Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, February 19, 2020 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Accepted 3/4/2020 2/19/2020 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Dean Anson called the meeting to order at 6:04PM 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Chair D. Anson, Mike Foote, Deb Williams, Lisa Morin Members Absent: Richard Christopher, Wes Bates, Marnie Schulz Staff: Ashley Ruprecht, Conservation/Planner Technician Guests: Phil Brouillard and Jess Bailey representing the CUP application for Drummer Trail. The Commission saluted the flag. 3. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 3.I. Acceptance Of Minutes From February 5, 2020 L. Morin motioned to accept the meeting minutes as presented. M. Foote seconded. There were no comments. All voted in favor. 4. NEW BUSINESS 4.I. PL2020-0018CUP- Drummer Trail Chair D. Anson rearranged the agenda to address this application prior to review of the Feb 5 meeting minutes. P. Brouillard presented an overview of the application, which proposes to construct a house within the 50ft wetland buffer. P. Brouillard explains that, like many lots in Southdown, the lot was previously subject to only a 30ft wetland buffer, before the ordinance was updated and increased to 50ft. The proposed deck on the house would be within the 30ft wetland buffer, and there is a proposed 10ft low impact landscape buffer. J. Bailey, a Certified Wetland Scientist, explained the proposed landscaping buffer and provided an overview of the wetland and topography of the site. J. Bailey explained that there is a large variety of plantings that are mentioned to give the contractor flexibility on choice based on nursery stock. All suggested plantings are native groundcover or shrubs to create a "soft-edge" to the wetland. There will be no use of phosphorus containing fertilizers on the property. The Commission recommended that the silt soxx shown that is 3ft from the wetland edge is changed to a coconut fiber coir that will be left in place permanently to decompose. J. Bailey will make the change on the plans. D. Williams motioned to support the application with the change on the plans regarding the coconut fiber coir. L. Morin seconded.  The Commission recommended that the silt soxx shown that is 3ft from the wetland edge is changed to a coconut fiber coir that will be left in place permanently to decompose. J. Bailey will make the change on the plans. D. Williams motioned to support the application with the change on the plans regarding the coconut fiber coir. L. Morin seconded. Chair D. Anson asked when construction will begin. P. Brouillard stated they plan to get approvals in April and construction will likely follow after that. There were no additional questions or comments from the Commission. All voted in favor. 5. OLD BUSINESS 5.I. World Water Day Planning The Commission discussed planning ideas to promote World Water Day. D. Williams and L. Morin will talk to the schools to see how they can incorporate educational materials. A. Ruprecht will put together content to share in the Laconia Links and the website, and will send to the Commission for their review. Chair D. Anson will send A. Ruprecht materials he found related to the event that could be incorporated. There was discussion amongst the Commission regarding whether they would like to have a Facebook page like they did in the past. It was decided that they do not want a Facebook page, at this time. 5.II. Perley Pond Update Chair D. Anson stated that he spoke with the City Manager regarding the NHDES permit that was submitted to conduct work at the property, and that it was recommended that the Commission provides feedback to the City Council on the project if/when it is approved by NHDES. A. Ruprecht stated she received a notice from NHDES that additional materials are needed in order for them to review the application and provide a decision. A. Ruprecht will let the Commission know about any additional notices she receives on the matter. 5.III. Rules Of Procedure Review The Commission discussed the draft Rules of Administrative Procedure for the Conservation Commission, focusing primarily on quorum, the section regarding purpose and intent, and whether the Chair or another member should have the ability to sign NHDES permits on behalf of the Commission. Chair D. Anson asked if the Commission knows they will not have quorum the Friday before the meeting, can they hold a work session instead since there is no voting during a work session. A. Ruprecht said she would discuss this with D. Trefethen. Commission members will submit edits they have to A. Ruprecht on the draft document by 2/21. A. Ruprecht will compile the comments and edits and provide this to Barabara Richter of the NHACC to get her input and feedback on the document, as suggested by L. Morin. 6. STAFF REPORT A. Ruprecht mentioned the NHDES Mifoil grant was approved by the City Council. The City Council will be doing a second reading and public hearing on the property donation off Hilliard Rd. at their next meeting. 7. ADJOURNMENT M. Foote motioned to adjourn the meeting. D. Williams seconded. All voted in favor. The meeting adjourned at 7:59PM 8. OTHER BUSINESS *A. Ruprecht mentioned this item should be shown below Staff Report, not after Adjournment.  The meeting adjourned at 7:59PM 8. OTHER BUSINESS *A. Ruprecht mentioned this item should be shown below Staff Report, not after Adjournment. D. Williams mentioned she received an email from NH Lakes to apply for a Lake Host Grant. Last year they did not utilize all of the funds but it may be something the Commission wants to pursue again this year. A. Ruprecht will add this as an agenda item for the next meeting. L. Morin suggested testing Black Brook for conductivity when doing tributary sampling. The outflow of Black Brook is testing during the other water sampling in Paugus Bay. Planning for tributary sampling and deep water sampling in Paugus will take place in the meetings to come. The Commission would like to know what treatment, if any, will be occurring in Lake Opechee for Milfoil. A. Ruprecht will look into this and let the Commission know.