Lakes and Waterways Commission

RECEIVED By Ellie at 11:38 am, 4/26/21 City of Amesbury Lakes and Waterways Commission Meeting Minutes for 1-21-2021 6:45 PM This meeting will be conducted under the ‘Executive Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law G.L. c.30A, §20’, signed on March 12, 2020. Location: Virtual Zoom Meeting Attendees: Tom Murphy, Cindy Roberts, Meghan O’Neill, Michael Jewell, Matt Chapin, Thomas Volper, Art O’Dea, and Peter Manor- City Engineer. Completing Minutes: Meghan O’Neill, Secretary I. Administrative Business A. Call to Order Completed by Tom Murphy, acting chair at 6:58 PM. Tom murphy read the following to the committee in regard to meetings held in person: “Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Lakes & Waterways Committee on 1/21/21 is being conducted via remote participation. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort is being made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings as provided for in the Order.” B. Review of Past Minutes (November) Review of November Minutes as there was no meeting in December. Cindy motioned to approved, Meghan 2nd approval. C. Change of meeting time to 7:00 PM? All approved moving to 7:00 start time moving forward. II. Welcome New Member: Art O’Dea Team provided introductions to welcome new member, Art. III. Engineer’s update A. Engineer’s report Peter provided the engineers update. The waterbodies are showing measurements that are more normal for this time of year. Everything looks clean Attitash & Meadowbrook are both at 94.8 and Tuxbury is at 95 after last week’s rain. Clarks Pond 10-year inspection occurring soon. B. Stormwater Management Plan - Just audited by EPA, they are looking for record of completed actions associated with plan. This for instance would be catch basin stenciling. The plan was also recently presented at City Council. Questions about the groups viewpoint when reviewing 1  material: are we from the perspective of the homeowner or developer? Group will need to review and provide questions. - Comments about approaching plan based on personnel interest- Tom M. has specific interest in snow removal and Cindy on usage of fertilizer- just an idea for dividing work - Conversation about impervious square footage and residents lack of knowledge about roofs, pavement, stone patios that how this impacts water flow into the waterbodies. The committee wants to find ways to educate Amesbury residents about being more responsible if they live on or around the water. - Question about "MS4" Pete to check w/ Rob on this. IV. Current Business A. Membership status - Still looking to identify a permanent chair for the committee. B. Meeting with Open Space Committee - Meeting occurring with open space committee with the goal of controlling access to Lake Gardner because it is attracting too many people. It is the only free place to swim so people flock from all around. Our committee will be presented with 3 options and rank them. - Concerns about state and/or federal funds becoming impacted. Restricted to just Amesbury residents, due to COVID this year. - Art commented on his experience in West Newbury, where there was a lot of effort expelled enforcing tickets and the overall logistics. - Important to keep Amesbury PD in loop. The recommendations will go to the mayor and DPW. C. Status of CSO letter to Senate Committee - Matt Chapin spoke about the letter to senate committee; this is no longer needed. The bill passed several weeks back. Requires notification of sewage Outflow. People can sign up for updates via text. Facebook provided updates but currently covers only MA. Should add a link to the website about this topic and how to get updates. V. Conservation Commission Activity Update - Expanding marina and adding additional lighting- 2 Merrimack Street - Elementary school is still with the planning committee for now - Maples Crossing is working on addressing issues with a needed access road that crosses through wetlands. - Widening of South Hunt Rd, and the 495 off ramp. This is 75% done. - Lake Gardner beach project- adding sand as part of nourishment effort. LG improvement association withdrew support last minute due to a communication breakdown. Upcoming meeting on Feb 1st, listed as “79 High St” on website. - Con Com is bogged down with a lot of disputes along river. There is a lack of knowledge when building along river- fences, docks, etc. Speaking with Mayor Gove about community outreach- social media, texting, etc. VI. Website update efforts A. By laws—Discuss Revision 2  - Section 2: the word monitor was removed, and a few changes were made that have been highlighted for review. Revisions will be sent to Mayors office. - Need to confirm L&W participation in Harbormaster plan and if this role should be a standing member or only attend when appropriate. Tom will reach out about this. - Group would like to view the Harbormaster plan- Meghan to reach out to Craig Bailey to get a copy. B. Website Content - Waterway assessment needs updating and should be added to our website page. Tom spoke about difficulties editing current format and this needs to be adjusted to make it more readable. Meghan & Cindy to help w/ formatting, Tom to email them a copy. - Need to also post the watershed management plan and start discussions on the 2022 waterway walk through. Ideas for making this more engaging for public and including pictures and more readable content with descriptions for residents. VII. Goals/ mission discussion follow-up A. Lawn Care Companies and fertilizers and herbicides near water bodies - Discussion about getting relators involved and possibly working with rotary as Tom V.’s spouse is a member. Providing documentation on laws, regulations and best practices in a packet for disbursement to new homeowners. - Would also like to connect with the Chamber to explore ideas about education to businesses in community as many are located on or near our waterbodies. B. With ConComm—Homeowners’ guidelines (pointing to resources) - Need to understand what is on ConComm’s page and make sure pertinent resources are linked and accessibly from L&W website as well. VIII. Waterbodies - Cindy gave an update on Attitash. They will be treating Eurasian and Variable milfoil this year with PorcellaCOR and will continue using diquat for curlyleaf pondweed control. - Also continuing to investigate Nicol Farm in Newton, NH to determine if any negative impact to the backriver and then to the lake. - Cindy joined the watershed committee, a sub-committee the Attitash Association, focused on resident education and will keep the group updated on initiatives. - Tuxbury is 2 feet higher than Meadowbrook currently IX. Review Action Items - Pete to ask Rob to provide update next meeting on open space issue on Lake Garner - Pete to ask Rob to provide SMP guidance - Pete to ask Rob about MS4 - Tom & Matt to work on notifications around Merrimac overflow - Cindy to provide welcome packet to group to review, this has been provided to new Lake Attitash members - Tom M. will be sending revised bylaws to Mayors office for review and approval - Meghan will reach out to Craig to get a copy of the harbormaster plan - Cindy and Meghan will work on editing challenges with the waterway assessment document 3  - Meghan to add link to the water management plan for website and send a copy to Art X. Meeting Adjourned: 8:58 PM meeting was concluded Next meeting: February 18, 2021 4