Environmental Committee VDOE September 16, 2019 DRAFT

Committee members in attendance:  Paula Doyle, Patti Aliventi, Jane Gunn, Adam Leiser, Larry Leonard 

Public in attendance: Meta Stahlberg

Meeting was not filmed                Call to order 8:05pm

Motion to approve the 8/29/19 minutes – Adam made – second by Paula – 3-0

Patti and Jane don’t vote because they were not in attendance at that meeting

Report is 172 feet from the water to the rocks at cul-de-sac on Porridge Shore

Sand can’t be added except at the very end of the path to the beach and even that requires permission from abutters because area is less than 40 feet wide – Gravel can be added

Peter Cooperdock is coming tomorrow to meet with Beth Gagnon, Meta Stahlberg, Jane Gunn, Donna Lane and Adam Leiser

Meta summarizes a conversation she had with Ron Briggs

Algae fungus is starting to spread in the ponds.  Meta and Jane both report seeing a lot of it.  The algae is brown and looks like “cotton candy”.  Jane recommends scooping it out.  It’s not harmful to dogs.  Supposedly a pool skimmer is necessary to remove this.  Patti says she will research it and get more information for the committee.  Larry says it looks like fish eggs.

Adam reports that Donna Lane wants to help us with watershed assistance grant.

Paula asks “what problem are we solving”?  Explanation is that water runoff is hurting our ponds.

Larry and Paula state that we are “looking for a problem”.

The committee wonders if Porridge Shore should simply be a boat launch. 

Patti reports she’s done a lot of research on beach water testing:  e coli is in the water and we are actually testing for the level not for presence.  Patti reports the testing time frame doesn’t help us.  Jane says nobody else does weekly testing. 

Adam asks Patti for a timeline of testing.  Patti says she’s working on it.

Patti reports that Nancy has not yet sent her the contract for the water testing.

Larry reports no new data. 

Paula has not yet heard from the UNH stormwater management person.  Paula to call instead of email.

Paula asks if the brine sprayer is working?  Adam reports that he thinks he asked the DPW and the answer is yes.

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

Environmental Committee VDOE August 18, 2019

Committee members in attendance:  Patti Aliventi, Larry Leonard, Adam Leiser

Absent: Paula Doyle, Jane Gunn                

Public in attendance: None

Meeting was filmed by Tim Hughes of Madison Television                             Call to order 8:25pm

Motion to approve the 8/5/19 minutes – Adam made – second by Patti – 3-0

Adam reports that the BOC received a response from John Cooley of the LPC.  He wonders if this year’s pond level plan can be continued next year.

Motion by Adam – recommend to BOC to maintain ponds as similarly as possibly to this year but have LPC install a floating nest next year. – second by Patti – vote 3-0

Weekly Beach testing has been tasked the to the environmental committee – Patti said she will be the main person for this task.

The management of outhouses has been tasked to the environmental committee – Larry said he will be the main person for this task.  Discussion ensues about the estimate of $6k a year for Garland for outhouses but we need to look at all information.  Included in this are the options to remove the current outhouses.  Nancy waiting for a formal letter from DES about this but has the name of the contact person.

The Porridge Shore Beach project has been tasked to the environmental committee.  – Adam will take it

Patti summarized the letter from Meta Stahlberg that discusses recent additional use of Porridge Shore Beach

Muddy Beach – this beach allows dogs

Adam discusses beaches and dog poop

Committee wants better signs in 2020

Larry Leonard believes better signage is the solution – Patti agrees

Larry and Patti both say not to put money into the Muddy beach area

Larry believes even long term Muddy beach should not be dog friendly

Patti doesn’t think we should put signs for Muddy beach either

Adam says even Muddy beach should not allow dogs

Motion by Adam that Larry be permitted to have whatever contact he deems necessary regarding the outhouse research excluding conversations with DES. – second Patti

Larry and Patti say he needs DES. 

Adam amends motion to including DES – second Larry  - vote 3-0

Motion by Adam that Patti be permitted to have whatever contact she deems necessary regarding weekly beach testing – second Larry – 3-0

Motion by Adam that Adam be permitted to have whatever contact necessary with people regarding Porridge Shore Beach – second Larry – 3-0

Larry reminds committee that gravel expense is needed for Porridge Shore Beach.  Adam says the VDOE may need to hire a landscape designer as well.

