Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - 6:00 PM Conference Room 200B Draft Minutes 5/15/2024 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER D. Anson called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM. 2. ROLL CALL The following members were present: Dean Anson, Deb Williams, Robert Harrington, Lisa Morin, Rick Ball, and Mike Foote. 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 Tyler Carmichael, Assistant Planner 6. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS D. Anson notices misspelled word likelihood. L. Morin motions to accept minutes with corrections. R. Ball seconds. All in favor. 6.I. Draft Minutes From May 1 7. PERMITS AND APPLICATIONS 7.I. 700 Elm St There was discussion about where the wetland buffer is on the property. The board and staff discussed what to do if an applicant does not show up to present their application. D. Anson had hesitation about discussing the application without the applicant being present as well as the board. There was discussion about the wetland stamp needed for this. R. Ball made a comment regarding applications just getting a CUP and being automatically granted. There was conversation about the questions the board had that they wanted the applicant to be present for. The board had the following comments for the applicant: -receive a current delineation of wetlands certified, stamped, and sealed by a wetland scientist -have the applicant come before Conservation Commission to discuss the application and bring big site plans -Request that the Planning Board table the application until applicant meets with the Conservation Commission or makes the comments provided by the Conservation Commission conditions of approval  -have the applicant come before Conservation Commission to discuss the application and bring big site plans -Request that the Planning Board table the application until applicant meets with the Conservation Commission or makes the comments provided by the Conservation Commission conditions of approval when brought to Planning Board. D. Williams makes a motion to table this application until further information is acquired as noted. M. Foote seconds. Passed unanimously. 7.II. Eversource J125 Project Justin Sherman and Ashley Friend spoke on behalf of the Eversource project and summarized the application. There was discussion about the poles, the height of them and the removal. D. Williams brought attention to Durkee Brook and the special plans that take place to not impede. The timeline given by Ashley is that it’s starting in fall or earlier winter of 2024 and lasting over a year or year and a half. J. Sherman mentions there is going to be weekly monitoring from all appropriate groups. There was discussion about invasive species and how that would be addressed if that scenario was presented. D. Anson questioned reports and if they’re sent to Conservation Commission. There was discussion about the reports and how they’re handled. Ashley mentions there is a final report and records given at the end of the project with exception in mind of confidentiality regarding DES and invasive species. M. Foote motions to support the upgrade of the power lines with the requirement of getting the final restoration report. D. Williams seconds. All in favor. 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. Gail Ave 319 Plan And Schedule There was discussion about the trenches on each side of the property and the purpose of them. D. Anson mentions the most critical thing is that Parks and Rec be able to build it. The Conservation Commission is supposed to do the planting and supply the plants. M. Foote mentions the elevation change and then discussion about elevation. There was discussion about where the plans that were presented came from. D. Anson brings up that there should be a meeting with the local residents in that area and include Amy Lovisek at Parks and Rec. The board discussed the vegetation and the erosion at the water’s edge. There was conversation about visiting the site L. Morin makes a motion about a site visit, with no second. The board further discussed a site visit, notifying abutters and posting the plans and keeping Gale Ave on the agenda for the June 19th meeting. 8.II. Cohort Project-Pollinator Garden On WOW Trail L. Morin summarizes the Pollinator Garden Project on the WOW trail. The Conservation Commission is to plant the second half of the pollinator garden. There was more discussion about tools that would be helpful and people. 8.III. June 5 Meeting At Prescott Farm At 5PM The Conservation Commission meeting is being held at Prescott Farm. D. Anson asked about notifying the public of the meeting taking place. 8.IV. NH Lakes Lakes Congress Registration D. Anson spoke about registration for NH Lakes Congress. 8.V. Lake Winnipesaukee Association Presentation At Second June Meeting D. Anson mentions there is a presentation on Paugus Bay water quality. 9. OLD BUSINESS 9.I. RSA 91A  D. Anson mentions there is a presentation on Paugus Bay water quality. 9. OLD BUSINESS 9.I. RSA 91A T. Carmichael spoke about the previous training and there is a refresher for training being held for all boards and commissions. 9.II. Lafayette Street Status The City Council agreed to designate the Lafayette property as Conservation land. 9.III. Water Quality Sampling D. Anson discussed water sampling and asked for a volunteer to do the sampling. VRAP training is to be conducted on May 30th if scheduling permits. D. Anson asked T. Carmichael about VLAP data and staff will investigate it. 9.IV. MILFOIL D. Williams discussed this topic and Lake Host. D. Williams mentioned help is needed for the ramp at Opeechee. 10. LIAISON, SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS, AND UPCOMING EVENTS 11. OTHER BUSINESS L. Morin brings up being notified when a developer goes to ZBA when the Conservation Commission has made previous comments. There was further discussion and to add it to a future agenda. L. Morin discussed dumpsites and how many are used. D. Williams brings up invasive species and how they are disposed of properly. There was further discussion about how to handle that situation and to bring knowledge to this issue. D. Anson brings it to the commission’s attention that the Lakes Region Planning Commission is giving awards to three fellow members. Recognition was given to Bob Harrington, Lisa Morin, and Deb Williams. There was a discussion about the gardens at the Laconia schools. 12. STAFF REPORT T. Carmichael mentions we are still waiting for a start date for the Conservation Tech. T. Carmichael is going to be on the executive council for Lakes Region Planning Commission. 13. ADJOURNMENT D. Williams motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:19 PM, seconded by M. Foote. Unanimously approved.