Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Accepted Sept 18, 2019 9/4/2019 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Dean Anson called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. ROLL CALL Members present: Dean Anson, Deb Williams, Lisa Morin, Mike Foote, Wes Bates, Richard Christopher, and Marnie Schulz No members were absent. Planning Staff: Dean Trefethen and Ashley Ruprecht The commission saluted the flag. 3. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 3.I. Acceptance Of Minutes From August 21 There were no hard copies of the meeting minutes. Dean Anson tabled the approval of the minutes until the next Conservation Commission meeting. 4. NEW BUSINESS 4.I. United Way Day Of Caring Event Chair D. Anson asked the Commission if anyone has any suggestions for a project. W. Bates stated he could try to get some students involved but he is unaware of any ongoing projects through the school currently. Chair D. Anson stated that if W. Bates hears of any projects through the school that the Conservation Commission could assist with getting volunteers, even if it's not for the Day of Caring event. Chair D. Anson stated he has cleaning up the Winnipesaukee River as a project. L. Morin asked if there's any way to tie into the Chaos & Kindness event on September 21. D. Trefethen said that it may be possible but that we would need something nailed down sooner rather than later. A. Ruprecht stated she spoke with Tiffany Pena from United Way, who said that we still have time to create an event although enrollment for volunteers has already begun. A. Ruprecht said the sooner we have an event posted, it will increase chance for getting volunteers, although she did not see other events in the Central Region, which may increase chances as well. D. Williams stated we had listed removal of knotweed and bittersweet at Pickerel Pond before. W. Bates said that the rail trail could always use pickup. L. Morin said that she thinks that would be managed by WOW not Conservation Commission. L. Morin said that we've always done invasive removals in the past but you need to get landowner buy in unless you work from the brook and use waders. L. Morin said she doesn't know if the other town parks need invasive removal but could coordinate with Amy Lovisek.  Bates said that the rail trail could always use pickup. L. Morin said that she thinks that would be managed by WOW not Conservation Commission. L. Morin said that we've always done invasive removals in the past but you need to get landowner buy in unless you work from the brook and use waders. L. Morin said she doesn't know if the other town parks need invasive removal but could coordinate with Amy Lovisek. Chair D. Anson asked about cleaning up Jewett Brook. L. Morin said she has not checked to see if there's debris but it is a potential idea for the event. If debris is too large to remove they could inventory it for cleanup at a later date. R. Christopher asked why Jewett Brook always has debris. L. Morin said over a thousand landowners abut the brook and it's in the City. D. Williams noted she has noticed the church continues to pile their grass clippings next to the brook. Chair D. Anson asked if we want Jewett Brook cleanup to be the event. L. Morin noted we would want 4 volunteers for that. D. Williams stated that instead we could do invasive species removal and assess Jewett Brook and locations to see what really needs it and go from there. W. Bates asked if a location needs to be specified at this time. A. Ruprecht said that the more detail the better but would think we could add that detail as we approach the event. There is discussion about what locations may need cleanup. Chair D. Anson stated to have the event be invasives cleanup around various locations in Laconia, with specific locations to be determined. Conservation members will keep a look out this week for areas where invasive removal is needed. L. Morin stated we must plan for logistics to remove the invasives. A. Ruprecht will coordinate with DPW and Parks and Recreation to get necessary equipment. L. Morin said the Conservation District may be able to assist as well. M. Foote said the dump is open on Wednesdays, during the event. Chair D. Anson stated he will take a look at Jewett Brook for debris. A. Ruprecht said she will take the information she has to United Way to see if we can get the event created for the invasives removal. L. Morin noted that trash bags were not used and debris was put directly into the trucks, which she prefers due to all of the waste that would be created. D. Williams stated there are invasives at the Fish and Game boat ramp on Water St. Chair. D. Anson stated let's have that be one of the locations. D. Trefethen stated that can we will coordinate with NHFG. Chair D. Anson said the Wellness clinic across from the fire department also has invasives. D. Trefethen said we have a contact there as well. M. Foote mentioned someone cut knotweed along White Oaks Road and left the