Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, September 3, 2025 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Draft Minutes 9/3/2025 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER D. Anson calls the meeting to order at 5:04 PM. 2. ROLL CALL Dean Anson, Deb Williams, Bob Harrington, Lisa Morin, and Jen Kreitzer are present 3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG 4. RECORDING SECRETARY 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE 6. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 6.I. 8/20 Minutes L. Morin motions to accept the minutes with corrections. D. Williams seconds the motion. Unanimous 7. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS 8. OLD BUSINESS 8.I. Wetland Regulations Con Com discusses incorporating intermittent streams into the city’s wetland regulations. D. Anson notes that the Meredith Conservation Commission treats intermittent streams with the same buffer requirements as perennial streams, which provides valuable protection for water quality and flood mitigation. Con Com members recall the existence of older paper maps that may show intermittent streams in Laconia. Members agree that including intermittent streams in the city’s regulations would be an important step forward. D. Anson agreed to continue searching for existing maps. Draft language will be prepared to incorporate intermittent streams into the regulations, and a background sheet will be written or a presentation prepared to explain their importance to the Planning Board. 8.II. Gale Ave Rain Garden The Gale Avenue rain garden project is progressing well. Grass has germinated, thanks to consistent watering by the Parks and Recreation Department. The Department of Public Works has completed fencing improvements. Plantings are scheduled to begin in mid-September, and the plants are being held by Petal Pushers. Possible volunteer support may come from the Bank of New Hampshire or Work Opportunities Unlimited. Planting will likely take place during the week, although weekend help may also be considered. 8.II.i. Planting In Mid September 8.II.ii. Watering Of Plants By Parks And Recreation 8.III. NRI Proposals Due 9/5/25  8.II.i. Planting In Mid September 8.II.ii. Watering Of Plants By Parks And Recreation 8.III. NRI Proposals Due 9/5/25 Proposals for the Natural Resource Inventory are due on September 5, 2025. At the time of the meeting, no proposals had yet been received, although FB Environmental has been informed of the posting. 8.IV. City Council Project List J. Kreitzer has compiled a draft list of projects and activities for the Commission to share with City Council. Members agree with L. Morin that the list should be reorganized into categories such as Ongoing Duties, Special Projects, Community Outreach, and Education and Training. Suggestions for additions included lake and stream cleanups, invasive species removal, trail signage, and monitoring of Perley Pond vegetation. L. Morin also suggests highlighting outreach activities such as updates to City Council, submissions to the Laconia Links newsletter, and improvements to the Conservation Commission website. J. Kreitzer will reformat the list into categories and circulate it for review. 9. NEW BUSINESS 9.I. Intermittent Streams 9.II. Langley Brook Study And Remediation Project D. Anson reported that he had spoken with Bree Rossiter of the Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance about the possibility of advancing the Langley Brook remediation project. FB Environmental had previously surveyed the brook and identified several locations in need of remediation to reduce sedimentation entering Langley Cove. NH DES has indicated that dredging in Langley Cove will not be permitted until upstream sediment sources are addressed. Con Com discusses the potential for FB Environmental to provide site-specific recommendations with cost estimates. D. Anson suggested that conservation funds might be used for remediation work, and that outside support could be sought from Rich Tilton. Concerns were also raised about stream shading and water temperature, though current sampling data shows no evidence of elevated temperatures. A silt curtain has been placed at Langley Cove to help manage sediment. D. Anson will follow up with FB Environmental for more detailed recommendations and cost estimates. 9.III. Paugus Bay Drinking Water Project Status D. Anson reports that the new water quality monitoring buoy has been installed in Paugus Bay near the city’s drinking water intake. The buoy is fully operational and collects real-time data on multiple water quality parameters. The project was managed by FB Environmental and supported by the Laconia Water Department. Con Com suggests that the project be publicized through a newspaper article to increase community awareness. 9.IV. Lake Host For Messer Street Ramp The 2025 Lake Host program at Opechee Lake concluded with 297 boats inspected over eight weekends, representing an increase of approximately 100 inspections compared to last year. The program was staffed by Meg Aiman. The Con Com contributed $1,500 to New Hampshire Lakes to match grant funding. Approximately $800 remains in the account and will be rolled over to next year. Members agree to highlight the success of the program in their next update to City Council. 9.V. Water Sampling Of Opechee And Paugus August water sampling was completed at five tributary sites, although two sites were dry due to low water levels. Turbidity readings were lower than anticipated, likely due to the lack of rainfall. Sampling is expected to continue into September and October, weather permitting. Volunteers included Dean Anson and Laura Norton. Minor calibration issues were reported with the testing equipment, but results remained within acceptable error margins. D. Anson notes that shaded tributaries consistently  August water sampling was completed at five tributary sites, although two sites were dry due to low water levels. Turbidity readings were lower than anticipated, likely due to the lack of rainfall. Sampling is expected to continue into September and October, weather permitting. Volunteers included Dean Anson and Laura Norton. Minor calibration issues were reported with the testing equipment, but results remained within acceptable error margins. D. Anson notes that shaded tributaries consistently registered cooler water temperatures than unshaded areas, reinforcing the importance of riparian buffers. 10. LIAISON, SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS, AND UPCOMING EVENTS The Town of Moultonborough is hosting a presentation on its clean water efforts for Lake Winnipesaukee on September 4, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Moultonborough Library. The Prescott Farm Harvest Festival will take place on September 13, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and the Commission will provide outreach materials. 11. OTHER BUSINESS Members were also encouraged to complete the online New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions survey. The City has asked each committee to appoint a representative to serve on the new Master Plan Steering Committee, which will hold its first meeting on October 6, 2025. G. Draper will confirm whether additional members may attend beyond the designated representative. D. Williams notes that it is now illegal to dispose of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in household trash. These batteries must be recycled through designated programs such as Household Hazardous Waste events, or possibly at participating stores such as Lowe’s or Home Depot. The City Council is considering a proposal to allow backyard chickens. Con Com expresses concerns about the potential impacts on wetlands and water quality. Members suggested requiring proper waste management practices, fencing, and setbacks from buffers and streams. The Con Com agrees to draft recommended language for the wetland regulations. Dog waste disposal was also discussed as a continuing issue. L. Morin notes that improper disposal impacts water quality and attracts nuisance wildlife. L. Morin suggests improving public education, reviewing receptacle placement, and coordinating with the Department of Public Works. Con Com also discusses the potential for a citywide composting program. L. Morin notes that composting requires active management and suggested it could be coordinated with transfer station operations. B. Harrington provides an update for the Taylor Community, where Comcast is installing new lines, creating temporary disruptions. 12. STAFF REPORT 12.I. Moulton Cove G. Draper reports that the Moulton Cove Condominium Association raised concerns about tree branches falling onto their property from a neighboring lot. The association was concerned because City of Laconia signage was posted on the property, leading them to believe it might be conservation land. G. Draper has confirmed that the property is privately owned residential land and not city conservation property. The signs prohibit motorized vehicles but do not designate the property as conservation land. The association was advised to work directly with the landowner. 13. ADJOURNMENT D. Williams motions to adjourn the meeting. L. Morin seconds the motion. Unanimous. The meeting adjourns at 6:37 PM. 13. ADJOURNMENT D. Williams motions to adjourn the meeting. L. Morin seconds the motion. Unanimous. The meeting adjourns at 6:37 PM.