Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, March 3, 2021 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Accepted 4/7/2021 3/3/2021 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Dean Anson called the meeting to order at 6:04PM. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Chair Dean Anson, Vice Chair Deb Williams, Lisa Morin, Mike Foote, Marnie Schulz, Harrison Haas, Planning Board Liaison Stacy Soucy. Members Absent: Wes Bates Staff: Ashley Ruprecht, Conservation Technician The Commission saluted the flag and provided introductions to welcome new alternate member Harrison Haas. 3. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 3.I. Acceptance Of The Minutes From 2/17/2021 The Commission reviewed the minutes. M. Foote motioned to accept the minutes. M. Scultz seconded. All voted in favor. 4. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS The Commission reviewed conditions of approval NHDES provided on applications that A. Ruprecht pulled as examples. A. Ruprecht said that each approval has a set of project specific conditions, as well as general conditions that are applied to each State application. A. Ruprecht provided an example of a retaining wall replacement, similar to the application for 70 Lucerne Ave, and another unrelated PBN for docking structure work. Chair D. Anson asked how the State knows that the conditions are being followed. A. Ruprecht said that the applicants must provide information to the department regarding when work starts and finishes, but believes often times they are made aware of violations of conditions from complaints that are received. There is concern that applicants may not understand the connection of the RSAs mentioned in the State's approval to how they apply to their project. 4.I. 451 Weirs Blvd NHDES PBN Application The Commission reviewed the application. L. Morin would like to see more details about the turbidity curtain. Chair D. Anson agreed and would like to have something in writing from the applicant detailing the turbidity curtain. A. Ruprecht said that typically applicants provide an installation detail from the manufacturer. There is discussion about the location of the turbidity controls. The Commission would like for the turbidity curtain to enclose the entire docking structure, not just the area being replaced. M. Foote motioned to sign the permit with the condition that additional details of the turbidity controls will be provided and turbidity controls will encase the entire docking area. L. Morin seconded. All voted  manufacturer. There is discussion about the location of the turbidity controls. The Commission would like for the turbidity curtain to enclose the entire docking structure, not just the area being replaced. M. Foote motioned to sign the permit with the condition that additional details of the turbidity controls will be provided and turbidity controls will encase the entire docking area. L. Morin seconded. All voted in favor. A. Ruprecht will inform the applicant about additional details the Commission has requested, and will coordinate with Chair D. Anson to review and sign the application. 4.II. 70 Lucerne Ave NHDES Wetlands PBN A. Ruprecht explained that the applicant has submitted the application to NHDES without requesting Conservation Commission signature, and that the board can submit comments or request to intervene if they would like. M. Foote expressed some concerns that the dirt parking area may be paved. A. Ruprecht said that the parking area should not be paved as it is not described in this application, which the applicant would need to do since it would be increasing the impervious surface. D. Williams motioned for the Commission not to comment on the application at this time. M. Foote seconded. All voted in favor. 5. NEW BUSINESS 6. OLD BUSINESS 6.I. WC & SP Ordinance Updates Chair D. Anson said that after the last meeting he wanted to address concerns about the proposed wetland buffer exemptions in the ordinance changes (235-17.E.3). A. Ruprecht explained both of the wetland buffer exemptions that are being proposed; one for wetlands under 3,000sf and one for manmade stormwater devices, excluding vernal pools. A. Ruprecht said that every municipality differs in their regulations. Some have one, both, or none of the exemptions being proposed, as well as varying wetland size requirements. M. Foote said he can see how the exemptions will allow for the development of underdeveloped lots, rather than the development of vacant, larger parcels. L. Morin would like for additional wording to be added to the manmade stormwater device exemption (235-17.E. (3)(b)) that adds that the functionality of the stormwater device must be retained. A. Ruprecht will come up with language that will address this. In section 235-19.C.(4), L. Morin would like for the the landmark for the SP District on Opechee to be the Messer St. Bridge, not the UC District since the UC District boundary could change in the future. Chair D. Anson suggested adding a date to the end of the section so it specifies that it is the UC Boundary as of [x date]. The Commission agreed that January 1, 2021 would be a sufficient date. A. Ruprecht will make this change. M. Foote motioned to approve the changes of the manmade wetland exemption and SP boundary on Opechee as discussed. D. Williams seconded. All voted in favor. 6.II. Climate Change Chair D. Anson advised members to watch the attached video on climate change, or it can be watched at the next meeting. A. Ruprecht will send out the link to members in a follow up email. 6.III. Perley Pond There are no updates at this time. 7. OTHER BUSINESS  at the next meeting. A. Ruprecht will send out the link to members in a follow up email. 6.III. Perley Pond There are no updates at this time. 7. OTHER BUSINESS Chair D. Anson said that he would like the Commission to work with the Key Club and has a few locations in mind for rain gardens. 8. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS S. Soucy said the the landscaping waiver was denied for Endicott St. E. and advised the Conservation Commission asks applicants whether they applied for a landscaping waiver or not. S. Soucy said the garage was moved forward on the Gilman St. CUP. Brown Engineering conducted a drainage study for the application for RV sites off White Oaks Rd. and determined that the runoff will be the same or less as a result of the project. 9. STAFF REPORT A. Ruprecht asked if the Commission wants to put specific information in the Links for World Water Day on March 22. Chair D. Anson suggested including information about the Winnisquam Watershed Network's Watershed Management Plan that is underway. A. Ruprecht has been in touch with Tara Shore about Kids in the Park. They would like for the Commission to provide an activity at the event, that will be socially distanced int he park in July. L. Morin and Chair D. Anson proposed activities that could work. The Commission has time to research and decide on an activity they would like to provide. A. Ruprecht is working with DPW to install plexiglass on the kiosk at the Opechee boat launch. The City Council has accepted the NHDES grant for milfoil treatment this year and A. Ruprecht has sent out the paperwork. A. Ruprecht said the Commission has $14.879.58 remaining in the Current Use fund. 10. ADJOURNMENT D. Williams motioned to adjourn. M. Foote seconded. All voted in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:12PM.