Conservation Commission

MINUTES OF THE MEETING January 7, 2015 LACONIA CONSERVATION COMMISSION Approved at the March 4, 2015 meeting PRESENT- Hillary May, Lisa Morin, Mike Foote, Marnie Schulz, and D. Williams. ABSENT- Dean Anson I. Call To Order: H. May called the meeting to order at 6:00. II. Review of the minutes from the December 3, 2014 meeting L. Morin made a motion to approve the December 3, 2014 minutes as written. D. Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0-0. III. New Business: a. Open Space and Easement discussion The city, owners, and/or abutters walked all easements this year meeting the obligation of the easement terms. The Taylor Home and selected abutters of the Harrington Easement will be alerted to some of the uses not permitted on their respective easements. All remaining easements remain unchanged. The Taylor letter will suggest a verification survey be run on a small portion of their property line. A caution against removal of too many trees without submittal of a replanting plan will also be included. It seems appropriate for the City to suggest Taylor verify their property line as it has not been run in over 20-years. The Taylor easement allows for selective tree removal as long as no large open areas are created. On December 31, 2014 S. McPhie and B. Harrington walked the Harrington easement encountering an abutter driving a motorcycle on the easement. The neighbor was told he could not do so as it is in violation of the easement. He acknowledged us and explained he had lost a pet and proceeded off. A tree stand is still located on the property. Permission to install the tree stand was never provided. Mr. Harrington does not have an issue with its use but realizes the owner is required by New Hampshire Fish and Game to obtain owner permission to attach the tree stand. The current tree stand is not a violation of the easement. At the rear of the property, within the PSNH ROW, someone has place a berm in an area to keep ATV’s off the easement. The berm is not a violation of the easement. The tree stand and berm could be considered a trespass by the owner. The letter will explain motorized vehicles are not permitted on the property and encourage communications with Mr. Harrington to seek permission for use of the tree stand. The letter should open up a conversation of how best to prevent ATV access across the power line portion of the property. Compliance has been very good on discouraging ATV use in recent years. Unless an increase in ATV activity occurs in the next year we will not post more than our standard Con Com placards. A discussion ensued concerning the potential need to schedule a conservation easement lecture. The lecture could target smaller properties in Laconia that are 12-Acres or more. The Pickerel Pond section of Town will still take priority but there may be an interest to reach out to others that may now be ready to preserve their smaller parcels of land. Ideal easements candidates should be linked or abut other protected open space areas. b. Information required on wetland application article The Con Com spoke of educating the Community on the importance of wetland preservation. Newspaper articles and the use of Facebook were discussed. c. Conservation Commission appointments Tabled until the next meeting d. Black Brook presentation S. McPhie indicated that upon receipt of the water testing bill we will have a better idea of the remaining rollover funds from 2014-2015. At that time we can prepare for our Black Brook presentation to the Laconia City Council. IV. Old Business: a. Brook Subcommittee updates L. Morin explained that funds still remain to be spent on the educational portion of Jewett Brook. Educational signage discouraging the feeding of Ducks was mentioned. M. Schultz made a motion to approve the expenditures for the project. The motion was seconded by H. May. The motion passed 5-0-0. b. Discussion and suggested ordinance updates for the year Tabled until the next meeting c. Discussion of time commitment and request for volunteers for the soak up the rain stormwater initiative L. Morin explained the target date for DES to conduct the introductory Soak-Up the Rain Lecture will be February 4. A follow up meeting will occur in March or April. At that time more people will be invited to determine what kind of commitment will be made in Laconia. The meeting will be held in the Merrimack Middle School Cafeteria at a time to be determined. V. Liaison & Sub-Committee Reports: Permit Sub-Committee review and updates S. McPhie explained the DES Dock permit submittals are becoming sloppy. It is important to note the reason for discussing this issue is to point out foolish mistakes. When applicants were reminded of some shortcomings of their applications some were thankful others just wanted to send in the application and risk delays. I believe the Con Com should help applicants when possible but not spend too much time on this issue as the ultimate decision remains in the hands of New Hampshire DES. VI. Other Business: None VII. Adjournment: L. Morin made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by M. Foote. The motion passed 4-0-0.