Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, February 5, 2020 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Accepted 2/19/2020 2/5/2020 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Dean Anson called the meeting to order at 6 PM 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Chair Dean Anson, Deb Williams, Lisa Morin, Mike Foote, Wes Bates, Marnie Schulz Members Absent: Richard Christopher Staff: Ashley Ruprecht Guests: William Stack representing the application at 1184-1188 Union Ave and Bernie Temple representing the application at 1330 Union Ave. 3. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 3.I. Acceptance Of Minutes From January 8, 2020 L. Morin motioned to approve the minutes of January 8, 2020. D. Williams seconded. Chair D. Anson suggested the change from "misspelt" to "misspelled" All voted in favor. 4. NEW BUSINESS 4.I. PL2020-0002SP 1184-1188 Weirs Blvd Chair D. Anson moved the review of this application and 1330 Union ahead of the approval of Jan 8, 2020 meeting minutes. W. Stack provided an overview of the project, which includes paving an existing parking area, installing a rain garden, and port-a-potty enclosure. The Commission discussed the rain garden, landscaping, snow storage, and the port-a-potty location. The Commission recommended that snow is not stored on the side of the parking area closest to the shoreline, and that native plantings are installed in the rain garden, rather than grass that was proposed. L. Morin and M. Schulz will put together a list of recommended plantings and provide this to A. Ruprecht to provide to the applicant. M. Foote motions to support the application with the recommendations in regards to the snow storage and rain garden plantings, as discussed. W. Bates seconded. There is additional discussion about the maintenance plan of the rain garden. All voted in favor of the motion.  and rain garden plantings, as discussed. W. Bates seconded. There is additional discussion about the maintenance plan of the rain garden. All voted in favor of the motion. 4.II. PL2020-0003SP 1330 Union Ave. B. Temple provided an overview of the application for the Commission. The project proposes to demolish the existing Bartons Motel and construct 4 buildings containing 32 condominium units with parking and garages. B. Temple explains that although the impervious area on the site is increasing, the runoff will now be treated since currently it either goes into the lake or to Union Ave without treatment. A. Ruprecht provided an update on the status of the application from the Planning Board meeting that took place on February 4th in regards to the application's acceptance and sidewalk waiver request. The Commission had discussion with the applicant regarding the proposed drainage, stormwater treatment, landscaping, building heights, floor plans, traffic, and snow storage. The Commission recommended the following: plantings along the edge of the lake, requested that snow storage is indicated on the plans, and that sheet 7 of the site plan is revised to show the correct amount of proposed boat slips (should be 1 instead of 2). L. Morin would like to have additional details included in the construction notes on the plans in regards to the sequence and timing of construction activities. The Commission would like to know where the stormwater that is collected on Union Avenue at that location drains into Paugus Bay and information about proposed dredging at Weirs Beach, unrelated to the project. A. Ruprecht will discuss with DPW. There is discussion about whether a flow study should be done for this project but ultimately the Commission decides that this is outside of their purview for recommendations in relation to this project, and that the 3rd party drainage review should contain helpful information they're looking for. However, the Commission does think that a flow study should be conducted in Paugus Bay at some time, separate from this project. M. Foote motions that the Commission recommends support of the project as proposed, with the recommendations discussed. W. Bates seconds. There are no additional comments. Five members voted in favor, 1 opposed (M. Schulz). The motion passes. 5. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS There were no applications for the Commission to review at this time. 6. OLD BUSINESS 6.I. Bartlett Beach A. Ruprecht forwarded the recommendation on the project from the Winnisquam Watershed Network to Parks and Rec. There were no further updates at this time. 6.II. 2020-2021 Budget A. Ruprecht provided an overview of the attachments that outline the Commission's funding. A. Ruprecht explained that the water sampling comes from a Local Water Source grant from NHDES, which can be applied for again towards the end of this year. The Commission discussed the funds and does not have any changes to the annual budget. 6.III. World Water Day Planning The Commission discussed ideas for hosting an event to celebrate World Water Day. Chair D. Anson would like to get the local school involved. W. Bates will check with the school to see if they have any activities already planned that the Commission could support. Chair D. Anson will request information from NH Lakes. A. Ruprecht provided an overview of how the Commission could support this year's theme of Water and Climate Change, and will send a summary of ideas she put together.  The Commission discussed ideas for hosting an event to celebrate World Water Day. Chair D. Anson would like to get the local school involved. W. Bates will check with the school to see if they have any activities already planned that the Commission could support. Chair D. Anson will request information from NH Lakes. A. Ruprecht provided an overview of how the Commission could support this year's theme of Water and Climate Change, and will send a summary of ideas she put together. The Commission will discuss which event they want to pursue at the next meeting. 6.IV. Natural Resource Inventory Update A. Ruprecht sent information that she had received from Barbara Richter of the NHACC in regards to the NRI and the recommendation of it being updated every 5-10 years. There were no additional updates at this time. 6.V. Gilford Lake Shore Rd. Culvert Replacement A. Ruprecht reached out to Carol Hall from Gilford in regards to the project. There were no updates at this time since they have been unable to reach the property owner. 6.VI. Proposed Conservation Land Acquisition Chair D. Anson said he spoke with the City Manager about the land donation. A. Ruprecht said that the property will go before City Council for a first reading on February 10, and then a second reading and public hearing will likely take place on February 24. Chair D. Anson said that if Commission members would like to attend, the meeting on the 24th would be best in order to answer any questions at the meeting. M. Schulz motioned to accept the land donation offer from Rusty Bertholet. D. Williams seconded. All voted in favor. 6.VII. State School Property Update The Commission read the attached article to themselves. There were no other updates on at this time. 6.VIII. Pickerel Pond Property Update A. Ruprecht provided an overview of the findings from the hazardous materials survey RPF Environmental conducted. Lead was detected in the paint on the A-frame building, and PCB and mercury light fixtures were found in the sheds. There was no Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) detected in the survey. A. Ruprecht said the next steps are to get a cost estimate for abatement, demo, and disposal, and determine which NHDES permits are required. Chair D. Anson mentioned the inactive well on the property and said they would like to have it sealed. A. Ruprecht stated she is looking into this as well but from what she has seen so far is that a licensed water well contractor is necessary in order to seal the well. 7. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. 8. STAFF REPORT A. Ruprecht provided a brief overview of a Rules of Procedure she drafted for the Conservation Commission. The draft will have a first review at the Commission's next meeting on February 19. A. Ruprecht stated she received a copy of the NH Lakes quarterly magazine if anyone would like to look at it. 9. ADJOURNMENT W. Bates motioned to adjourn the meeting. D. Williams seconded. All voted in favor.  A. Ruprecht stated she received a copy of the NH Lakes quarterly magazine if anyone would like to look at it. 9. ADJOURNMENT W. Bates motioned to adjourn the meeting. D. Williams seconded. All voted in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:02PM