Conservation Commission

MINUTES OF THE MEETING April 13, 2016 LACONIA CONSERVATION COMMISSION CITY Hall Room 200A Approved at the May 4, 2016 meeting I. CALL TO ORDER : Dean Anson called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. (A ROLL CALL VOTE WAS PROVIDED) PRESENT- Dean Anson, Deb. Williams, Lisa Morin, Marnie Schulz, Mike Foote, and Dick Christopher MILFOIL SUBCOMMITTEE Members Present: Jon and Dominic Jude OTHERS PRESENT- Matt Murawski, Ripple Natural Resources, LLC, subcontractor for DuBois and King and Warren Hutchins, Chair of the Laconia Planning Board II. REVIEW OF THE MINUTES: 1. Review of the public minutes for the March 16, 2016 meeting L. Morin made a motion to approve the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by D. Williams. The motion passed 6-0-0. III. New Business: PUBLIC HEARING (Open & Close): 1. Matt Murawski will present the latest version of the Black Brook Watershed plan to meet one of the requirements of the Local Source Water Protection Grant. M. Murawski presented the Black Brook geomorphological study and then entertained questions from the Conservation Commission (see attached presentation). Various projects to improve water quality along the Brook were shown with aerial photographs of each area. The specific projects presented will now allow the communities of Gilford and Laconia, New Hampshire to pursue larger grant funding now that a properly formatted and updated study is in place. Some general suggestions made included modifying existing paved surfaces in favor of porous pavement. The Lowes parking lot in Gilford was very large and may present future opportunities to reduce parking spaces and adding porous pavement when the existing pavement needs to be repaired. W. Hutchins complimented John Ayer, Gilford Planning Director, explaining that many of the Lowes drainage connections are improvements to the previous storm drains that expelled water directly into the Brook. New mechanical storage and filtration chambers were added to treat the water before entering the Brook. Due to the information presented tonight it will be important to include the Gilford Conservation Commission in a joint Public Hearing to be held on May 18, 2016. W. Hutchins added the Bank of New Hampshire was a great community partner and because we were made aware tonight they have a potential project opportunity listed in the report we should reach out to them before the next public  hearing. There is an older gas station located on the brook in Gilford that eventually may require upgrading. W. Hutchins suggested we schedule a meeting with Jeff Hayes, Director of the Lakes Region Planning Commission, to discuss brownfield opportunities. S. McPhie reminded M. Murawski and DuBois and King that the project must have all invoices dated and in place before June 30, 2016 so the City can bill NHDES and properly access grant funds. No other public questions or concerns were expressed at this time. PUBLIC MEETING CONTINUED: 1. Jon Rokeh & Peter Schauer will discuss the Appleridge wetland buffer replanting plan. J. Rokeh presented a replanting plan in response to the site plan violation 235-17 where trees were cut in the protected wetland buffer. The cutting became necessary because overhead powerline installation, also in violation of the approved site plan, was undertaken without seeking a waiver from the Planning Board. The buffer area was fairly dry and the few trees that were removed will be replaced by a substantially improved group of plantings. The suggested wetland plantings will not impact the powerlines therefore reducing the need to disturb the buffer in the future. The Conservation Commission was not pleased that a decision was made to cut the buffer without consulting with them. If proper notifications were made we would not have to have this discussion tonight. D. Williams made a motion to accept the replanting plan with the following conditions: 1. Place all planting in the buffer by hand 2. Replace the viburnum in the planting plan due to a beetle infestation 3. Create a maintenance plan for the disturbed area D. Christopher seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0. 2. Milfoil subcommittee update The draft of the milfoil plan for Paugus Bay is underway. Please provide any feedback to S. Perley so she can pass those changes to A. Smagula at NHDES. 3. Update on Laconia Key-Club Spring projects The tentative date for the Rain garden project will be early May. An invasive species removal project may also be undertaken at that time. The Laconia Conservation Commission would once again like to thank the Key Club for their interest in helping out on these important projects. IV. Liaison & Sub-Committee Reports: 1. Permit Sub-Committee review and updates More permits are being submitted as the weather improves. V. Other Business: 1. Subdivision/ Site Plan update  See the above Appleridge presentation. The Lilac Valley project will also require a waiver due to above ground power line installation. 2. Commissioners Comments D. Christopher explained the exciting 4H project he would be undertaking at Lochmere Meadows. He would be installing raised planting beds at an affordable housing project in Tilton. The raised bed project will not only enhance the appearance of the entrance to the development but it will provide healthy food opportunities for its residents. There will be two 4’ by 8’ beds installed. D. Williams said the raised beds installed at the Memorial school are a success. The vegetables are now utilized in meal preparation. The herb gardens are doing particularly well. 3. Staff Comments None VI. Old Business: 1. Brook Subcommittee updates See tonight’s attached presentation 2. Update on 30-foot waterbody buffer research and presentation The presentation took take place on April 5, 2016 with a follow up vote to be heard on May 3, 2016. 3. Update on Transfer Station Earth Day Yearly Event M. Schulz and L. Morin will represent and educate the group of Girl Scouts and help them plant the Belknap County Seedlings to enhance the pollinator Gardens, we hope to have the Kiosk set up very soon as well. 4. Non-Public Session concerning land acquisition per RSA: 91: A: II (d)–(roll call vote required). Did not go into Non-public session VII. Adjournment: M. Schulz made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by L. Morin passing 6-0.