Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, October 1, 2025 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Minutes 10/1/2025 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER D. Anson calls the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. ROLL CALL Dean Anson, Deb Williams, Bob Harrington, Lisa Morin, and Jen Kreitzer are present. Deb Williams is absent. 3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG 4. RECORDING SECRETARY Grey Draper 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Grey Draper - Conservation Technician 6. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS L. Morin motions to accept the minutes. B. Harrington seconds the motion. Unanimous. 6.I. 9/17 Minutes 7. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS 8. OLD BUSINESS 8.I. Gale Avenue Rain Garden Status The rain garden is approximately 50% planted, and two Master Gardeners are scheduled to assist with additional planting on October 2. Recent rainfall measured two inches, though additional precipitation would be beneficial for the new plantings. Residents have expressed positive feedback on the project, and completion is anticipated within the next week. 8.II. Water Sampling Of Tributaries Of Paugus Bay And Lake Opechee Water sampling for the year is likely complete, pending final confirmation from Liam regarding potential sampling in October. Approximately half of the tributaries are currently dry due to low water levels, although conditions may change with additional rainfall. 8.III. Paugus Bay Drinking Water Project No updates have been received. Dean will reach out to Ben, and possibly Laura, to obtain additional information and to prevent any potential consulting charges. 8.IV. WOW Trail Sign Installation  No updates have been received. Dean will reach out to Ben, and possibly Laura, to obtain additional information and to prevent any potential consulting charges. 8.IV. WOW Trail Sign Installation 9. NEW BUSINESS 9.I. Natural Resources Inventory- FB Environmental Proposal The Conservation Commission reviews FB Environmental proposal for the Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) Update, focusing on the optional field investigations and associated costs. Additional fieldwork may be requested later via contract amendment, primarily from March to July. Commissioners confirmed the RFP requested GIS analysis and site-specific field investigations, targeting areas such as Pickrel Pond with landowner consent. D. Anson explains that that they need to open this to public for a hearing for the expenditure of conservation funds. The Public Hearing was opened at 6:30 PM. No one spoke from the public and the Public Hearing was closed at 6:30 PM. L. Morin motions to accept the proposal from FB Environmental for a Natural Resource Inventory Update with a lump-sum budget of $17,955, acknowledging that optional field investigations may be requested at additional cost at a later date. J. Kreitzer seconds the motion. Unanimous. Gina will manage the contract. The Commission discussed potential collaboration on Langley Brook erosion projects, including a site walk with FB Environmental and the Lake Winnipesaukee Association to develop cost estimates and potential future RFPs. Field investigations require written landowner consent, coordinated by staff, and may include on-site public meetings to explain the project. GIS tools will be used to generate abutters lists. Virtual meetings are preferred for initial coordination due to travel distance from Portland, with in-person meetings scheduled only if staff are in the area for other projects. 9.I.i. Proposal Rubric 10. LIAISON, SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS, AND UPCOMING EVENTS Easement Monitoring Field Skills Workshop – September 26, 2025 NHACC Lunch and Learn Recycling Series – September 23, 2025 New Hampshire Lakes Presentation on Cyanobacteria – October 15, 2025, at 7:00 PM via Zoom 11. OTHER BUSINESS 12. STAFF REPORT 13. ADJOURNMENT D. Anson motions to adjourn. B. Harrington seconds the motion. Unanimous. The meeting adjourns at 7:29 PM.