debris. A. Ruprecht asked when the Conservation Commission thinks they will know how many sites and volunteers they would like. L. Morin said ideally they would have 4 sites, with 4 volunteers per site totalling 16 volunteers. Chair D. Anson said that seems like a good estimate. There was discussion about what supplies and equipment is needed. L. Morin said she will reach out to the Forest Society and DPW to get weed wrenches and equipment. Chair D. Anson said he thinks Park and Rec has done a good job cleaning up the Perley Oak property but there is still some bittersweet there, which could be a potential site as well. D. Williams asked if we need one member from Conservation Commission at each site to lead the volunteers. D. Williams is unavailable. Chair D. Anson stated he could manage a site. L. Morin stated she can reach out to the Master Gardeners to see if they will assist in managing the sites as well and will get back to A. Ruprecht. 4.II. PL2019-0119 Outerbridge CUP Chair D. Anson introduced the applicant, John Bernard.  Ruprecht. 4.II. PL2019-0119 Outerbridge CUP Chair D. Anson introduced the applicant, John Bernard. J. Bernard explained that the project is a 30 foot crossing of a wetland. The wetland does not have standing water but has hydric soils so the procedures for approvals still apply. Originally the plan was to bore underneath the wetland, with a half inch per foot of drop was allowed due to spacing of utilities. The contractor has determined that they cannot bore that tight of a tolerance, which is why he is requesting permission to cross the wetland area. J. Bernard stated it is a short crossing and it would take about 1 day of work to cross through the wetland. Chair D. Anson asked if the piping that is being installed would be below grade. J. Bernard stated that is correct, and it is about 7-8ft buried, and 30 feet long. J. Bernard said they are asking for 12ft width of disturbance since the material that is excavated to dig the trench needs to be placed somewhere. J. Bernard said the material would be backfilled into the trench and area will be seeded, once completed. J. Bernard said this was the first time he had to submit an application to the state and that he had to provide his phone number and has received many calls asking what he is building in the wetland. R. Christopher asked what is on either side of the proposed area. J. Bernard said there is grass on either side, there is no standing water, and it is open fields on either side with no trees. R. Christopher asked if it is a proposed subdivision or existing. J. Bernard said the subdivision does exist but is still in the developmental stage. R. Christopher asked if there is any sewage to the development without the pipe. J. Bernard stated R. Christopher is correct, there would be no sewage. R. Christopher asked if there is a plan that shows where the project is in respect to the rest of the area. J. Bernard used a plan to provide an overview of the area in relation to the other neighborhoods in South Down. D. Trefethen states that they are about 1/3 to 1/2 mile down Outerbridge from the gate. Chair D. Anson asked when they are proposing to do the work. J. Bernard said he is planning to begin October 2nd, based on the timeline for acceptance from Planning Board, expected at the next meeting on October 1st. J. Bernard said they are trying to do the work under the best conditions and right now the soils are really dry, and pumping most likely wouldn't be required. D. Williams asked D. Trefethen how wet the site is historically. D. Trefethen stated the area he needs to cross is an intermittent stream in the spring or when there are several days in a row of heavy rain. D. Williams asked if the pipe is 8ft down than there may be a stream on top of it. J. Bernard stated it would be, and it's commonly done. R. Christopher asks where the interceptor is. J. Bernard locates it on the site plan. J. Bernard explains that although there is a lot of oversight, it is a pretty normal practice to run a sewer line underneath a wetland, and without it, you wouldn't be able to develop the property and it would be rendered useless. L. Morin commented that the application says that all disturbed areas will be restored to their original conditions, which isn't always possible with an area like this. J. Bernard says that he understands that and they will restore as best as they can and use the existing soils. Chair D. Anson asked if they can separate the hydric soils from other, more dense soils as they excavate. J. Bernard said they would place stone and sand around the pipe but would put other material back on top of it. J. Bernard said he wants to make it look like they hadn't been there. Chair D. Anson asked if he has a drawing with topography lines. J. Bernard speaks to the plan and notes that this is the smallest area of impact that they could have. Chair D. Anson asked if they will be seeding. J. Bernard said they may be able to salvage the grasses there but if not, he would