Milfoil Meeting Minutes

                Milfoil Control Committee
                Meeting Minutes  - approved 8/22/2019
                July 31, 2019

Members present: Susan Goodwin, Linda Murray, Tom Ouhrabka, John Russell, Marc Martin, Jim McDevitt, Kathy Barnard

Susan called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM. Marc Bellaud and Peter Beisler from Solitude Lake Management and Amy Smagula from NDES participated in the meeting via phone.

The July 18, 2019 meeting minutes were discussed.  Marc made a motion to approve the minutes. Tom seconded the motion. All committee members voted in favor of the motion.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss adjusting the timetable for a retreatment of 11.3 acres in Back Bay with ProcellaCOR. Solitude has suggested doing the retreatment in June 2020. The manufacturer, SePro Corporation requires that treatments be completed prior to September 1st. Also, it may not be possible to obtain the required permit in time for a September 2019 treatment. Instead Solitude suggested doing more hand pulling during 2019. Amy Smagula supported this suggestion.
Committee members expressed concerns about a June treatment having a negative impact on business owners/operators in the area. Also, concerns were expressed about the negative impact the yellow caution signs have on property owners and others.
Marc and Pete explained that the treatment could be done during the second or third week in June and prior to the busy summer season. They also said swimming is only restricted for 24 hours and the maximum time for no irrigation is 7 days.  However, Solitude does testing the second and third day after the treatment and may be able to remove the restrictions after 3 days. The signs can be posted the day of the treatment and may possibly be removed after 3 days. The signs would only be posted around the 11.3 acres (middle of Back Bay and the Frog Pond area) and not the entire Back Bay area.  Marc and Pete also mentioned there will be active growth in June. They stated that the Town will get “more bang for their buck” if the treatment can be done in June.
Committee members discussed the impact on the businesses and abutters and asked Solitude to provide specific information so the committee members can adequately explain to the residents the reasons for the change of time of the chemical treatment.
Jim said there will be significant “push back” from the business owners if the treatment was done later than the second week in June.  Other committee members agreed.  It was also suggested that the treatment should be done on a Monday and would then have no negative impact on weekend business.
Marc said this product has a very safe toxicology profile.  It targets plants and has minimal restrictions for humans and animals. He also said that the State of NH requires additional restrictions.
The maximum cost will be $7,464 and may be a little less.  
All committee members present support the change of time for the chemical treatment from September 2019 to the second week (or first week, if possible) of June 2020.
Tom asked if Goodwin Basin should also have the chemical treatment in June. The answer was yes since it would be more effective.  The permit for Goodwin Basin has already been issued for September, but Solitude can readjust the timing.  The cost for Goodwin basin is $6,555, except it may be more due to the permit cost.
Solitude will survey Goodwin Basin next week and call Tom prior to the survey.

Committee members asked if we should keep hand pulling in the treatment area. Pete said the area could be left alone unless the milfoil grows to the water surface.
Linda suggested that we send a report to the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen to advise them of the schedule change and the reasons for the change.  Some reasons are as follows:
    Conditions in Back Bay will be improved for all businesses, property owners and users of Back     Bay if the milfoil is eliminated early in the season
    Procellacor has a very safe toxicology profile and is very effective
    This product targets plants and has minimal restrictions for humans and animals
    The late season (September 2018) treatment had significant milfoil regrowth
    It may not be possible to get the permit in time for a September treatment.
    An early June treatment will have minimal impact on Back Bay businesses and Back Bay users.

Susan said another meeting will be scheduled near the end of August to review the Milfoil Control budget.

Linda made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Tom seconded the motion. All members voted in favor of the motion.

Meeting adjourned at 9:23 AM.

Submitted by
Kathy Barnard