Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, November 18, 2020- 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Accepted 12/16/2020 11/18/2020 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair D. Anson called the meeting to order at 6:03PM. 2. ROLL CALL Members present: Chair Dean Anson, Vice Chair Deb Williams, Lisa Morin, Marnie Schulz, Mike Foote. Members absent: Wes Bates, Stacy Soucy, Planning Board Liaison Staff: Planning Director Dean Trefethen and Ashley Ruprecht, Conservation Technician 3. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 3.I. Acceptance Of Minutes From October 21, 2020 L. Morin motioned to accept the minutes as presented. D. Williams seconded. All voted in favor. 4. NEW BUSINESS 4.I. Chairperson Selection D. Williams nominated D. Anson to remain as Chair to the Conservation Commission. M. Foote seconded. There were no other nominations. All voted in favor. Chair D. Anson nominated D. Williams to continue as Vice Chair. M. Foote seconded. There were no other nominations. All voted in favor. 4.II. 116 Hilliard Rd Wetland CUP Application John and Imelda Sheehy presented the Conditional Use Permit application for 116 Hilliard Road for a septic system that is 50' from a wetland. While the State requires that sceptics are 50' from a wetland, the City ordinance requires that the septic and leachfield is 75' from a wetland. J. Sheehy explained that the septic and water design have been completed and septic was approved by the State. There is discussion about how the septic system is more than 100' from the wetland when factoring in downgradient flow. D. Trefethen commented that the City typically does not review septic plans as it is under the State's purview but it came to the attention of the City when the property owners were applying to convert the residence to a multi-family. Both residences will be utilized year round and the new septic is over 300' from the existing septic so there should not be any interference. D. Williams motioned to support the application with the condition that the septic is pumped every 2 years. M. Foote seconded. All voted in favor. 5. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS The Commission does not have any issues with the signed permit applications. There is discussion about how the Commission would like to address NHDES applications that the Conservation Commission has the ability to intervene on, and the timeline for intervention. Chair D. Anson said he will recuse himself on  D. Williams motioned to support the application with the condition that the septic is pumped every 2 years. M. Foote seconded. All voted in favor. 5. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS The Commission does not have any issues with the signed permit applications. There is discussion about how the Commission would like to address NHDES applications that the Conservation Commission has the ability to intervene on, and the timeline for intervention. Chair D. Anson said he will recuse himself on projects located on Leighton Ave N. L. Morin would like for Chair D. Anson and D. Williams to review the applications and confirm whether they wish to intervene or not. The Commission would like for A. Ruprecht to email them a copy of the application, sent high priority, with a brief description of the proposed project and a deadline for when any comments to intervene would be needed by. M. Foote voiced concern that this may be a lot of emails. A. Ruprecht said that she will send them out as suggested and if it becomes overbearing that the Commission can revisit how they want to address these applications. 5.I. 34 Winnicoash St NHDES Wetlands PBN 5.II. 350 Leighton Ave N NHDES Wetland PBN 5.III. Right To Intervention 6. OLD BUSINESS 6.I. Ordinance Updates A. Ruprecht provided an overview of the changes since the last revision to the ordinance updates was provided. There is discussion about whether the SPOD should match the UC description as proposed or be tied to the Messer St bridge, as the language currently states. L. Morin is concerned about tieing the SPOD to the UC District because the UC District could change, thus changing the SPOD limits as well. The Commission would like additional time to review the proposed ordinance updates and unanimously decided to continue the discussion to the next meeting. A. Ruprecht will send out the latest draft with a deadline for review to the Commission. 6.II. Climate Change A. Ruprecht and L. Morin provided overviews for the various links and resources they provided regarding climate change. Chair D. Anson said he reviewed the easements to see if trees could be planted but is still looking into ways that climate change could possibly be combatted on the easements. L. Morin recommended approaching Parks and Recreation to see if there are areas were less groundskeeping maintenance could be done. Chair D. Anson said that he recommends 2 places for rain gardens; one behind the old police station and one at the Robbie Mills Sports Complex. Chair D. Anson said that there is a lot of Japanese Knotweed everywhere. L. Morin mentioned canvassing property owners who have infestations to educate them on the importance of the removal of invasives. 6.III. Tributary & Paugus Bay Water Quality Sampling A. Ruprecht said that she spoke with Michele Condon from NHDES and that winter sampling can be done. They recommend not testing pH as the meter does not do well in the cold weather. NHDES would still process samples for chloride. Chair D. Anson said he would be willing to assist with winter sampling and to plan for the first week in December. There is discussion about adding 2 additional sampling locations to the list- the NHF&G boat launch and the Fair St. bridge. 6.IV. Pickerel Pond Property Update A. Ruprecht informed the Commission that a sign is being made and will likely be installed in the spring since the ground will soon be frozen. A. Ruprecht is making sure that the sign will not be in the way of the snowmobile trail that goes through the area. A. Ruprecht, D. Trefethen and Wes Anderson will meet on site next week to discuss the parking area situation. Chair D. Anson said he would be interested in planting trees on the property in the future. 7. OTHER BUSINESS Chair D. Anson provided an article with Covid-19 information. There was discussion about whether the Commission would like to begin conducting meetings via Zoom as City Council and other boards have been. M. Foote and M. Schulz said they do not have capability to use Zoom and L. Morin said she is okay with coming to in person meetings still since there aren't many members from the public in attendance. Chair D. Anson suggested the Commission continues on the same path of only having meetings in person if there is  Chair D. Anson provided an article with Covid-19 information. There was discussion about whether the Commission would like to begin conducting meetings via Zoom as City Council and other boards have been. M. Foote and M. Schulz said they do not have capability to use Zoom and L. Morin said she is okay with coming to in person meetings still since there aren't many members from the public in attendance. Chair D. Anson suggested the Commission continues on the same path of only having meetings in person if there is an application or something pressing that the Commission must weigh in on, and otherwise the meeting would be canceled. The Commission echoed this statement. 8. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS There were no liaison or subcommittee reports at this time. 9. STAFF REPORT D. Trefethen said that the City Council will have the first reading of the Commission's change from a 7 member to a 5 member board on Monday and the public hearing will be December 14th. D. Trefethen recommended someone from the Commission attends the meeting in order to voice their support for the change. A. Ruprecht and L. Morin recapped the sessions they attended at the NHACC Annual Conference on November 7th. A. Ruprecht provided a brief overview on the 2021 milfoil treatment for Paugus Bay and will share the treatment maps with the Commission. There are ongoing discussions about using ProcellaCOR south of the islands for 2022 treatment, ensuring that public safety is first and foremost. At the next meeting, RFS Engineering, City Councilor Cheney and the Gauthier Family will provide information about the maintenance plan at Perley Pond since they have received NHDES permit approval to remove woody vegetation bordering the pond. Chair D. Anson expressed frustration that the Commission's input was not taken sooner regarding the maintenance and upkeep of the property. 10. ADJOURNMENT L. Morin motioned to adjourn. M. Foote seconded. All voted in favor. The meeting adjourned at 7:42 PM.