Next meeting TBD

Motion to adjourn Adam – second by Patti

Meeting adjourned at 8:45pm  Minutes taken and submitted by Adam Leiser vote 3-0

Environmental Committee VDOE August 5, 2019

Committee members in attendance:  Patti Aliventi, Larry Leonard, Adam Leiser

Absent: Paula Doyle, Jane Gunn                

Public in attendance: Nordell Gagnon, Justin Fisher, Kevin Ackert

Meeting was not filmed                Call to order 9:15am

Discussion about using a drone or some other form of creating a shoreline video for historical purposes

Two sandiest spots on the Big Pond are at Porridge Shore Beach and directly across.  These are easily visible from Google earth.

Nordell Gagnon says he wants to work with the VDOE and is delighted that the Board reached out to him.  He will be removing two dead trees on his property plus limbing a third tree.  This will all be done in September.  This will be done entirely at his expense.

Clivis Mutrum toilets should be evaluated.

Two spots for outhouses but one is clearly better than the other.  Everyone agrees that on other side of path from green sign is the best spot – may be on private property.  This property is owned by family of Justin Fisher.  He will contact family about consent.

There’s a tree right at entrance to Porridge Shore beach that needs to come down next year – huge, right at entrance on right.

Recommendation made to the BOC to have a list of trees that need to be cut and/or limbed.  Idea is to save money by doing all at once if possible.

Nordell will let us drain water onto his property.  Once at entrance way and four more paths to the left as someone walks towards the water.  Everyone agrees this is an important project for the benefit of the pond.

Everyone agrees that this is many steps:

Step 1 – get something in writing granting VDOE permission

Step 2 – go to DES

Step 3 – Find a landscape designer? 

Step 4 – get permeable material for area and do project closest to roadway if DES approval is not needed

Discussion about covering costs.  No money available this year.  Project would be a 2020 project.  Adam asks if it should be a warrant article or come from operating budget.  All are in agreement that it should be an operating budget expense.  Rough estimate of $2,000 discussed.

Nordell is willing to donate his excavator for work to help offset cost.

Adam wonders if this could be a volunteer project

Once completed, this will have to be maintained each year.

Nordell brings up dogs on the beaches.  Adam updates group as to what efforts have been taken by the VDOE to limit dogs on the beaches.  Suggestion made to have dedicated “no dogs” signs.

Kevin states that he does not have the “renter” letter that was created by the VDOE.

Adam motion to adjourn – second Patti --- Vote 3-0

Next meeting is 8pm on 8/5 in the Lodge

Minutes taken and submitted by Adam Leiser

Environmental Committee VDOE July 21

Committee members in attendance:  Jane Gunn, Patti Aliventi, Paula Doyle, Adam Leiser

Absent: Larry Leonard                    Public in attendance: None

Meeting was not filmed                Call to order 8:02am

Adam motion to approve agenda – second Jane vote yes 4-0

Adam motion to approve minutes of 7/7 – second Paula vote yes 4-0

Adam informs committee that questions were sent to John Cooley – no answer yet

Not urgent to get answers

BOC authorized purchase of two extra boards for the dam – boards to be cut to size

July 29^th at 9am is VLAP testing at Geneva Beach – Adam will attend – TBD on others

John Cancelarich has resigned from the committee

Adam announces that he was authorized by the BOC to respond on Facebook to the conversation about weekly beach testing – simply to write the exact wording of the motion

Paula wonders if the dam management plan should be done in the Environmental Committee

Adam discussed proposed pond level management – Paula asks who would be in charge of administration of proposed pond level management – answer is unknown

Paula is concerned that this management plan is too much of a management job

Paula isn’t comfortable endorsing this

Jane says she wants more questions answered

Adam agrees

Leak in dam discussed

BOC has not discussed following up with DES about the potential failure of the dam

Questions for Charlie Krautman – Can you tell us more about the leak you identified?  What are the implications?  Should we be discussing a fix, replace?  What’s your advice?

Paula says it should be done in person.  Can we do it in person?  Should it be on the phone?  Everyone agrees to try it in person.

Paula wonders who should be part of meeting.  Patti thinks it’s environmental committee and BOC.

Adam says we should thank Charlie for the report.

Outhouses – Nancy is to send the committee what she has on outhouses removal.

Should the VDOE supply bear proof garbage cans in the district?

Most affordable long term option may be to reconstruct outhouses and get bear proof garbage cans so we can pump outhouses in the future.

Environmental Committee wants the information from DES regarding outhouse removal.

