETING MINUTES: Commission members present: Acting Chairman Tom Murphy, Alexander Pooler, Matt Chapin, Cindy Roberts, and Meghan O'Neill. City Engineer: Pete Manor The meeting began at 6:30 1. Bruce Georgian: Lakes and Waterway Chairman Bruce Georgian passed away. Remembrance held for Bruce for his numerous contributions to Lakes and Waterways over the years of service to Amesbury. 2. Alexander Pooler: Alexander is resigning his appointment to the Lakes and Waterways Commission due to upcoming move from Amesbury. 3. Secretary Position: Due to resignation of Alexander Pooler from Commission, a new Secretary is appointed with approval of group. Member Meghan O’Neill will fill the role starting with the September 17, 2020 meeting. 4. Previous Meeting Minutes: June and July minutes reviewed and approved. 5. Engineer’s Report: We are in a drought. They’ve been trying to hold back as much water for the treatment plant as possible. They have started to draw on Lake Attitash. Lake Attitash is slightly higher than Tuxbury and Meadowbrook. Lake Gardner is stagnant. No flow is coming in from New Hampshire. 6. Membership: Bernadette Georgian may be joining the Lakes and Waterways Commission. Meghan O’Neill has also joined the Commission. Alexander is leaving the Commission. We will need a new chair to take over for Bruce. Additional discussions will be had. 7. ConCom: Matt attended the last ConCom meeting. Discussion about how to stay engaged with ConCom when they have business where Lakes and Waterways would have a stake. Additional discussion about reaching out to them and how to attend as observers. Reading through their posted agenda still proving difficult to understand where Lakes and Waterways will have a concern. Tom will approach them and restart the conversation with them. 8. New Administration Waterways Tour: On July 15 we had a successful waterways tour with new mayor. It was important for her to see the various structures and where the potential needs will be, especially Archbrook. 9. Merrimack River: The bill for public notification for sewer overflow passed in the MA House. Good first step, should allow notification within 2 hours of an overflow event and up to 8 hours. Creates public awareness of the state of the Merrimack River. Also, it sounds like Manchester NH is working to clean up their portion of the issue. River flow is significantly down, down to about half the flow this time of year. Lakes and Waterways did send letter in support of Pleasant Valley Road MVP grant in July. 10. Powwow River: Lakes and Waterways will carry on push for water quality testing of the lower Powwow River. 11. Lake Gardner: Lake has been open for residents only. About half a foot lower in elevation. Some earlier e-coli concerns but none at time of meeting. Some issues might be traced to geese on the dam after heavy rain. Still working on beach replenishment. 12. Lake Attitash: Working to cleanup invasive species, mainly in the back river. Water is clear now thanks to past treatments. They’re looking survey the issue, my need to bring in professional divers. No longer seeing water chestnuts. New program called Neighborhood Captains (10 new ones) to help inform and educate residents along the lake about events and issues. Also looking at other sources of phosphorus, possible seasonal source located but there is a farm in Newton NH that may be dumping raw sewage on their fields. Not sure if it’s a problem but wanted to make aware of potential issue with runoff. 13. Clarks Pond: For fourth year in a row they’ve gotten all the water chestnut. But now they’re battling other weeds. Pond Lilly taking hold. They have an upcoming dam inspection next year. 14. Next meeting on September 17, 2020 15. Meeting adjourn at 8:20 PM