Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, May 4, 2022 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Approved 5/18/22 5/4/2022 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair D. Anson called the meeting to order at 6:00pm 2. ROLL CALL Dean Anson, Deb Williams, Robert Harrington, Mike Foote 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 4/20/2022 M. Foote motions to accept the minutes of the April 20, 2022, meeting as presented. D. Williams seconds. All vote in favor. 7. OLD BUSINESS 7.I. Commission Membership Update T. Daigle discussed the resignation of commission member H. Haas with the commission. There is now an open alternate spot. 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. Master Plan Goals 3-5 The Commission members discuss goals 3, 4 and 5 of the master plan chapter update. D. Williams suggests adding an educational element to goal 3 along the lines of “educating the public on the benefits of a conservation easement and the uses allowed on them”. The commission discusses their own experiences with putting land into conservation with the city/other parties. There is also discussion on the need for signage that tells the public what they can and cannot do on conservation properties. M. Foote notes the liability concerns for property owners in relation to unwanted use of the land. M. Foote also discusses a possible property nearby Blueberry Lane and the Pleasant Street school that could serve as a new conservation opportunity. D. Anson suggest we advertise more information about our conservation lands in the Daily Sun and Laconia Links as well. D. Anson also notes that one of the goals of the Winnisquam Watershed Network’s Watershed plan (to be presented soon) will be identifying suitable land for conservation acquisition.  M. Foote also discusses a possible property nearby Blueberry Lane and the Pleasant Street school that could serve as a new conservation opportunity. D. Anson suggest we advertise more information about our conservation lands in the Daily Sun and Laconia Links as well. D. Anson also notes that one of the goals of the Winnisquam Watershed Network’s Watershed plan (to be presented soon) will be identifying suitable land for conservation acquisition. R. Harrington discusses including the Taylor Community as one of the partners that we aim to work with more, under goal 4. There are opportunities to host “issue meetings” at the Community. M. Foote also suggests the Taylor Community request a presentation/training from UNH Extension’s “Speaking for Wildlife” program. D. Williams suggests adding more habitat restoration examples to Goal 5, action 3, such as pollinator gardens. The commission also discusses increasing the use of signage on the WOW trail and Riverwalk for invasive species and other environmental concerns. D. Williams also recommends adding a review of the ordinances that relate to erosion and sedimentation control on construction sites. T. Daigle will work this into goal 5 action 2. D. Anson asks about the penalties for violations of ordinances. 9. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS 9.I. Wetland PBN 335 Weirs Blvd 9.II. Wetland PBN 740 Weirs Blvd 10. OTHER BUSINESS D. Anson discusses an email from L. Morin about someone interested in partnering with One Tree Planted and planting here within the city. The commission discusses some possible sites including at the Taylor community, the Opechee Middle School and Park, and along the WOW Trail, among some others. T. Daigle will see what needs to be done to be allowed to plant on city property. M. Foote asks T. Daigle if DPW is aware of the work Patrick Black is doing on flood areas in the city. Yes, they are aware and will be invited to any presentation that we host. D. Williams updates the commission on the Lake Host program. She is waiting to hear from the Opechee Bay Preservation group about adding more funding to the program. The commission discusses the Lake Congress happening on June 3 rd . Most commission members are interested in participating. T. Daigle will discuss the funding with the department. T. Daigle discussed the water quality monitoring program and testing. We will begin testing sometime this month. T. Daigle asked the commission what they would like to do about the conservation easement situation on Pleasant street, brought to the commission by a local citizen. The commission has decided that an easement with multiple property owners may be out of the city's scope. The alternative is that we can help support wildlife habitat enhancement with pollinator gardens in that neighborhood. UNH Extension and Lake Smart may also be good resources for such. 11. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 12. STAFF REPORT 13. ADJOURNMENT M. Foote motions to adjourn at 7:32pm. D. Williams seconds. All vote in favor.