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Committee discusses watershed protections, septic regulation drafts and outreach plans for Granite Lake
Summary
Members reviewed state cyanobacteria guidance and local options to reduce runoff into Granite Lake, including advocating catch-basin maintenance, exploring subdivision and watershed-district rules, and reviewing a citizen-drafted septic regulation proposal slated for Planning Board consideration.
Members of the Cyanobacteria Committee spent the bulk of the April 8 meeting on strategies to protect Granite Lake from runoff and cyanobacteria risk.
Naomi Risch summarized research on state cyanobacteria guidance, citing the State of New Hampshire cyanobacteria plan and Appendix D of the GL Watershed Management Plan, and said she would compile an email condensing key resources such as the LakeSmart program and other state portals that residents can use. She emphasized outreach and materials for residents that outline rain gardens, rain barrels and other actions to protect the lake.
Committee members discussed advocating for routine catch-basin and culvert maintenance at an upcoming Select Board meeting. Bob Maden recommended the town commission a report on maintenance best practices for dirt roads that drain into the lake—including Shedd Hill, Town Forest and North Shore roads—and urged attention to swales and waddles. Paul Fiondella proposed subdivision regulation changes to improve on-site water management and presented a third draft of proposed septic-system regulations for committee review.
Steve Jacobs said he had contacted the state and noted the state had recently updated relevant regulations; he said the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) has addressed many septic issues and that updated septic regulations will appear on the upcoming Town ballot. The committee did not adopt any regulatory changes at the meeting; Rex Rodanas asked members to prepare three concise bullet points each to streamline future discussion and to prepare materials for Planning Board outreach.
Bob Maden asked that Paul convert his outline into a Planning Board submission rather than make it a Cyanobacteria Committee policy item. The committee scheduled further discussion of the draft regulations for its next meeting on May 19.
No budget figures or formal regulatory referrals were recorded at this session. The committee’s next procedural step is for members to prepare materials and for the body to review Paul Fiondella’s draft at the May 19 meeting.