seed. D. Williams asked if anyone had been to the site recently since the wetlands study was done almost 2 years ago. D. Trefethen stated that the materials are pretty consistent with what is happening in that area. M. Schulz stated that area was unbuildable when she first moved to the community. M. Foote made the motion stating that Village 10 at Outerbridge Drive project is a reasonable request given the grades and access to the existing sewer as it is, and given the proper care and restoration of  area. M. Schulz stated that area was unbuildable when she first moved to the community. M. Foote made the motion stating that Village 10 at Outerbridge Drive project is a reasonable request given the grades and access to the existing sewer as it is, and given the proper care and restoration of the project, he feels the Conservation Commission should support the application. R. Christopher seconds. All voted in favor. The motion passes. 5. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS 5.I. Outerbridge Drive NHDES Wetlands Permit Application See minutes for Outerbridge Dr. CUP 5.II. 833 Weirs Blvd NHDES Permit By Notification M. Foote asked if they were replacing their boat dock spots with jet ski lifts. Chair D. Anson stated that they want to place 7 jet ski lifts inbetween the docks. M. Foote added that the applicant would not be building any new dock structures. Chair D. Anson pointed out vegetation on the surface of the water located in the attached photograph in the application and asked if anyone knew what kind of vegetation it is. W. Bates asked if they are taken out yearly. M. Foote said yes, typically they are taken out yearly because they are made of aluminum. D. Williams added that the ice would destroy them. Chair D. Anson stated that since it is Paugus Bay that they would not use herbicide to address milfoil. D. Trefethen confirmed that this is not one of the areas that has been targeted in the past. Chair D. Anson quested if there is any milfoil there and if yes, when they are putting them can the Commission request it is removed. D. Williams said it could be put into the motion. Chair D. Anson asked if anyone has any other suggestions. W. Bates asked how the lifts are taken in and out of the water. M. Foote stated that they can be lifted out with 2 people. Chair D. Anson asked if there are any further ideas, suggestions or comments. D. Williams motioned that the Conservation Commission supports the project as presented with a recommendation that if there is milfoil there, that it will be removed by a certified professional. L. Morin seconds the motion. All voted in favor. 6. OLD BUSINESS 6.I. Perley Pond Update D. Trefethen said they are trimming the tree soon. Several members noted they saw it posted in the paper. M. Foote noted there is a large log laying out there that used to be attached to the tree. Chair D. Anson said that the tree will be trimmed on September 23. 6.II. Tributary & Paugus Bay Water Quality Sampling  M. Foote noted there is a large log laying out there that used to be attached to the tree. Chair D. Anson said that the tree will be trimmed on September 23. 6.II. Tributary & Paugus Bay Water Quality Sampling A. Ruprecht stated last Wednesday that she and M. Foote did a trial run of the deep water sampling equipment and Thursday the Lake Winnipesaukee Association gave a tutorial on how to use the equipment, process the samples inhouse, and transport the samples to UNH. A. Ruprecht stated tomorrow she and R. Mora will be taking official samples with Bob Craycraft from UNH. Chair D. Anson asked if samples would be taken to the lab. A. Ruprecht confirmed. A. Ruprecht stated that Bob would be assisting with looking at the tributary sampling equipment as well and try to get hands on procedures. A. Ruprecht stated that since it is getting later in the year she isn't sure if there is time to fit in tributary sampling but at least gather the equipment and procedures. Chair D. Anson said Lisa Eggleston from the Winnisquam Watershed Network went through the list of how to use the meters and came up with a modified description. D. Anson said he will make a copy and provide it to A. Ruprecht. M. Foote asked if when A. Ruprecht meets with B. Craycraft if she could find out which sample is necessary to take at the deep water sites, whether it is the column or point. A. Ruprecht said she will check with Bob but there are sections on the data sheets for both types of samples so we may want to continue with point sampling if that is what has been done historically, or do both perhaps. L. Morin asked if additional samples would be an additional cost. A. Ruprecht said she is unsure but would imagine that it may be an additional cost at the lab to process more samples. M. Foote said he would think point data would be best since you are testing the water down at the point of depth. R. Christopher asked how deep testing is done. M. Foote said testing is done at the thermocline which was at 7.5-8 meters. D. Williams asked how deep the