Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, May 18, 2021- 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Approved 6/15/22 5/18/2022 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair D. Anson called the meeting to order at 6:00pm 2. ROLL CALL R. Harrington, D. Anson, L. Morin, D. Williams, S. Soucy, M. Foote 3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG The commission saluted the flag 4. RECORDING SECRETARY Taylor Daigle, Conservation/Planning Technician 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE 6. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 6.I. Draft Minutes 5/4 D. Williams motioned to accept the minutes with a few edits. M. Foote seconded. All vote in favor. 7. OLD BUSINESS T. Daigle discussed the schedule for Patrick Black’s presentation. The plan is for him to attend the June 15 th meeting and it will start at 5pm rather than 6pm. T. Daigle plans to invite DPR and other city departments who might be interested. D. Anson reminds the commission of the presentation for Winnisquam Watershed’s draft plan on June 7 th . He will confirm if it will be recorded or not. D. Anson discussed the city council meeting where they discussed herbicide treatment on the transmission line on Leighton Ave by the NH Coop. Council asked the city manager to do more research on alternatives before a decision is made. He will likely discuss so with other municipalities, such as Meredith. D. Anson also spoke with Ashley, the previous conservation tech, who confirmed that Eversource does not use herbicide application in the state of NH. T. Daigle discussed two conservation easement walks that have been scheduled. The Taylor Community walk will be 7/11 at 10 am. The Harrington walk will be 5/26 at 9:30am. 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. 144 Lake St Unit 17 The applicant, Bob Draper, addressed the commission. Their current deck is 9x12 and was originally built that way to allow access to the water on the narrow strip of land next to their home. The area is no longer used for launching, and they would like to enlarge their deck to 11x17 to better fit their family and  8.I. 144 Lake St Unit 17 The applicant, Bob Draper, addressed the commission. Their current deck is 9x12 and was originally built that way to allow access to the water on the narrow strip of land next to their home. The area is no longer used for launching, and they would like to enlarge their deck to 11x17 to better fit their family and activities. There is an intermittent stream to the south of their home in which there is a 75-foot buffer. The stream dries up in the summers. The owners have planted shrubs along the edge of this stream for their own buffer and view. M. Foote asked about the dimensions of the deck and clarification about the footprint. S. Soucy asked about the orientation of the stairs. They will remain at the same angle but slightly larger. M. Foote motions to support the application with the condition that acquire the proper state permit (shoreland). D. Williams seconded. All vote in favor. 8.II. 224 Endicott Street East Randall Shuey, wetland scientists and representative for the applicant, addressed the commission. The wetlands on this property are no longer protected by the city’s buffer regulations based on their size. They collect a small amount of drainage on the site, but not substantial. The larger of the two wetlands still has a forested buffer. The applicant is proposing to fill the smaller, 702 sqft, wetland and is asking for the commission’s signature on their DES Expedited permit. M. Foote asks how much of the original development is already built? 4 of the units are substantially built and the driveway and utilities are in. D. Anson asks if either of these wetlands are vernal pools. The applicant clarifies that they are not vernal pools. L. Morin asked about the TRC comments, specifically the drainage and landscaping. The DES permit plans show the improvements to drainage as requested at the TRC. The landscaping plan is not fully complete because the applicant was waiting on the commission’s comments. D. Anson asked about the old wetland fill permit? Applicant addressed that the fill never happened because the approved development was never constructed (early 2000s). S. Soucy asked about a barrier or landscaping around the larger of the two wetlands? Applicant suggested any planting should be tolerant of disturbance based on the fact that the driveway will be very close. S. Soucy asked if a gravel driveway is better or worse than paved? The applicant states that gravel would be more troublesome because of washouts and needing more repairs. The applicant also notes concern for using porous pavement and suggests that it would not be the best option. The commission asks about the drainage on the property. Applicant addresses that they have designed it so that there is no change in peak flow, and the water will be held in detention areas and released through a spreader, and not a concentrated flow. The applicant also discusses the planned erosion controls including the erosion control mat on the eastern slope of the property and where the silt socks will be placed. D. Williams asks for his opinion on silt socks around the entire perimeter of the construction project. Applicant addresses that most of that would not be doing anything, but they are designed for areas of concern. M. Foote motions to support the application with the conditions: l Silt socks will be used throughout construction l Snow storage should be located away from the remaining wetland l Areas that are not graded for construction of the units should not be maintained/mowed l Suggested wildflowers are planted in the northern and western sections of the property L. Morin seconds. All vote in favor. Chair D. Anson signed the EXP Min impact. 9. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS  l Areas that are not graded for construction of the units should not be maintained/mowed l Suggested wildflowers are planted in the northern and western sections of the property L. Morin seconds. All vote in favor. Chair D. Anson signed the EXP Min impact. 9. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS 9.I. Wetland PBN - 118 Pendleton Beach Rd 10. OTHER BUSINESS L. Morin asks about the hiring of the new city manager and if the commission has had any involvement. They have not been involved to date but T. Daigle can see how they may be able to contribute. D. Anson notes the milfoil budget for FY22-23 is recommended to increase by $10,000. D. Anson and T. Daigle will do the first round of tributary testing on Paugus Bay on 5/23 The commission discussed the land swap with the state, approved by city council. L. Morin discussed the community gardens program in Laconia. The commission also discussed the trouble at Ahern State Park and that the state has closed the gate. L. Morin discussed the upcoming “Digging In: a Spring Water & Soil Conservation Conference” at DES. The commission discussed registering for the Lake’s Congress event. T. Daigle reminded them to send her their receipts if they would like to be reimbursed. D. Williams discussed the Lake host program. There has been no news from the Opechee Bay Preservation Association. We are set to offer $15/hour for 12hrs/week for ten weeks ($1800) running from July 4 th weekend to Labor Day. T. Daigle will check to see if we can get the budget money from last year to carry over and offer more pay. D. Anson discussed the vegetation that was cut at the Water Street boat ramp. T. Daigle will look into this again. 11. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS S. Soucy mentioned that the Solar project on Endicott St East has been granted an extension and are still planning to build. 12. STAFF REPORT 13. ADJOURNMENT D. Williams motions to adjourn at 7:36pm. L. Morin seconds. All vote in favor.