Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, April 20, 2021 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Approved 5/4/22 4/20/2022 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Dean Anson called the meeting to order at 6:04 pm 2. ROLL CALL Dean Anson, Robert Harrington, Stacy Soucy, Mike Foote, Deb Williams 3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG The Commission saluted the flag 4. RECORDING SECRETARY Taylor Daigle, Conservation Planner Technician 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE 6. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 6.I. Draft Minutes 4/6/2022 D. Williams motioned to approve the minutes of the April 6 th meeting with a few corrections. R. Harrington seconds. All vote in favor 7. OLD BUSINESS 7.I. Master Plan - Discussion On Goals 1&2 D. Anson discusses the plan to address the details of goals one (water quality) and two (climate change) in the master plan chapter update. T. Daigle mentions that she has shared the water quality goals and actions with the Water Department and got some feedback to consider more signage as an education and outreach action regarding where the city pulls its water from in Paugus Bay. D. Williams suggested using flyers for such at the boat ramps, library, and the Laconia Links. D. Williams suggest combining Goal 5 Action 1 with Goal 1 Action 3 regarding vernal pools and protections. She also notes that we should add to Goal 1 by including Opechee Bay in water quality monitoring for both tributaries and deep-water sampling. D. Williams also suggests adding support of the Lake Host program to the goals and actions. The Commission discusses possible ideas for education and outreach efforts. Articles for the Daily Sun and Laconia Links are suggested, perhaps on a reoccurring, seasonal basis. The Commission discusses Goal 1 Action 4 and considers what kind for information we may need for a private well and septic inventory. The State likely has most of the data. Prime wetlands are discussed as one of the water quality actions. There is discussion over what kind of pushback the Commission might see from the various boards on designating prime wetlands in the city. Some suggestions are made regarding the language of that Action, which T. Daigle will work on.  The Commission discusses Goal 1 Action 4 and considers what kind for information we may need for a private well and septic inventory. The State likely has most of the data. Prime wetlands are discussed as one of the water quality actions. There is discussion over what kind of pushback the Commission might see from the various boards on designating prime wetlands in the city. Some suggestions are made regarding the language of that Action, which T. Daigle will work on. The Commission discusses Goal 2, regarding climate change. D. Anson mentions that Patrick Black’s GIS work will support these actions. R. Harrington asks if he will be prioritizing areas to work on for stream and flooding projects? T. Daigle and D. Anson will talk to him about this and offer any local knowledge to support that. D. Williams also suggests adding an action that identifies storm water runoff and erosive areas in the city. M. Foote suggests adding a wildlife habitat restoration action to Goal 5. D. Williams also suggests that we do not separate primary and secondary goals in the chapter. 7.II. VRAP Sampling Plan T. Daigle discussed the sampling plan for 2022 with the commission, including adding E Coli measurements for sampling sites in mid-summer. They also discuss deep-water sampling in Paugus Bay with the LLMP and T. Daigle is waiting to hear from Bob Craycraft to schedule a training session. 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. Discussion About ConCom Memberships D. Anson discussed the removal of some non-active members so that other interested parties can join. T. Daigle and D. Anson will contact the three members and inform them of this choice. The commission will then furnish a letter to City Council regarding such 9. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS 9.I. Wetland PBN - 82 Morningside Dr 10. OTHER BUSINESS D. Anson discusses the announcement from the NH Electric Coop regarding herbicide treatment on Transmission Line 124 on Leighton Ave. A number of homeowners are concerned for their private wells and the lake’s water quality. The commission also expresses concern for these issues as well as how often this is done. The commission would like City Council to consider preventing the herbicide treatment. D. Williams motions that the Conservation Commission should not support the application of any herbicides/pesticides on transmission lines with effects on private wells and the shoreline. M. Foote seconds. All vote in favor D. Williams informs the commission that we have received the Lake Host grant from NH Lakes for $1000. She is still waiting to hear from the Opechee Bay Preservation group about if they can contribute any money. There will be an online training for Lake Hosts on May 5 th from 6-8pm. D. Williams shares information regarding the Lake’s Congress meeting. It will be held on June 2 & 3 in Meredith, NH. It costs $75/person for registration and runs from 8a-3p on the third. D. Williams discusses how she has seen landscapers filling their water tanks on trucks from the lakes – particularly at the boat ramps and near Opechee Cove. She’d like to know if we have any regulations on this. T. Daigle will discuss with D. Trefethen. R. Harrington discusses the vernal pools at the Taylor Community. They’ve found three, at least, which are active. It is discussed that there may be a disconnect between the residents and management regarding environmental decisions, like tree cutting. 11. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS S. Soucy briefly discussed the latest Master Plan Steering Committee meeting.  R. Harrington discusses the vernal pools at the Taylor Community. They’ve found three, at least, which are active. It is discussed that there may be a disconnect between the residents and management regarding environmental decisions, like tree cutting. 11. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS S. Soucy briefly discussed the latest Master Plan Steering Committee meeting. 12. STAFF REPORT 13. ADJOURNMENT D. Williams motioned to adjourn at 8 pm. M. Foote seconds. All vote in favor.