Environmental Committee VDOE August 29, 2019

Committee members in attendance:  Paula Doyle, Larry Leonard, Adam Leiser

Absent: Patti Alaventi, Jane Gunn                            

Public in attendance: Meta Stahlberg and Beth Gagnon

Meeting was not filmed                Call to order 8:05pm

Motion to approve the 8/18/19 minutes – Adam made – second by Larry – 2-0

Paula abstained because she wasn’t at the 8/18 meeting

Larry reports that he has received some information from Nancy regarding outhouses and has made contact with a DES representative.  Larry has also spoken with the port-o-potty people. 

Adam asks committee to receive a summary of conversations from Larry to who he contacts – going forward

Beth Gagnon reports that shoreland and wetlands permit are required and wetland takes precedent

Adam reports that Thusis probably wouldn’t require wetlands because the outhouse is not on the beach.

Adam recommends Larry ask DES if we can de-construct outhouses and retire them.

Beth reports that she’s been working on a plan for P.S.  She spoke with Rose at DES.  Permits required for a perched beach. 

Adam to ask if our DPW has driven to the water and report it to the group.

Beth asks Bob Boyd if parking is allowed at the cul-de-sac.  She is waiting for an answer.

Beth reports that the Rockhouse Mountain side of the pond is far worse than the VDOE side in terms of runoff and wildlife.  Sediments are killing our wildlife.

DES reports that in December permitting and other things are going to get harder.

Rose reports that death to the ponds is happening but everyone needs to contribute to the solution.

Paula reports that she put a layer of gravel at her property and that helped substantially.

Beth says that she and Nordel are willing to put gravel on the walkway to the beach.

Adam says we should find the distance from the pond to the cul-de-sac

Meta is concerned that people use their land as an “outhouse”.

Beth says she will find out the distance.  If it’s more than 250 feet, then the question goes to the BOC for approval for immediate gravel that Beth and Nordel will donate and place. 

Paula wonders if we should put sand down.  Larry thinks it’s a waste.  Adam says he won’t vote for additional sand to go on that beach unless we have a permanent solution.

Meta says the town float is being relocated each year because sand keeps making the pond shallower by the beach.

Meta says she and Beth are going to put a proposal together for the entire area.

Beth confirms tree removal will be done in September.

Paula reports she has been unsuccessful in trying to reach the UNH stormwater management person.  She’ll keep trying.

Burr Phillips is the civil engineer working with BPPPA.  Beth thinks he is not volunteering his time.

Larry reports that he brought Burr Phillips in a few years ago.  Information is in the office.

Beth will send BPPPA information to us.

Paula sending the VLAP test results to Beth.

Larry reports that DES does an invasive species program.

Paula reports that on 9/14 Sara Steiner from DES is coming.  EPOA is putting on an event.

Next meeting TBD

Motion to adjourn Adam – second by Larry vote 3-0

Meeting adjourned at 8:45pm Minutes taken and submitted by Adam Leiser