Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, October 5, 2022 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Draft Minutes 10/5/2022 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER T Chair Dean Anson called the meeting to order at 6:00pm 2. ROLL CALL F Dean Anson, Robert Harrington, Ruth O’Hara, Lisa Morin, Mike Foote 3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG The commission saluted the flag A 4. RECORDING SECRETARY Taylor Daigle, Conservation Planner Technician R 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE 6. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 6.I. Draft Minutes 9/21 D L. Morin motioned to approve the September 21 st minutes. R. Harrington seconded. All voted in favor. 7. OLD BUSINESS 7.I. Taking Action For Wildlife Conservation Cohort D. Anson discussed the main tasks for the cohort project. He suggests the first be developing trail signs for the WOW Trail and identifying locations for them on the trail. The second task would be hosting educational presentations for different populations of the city -middle school, high school, the Taylor Community, and the general public. L. Morin suggested a walking tour of the trail signs once completed and a public meeting about the additions. She also suggested a virtual presentation. For the in-person presentation, Parks might have a good suggestion for a public space for us to use. M. Foote discussed the presentation formats of the UNH Coverts that he has participated in the past. We can use similar materials and concepts for our presentations. L. Morin mentioned that the ongoing management in the Taylor Community, such as the invasive species inventory, could be useful as a model for other homeowner’s associations to assess their own environmental management plans. R. O’Hara discussed her walk on the WOW Trail and thoughts on including animal and plant identification on the trail for curious users. She also mentioned an existing garden that appears to be sponsored by the Taylor Community along the trail that could possibly be made into a pollinator garden. D. Anson also suggested that signage could be centered on ecological significance of the things surrounding the trail – such as why some trees are there and thriving, etc. L. Morin suggested the possibility of bringing the historical society into this as well due to the number of historical buildings and sites along it. D. Anson also walked the trail and suggested some topics like sewer systems, the railroad, superfund  sponsored by the Taylor Community along the trail that could possibly be made into a pollinator garden. D. Anson also suggested that signage could be centered on ecological significance of the things surrounding the trail – such as why some trees are there and thriving, etc. L. Morin suggested the possibility of bringing the historical society into this as well due to the number of historical buildings and sites along it. D. Anson also walked the trail and suggested some topics like sewer systems, the railroad, superfund sites, pollinator gardens, and climate change. D. Anson asked how we can present the issues of climate change to the general public. L. Morin noted the importance of the expenses that climate change can bring for someone – like flooded basements, septic and well problems, etc. R. O’Hara also suggested targeting the health concerns of climate change as well as focusing on how much the climate has changed already – for instance from the 1970s to 2000s to 2020s to the anticipated 2050s – and making that connection across generations. D. Anson agreed with this approach and that people need to know the environmental history in this area to T also appreciate how much clean up has changed things. The commission sets a date and time for walking the WOW Trail to identify possible signage sites for 10/12 at 3pm. M. Foote notes he might have contacts for someone to make signs. F 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. Messer St Boat Ramp A T. Daigle discussed the status of the Messer St. boat ramp repairs. DPW submitted an EXP Minimum Impact application to NHDES for consideration. If they receive approval in time they will make the repairs during the drawdown. 8.II. Opechee Drawdown R The commission sets a date (10/19 at 1pm) and rain date (10/21 at 1pm) for walking the perimeter of Opechee Bay to identify sites for drainage pipes that enter into the lake. This will be during the drawdown. 9. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS D 10. OTHER BUSINESS T. Daigle discussed the need to cancel the October 19 th meeting. There will be a meeting to discuss the state school property that night and she suggests members of the commission attend in place of a conservation meeting. D. Anson discussed the planned meeting to kick start the Langley Cove study with LWA and FB Environmental. He and T. Daigle will be attending. D. Anson also mentioned his contact with Trout Unlimited for potential woody addition sites on Durkee Brook. The NHACC meeting will be on 11/5/2022. T. Daigle reminds members that they can be reimbursed for the conference costs from the department. D. Anson acknowledges that the BCCD recognized L. Morin for her dedication to conservation work in the Belknap County. They also recognized D. Williams as “Educator of the Year”. L. Morin briefly discussed the call she got from a citizen regarding maintenance of a conservation area. She is working to determine who should be involved in it and will keep the commission posted. 11. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 12. STAFF REPORT 13. ADJOURNMENT M. Foote motioned to adjourn at 7:17pm. L. Morin seconded. All voted in favor. 11. 12. STAFF REPORT 13. ADJOURNMENT M. Foote motioned to adjourn at 7:17pm. L. Morin seconded. All voted in favor. F T R A D