EPOA should be notified that the BOC voted to not pay for the testing.

EPOA asked to comb the lake.  Have we gotten a response?

Paula asks about the process to get information to and from the BOC – Adam explains that it will all be happening between the chair of the committees and the administrator.

Paula reached out to Dr. James Thoule(?) and has not heard back regarding storm water management

Nordell Gagnon may be attending a BOC meeting in the future.  He has been contacted.

Patti discusses Big Porridge Pond Preservation Assocation – August 10 at 2pm.  Nobody on the committee is planning to go.  Jay Buckley has said he would go.  Jane asks what the purpose of the association is.  Nobody is certain but Paula thinks Jay may know.

Porridge Shore runoff – Kevin Ackert reached out to the BOC and asked to meet with Adam.  Adam informs committee he will be happy to meet with Kevin.  Adam will inform committee when that meeting will occur.  Adam will try to make it a daytime meeting.

Adam says multiple beaches need sand – maybe we need to have erosion control on the beaches?  Adam raises the question of what does committee want to do?  Should the BOC find out if someone in the district has a background or knowledge on this?  Maybe some money should be allocated?

Patti and Jane said they will look and learn and report back to the Environmental committee regarding sand runoff in rainstorms.  Neither Jane nor Patti will be contacting anyone: just fact finding

Nothing to report on Thusis because water levels are too high

Adam motion to adjourn – second Patti --- Vote 4-0

Next meeting is 8pm on 8/5 in the Lodge

Minutes taken and submitted by Adam Leiser

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 4^th.

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

Environmental Committee in the VDOE – June 16, 2019

Members present:  Paula Doyle, John Cancelarich Adam Leiser, Patti Aliventi

Members absent:  Larry Leonard

Call to order 8:07pm

Motion to approve agenda made by Adam – second by Patti – vote 4-0

Motion to approve Larry’s mission statement from Adam – second Patti ----

Discussion ensues

Vote is 4-0

Motion to approve minutes from 6/2– Adam – second Patti

Vote 4-0

Adam motion to have Patti become chair – second – John

Vote 4-0

Pond level status – 2 boards, 10 inches each are not in place.  An email was sent to John Cooley for confirmation that no additional boards need to be taken out or put in at this time.  That was done two days ago.  John Cooley reported that the VDOE should maintain the status quo.

Environmental committee recommends that the BOC discuss pond levels with the LPC roughly 24-48 hours after the loon egg hatches.

Adam motion to allow Paula to speak with Jay Buckley regarding the bathroom situation – second Patti

Vote 4-0

The bathrooms will likely become a warrant article issue

VLAP testing has been done by the EPOA historically.  Paula volunteered this year and last and the EPOA did not contact her.   This year the June VLAP testing was done by John Rocharz, Ralph Lutjen, Bob Ingram, and Phil something. 

Adam motion to recommend BOC allow John C to speak with John R. and Bob Ingram and have John R. train John C how to do VLAP testing.   Second Patti

Vote 4-0

Discussion about weekly testing and whether or not it should become biweekly.  Committee discusses having weekly tests this year but next year having it become a warrant article and let the voters decide how often they want testing.  Cost is 4k or 2k approximately

Question comes out – how often is a positive test reported?

John C points out that the test hasn’t been done right in the past and as a result all prior records are questionable.

Recommendation of committee to continue weekly testing this year.

Pond cleanup – should it be a volunteer activity? 

Adam motion – recommend the BOC that they ask the EPOA to coordinate a pond cleanup – maybe before the pig roast? – second John C.

Vote 4-0

GMCG – meeting July 3^rd about water quality.  Steering committee being formed.  Best management practices to be discussed.

Adam motion – to recommend the BOC allow Paula to attend GMCG meeting on committee behalf – second Patti

Vote 4-0

Jane Gunn may be joining the environmental committee.

Committee wants to know what’s going on with the Brine machine?  Nobody seems to know.  The BOC should ask Kelly on 6/20 when he attends the BOC meeting.

Adam motion – to allow John C freedom to contact whomever he needs in order to learn more and eventually report back to the committee his findings about more eco friendly ways to treat the roads within the VDOE. – second Patti

Vote 4-0

Public comment – John C shared an email he received from John Cooley regarding dam management.  John has been instructed to share this email with the office for distribution to the BOC.