secchi disk reading was. M. Foote said that just with the eyes it disappeared around at 7-7.5 meters but A. Ruprecht could see to about 9 meters with the viewscope. Chair D. Anson stated that NHDES told him they can do the samples year round. A. Ruprecht stated that is good news and she would double check with B. Craycraft. L. Morin asked what we would be looking for with doing year round sampling and if it has something to do with the levels of salt and conductivity or whether it has to do with people who have sceptic systems and the ground is frozen. Chair D. Anson said we would look for temperature, pH, turbidity, conductivity, not E. Coli. Chair D. Anson asked if anyone had any additional comments. There were none. 6.III. State School Property Update L. Morin stated there was a meeting on 8/27 but she was unable to attend. Chair D. Anson said he believes there is a meeting coming up shortly. D. Trefethen stated he tried to attend on 8/27 but the meeting had finished. 6.IV. Pickerel Pond Property Update D. Trefethen spoke with DPW about the 3 buildings and he thinks they can arrange for DPW to go out with a dump truck and backhoe to remove the structures. D. Trefethen said it would probably be best to remove the buildings in the winter when the ground is frozen to minimize damage. D. Trefethen also talked to him about using the roadside brush mower and DPW said they could do that sometime during the growing months next year. 6.V. Cyanobacteria Chair D. Anson asked if anyone has any updates on cyanobacteria, noting he has not seen any alerts for any blooms in Opechee, Winnipesaukee or Winnisquam. L. Morin mentioned Happy Tails Dog Park is looking out for it since it is harmful to dogs.  Chair D. Anson asked if anyone has any updates on cyanobacteria, noting he has not seen any alerts for any blooms in Opechee, Winnipesaukee or Winnisquam. L. Morin mentioned Happy Tails Dog Park is looking out for it since it is harmful to dogs. 7. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 7.I. Milfoil Management Chair D. Anson said that ProcellaCOR was done this week or last week. D. Trefethen said sites A and B were completed and they have received the bill. Chair D. Anson asked if the divers are working now. D. Trefethen said he does not know. M. Foote asked if they treated in Langley Cove. D. Trefethen stated he thinks that was done in the spring but may have been in the fall. M. Foote stated the milfoil looked short in the area. Chair D. Anson stated that although the focus has been on milfoil, he's noticed the Japanese knotweed is an issue. Chair D. Anson stated he looked into how to remove it this time of year and it is recommended to cut the stems and spray it with roundup. M. Schulz said that is how she removed it in her neighborhood. Chair D. Anson asked if Parks and Rec or DPW removes invasives. D. Trefethen stated he's unsure. A. Ruprecht said she will ask DPW and Parks and Rec. M. Schulz also noted Purple loosestrife is also an issue and she removes the blooms, in addition to using roundup. L. Morin commented that the purple loosestrife is commonly found in wet areas and she is apprehensive to use roundup near surface waters. M. Schulz said targeting the tops of the loosestrife can be effective in removal, or even using a paint brush. There is additional discussion on invasives removal. L. Morin mentioned possibly targeting educating neighborhoods of certain common invasives in an informational campaign. Chair D. Anson asked if the Commission wants to write an article for the paper. M. Schulz stated that anything on invasive species would be helpful. L. Morin said that timing is important since to prevent the spreading of invasives when they seed, which is in June. L. Morin said she will bring it up at a later date since there is a project list. Chair D. Anson asked if the commission has anything else to discuss. R. Christopher stated he saw the front page article of the Weirs Times on wakeboarding where the back of the boat is weighted down with tanks and the wakeboarder can ride the wake without needing a rope. The article talks about potential erosion. R. Christopher said the erosion is bad enough now and can see this issue expanding since the article seemed to be in support. R. Christopher said he's not sure what can be done. L. Morin stated she is on the Lakes Management Advisory Committee with NHDES, NHFG, NH Lakes, and there is an upcoming informational study on wakeboarding. L. Morin noted the legislative committee is heavily represented by business owners, although there is environmental representation. M. Schulz noted she witnessed wakeboarding recently and their waves were 4 times the size of normal waves. L. Morin stated she would let A. Ruprecht know if there is a public hearing or public session to inform others. 8. STAFF REPORT A. Ruprecht stated that everything has been covered already. 9. ADJOURNMENT D. Williams motioned to adjourn the meeting. M. Foote seconded. All voted in favor. The meeting adjourned at 7:19 PM