Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, XXX XX, 2019 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Draft Minutes 6/5/2024 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER 5:00 PM - Jude Hamel, Executive Director of Prescott Farms, gave a presentation on the programs offered at the facility. She then gave a tour of the buildings and grounds and explained how they are used for the programs. 6:15 PM - Tour concluded. 6:20 PM - D. Anson called the meeting called to order. 2. ROLL CALL The following members were present for the presentation, tour, and meeting: Dean Anson, Robert Harrington, Deb Williams, Rick Ball, Lisa Morin, and Mike Foote. 3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG There was no flag present at the facility to salute. 4. RECORDING SECRETARY Tyler Carmichael, Assistant Planner 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Grey Draper, Conservation Technician 6. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 6.I. Draft Minutes May 15th D. Williams moved to approve the minutes with spelling corrections. M. Foote seconded. Approved unanimously. 7. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS 8. OLD BUSINESS 8.I. Gale Ave There was general discussion of the project and the capacity of the Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments' capacity to complete the project. T. Carmichael relayed to the Commission that neither Department would be able to begin work until 2025 at the earliest due to budgeting and manpower constraints. L. Morin requested that staff check with the Parks and Recreation Director to ensure the grant funding will still be available in 2025. R. Ball said that he had begun the permitting process with DES and would work with the Parks and Recreation Director to complete it. R. Ball also suggested that retaining walls could be used to control erosion. D. Anson had concerns over plans and would like to see more details. He also suggested that shrubs should not be removed from the shoreline and would like clarification on whether they will be removed as part of this project. General consensus of the Commission was that the City needs to meet with the residents of the neighborhood  neither Department would be able to begin work until 2025 at the earliest due to budgeting and manpower constraints. L. Morin requested that staff check with the Parks and Recreation Director to ensure the grant funding will still be available in 2025. R. Ball said that he had begun the permitting process with DES and would work with the Parks and Recreation Director to complete it. R. Ball also suggested that retaining walls could be used to control erosion. D. Anson had concerns over plans and would like to see more details. He also suggested that shrubs should not be removed from the shoreline and would like clarification on whether they will be removed as part of this project. General consensus of the Commission was that the City needs to meet with the residents of the neighborhood and allow them to ask questions and make comments on the plans. 8.II. 700 Elm St Mark Nadeau presented the project on behalf of the property owner. He explained that there are multiple projects occurring on site. The only portion of the project that was being reviewed was the roof structure over the outdoor kitchen within the wetlands buffer. Upon review of the project, the conservation commission made the following comments: 1. Install a drip edge around the perimeter of the structure. 2. Ensure the use of silt socks over silt fencing to ensure proper erosion control. 3. Use native plantings throughout the landscaping wherever possible. 8.III. WOW Trial Pollinator Garden D. Anson and D. Williams visited the garden and complimented L. Morin and her team on the great work they've done so far. L. Morin informed the board that she would planting half of it and leaving the other half open for the Commission to plant. She advised that the ground is contaminated so vegetables cannot be planted. D. Anson congratulated L. Morin for doing a great job. 8.IV. Discussion On ZBA Notifications T. Carmichael offered to include the Chairperson of the Commission in the email group for Zoning Board members that way they will receive agendas and packets for upcoming ZBA meetings. If there are any items of concern for upcoming meetings, the Chairperson can request they be discussed at the next Conservation Commission meeting. T. Carmichael also advised that staff will strive to keep the Commission better informed of other projects in the future. 9. NEW BUSINESS 9.I. Lake Winnipesaukee Association Article D. Anson led discussion on an article regarding the increase of cyanobacteria within Lake Kanasatka in Moultonborough. He also mentioned that he attended a presentation hosted by the Lake Waukewan Association with D. Williams. He advised that the City should be mindful of what the Lake Waukewan Association is doing to monitor for and mitigate cyanobacteria. He also attended a meeting where FB Environmental was present and discussed the possibility of getting a water monitoring buoy for Paugus Bay as well as possible grant opportunities in the near future. 9.II. Lake Winnipesaukee Association Paugus Bay Study 9.III. Belknap Mill Kids In The Park D. Williams informed fellow members that the Commission is sponsoring the Belknap Mill Kids in the Park event on July 10, 2024 from around 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. She solicited fellow members for their ideas on possible activities or projects for the kids to participate in at the event. She also mentioned that she considered asking NH Lakes to utilize some of the stations they use for their Watershed Warriors program to learn more about water conservation and the importance of the watershed. 10. LIAISON, SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS, AND UPCOMING EVENTS 11. OTHER BUSINESS L. Morin received a phone call from NH DES regarding the dumping of grass clippings in Anthony Way behind Marshall Court. She suggested the Commission canvas the Marshall Court neighborhood and have conversations with residents on the importance of properly disposing of grass clippings. D. Anson 10. LIAISON, SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS, AND UPCOMING EVENTS 11. OTHER BUSINESS L. Morin received a phone call from NH DES regarding the dumping of grass clippings in Anthony Way behind Marshall Court. She suggested the Commission canvas the Marshall Court neighborhood and have conversations with residents on the importance of properly disposing of grass clippings. D. Anson suggested to L. Morin that the City contact the residents and inform them not to dump their clippings in the right-of-way. M. Foote agreed that was the better approach. T. Carmichael said the City would look into the possibility of sending educational and courtesy letters to the residents informing them not to dispose of grass clippings within the right-of-way. T. Carmichael also suggested the possibility of doing an annual newsletter educating people on grass clippings. L. Morin advised that the newsletter should be sent out in the Spring and the Fall and include articles on grass clippings and leaves, respectively. T. Carmichael briefly discussed new state regulations taking effect in 2025 requiring food waste composting programs for large institutions. D. Williams briefly discussed the Lake Host program and that positions are still available at Messer Street paying $15/hour and at Winnisquam paying $18/hour. 12. STAFF REPORT T. Carmichael introduced G. Draper to the Commission and talked about how excited the Planning Department was to have him join their team. He was warmly welcomed by the Commission. 13. ADJOURNMENT D. Williams motioned to adjourn at 7:28. M. Foote seconded. Approved unanimously.