Adam Motion to adjourn – second John

Meeting adjourned at 9:45

Respectfully submitted by Adam

Environmental Committee in the VDOE – June 2, 2019

Call to order: 8:05pm

Members present:  Paula Doyle, Larry Leonard, Adam Leiser, Patti Aliventi

Members absent: John Cancelarich

Call to order 8:07am

Motion to approve agenda made by Adam – second by Patti – vote 4-0

Motion to approve call to John Cancelarich – Larry – second Paula – vote 4-0

John makes a motion to change the minutes from last meeting by adding the following:

John C asks Mr. Krautman if he is aware of the major concerns on Big Pea: Low water levels, loss of aquatic life at short line, problems with docks, boats and swimming.  Mr. Krautman said that he is aware of the concerns.

John C asks about the investigation of the new culvert on Big Loop.  Mr. Krautman had most of the information except he did not know the depth placement of the previous culvert.

John C recommends recording two measurements at the dam: water level and overflow level.  The current levels are 7 ¾ inch from top of cement and overflow is 8 inches.

John C and Adam agreed that the dam lost about an inch of water per day in depth for the pond for approximately 5 days and the decrease then changed to ¼-1/2 inch daily at the dam

Adam second  - vote 4-0-1 – Patti abstained because she was not in attendance at prior meeting

Motion to approve mission statement from Adam – second Patti ----

Discussion ensues

Vote is no 0-5

Summary of Fish and Game letter was given.  Final discussion was that the BOC made a decision and time spent on this is wasted. 

Larry makes a motion to have BOC allow someone to take measurements of the level below the concrete, above, the board and at Big Pea culvert.  – Paula second

Vote Patti, Adam, No (rationale given by both is that rainfall amount needs to be part of documentation and regular schedule needs to be maintained)

Vote Paula, John, Larry Yes

Motion passes 3-2

Adam will forward the Fish and Game letter to the committee

Adam says that the committee members should not contact state representatives, vendors, etc… regarding committee information

Paula says it should go to legal for verification.

Adam says he doesn’t want to violate anyone’s rights but as members of the committee, correspondence should come from the committee.

Outhouses: Summary of bottom feeders conversation with Adam and Greg.

Larry to verify if outhouses have liquid in them.  Larry to contact Kathy and/or Nancy about who they have contacted already this year in regards to outhouse cleanings.

Adam informs the committee that the environmental committee tasked by BOC to have a recommendation regarding outhouses

Pond testing: weekly beach testing at 5 main beaches – Monday mornings – last year by Gloria

13 weeks - $175 per week = $2275

This is voluntary – used to be paid for by EPOA

Adam motion and Paula seconds: recommend to the BOC that the BOC ask the EPOA to pay for this. Vote 5-0

Discussion ensues

Adam motion Patti second – recommend to the BOC that the bathroom cleaning person take the samples and be correctly instructed as to how collection is to be done and delivered.

Vote 5-0

Paula volunteers to train the person

Adam motion and Paula seconds – recommend to the BOC work to be done bi-weekly unless a fail test occurs.  If it does, testing should be done weekly until normal results are reported.

Vote 5-0 yes

Paula to look at VLAP testing further

Adam highlights that the EPOA has a full board

Nothing to report on storm water management

No public comment as no public is in attendance

June 16, 2019 at 8pm in the Lodge is the next meeting

Motion to adjourn – Adam / Paula second

9:08pm

Environmental Committee in the VDOE – May 28, 2019

Call to order: 9:05am

Members present:  Paula Doyle, Larry Leonard, Adam Leiser, John Cancelarich, Kelly Robitialle, Charles Krautman

Mr. Krautman explains that he is a DES engineer and dam management expert.   The dam at Little Pea is a low hazard dam and as such needs to pass a 50 year test.

DES is coming with a surveyor on June 3^rd to gather additional information and to help Mr. Krautman so he can write a report which will likely be returned to the district at the end of June.

DES is only for dam safety and will not make any recommendations in regards to the loons or their nests.

John C wants to know about flow rates for the brook and if we’re responsible for anything down stream.    John C thinks we are.  Mr. Krautman says he doesn’t believe that is true.

Elevations at ponds are going to be determined when surveyor comes.

Paula D asks about placing a second dam between Big Pea and Middle Pea.  Mr. Krautman explains that this is only done via legislation.

DES recommends checking with Fish and Game and Loons Preservation Society in terms of floating docks or anything loon related.  DES does work with those organizations when needed.

