Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, September 21, 2022 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Approved 10/5/2022 9/21/2022 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair D. Anson called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm 2. ROLL CALL Dean Anson, Robert Harrington, Deb Williams, Ruth O’Hara 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 9/7/2022 D. Williams motioned to approve the minutes of the 9/7/22 meeting. R. Harrington seconded. All voted in favor. 7. OLD BUSINESS 7.I. Taking Action For Wildlife Conservation Cohort The commission discussed the project ideas for the Taking Action for Wildlife Cohort with UNH Extension. R. O’Hara discussed that she thought the first class went very well and that whatever we chose for a project should involve the human impacts on wildlife. D. Williams thinks the most beneficial project would be the educational component of the WOW Trail. The topics that could be included are climate change, pollinators, smart development, runoff, pollution and litter, volunteerism, invasive species, rain gardens, water quality, and landscape buffers. It is also an idea that can be expanded on for years to come. She suggests we focus on the section between Messer St. and Lakeport. T. Daigle notes that we should talk to Parks & Rec and the WOW Trail group first to make sure we can get permission to do so. T. Daigle will email Amy and Allan about the idea. T. Daigle also mentions we can partner with other local groups to have them “sponsor” the signage and get their logos and information out there. We should have a walk in the potential area of interest with them as well, to scope out appropriate sites. D. Anson suggests a trail map for the city and including the Riverwalk on this project. He also notes that we should try to submit articles to the Daily Sun about cyanobacteria, milfoil, water quality sampling, and pollinator gardens. The commission also discussed the idea of increasing partnership with the library. The library has a table each month with specific topics. We could ask them to dedicate a handful of months to  D. Anson suggests a trail map for the city and including the Riverwalk on this project. He also notes that we should try to submit articles to the Daily Sun about cyanobacteria, milfoil, water quality sampling, and pollinator gardens. The commission also discussed the idea of increasing partnership with the library. The library has a table each month with specific topics. We could ask them to dedicate a handful of months to conservation efforts. R. Harrington suggests using the Sand County Almanac as a reference for monthly topics. 8. NEW BUSINESS 9. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS 10. OTHER BUSINESS D. Anson asked about a Facebook page for the commission. T. Daigle will investigate it. D. Anson reminded the commission about the Winnisquam Watershed Presentation at the Planning Board on 10/4 and 6:30pm. D. Anson noted that the City Council has tabled the sale of the 1.6-acre waterfront property down at Moulton Cove. There was a lot of public input at the last hearing. The commission asked T. Daigle to find out if they can hand fix the power loading hole at the Opechee boat ramp during the drawdown. She will call the state and ask. 11. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS R. Harrington discussed the invasive species mapping going on at the Taylor Community. He has shared the current map with the management there. He also noted that they are using a lot of herbicide on the lawns right now. D. Anson asked how we can get the Taylor Community more involved in ConCom’s work. R. Harrington mentioned this might depend on how the management feels about the suggestions. The commission discusses having an educational table in the Taylor Community’s library. R. Harrington also suggested a presentation at the Taylor Community about the watersheds in the area and how the community can work on its impact to the area. 12. STAFF REPORT 13. ADJOURNMENT D. Williams motioned to adjourn at 7:28pm. R. Harrington seconded. All voted in favor.