Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Draft Minutes 5/1/2024 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER D. Anson called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. ROLL CALL The following members were present: Dean Anson, Deb Williams, Robert Harrington, Lisa Morin, Rick Ball, and Gail Ober joined at 6:01pm. 3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG D. Anson led the Commission in the salute to the flag. 4. RECORDING SECRETARY Savanna Brunelle, Administrative Assistant 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Rob Mora, Planning Director Savanna Brunelle, Administrative Assistant 6. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS D. Williams mentions adding Black Brook Pond to line item 7.III and D. Anson notices misspelled word Chlorine to Chloride. L. Morin motions to accept minutes with corrections. R. Harrington seconds. All in favor. 6.I. Draft Minutes From April 7th 7. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS 8. OLD BUSINESS 8.I. Lafayette Street Lafayette St will be continued at the next City Council meeting. The commission discussed going to make comments. 9. NEW BUSINESS All new business was brought to the Conservation Commission after hearing a Presentation about Waukewan and how to protect that drinking source. 9.I. Cyanobacteria 9. NEW BUSINESS All new business was brought to the Conservation Commission after hearing a Presentation about Waukewan and how to protect that drinking source. 9.I. Cyanobacteria D. Anson discussed a study to see what the likely-hood of Cyanobacteria bloom on Waukewan Lake which is a drinking source. D. Williams mentioned this was a good example to use in correlation to Paugus Bay. They discussed that the samples and testing from the presentation are something that to take into consideration for Paugus Bay. D. Williams asked if the Water Dept had any water quality testing. D. Anson spoke with Ben to ask about how to remove Cyanobacteria with the current plan. The Water Dept would treat it with Chlorine. 9.II. Mitigation Fund D. Anson talked with FB Environmental, and it was suggested to wait a year and then learn from Waukewan. This would help Laconia proceed best with a breakdown of costs. L. Morin suggests looking into who the funders are. There was discussion about where the funds can come from. R. Ball mentions that the Conservation Commission fund can be used for water quality if the commission approved. 9.III. Phosphorus Internal Loading Vs Runoff D. Anson asked if the Planning Department could enforce regulation on properties with runoff. R. Mora explains it would be difficult to track those properties and enforce those regulation. There was discussion about making strong regulations and the steps to do that. 9.IV. Septic Systems Around Laconia’s Three Lakes There was discussion about regulations on septic systems around the lakes. G. Ober mentioned Title V, which is from out of state and looking into those steps and procedures for the city. R. Ball researched and found that if a host is 100 ft from a public sewer it needs to connect. There was a discussion about Eastman Shore Rd and the septic/sewer on that road. R. Mora mentions sewer and septic plans are on GIS. 9.V. Stormwater Runoff Problems R. Mora mentions that the Planning Dept is in contact with DPW about construction run off and there is nothing in the regulations about construction sites. There was talk about the apartments going in by the dog park and how well the site had done to follow regulations. There was more discussion about having conditions of approval for site plans. D. Williams asked if there was more restrictive rule for abutters who are on Paugus Bay. R. Mora believes that there is nothing being enforced. There was conversation regarding that properties who are on Paugus Bay have more strict regulations with it being a drinking reservoir. L. Morin suggests looking into case studies. D. Williams will email restrictions to staff and see if they can add it to the regulations. The commission can come up with suggestions of changes and requirements to protect natural resources. 9.VI. Water Quality VLAP And VRAP D. Anson discussed sampling with the Water Department. R. Ball volunteered to do the sampling. The date is yet to be determined. D. Anson had the meters tested and fixed. There will also be training on how to use the equipment. There was discussion about previous data and how to use that information this year. R. Mora mentions contact with DPW GIS and wants to add water quality data to the system. There was more discussion about the fundamentals to get the data to this program. 10. LIAISON, SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS, AND UPCOMING EVENTS There was discussion about subcommittees and how they function. Received a grant from NH Lakes being $1,150.00. D. Williams mentions the commission usually matches that and donates it. R. Ball motions to grant the $1,500 from Weed Watchers. L. Morin seconds. All in favor. D. Williams is going to ask NH Lakes 10. LIAISON, SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS, AND UPCOMING EVENTS There was discussion about subcommittees and how they function. Received a grant from NH Lakes being $1,150.00. D. Williams mentions the commission usually matches that and donates it. R. Ball motions to grant the $1,500 from Weed Watchers. L. Morin seconds. All in favor. D. Williams is going to ask NH Lakes to forward invoices to staff so they can be paid. Presentation on Monday 5/6 in Concord about the water quality findings in Paugus Bay. 11. OTHER BUSINESS There was discussion about the Campground that had previously came through that there is now a for sale sign on property. R. Mora believes it’s for condos that are near property. L. Morin mentions planting the pollinator garden and if the Conservation Commission wants to assist with the garden. There was discussion about the Right-To-Know laws from the previous meeting and what level is being asked to comply. D. Willaims mention bridge project and if there was input needed from the commission. R. Mora directs the question to DPW. There was discussion about an access road on Tardif Park conservation. G. Ober mentions there is movement on an application regarding Weirs Blvd which was brought to the Conservation Commission. The applicant went to the ZBA and requested a variance, and it was approved. L. Morin questioned if there was internal notification and is it something that can happen. L. Morin motions a request of the Planning Department that when the conservation commission makes recommendations on a Site Plan where the developers then go to the ZBA to request an opposition of the recommendation that the Con Comm be notified about the meeting so they can be at the meeting. G. Ober asked to amend the motion to say that the conservation commission be notified if Conservation Commission made a recommendation whether that recommendation be a variance request that concerns that project. There was then discussion about the motion and how to proceed. L. Morin withdraws motion. The motion was tabled until the next meeting to get the wording correct. The commission discussed potential issues with Taylor Home project 12. STAFF REPORT R. Mora states that the Conservation Tech position was accepted by an applicant. HR is going to be in contact to finalize their start date and all other necessary information. 13. ADJOURNMENT G. Ober motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:57PM, seconded by R. Ball. Unanimously approved.