CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
Feb. 7, 2017 at 7:00pm
Houghton Building, 663 Main Street
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND APPOINTMENTS
REQUEST FOR A DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY (FRD); NOTICE OF INTENT (NOI), ABBREVIATED NOTICE OF RESOURCE AREA DELINEATION (ANRAD), ORDER OF CONDITIONS (OOC)
In attendance: Chair Brian Berube, Karen Overfield, Jeff Bryan, Land Steward Jeff Larence, and Conservation Agent Rebecca Longvall
7:00 pm The commission continued the public hearing for the Notice of Intent submitted for the property located at 22 West Berlin Rd, Taylor Property. The NOI addresses the land clearing and proposed remediation of the disturbed portion of the property. Rebecca Longvall noted that Leo Garneau who is the property owner’s environmental consultant, had emailed the commission to request a continuance prior to the meeting. Brian Berube made a motion to continue the public hearing until February 21st at a time to be determined; Jeff Bryan second, all unanimously approved.
7:15 pm The commission opened the public hearing for the Notice of Intent for the property located at 0 Sawyer Rd. Both the property owner and Dan Wells from Goddard Consulting were present. The majority of the work is outside of the buffer area. The commission asked both Jeff L and Rebecca if there were any concerns on the property considering they were present at the site visit. Rebecca stated the limit of work would need to be marked off as proposed with proper erosion control as there would be fill brought in and graded toward the back side of the lot. The property owner addressed the reasoning for this is for his wife who has become dependent upon a walker will be able to walk out of the house with more ease. The proposed grading is further than 67 ft. away from the wetland
resource area, but notably still in the commission’s jurisdiction. The current slope is 2:1 and the fill and transition grading would be an improvement in terms of further erosion. Dan stated there will be some notation as to where the fill will come from to ensure it is clean fill. Also he is awaiting input from MassWildlife on the property which the commission is requiring to make any formal decision. Jeff B proposed that any machinery to fill or grade has potential to impact the resource area. Jeff L proposed to remediate this concern by specifying in the order of conditions to keep machinery out of the 25ft buffer zone or if possible jurisdictional area. Brian suggests to close the public hearing if there are no further questions. Brian made a motion to close public meeting and vote at the next meeting on February 21st 2017 at a time to be determined; Jeff L second, all unanimously approved.
7:30 pm The commission opened the public hearing for the Notice of Intent for the property located at 401 Main St. and the remediation of horse paddock area in wetlands and the wetland delineation. Seth Donohoe was present to represent the applicant. Seth pointed out the cleared area as noted on several site visits by commission members. The cleared area is to be restored with upland and wetland species as these were the species disturbed. The proposed expansion or re-shaping of the paddock is to stay outside of the buffer area as much as possible and the portion that is within a small forested area will preserve the mature vegetation. The erosion control proposed is the straw wattles until the planted vegetation proposed is mature and established. The wattles are being used as
they are preferred relative to the natural swale above the cleared area that re-directs the water away from the disturbed area therefore erosion during restoration would be minimized already. Seth asked that he may call the Conservation Agent to permit removal of brush prior to planting but while the ground is still frozen.
There was a concerned community group present along with the notified abutter. The abutter Mrs. Ali Webb who was concerned with manure stockpiling on the property. She also noted for the record that not all trees were cut prior to the property being under new ownership. Rebecca noted this for the record. Rebecca stated that Andrew has a service in place that removes the manure from the property. She stated she will reach out to remind him he needs to provide documentation of this practice or remove the manure stockpiling out of the jurisdictional area. Brian stated there will be escrow held on the property as it has commercial practices. He clarified this typically amounts to 2 to 3 times the amount of the project. Rebecca confirmed the
manure concern will be noted on the order of conditions if the commission is to approve the proposed project. The community group also made comments about their concerns regarding public water supply which was clarified that it is the Board of Health’s jurisdiction. John Tremblay of the community group asked questions about potential future plans which was answered by explaining the Commission cannot condition or discuss potential future plans but rather the project proposed in front of them. Jeff L reminded the audience that the resources delineated on the property is a huge benefit specifically to conditioning the proposed project appropriately. There was a question from Nancy of the community group asking if there is an encroachment on conservation land; Jeff L Confirmed there is not as he walked the property with other trust members to confirm. John Tremblay asked questions specific to minimizing or conditioning the movement of animals on the property as this would cause
disturbance. Jeff L responded by stating the property is agriculturally exempt due to the practices. The animals are all kept outside of the 200ft buffer. The areas that were altered due to the clearing on the property are proposed to be remediated, the main focus of the commission during this is meeting due to jurisdictional regulations. Jeff L and Seth reminded the community about setbacks and disturbance percentages that are allowable per number of acres per parcel. Jeff L reminded and answered a question relative to safe resources. Jeff L also noted that if service vehicles are to be regularly used on the property there will be erosion control added. The community group inquired about limited parking. The commission answered by stating the portion of driveway that is in the jurisdictional area will have limited conditioned parking or eliminate parking in that area of buffer. Seth promises annual and bi annual monitoring of growth and establishment of plantings. Chair Brian
reminds community group that there will be no storage in the 25ft buffer and they will regrow native vegetation in this area. The growth is ensured as there is a ‘no-touch’ within 25ft of the resource area. Rebecca and Brian conclude that they are awaiting response from MassWildlife and manure removal plan. Brian made a motion to continue public hearing at the request of the Applicant Representative to be held on February 21st 2017 at a time to be determined. Jeff B second, all unanimously approve.
8:30 pm Public Hearing – RDA - 131 Green End Rd – Blueberry field expansion
The commission opened the public hearing for 131 Green End Rd. for a Request for Determination of Applicability involving the expansion of the existing blueberry field. The commission agreed that they would like to take a site visit on the property themselves prior to approving. The applicant had called and left a message requesting a continuance as she was unable to appear at the meeting. Brian made a motion to continue the public hearing until February 21st 2017 at a time to be determined. Karen second and all unanimously approve.
8:45 pm Appointment – Ken Troupe – Camp Virginia proposal to assist in survey work
Ken Troupe approached the commission to propose funding from the commission to cover due diligence regarding the survey and wetland delineation. The commission needed to consider all aspects and will re-convene at the next meeting with a response.
OTHER COMMISSION BUSINESS (MAY BE TAKEN IN ANY ORDER)
- Minutes: Review/Approve 12/8/2016 & 1/05/2017
Brian made motion to approve minutes. Second, all unanimously approved.
- There was remediation discussed to a disturbance that occurred to the Vaughn Hills entrance off of Green Rd. This disturbance included the removal of two posts which marked off the historic site along with holes created from a vehicle being stuck. There are no motorized vehicles allowed on conservation properties, however the sign to this property which noted this was on the side of the trail for repair in spring. The sign has been replaced by Jeff L the new Land Steward. Also the commission discussed remediation to be proactive in this mistake reoccurring which entailed roping off the historic site, re-grading the area disturbed and using a rope or chain to ensure no vehicle entering into the property past the parking area.
- There was also a discussion regarding the boats that Camp Denny has recently come into ownership of and where/if they can be stored on the property throughout the camping season. Rebecca and Jeff L had been out on a site visit to choose an area on the property that would not obstruct the general flow of traffic throughout the conservation area. There was a small stand of pine trees which allowed a canopy cover while acting as a natural barrier between the main trails. The commission determined the other members would like to see the area as well.
- New Business: Open Space and Recreation Plan
Land Maintenance – invoice
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