Environmental Committee VDOE July 7
Committee members in attendance:
Jane Gunn, Larry Leonard, Patti Aliventi, John Cancelarich, Paula Doyle, Adam Leiser
Public in attendance: Jay Buckley
Meeting was not filmed
Call to order 7:12am
Adam motion to approve agenda – second Paula vote yes 6-0
Patti motion to approve minutes of 6/16 – second Adam vote yes 6-0
Update on pond levels – All boards are in and ponds are at highest level possible
Adam’s prepared questions for John Cooley–
Is there anything the VDOE can do to increase the likelihood of having a baby loon survive?
Should we maintain status quo while putting in floating nests with the goal of having the loons use the floating nest in 2020 or 2021?
Motion Adam – questions should go to John Cooley for a written response – second Patti
Vote 5-0 (Larry had left)
Larry Leonard reports flow rate in brook is “fine”
John Cancelarich reports pond level is “average” and “within the range”
Adam reports there is a leak in the dam and it has been there since 2001
Less flow in culvert between big and middle ponds than usual
GMCG – Paula and Jay went to the meeting and talked to Russ Lanoie after the meeting
Dam is from 1966
Toilets are being used this year
Motion Patti – Recommend to the BOC to have a warrant article for Port o pottie rentals next year – second Adam
5-0-1 (Larry Leonard abstains)
Pond testing – Adam explained what the BOC policy is regarding weekly beach testing
Jane Gunn asks if we should do beach water testing once a month
Paula informs the committee that ducks are the most common reason for a failed test and failed tests are rare
All six members of the committee agree that weekly beach testing would be a waste of money.
Adam motion – environmental committee recommends to the BOC that they put a warrant article together for beach water testing – second Larry ---- 5-1 yes (Larry Leonard votes no)
John Cancelarich was not sure if he could go to EPOA regarding the monthly VLAP testing. He now has confirmation that he can do so.
Jay informs the committee that VLAP has been going on for 20+ years and tells the public about the condition of the pond – says it is very important
The goal of having John Cancelarich involved in VLAP testing is so that the job eventually comes under the direction of the BOC.
VLAP testing is the last Sunday in July – Paula thinks
John Cancelarich wonders if the Town of Madison should take this from the VDOE.
Motion by Adam – contact the state to have them CC us on email to John Rocharz regarding VLAP testing with the goal of having certainty that testing gets done. Second Patti – 6-0 vote
Pond cleaning – Nancy said she would take this to the EPOA – unknown result
Storm water management – UNH project – was it completed? Paula was going to get some information
Motion by Adam – Give Paula permission to act as contact person with UNH regarding storm water management project – second Patti – Vote 6-0
GMCG – Russ Lanoie was tasked with managing Big Pea watershed- Russ was not aware of our outhouse situation or the Thusis project
Jay recommends that someone contact Nordell Gagnon
Adam reports that Nordell may have a dead tree hanging above the beach of Porridge Shore
Jay highlights that a lot of sediment is running off into the ponds – Thusis culvert issue, if completed, would consider storm water management.
Motion by Adam – Recommends to the BOC that they get in touch with Nordell Gagnon – second Patti
Vote Yes 6-0
Jane reports from the BOC regarding Porridge Shore Beach. She took some pictures. The picnic table is rotting at Porridge Shore. Jane also says that the beach project may be easier than originally stated.
Jane motion – recommend to the BOC that the picnic table at Porridge Shore be removed as a safety hazard – second Adam – vote yes 6-0
Patti reports that the beach has a problem with dogs. Adam informs committee that ordinance will be followed. Police are going to enforce the ordinance.
Discussion about fireworks on July 4th.
Paula says raking the beach is a waste of time. Paula also says a lot of trash was found and removing that is important.
Five of the eleven public beaches in Madison are in Eidelweiss
Last year the town of Madison received $122,000+ from NH room and meals tax.
Adam motion – BOC should determine a way to potentially receive some portion of the $122,000+.
Second Patti – vote 5-0
Patti asks if there is a way we could require rentals to distribute certain information. VDOE has tried.
Adam motion to adjourn – second Patti
Vote 5-0
Next meeting is 7/21 at 8pm in the Lodge
Minutes taken and submitted by Adam Leiser