Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, November 16, 2019 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Draft Minutes 11/16/2022 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Call to order 6:01PM 2. ROLL CALL Lisa Morin, Robert Harrington, Dean Anson, Deborah Williams, Michael Foote, Ruth O’Hara (by phone) 3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG 4. RECORDING SECRETARY Sheena Duncan, Zoning Planner Technician 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Dean Trefethen, Director of Planning and Development Sheena Duncan, Zoning Planner Technician 6. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 6.I. Acceptance Of Oct 5 AND Nov 2 Minutes Acceptance of October 5 minutes: Motion by R Harrington to accept the minutes ad presented, seconded by M. Foote, all in favor. Acceptance of the November 2 minutes: Motion by L. Morin to accept the minutes, with the following changes: on page 2, where it currently reads “L. Morin had concern about the Weirs Park and future happenings and would like to make sure nothing will further flow off that site if the use changed,” should be changed to state that “L. Morin had concern about the Weirs Park and future issues that could arise, stating that the city’s encumbrances on the parcel should be reviewed for possible changes to protect downhill parcels from excessive runoff and flooding.” seconded by R. Harrington. All in favor. 7. OLD BUSINESS 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. 91A Discussion And Email Dean Trefethen discussed the essentials of NH RSA 91A, Highlighting the importance of not accidentally creating a meeting for the discussion of public business. Examples of accidental meetings included “respond all” email chains and telephone calls between members regarding public business. He clearly stated that decisions and deliberation about public business were to be kept to public,  8.I. 91A Discussion And Email Dean Trefethen discussed the essentials of NH RSA 91A, Highlighting the importance of not accidentally creating a meeting for the discussion of public business. Examples of accidental meetings included “respond all” email chains and telephone calls between members regarding public business. He clearly stated that decisions and deliberation about public business were to be kept to public, noticed meetings. He encouraged members to read the RSA for additional information, and described some likely consequences of violating the law. D. Williams asked if there were concerns about the cohort, which is made up of several Board members, but not all. D. Trefethen restated that the cohort members should only speak about the cohort and its business while meeting to prevent any conflict with RSA 91A- the gathering does not make a “meeting” if they do not discuss Conservation Commission business. 9. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS 10. OTHER BUSINESS D. Trefethen informed the Board that there will be logging done at Watson Road (Mblu 111-280-2) where Zoning Board approval had been given for a campground. He stated that there was a requirement for NHDES permitting for the stream crossing, which he had previously encouraged the owner to place where they intended to make the permanent campground crossing. He said that some amount of clearing would be allowed within the buffer, that an intent to cut had been filed, and that he would present the Board with more information as the situation develops. L. Morin asked if the Board should make a recommendation on the variety of crossing to be used, of if NHDES best practices were going to be used. D. Trefethen said that NHDES would handle the situation. D. Anson stated that he had some concerns about the loggers leaving unchipped debris on the ground because of the forest fire hazard it can create. D. Trefethen said that they were likely to chip the debris because the site is slated for development. L. Morin mentioned that the Rockingham County forester had recently discussed his lack of concern with forest fires in NH unless there were a major tree downing event. D. Anson said that the city did not have adequate equipment for fighting forest fires, which could be a future concern. L. Morin Mentioned that Lakes Management Advisory group she sits on has updated their website for tracking environmental legislation etc. D. Trefethen introduced S. Duncan as the new Conservation Technician, noting that she would be officially in that position in the next week or so. D. Anson described some of the water sampling activities and reporting that he had done with the previous technician, and other responsibilities that the position includes. He said the results would likely be back soon for the Moose Plate grant awards, and to watch for an email about the grant they had applied for. D. Anson stated concerns about construction on Union Ave over Jewett Brook. D. Trefethen said that Eversource had pierces a culvert while replacing a telephone pole, which is now going to be reset. DPW is fixing the culvert, and the bridge is also due for repair in the next couple of years. D. Anson mentioned the sedimentation and the growth of an excess of Japanese knot weed at Normandin Place/ Busy Corner. He said there maybe a watershed management plan (Du Bois & King). D. Trefethen mentioned that there maybe grants available for clearing the sediment and knot weed at the time of the  Eversource had pierces a culvert while replacing a telephone pole, which is now going to be reset. DPW is fixing the culvert, and the bridge is also due for repair in the next couple of years. D. Anson mentioned the sedimentation and the growth of an excess of Japanese knot weed at Normandin Place/ Busy Corner. He said there maybe a watershed management plan (Du Bois & King). D. Trefethen mentioned that there maybe grants available for clearing the sediment and knot weed at the time of the proposed bridge repair. There was additional concern about sedimentation in other areas of the city. SD later mentioned that Lakes Region Planning Commission has a stream crossing analysis program (SADES) that would measure erosion and sedimentation as well as the condition of stream crossings, which could be something to look into. The Board also discussed sedimentation and erosion issues being cause by drainage infrastructure beside O’s Steak House in Lake Port. R. Harrington asked if the invasive species mapping on the grounds of the Taylor Community had been completed for the season. He said that the leaf pickup had been completed, and that there was no sign that composting had been carried out onsite, but that it was likely being brought to Gilford. L Morin said that it maybe a good idea to mention to the grounds keepers that the group had planted bulbs on the WOW trail, so they would not be mowed in the spring. D. Williams asked if the silt fence at 143 Endicott St N went all the way around the site. D. Trefethen said that Taylor Daigle had previously inspected the site, and that the department needed to go out to examine the site again before the snow comes. There was general conversation about the recent Conservation Commission Annual gathering, and the postponed presentation about jumping worms, and the iNaturalist phone ap. D. Anson discussed the prospect of raising the dollar amount granted to the Conservation Commission when Land Use Change Tax funds were dispersed, which D. Trefethen said would require an ordinance change. 11. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 12. STAFF REPORT 13. ADJOURNMENT Motion by L. Morin to adjourn, seconded by D. Williams. Meeting adjourned at 7:25PM 13.I. Immediately Following - Discussion Of Cohort Project