Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, April 7. 2021 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Accepted May 5, 2021 4/7/2021 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair D. Anson called the meeting to order at 6:10PM. 2. ROLL CALL Members present: Chair Dean Anson, Vice Chair Deb Williams, Lisa Morin Members absent: Marnie Schulz, Mike Foote, Harrison Haas, Wes Bates, Stacy Soucy Staff: Ashley Ruprecht, Conservation Technician 3. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 3.I. Acceptance Of Minutes From March 3, 2021 D. Williams motioned to accept the minutes as presented. L. Morin seconded. All voted in favor. 4. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business at this time. 5. OLD BUSINESS 5.I. Perley Pond Update A. Ruprecht advised not planting bulbs at this time at Perley Pond because there is no decision from City Council on the extent of work that may be done this year. Chair D. Anson said the iris bulbs he plans to order have not shipped yet. L. Morin suggested planting the bulbs at the proposed rain garden locations at Robbie Mills or City Hall. L. Morin suggested placing signage in these areas so that maintenance crews do not accidentally mow them. 5.II. Lake Host Program D. Williams submitted the grant application for this year's program requesting $1200 and will hear back on 4/30. This amount is based on the number of inspections they conduct each year and will pay volunteers $12/hour for 10 weeks (7/3-9/6) at the Opechee boat ramp. There was discussion about that pandemic's impact on boat traffic on the lake. Chair D. Anson suggested contributing a portion of the funds to NH Lakes to pay Lake Hosts. D. Williams suggested seeing how the year goes before committing to a certain amount of money to NH Lakes. D. Williams thinks that the money is a reasonable amount to cover the inspections at Opechee. There was discussion about recruiting volunteers. A. Ruprecht said it could be advertised in the Laconia Links or possibly the Parks and Rec Facebook page. Chair D. Anson wants to see if they can work with the Key Club first. A. Ruprecht is working on getting monofilament collectors at the NHFG ramp on Winnisquam and at the Opechee boat ramp, owned by Eversource. Chair D. Anson would also like information on  There was discussion about recruiting volunteers. A. Ruprecht said it could be advertised in the Laconia Links or possibly the Parks and Rec Facebook page. Chair D. Anson wants to see if they can work with the Key Club first. A. Ruprecht is working on getting monofilament collectors at the NHFG ramp on Winnisquam and at the Opechee boat ramp, owned by Eversource. Chair D. Anson would also like information on cyanobacteria at both of the launch sites. 5.III. Milfoil Management A. Ruprecht said there is no new update on milfoil treatment since the NHDES grant was accepted by City Council. Chair D. Anson said he will check with Scot Myers about $7500 being allocated to Winnisquam for their milfoil treatment. A. Ruprecht will check with Rich Tilton and let the Commission know if he has any additional update on treatment. 5.IV. Water Quality Monitoring The Commission reviewed VRAP sampling results from 2020. A. Ruprecht explained some areas came back with a low pH which could be naturally occurring. A. Ruprecht said she reached out to NHDES about the results and asked for their input. Chair D. Anson would like to know if there is VRAP or LLMP ongoing at Opechee. A. Ruprecht said she can check with the Lake Opechee Preservation Association on what programs they may be participating in. Chair D. Anson said that NHDES is sampling lakes currently during their turnover. The Commission discussed putting out data and information to the public about the results of the sampling programs in Laconia. 5.V. Climate Change The Commission will read over the NACD policies. There was no additional discussion at this time. 6. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS 6.I. 96 Shore Dr NHDES Wetlands PBN The Commission has no concerns regarding this application. Chair D. Anson mentioned a NHDES application from a previous meeting that included a turbidity curtain detail. Chair D. Anson received a detail from Watermark Marine on the turbidity curtain they use. Chair D. Anson suggested asking applicants for design information when they are utilizing turbidity curtains. 7. OTHER BUSINESS L. Morin said that BCCD and other groups sent letters to Concord regarding the sale of the State School property for clarification. L. Morin was unable to get an eastern red bud to replace the tree planted in memory of D. Christopher but will be checking for other possible plantings. D. Williams mentioned other potential tribute ideas. 8. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS No reports at this time. 9. STAFF REPORT A. Ruprecht provided information on upcoming free trainings and an oil spill activity for children that could be used for the Kids in the Park event. 10. ADJOURNMENT D. Williams motioned to adjourn the meeting. L. Morin seconded. All voted in favor. 9. STAFF REPORT A. Ruprecht provided information on upcoming free trainings and an oil spill activity for children that could be used for the Kids in the Park event. 10. ADJOURNMENT D. Williams motioned to adjourn the meeting. L. Morin seconded. All voted in favor. The meeting adjourned at 7:27PM