Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, March 1, 2023 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Accepted March 20, 2023 3/1/2023 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Call to order: 6:02PM 2. ROLL CALL Robert Harrington, Lisa Morin, Dean Anson, Stacy Soucy, Deb Williams, Ruth O’Hara 3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG 4. RECORDING SECRETARY Sheena Duncan, Conservation Planner Technician 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE 5.I. Staff In Attendance Sheena Duncan, Conservation Planner Technician 6. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 6.I. Acceptance Of Minutes 2/1/ 23: Approved with the correction of the word “weather” to “whether” under item 7.1 2/15/23: Approved with the correction of the attribution of the minutes to Lisa Morin, where it should have been Deb Williams. 7. OLD BUSINESS 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. PL2022-0015CUP - 42 Woodwinds Hill Drive Bruce Campagna explained the orientation of the proposed garage, to be entered through a crushed stone extension to the existing driveway on the left side of his house, parallel to the unnamed right of way. D. Williams asked if the existing garage could be expanded rather than a new one constructed- B. Campagna explained that due to site conditions, he could not expand to the size required for the use intended. D. Anson asked if the gap between the house and the garage would be large enough- B. Campagna said that the 12 foot gap would work for the amount of use he intended (primarily for storage of classic cars.) D. Williams asked about required setbacks- B. Campagna outlined the 25 foot front and 10 foot side setbacks, showing how the garage fit within those requirements.  D. Anson asked if the gap between the house and the garage would be large enough- B. Campagna said that the 12 foot gap would work for the amount of use he intended (primarily for storage of classic cars.) D. Williams asked about required setbacks- B. Campagna outlined the 25 foot front and 10 foot side setbacks, showing how the garage fit within those requirements. D. Williams asked about when the wetlands delineation was done, and by whom, and if there were wetter conditions at any other time of year that would be relevant- B. Campagna said that it was done by Thomas Varney of Varney Engineering, based on soil types and plant growth. D. Anson asked what where excavated fill would be stored and how- B. Campagna said that the fill would be removed from the site, likely by the Nutter company. D. Anson asked if the property was serviced by a private well and septic- B. Campagna said that it was on a private well, but City sewer, additionally that the property’s lawn was sprinkled. S. Soucy asked if there would be gutters on the building, and where the water was expected to discharge- B. Campagna said that it would have gutters and that it would feed into a perimeter drain. R. Harrington motioned to approve the application (from the Conservation Commission perspective), seconded by D. Williams, all in favor. 8.II. Discussion Of Tuesday, 3/7 Meeting With Gilford Con Comm At Gilford Town Hall D. Anson said that it would be good to go over the joint projects recommended in the Black Brook assessment, in preparation of the up-coming Gilford joint meeting, to be held at the Gilford Town Hall at 7:00PM on March 7. Recommended projects address topics such as infrastructure changes such as culverts and drainage, which would likely require additional grant funding. The joint meeting will be held first, with the Gilford Board transitioning to their regular business. It was decided that discussion of Jewett Brook should be approached at a later time. D. Williams mentioned the property purchase along the DOT Rails right of way currently being discussed by the City. She said that the City was given the first right of refusal, and may split the property up with some being kept, and some being sold to adjacent businesses. There will possibly be a public hearing at the end of the month. D. Anson suggested that the Conservation Commission attend the meeting, to discuss the potential for conservation. D. Williams spoke about a citizen lead discussion taking place on Facebook regarding the cleanup of Durkee Brook. Pictures have been circulating, depicting junk and trash in the brook. Citizens are interested in seeing the brook cleaned in the spring, a project that is now being organized by Tyson Morrill of the Merrimack River Watershed. L. Morin said that Meadow Brook, at the cemetery would be a good location for additional cleanup- and that it might be a good project for the “Day of Caring” project in the fall, possibly to be hosted by the local cemetery. Due to several different areas and brooks requiring attention, the topic will require additional discussion in the future, to include public outreach, and a search of the businesses abutting at least Durkee brook 8.III. May Conservation Display At Belknap Mill D. Anson said that starting May 1 there would be a display of local conservation related organizations at the Belknap Mill, to include statements about their work, art, etc. -a good opportunity for networking, public engagement, and potential volunteer and fund raising. The Cohort plans to have a display. 9. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS  D. Anson said that starting May 1 there would be a display of local conservation related organizations at the Belknap Mill, to include statements about their work, art, etc. -a good opportunity for networking, public engagement, and potential volunteer and fund raising. The Cohort plans to have a display. 9. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS 10. OTHER BUSINESS D. Williams said that there was a preapproved grant for the Lake Host program- where volunteers would inspect boats for invasive contaminants before leaving or entering the lake at the Fish and Game boat launch. R. Harrington said that not much new had been happening at the Taylor Home, but a lot of salt had been applied due to the inclement weather. D. Anson asked if they had ever considered switching over to pet friendly salt- S. Soucy said that the topic had been raised, but because the salt costs roughly three times as much as normal salt, it was not a viable option. Regarding a recent class on State permitting, S. Soucy said that the Board should look into the potential for changing the classification of wetlands in the City. Rather than valuing them based on square footage, they should be reviewed for their environmental value and the services they perform- part f innovative land use controls and RSA 485-A2 XIV, with a priority on developing the definition of “Surface Waters”. L. Morin asked if it would be reasonable to hire a consultant to assist in reviewing our zoning ordinances. S. Soucy mentioned that hiring someone from outside, who would not understand our local issues could be an obstacle, and that it could probably be handled from inside. D. Anson suggested that a guideline for cutting of trees be developed, referring to a recent declaration by the developers of Paugus Woods that there would be trees cut on roughly 50,000 square feet of land, partially in the wetland buffers. 10.I. Volunteer Opportunities 11. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS S. Soucy, regarding Planning Board business, said that Knotty Marina had been continued to the following meeting. D. Anson questioned why Con Com had never been addressed for this application- S. Soucy said that as part of Performance Zoning, Con Com had been left out of the discussion. 12. STAFF REPORT 13. ADJOURNMENT D. Williams motioned to adjourn, seconded by R. O’Hara. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 7:40PM.