Planning Board
March 1, 2011
Approved March 15, 2011
Members Present: Tom Vannatta, Chair; Bill Weiler, Travis Dezotell, Members; Ron Williams, Russell Smith, Alternates; Rachel Ruppel, Advisor.
Mr. Vannatta called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
Mr. Vannatta appointed Mr. Smith and Mr. Williams as voting members for this meeting.
Lake Sunapee Watershed Infrastructure Project Presentation
Mr. Vannatta welcomed the Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA) and members of the Lake Sunapee Watershed Infrastructure Project team to the meeting. He said that in addition to members of the Planning Board, in attendance were representatives from the Board of Selectmen, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Conservation Commission and other town officials.
Mr. Vannatta introduced Robert Wood (Woody), LSPA associate director/watershed steward, and June Fichter, LSPA executive director. Mr. Wood said LSPA, Antioch University and University of New Hampshire (UNH) were partners in the project. The project involved research and assessment of the local stormwater infrastructure, namely culverts, and presenting the findings to local municipalities as a tool to use for future planning. The project was funded through a grant from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The cost analysis of the research and assessments will be released in May 2011.
The presentation included research on past, current and projected stormwater runoff, current and future development trends and a detailed description of the Lake Sunapee watershed. Detailed information on culverts was presented with emphasis on the different types of culverts, effectiveness of current culverts and recommendations for improvements.
Michael Simpson and Jim Gruber, Antioch University, discussed the data to date and provided suggestions concerning steps that the town could take to address its current culvert vulnerability. Mr. Simpson said 12% of the area’s culverts are undersized and by the mid-21st century that percentage will increase to 35%. It was noted that there are 210 culverts on public roads in the watershed.
Mr. Gruber discussed the benefits of bio retention ponds, rain gardens and other natural filtration systems and recommended encouraging area engineers to include same in all future building development. Likewise, he suggested that the land use boards require applicants to include rain gardens and other bio retention systems on their plans.
There was discussion about the benefits of using systems that handle the water runoff on site as much as possible without sending it off-site and downstream.
A list of potential actions worth considering was drawn up. Topics included a capital improvement plan to replace culverts, incentives to property owners to establish rain gardens and other bio-retention methods, education strategies, possible zoning amendments regarding on-site mitigation of water runoff, an updated stormwater ordinance and methods to encourage the state to work with the town to upgrade/replace culverts.
There was discussion about alternative funding sources for culvert upgrading/replacing and establishing a collaborative approach to the problem with neighboring towns. Mr. Gruber said the research data gathering was conducted largely by the volunteer efforts of Antioch students from the environmental science department and that similar volunteer assistance may be available to the town for help with working on the aforementioned suggestions. He said students are interested in doing internships and community service as part of their curriculum.
Cal Prussman, town road agent, said the town was in the process of addressing the need to upgrade the existing town culverts.
Ms. Fichter thanked the project team and the Newbury Planning Board for hosting the presentation. Mr. Vannatta expressed appreciation for the detailed presentation and “next step” strategies.
Minutes
Mr. Vannatta deferred reviewing the minutes of January 4, 2011 until the Board’s next meeting.
Mr. Dezotell made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Smith seconded the motion. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Meg Whittemore
Recording Secretary
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