Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, March 2, 2022 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Approved 3/16/22 3/2/2022 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair D. Anson called the meeting to order at 6:00pm 2. ROLL CALL Dean Anson, Deb Williams, Mike Foote, Robert Harrington, Stacy Soucy 3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG The Commission saluted the flag 4. RECORDING SECRETARY Taylor Daigle, Conservation/Planner Technician 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Dean Trefethen, Planning Director 6. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 6.I. Draft Minutes 2/2/22 D. Williams motions to accept the minutes from the 2/2/22 meeting as presented. M. Foote seconds. All vote in favor 7. OLD BUSINESS 7.I. Stormwater Analysis - Antioch Intern T. Daigle gave an update to the commission on the storm water analysis project with Patrick Black at Antioch University. The commission discusses nuisance flood areas with T. Daigle to share with Patrick for his project. Jewett Brook and busy Corner is an area of concern. D. Anson highlights that we should share info with other departments, so they are aware of the work being done. D. Anson also asks about accommodating an overnight trip for Patrick to present his work. D. Trefethen says that’s something we can work on. 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. 56 Drummer Trail - Wetland CUP Amendment The applicants address the commission and present their amended plans for wetland filling. They’ve resized the house to be a bit bigger and DES required them to use a retaining wall that fills in 199sf of wetlands. The commission discussed the old comments from the 2020 CUP including the rain garden, permeable surfaces, and proper erosion controls. S. Soucy asked how much of the lot will be cleared. The Applicant answers that one side of the lot will be left wooded and they plan to plant shrubbery on the side with the walking path for privacy. The applicant is hoping to start building in May of this year. M. Foote motions to support the application with the conditions discussed, including the addition of a  The applicants address the commission and present their amended plans for wetland filling. They’ve resized the house to be a bit bigger and DES required them to use a retaining wall that fills in 199sf of wetlands. The commission discussed the old comments from the 2020 CUP including the rain garden, permeable surfaces, and proper erosion controls. S. Soucy asked how much of the lot will be cleared. The Applicant answers that one side of the lot will be left wooded and they plan to plant shrubbery on the side with the walking path for privacy. The applicant is hoping to start building in May of this year. M. Foote motions to support the application with the conditions discussed, including the addition of a rain garden, the requirement of permeable walkways and driveways, and the use of silt socks instead of silt fencing for the construction. D. Williams seconds. All vote in favor. M. Foote asks the commission about how basements might influence the water table in applications like this. D. Trefethen explains that it depends on the make up of the bedrock and soils nearby. A slab would likely not have much of an impact, but it is possible that a full basement would 8.II. Master Plan - Vision Statement Development The commission briefly reviews the master plan chapter as presented. There is discussion about reorganizing some of it to present water resources first, as those are some of our most important ones. D. Trefethen states the overall goal of the master plan chapter would be to recommend actions achievable in 1-10 years. Some of the actions should be simple while others can be stretches to aim for. D. Anson asks D. Trefethen about the city’s feelings towards prime wetlands. He explains that in the past there has been little interest in designating any because of the restrictions it could impose on the land affected. T. Daigle will email the commission the newest version and they will provide comments for the next meeting. M. Foote notes a few missing conservation easement parcels. T. Daigle will look into this and make any changes. 9. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS 10. OTHER BUSINESS D. Williams discusses the Lake Host program for Opechee Bay. They will be filling out the grant shortly for Messer St. but are looking at $1000 since there was no Lake Host in that location last year. D. Trefethen reminds the commission that the budget includes another $1000 for the program. There is discussion of involving the Opechee Bay Preservation Association in financing the program. D. Williams will reach out to see what they have to say. The commission also discusses pay rate for the position and the number of days the ramp will need a host. The commission also discusses jet ski regulations on Opechee and if the city has any role in that. D. Trefethen explains that we do not but could ask Fish & Game or Marine Patrol. 11. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS S. Soucy reports on the planning board activities. She discusses the house bill addressing density limits/requirements set by the state. S. Soucy also notes that the Council has created an “appointment committee” to address vacancies on commissions/boards and how this will change the interview process for appointments. 11.I. Master Plan Steering Committee Report D. Trefethen updates the commission on the MPSC meetings. They are still discussing and a few months away from presenting any changes to the planning board. There will be an opportunity for more input at the public hearings at the planning board and city council level 12. STAFF REPORT 13. ADJOURNMENT M. Foote motions to adjourn at 7:40 PM. D. Williams seconds. All vote in favor