Present for the Conservation Commission and attending the meeting were: Richard Steves, Chairman, Pam Goff, PersonNameRay Kellman, PersonNameVirginia Dyer, David Flanders, Bruce Bartels, PersonNameRusty Walton and PersonNameChuck Hodgkinson. Also attending were Chris Alley, Carly Look, Reid Silva and Julia Rappaport (MV Gazette). Russell Maloney was absent.
The Commission convened at 1:30 for site visits to 20, addressStreet21 Point Inner Way (SE 12 – 543), 25 East Lane (SE 12 – 541) and addressStreet12 East Lane SE 12 – 542).
CHRIS ALLEY FOR EAST HOUSE LLC; NOI SE 12 – 542; AP 32-64: Mr. Steves opened the public hearing at 2:32 PM and summarized the observations made at the earlier site visit. Mr. Alley summarized the plan to demolish the existing house that is in the shore zone and restore the site. A new house will be built outside the shore zone. Mr. Steves asked if the deck on the water side will be dismantled by hand and if the heavy machinery can stay on the north side of the existing house – to help protect the shore zone. He proceeded to read a detailed description from the contractor PersonNameGary Maynard that outlined the methods and machinery that will be employed. The Commission accepted the procedures. Mr. Alley added that the existing septic system’s tank and pump
chamber will be removed from the site – even though they are out of the Commission’s jurisdiction. With no comments from the audience the hearing closed at 2:40 PM. A subsequent motion was made to approve the plan as presented. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
REID SILVA FOR FOOL’S HIGH TIDE LLC; NOI SE 12 – 541; AP 32-68.1: Mr. Steves opened the hearing at 2:42 PM. Mr. Silva summarized the plan to install a permanent walkway that connects to a seasonal stairway down to the beach. The stairway will be removed in the fall and reinstalled in the spring. Locust will be used for the hand-dug posts, deck and stringers. The stairs will be made of spruce.
The Commission discussed alternatives to the walkway and stairs and concluded that the proposal is probably the best solution. Continued foot traffic on the existing path will most likely accelerate the erosion along the walkway. The Commission asked what methods could be used to stem the water runoff erosion under the walkway. Mr. Silva suggested 3 inch gravel may work as he did not think grass will grow on the pathway. Ms. Goff commented that the roadway leading to the shack seems fairly new and will promote erosion. She asked if some sort of water control measures could be taken to reduce erosion – such as water bars. Mr. Silva said the roadway was blocked about eight to ten years ago and recently opened.
Mr. Steves asked for comment from the audience. Mr. Conway recommended that the stairway be removed each season lest it will be lost to one of the winter storms and scattered on the beach. The Commission agreed. With no further comment the hearing closed at 2:55 PM. A motion was made to approve the plan as presented with the following special conditions: 1. The stairway will be installed no earlier than April 15 and removed no later than November 15 each year. 2. Three inch gravel will be installed under the walkway. 3. Several water bars will be installed on the roadway leading to the shack and pre-approved by the Conservation Officer. 4. The standard condition of allowing no revetments along the bank will also be imposed. The motion was seconded and unanimously
approved.
CARLY LOOK FOR POINT INNER TRUST; NOI SE 12 – 543; AP 33-98, 99, 101: Mr. Steves opened the hearing at 3:00 PM. Ms. Look summarized the landscape pruning and clearing plan for the coastal bank and comments made during the site visit. She added the Chinese junipers will be pruned and not flush cut as outlined in the notice. The pine trees, red cedars and choke cherries will remain. The Russian olive will be removed. Ms. Goff commented that this is a sensitive area and the grass cannot be allowed to get any closer to the bank. She asked if the vegetation could be allowed to spread over the “holes” in the ground cover for further bank protection.
Mr. Bartels commented he supports the pruning because it is healthy for the vegetation. He did add that one of the Commission’s roles is to help preserve the Town’s historic views and vistas of its water resources. This work when combined with the construction that is planned for later review will expose more of the proposed house to the pond and may affect the views from the pond.
The Commission agreed and suggested the existing vegetation should be pruned by no more than one third of its existing size. Ms. Look added that the plan is to reduce the density of the brush. With no comment form the audience the hearing closed at 3:15 PM. A subsequent motion was made to approve the pruning plan as presented with the following special conditions: 1. A maximum of 1/3 of the Chinese juniper shall be pruned. 2. The existing buffer shall not get any narrower. 3. The existing lawn shall not get any closer to the bank or pond. 4. A work-in-progress site visit shall be scheduled with the Commission before work is completed. The vegetation bordering any existing holes in ground cover shall be allowed to spread over the bank to help stabilize those sections
even further. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
FRANK FENNER FOR MENEMSHA GALLEY, INC. RFD AP 27.1-94: The Commission read the damages caused by fire to the Menemsha Galley Restaurant and the repairs and methods that will be employed to perform the work. This Request for Determination of Applicability is to cover the work that will take longer than the 30 limit of the approved Emergency Certification granted at the last meeting. After brief discussion a motion was made for a negative determination provided the conditions outlined in the Emergency Certification for debris handling and barriers will be employed throughout all the repairs. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE SE 12 – 421; AP 24-1: Mr. Walton summarized the Order of Conditions that were approved for the removal of Phragmites. He added that Mr. Arruda did an excellent job of executing the order and recommended approving the Certificate of Compliance. After brief discussion a motion was made to accept the Conservation Officer’s recommendation and grant the Certificate of Compliance. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
EMERGENCY CERTIFICATION TALOR AP 2-3: Mr. Walton summarized the need for an Emergency Certification to allow Al Hedin to remove a buried oil tank from a buffer zone. The Board of Health is requiring the action. A motion to grant the emergency certification as outlined with proper siltation barriers was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
ADMINISTRATION: The 9/19/07 minutes were reviewed. A motion to approve the minutes with a minor correction was made, seconded and unanimously approved. The Commission agreed to have Mr. Walton and Ms. Dyer attend the MACC Annual Conference on October 20th.
The following documents were signed and notarized as necessary:
East House LLC Order of Conditions SE 12 – 542; AP 32-64.
Certificate of Compliance SE 12 – 421; AP 24-1.
Emergency Certification placeCityTaylor.
With no further business to conduct the meeting adjourned at 3:33 PM.
Respectfully submitted by PersonNameChuck Hodgkinson, C.A.S.
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