Conservation Commission

City of Rochester Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday March 25, 2026 Cocheco Meeting Room 33 Wakefield Street, Rochester, NH (These minutes were approved on - , YYYY) Attendance Presence Commission Member Notes Members of the Public Present Dylan Dowe, Chair Keith Curran Bohler Engineering Absent Kevin Sullivan, Vice Chair Jeff Jones Present Mike Dionne Present Mark Jennings Andrew Pieroni Verdantas Present Merry Lineweber Present Dan Nickerson Absent Tom Willis Present Dennis Raymond Present Sue Walthour Present Renée McIsaac, Planner I 1) Call to Order: Dylan Dowe called the meeting to order at 5:37pm. 2) Approval of Minutes: Review Meeting Minutes of February 25, 2026. Merry Lineweber made a motion to approve of the minutes as drafted. Mike Dionne seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously. 3) Conservation Overlay District: Dylan Dowe motioned to change the presentation order since the applicant for the 89 Milton Road project had not arrived yet. a. Gear Road LLC, Jeff Jones (Bohler Engineering); Tax Map 0258-0051-0000 (56 Gear Road) Proposed wetland impacts with wetland crossing for minor residential subdivision for the construction of two single-family homes. Keith Curran from Bohler Engineering introduced himself and the property owner Jeff Jones. He explained that the project proposes to subdivide the existing parcel into 3 parcels. He pointed out the wetland areas present on the site and noted they currently have a building permit for a single-family home and wetlands permit for the driveway access. This driveway is proposed to continue further into the parcel to provide access for two more properties. Keith Curran reported that the project went to the Planning Board for a conceptual review and the current application is scheduled for a second TRG meeting. They intend to present the project to the Planning Board at their April meeting. The current request for a Conditional Use Permit is for the second wetland crossing to access the rear lots and there are no other wetland or wetland buffer impacts proposed. The homes will be serviced by City water and onsite septic systems. Mike Dionne asked for clarification regarding an area on the plan. 03-25-26 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 1 of 4  Keith Curran pointed out the area and explained this was for treating stormwater from the roadway. He stated that they generated a stormwater report for the project which has been accepted by City staff. Mark Jennings asked about the location of the detention basin. Keith Curran explained that the basin is located in an upland area. Due to the high water table on the site, the homes will be constructed on slabs without basements. He described the site as being relatively flat and the treatment systems are shallow. The treatment areas have all been designed to be outside of wetland buffers. Mark Jennings asked what type of seeding was proposed. Keith Curran responded it is a New England Wetland mix (WETMIX by New England Wetland Plants, Inc). Mike Dionne asked about the culvert shown on the plan. Keith Curran noted it is designed to maintain site hydrology. He explained that they are using a Cape Cod berm on the curve of the driveway to direct the stormwater. He pointed out the hatched areas on the plan and indicated these are showing the easement areas for both access and drainage. Mike Dionne asked if a Natural Heritage Bureau data check had been conducted. Keith Curran responded yes, but there were no findings. Keith Curran noted State permitting for the septic systems are pending. Mark Jennings asked about the location of the septic system for the first house lot. Keith Curran replied that it is at the very front of the lot and was previously approved. Keith Curran continued by noting that the Fire Department has also reviewed the plans for site access and the project includes the installation of a hydrant. The homes are not required to have sprinkler systems. Keith Curran noted the driveway shape resulted from an effort to limit wetland impacts. Mike Dionne made a motion to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit application. Mark Jennings seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously. b) Gold Creek Kitchens LLC (Verdantas); Tax Map 0210-0050-0000 (89 Milton Road) Proposed wetland buffer impacts associated with construction of a 4,800sqft commercial building and site improvements. Andrew Pieroni of Verdantas introduced himself and the proposed project. He explained that stormwater on the site currently sheet flows into the wetland area. There is deeded site access from the existing driveway to the south. Based on the City’s Site Plan regulations they are proposing 13 parking spaces. They have recently adjusted the plan to shift the proposed building closer to the front of the lot to allow for a loading area at the rear of the building. 03-25-26 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 2 of 4  Andrew Pieroni continued by explaining there are some wetland buffer impacts associated with the project. They had initially considered a different building configuration but found this would have resulted in greater wetland buffer impacts. He explained the majority of impacts are associated with the stormwater treatment area. Andrew Pieroni stated the plan includes landscaping with some native plants that should help with site stabilization and stormwater treatment. Dennis Raymond stated that he appreciated the level of detail that was provided in the plan set. Mike Dionne commented that the project would improve the condition of the site. Andrew Pieroni noted that the project still needs to go to the Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Planning Board. Renée McIsaac noted that the project site was the subject of an NHDES enforcement case for wetland violations and asked if the case was satisfactorily closed by NHDES. Andrew Pieroni stated that he was not aware of the enforcement case. Renée McIsaac stated she would forward this information to Andrew. Mike Dionne made a motion to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit application pending confirmation from NHDES that the wetland remediation has been closed out. Dennis Raymond seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously. 4) NH DES Applications: Country Brook Apartments; Tax Map 0258-0063-0000 (68 Hemingway Drive); NHDES File Number 2026-00707 Renée McIsaac stated she received a copy of this application after the Conservation Commission meeting agenda and packet was sent. She shared a physical copy of the application and shared the site plans on the electronic display. Mike Dionne stated a concern with the proposed wetland crossing. He noted it is being shown as 2 parallel 36” corrugated HDPE pipe to convey a perennial stream. He felt that this should be a box culvert with a simulated stream bed bottom and organism passage should be taken into account. He noted the property characteristics likely make it a suitable turtle habitat. Concerns about wildlife being impacted by the proposed crossing were echoed by other Commission members. Mike Dionne made a motion to provide written comment on the pending application to the Wetlands Bureau stating a concern with the proposed design and request for a box culvert with a simulated stream bed bottom that is sized to provide organism passage. The motion was seconded by Dennis Raymond; the motion passed unanimously. 5) Non-Public Session under RSA 91-A:3, II(d) Dennis Raymond made a motion to enter a Non-Public Session under RSA 91-A:3, II(d)* at 6:49pm. Mike Dionne seconded the motion; the motion passed by roll call vote. 03-25-26 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 3 of 4  *RSA Note: “Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of real or personal property which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general community.” Mike Dionne made a motion to leave the Non-Public Session at 7:05pm. Mark Jennings seconded the motion; the motion passed unanimously. Mark Jennings made a motion to seal the Non-Public Session minutes. Merry Lineweber seconded the motion; the motion passed by roll call vote. 6) Reports: a. Technical Review Renée McIsaac provided a brief description of the projects moving through the Technical Review Group process. b. Planning Board Review Renée McIsaac provided a brief description of the projects on the Planning Board agenda. 7) Old Business: a. Trout Unlimited Renée McIsaac provided an update on event planning. At the next Commission meeting members will be prepared to sign up for volunteer slots and identify display items for the event. b. Lilac Family Fun Festival Renée McIsaac reported that she has submitted the vendor application for this event on the behalf of the Conservation Commission. 8) Adjournment. A motion was made by Mike Dionne and seconded by Dennis Raymond to adjourn at 7:11pm; the motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Renée McIsaac Planner I 03-25-26 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 4 of 4