Mr. Krautman supports the idea of an additional 5 inch board being placed in the dam.  Every committee member agrees.  Kelly R. says it can be done.  Adam (as instructed during the BOC meeting on 5/23) instructs Kelly to do this tomorrow because we’re getting an inch of rain today.

Mr. Krautman says different size boards could delay outflow.

Wetlands permit would be needed to put in a second dam.

The report coming to the VDOE at the end of June will be the first report on hydraulics in regards to the dam that has ever been done by DES on the dam at Little Pea.

Wonderground is a great tool for rain flow according to Mr. Krautman.

Motion to approve minutes of 5/27/19 made by Adam L.  Second by Larry L.  Paula says to changes needed and outlines the changes.

Motion to approve minutes as modified made by Adam L.  Second by Paula.  Vote yes 4-0.

Next meeting is tbd – Adam to email the committee

The minutes in italics were added to the draft minutes during the environmental committee meeting on 6/2/19

John C asks Mr. Krautman if he is aware of the major concerns on Big Pea: Low water levels, loss of aquatic life at short line, problems with docks, boats and swimming.  Mr. Krautman said that he is aware of the concerns.

John C asks about the investigation of the new culvert on Big Loop.  Mr. Krautman had most of the information except he did not know the depth placement of the previous culvert.

John C recommends recording two measurements at the dam: water level and overflow level.  The current levels are 7 ¾ inch from top of cement and overflow is 8 inches.

John C and Adam agreed that the dam lost about an inch of water per day in depth for the pond for approximately 5 days and the decrease then changed to ¼-1/2 inch daily at the dam

Motion to adjourn by Adam – seconded by John – vote 4-0

Meeting adjourned 10am

Environmental Committee in the VDOE – May 27, 2019

Call to order: 8:10

Members present:  Paula Doyle, Larry Leonard, Adam Leiser, John Cancelarich by phone

Public: John Rocharz, Amy Thompson, Bill Di Giacomo

Motion to call John by Adam – second from Paula Doyle – vote 3-0

Motion to appoint Adam as chair by Larry – second Paula – vote 3-0 (Adam abstaining)

Motion to appoint Adam as secretary  by Larry – second Paula – vote 3-0 (Adam abstaining)

John R. speaks about collecting water weekly for testing (ecoli)  - done weekly (Monday) and brought to N. Conway.  Must ask Nancy for more information.  Gloria may have some information too.

Paula to speak with Gloria, Nancy and John Rocharz to help with VLAP testing and get additional information on weekly testing.

June, July, August VLAP test – deep water test at three levels

John R. says at least three but really 4 people are needed

Bob Ingram, Phil (unknown last name) and John Rocharz do VLAP testing with occasional help from Ralph Lutjen   --- according to John R they will continue to do this.  Paula volunteers to help as well.   June 30^th is the date this year and the state has been informed.  Someone needs to drive to Concord the next day (must be within 24 hours of collection)

State coming this year (they come once every three years)

Paula watched the VLAP video on YouTube put out by the state.

Committee wants to have a written process of how to do this. 

Paula and John R will work together to do June VLAP testing.  Paula will find an extra person or two to help.

Mission statement discussed.  It will be discussed further during our next meeting.

Objectives to be discussed during our next meeting as well.

Is a snow melt piece of equipment broken that had been used in earlier years?

Ice out report should be coming to the BOC soon.

Pond levels –

What can DES do for us in the meeting?  Other questions to be asked.

A plan can’t be made in a week

Flow rate was approximately 1 inch per day for five days and then ½ inch since

This committee supports the idea of asking DES if it makes sense to put the largest board possible in the dam that still allows water to flow over the top.

Can boards be cut to smaller size or do new ones have to be purchased?

Majority of committee supports putting in a floating nest immediately only if LPS is available this week only.  Otherwise, wait for a BOC meeting for decision on asking LPS for a floating nest.

Adam points out garbage in the ponds.  Larry suggests a clean up day.  John R. to contact the BOC asking for assistance with a clean up day.

Paula outlining BOC meeting that UNH had something to offer the VDOE.    Storm water management is key according to Paula. 

Paula is taking the lead on storm water management.

Outhouses issue – is the 6k-7k worth it?

We need a solution for the outhouses.  BOC to continue looking at this. 

Next meeting is tbd – Adam to email the committee

Motion to adjourn by Adam – seconded by Larry – vote 4-0

Meeting adjourned 9:10pm