Conservation Commission

MINUTES OF THE MEETING February 10, 2016 LACONIA CONSERVATION COMMISSION CITY Hall Room 200B APPROVED AT THE MARCH 16, 2016 MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER : Dean Anson called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM PRESENT- Dean Anson, Deb. Williams, Marnie Schulz, Mike Foote and Dick Christopher (A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS PROVIDED) ABSENT - Lisa Morin OTHERS PRESENT- Breanna Henderson, Laconia Main Street Initiative II. REVIEW OF THE MINUTES: 1. Review of the public minutes for the January 20, 2016 meeting M. Foote made a motion to approve the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by D. Williams. The motion passed 4-0-0. III. New Business: 1. Milfoil Subcommittee Discussion D. Anson updated the Conservation Commission (Con Com) concerning the milfoil plans for 2016. The State agreed to pay for 40% of the milfoil eradication efforts up to a maximum of $10,000.00 dollars. S. Perley received an eradication plan from Amy Smagula, NHDES invasive aquatic species specialist. The plan calls for using Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) and herbicides at Pickerel, Molten, and Langley Cove. The Con Com received permission from the Laconia City attorney to use $50,000.00 in Current use funds to finance milfoil removal. Five thousand dollars of that funding will be allocated to D. Williams Environmental Educational projects working with Laconia High School students. Weed watchers will be one of the components of this educational effort therefore complimenting the goals of the eradication efforts. It will be important to properly financially coordinate the Langley Cove Eurasian milfoil removal efforts with all abutting owners. It will be exciting to assist the private entities currently managing these efforts. In the past chemicals were used in the upper part of Paugus Bay with none used in the lower portions close to the intake. The important focus is protecting the City of Laconia’s water supply. City funds will be used to support Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH). AQUALOGIC has been chosen by the State to manage the Paugus Bay area during the current grant cycle. The goal is to eliminate all chemicals upstream of the water intake area. Members of the Con. Com. are aware of severe milfoil issues in the far northern reaches of Paugus Bay at the Channel. Further evaluations will be necessary to determine if chemical applications are the only option here because of the extent of the infestation. The eradication efforts must be all encompassing otherwise one risks leaving certain clumps in place that will once again infest the area. 2. Brianna Henderson representing the Main Street initiative was introduced by Ava Doyle, City Councilor. She was granted permission to speak by D. Anson, Chair of the Laconia Conservation Commission. B. Henderson was excited to present an alternative energy Solar Bench Project. The bench would be added to the recently completed downtown stormwater improvements project. The current plan already called for a bench so the idea of privately financing a solar bench was attractive to the City. The Solar bench is a smart bench because it will be able to monitor pedestrian counts and provide other helpful statistical analysis for Downtown studies. If $5,000 can be raised a second bench will be provided for free. The funds raised so far are $1,200.00. Please consider donating additional funds to make this project a success. The Con Com was very excited with the concept and agreed to get the word out.  3. Update on 30-foot water-body buffer February Planning Board presentation. S. McPhie passed out the rough draft of the 30-foot buffer presentation and requested feedback. The presentation will occur on April 6, 2016 at the regular Planning Board meeting. IV. Liaison & Sub-Committee Reports: 1. Permit Sub-Committee review and updates Additional dock permits have been reviewed and commented on. Particular emphasis was placed on requiring all dock permits to at least recognize and document the existence or Eurasian milfoil or other invasive aquatic plants. Taking this action should educate owners on proper removal methods therefore reducing the spread of this material by boat users. V. Other Business: 1. Subdivision/ Site plan updates S. McPhie added we had some recent deviations from the approved signed site plans at Appleridge. Trees were cut in the buffer to accommodate above ground powerlines. The Laconia Planning Board requires as part of the site plan approval to place all utilities underground. The language is quite specific. S. McPhie located the violation and as a result S. Saunders requested the developer seek a Planning Board waiver. S. McPhie commented that cutting in the buffer was a violation and would continue to be a violation unless the original site plan requirements were followed. 2. Commissioners Comments None 3. Staff Comments None VI. Old Business: 1. Non-Public Session concerning land acquisition per RSA: 91: A: II (d)–(“roll call vote required”. D. Anson requested entering Non-Public Session concerning land acquisition per RSA: 91: A: II (d). A Roll call vote was made with Dean Anson, Deb. Williams, Mike Foote and Marnie Schulz all voting to enter non-public session. D. Christopher entered the meeting. 2. Brook Subcommittee updates D. Anson and S. McPhie will fill the Con Com in about any public meeting to be held for the Black Brook Project. VII. Adjournment: M. Foote made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by M. Schulz passing 5-0.