FINAL
Present for the Conservation Commission and attending the meeting were: Richard Steves, Chairman, Pam Goff, Dick Smith, Bruce Bartels, David Flanders, Rusty Walton and Chuck Hodgkinson. Doug Hoehn, Chris Alley, Dave Knecht and Glenn Provost also attended. Andrew Fischer and Virginia Dyer were absent.
Mr. Steves opened the meeting at 12:30 PM and appointed Alternate Commissioner Dick Smith as a voting member for the day’s agenda.
CHRIS ALLEY FOR ALLEN B. FLANDERS; NOI AP 26-30.1, 30.2 (NO DEP FILE # REQUIRED): Mr. Steves opened the public hearing at 12:30 PM. Mr. Alley reminded the Commission that this application is in response to the positive determination that was issued previously for the proposed work. He added that the resource area is an isolated wetland that is approximately 2000 sq. ft. and is only regulated by the Town’s Wetland Protection By-Laws. He explained that the owner would like to remove the rubble rocks, large willow trees and vegetation from the isolated wetland. The purpose is to open the view and return the isolated wetland to a meadow that is consistent with the remainder of the field. Mr. Alley also asked for an indefinite maintenance plan should the Commission vote
to approve the application.
The Commission commented that the work seems reasonable but the existing high bush blueberry and winterberry may not be removed or pruned. The area may be maintained around this vegetation. With no further comment a motion was made to close the hearing at 12:35 PM. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved. A subsequent motion was made to approve the plan as presented with the following conditions: 1. The large willow trees may be removed. 2. The rubble rocks may be removed from the isolated wetland. 3. The high bush blueberry and the winterberry bushes may not be removed. They may be pruned to a height of no less than three feet. The intention is to increase the yield of the high bush blueberries. 4. The area may be maintained
indefinitely provided the mowing goes around the remaining vegetation. 5. The mowing in the lower wetland area may only take place in the fall, winter and spring months between October 15 – April 15. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
DOUG HOEHN FOR HONKER & SONS LLC; SE 12 – 559; AP 35-1.2: Mr. Hoehn thanked the Commission for its time and summarized the history of this project and the amendments that have been approved. He introduced the construction manager Dave Knecht who proceeded to explain the additional revisions they are proposing as follows: 1. Increase the depth of the full basements under both the existing house and the planned attached barn from 8 feet to 10 feet to provide more head room. The basement will not be habitable space. 2. Add two egress window wells to barn foundation and one to the main house foundation for safety reasons. 3. Change the location of the bulkhead door to the southeast corner of the main house. 4. The foundation drainage
system will not change. The perimeter foundation water will be gravity drained. 5. A backhoe will be used to dig the foundations.
After brief discussion a motion was made to accept the changes as inconsequential to the previously approved plan. The motion was seconded. The Commission asked Mr. Hoehn to provide updated site plans for the record. The motion was unanimously approved.
GLENN PROVOST FOR MERLE BERGER; SE 12 – 564; AP 27-15.1, 15.2: Mr. Provost attended at the Commission’s request to discuss the proposed new location for the buried propane tank that is 20 feet from the heron rookery and pond. The Commission explained that the proposed location above ground and behind the garage is not significantly different than the current location and added it did not realize the propane was for an auxiliary generator that is inside the garage. After discussion the Commission consented to leaving the tank in its current location and asked if the Berger’s would move the generator vent from the back of the garage and facing the pond to the front of the garage. This would create less noise and disturbance during the heron nesting season. Mr.
Provost agreed to talk with the engineer and the Bergers and offered to return to the December 3 meeting with a recommendation. Mr. Provost further explained that the parking area would be restored with loam and mulch by December 1. The planting of this area will be performed in accordance with the revised timing as outlined in the Commission’s letter dated 11/6/08. It calls for no planting in this section between the dates of March 1 and September 1.
RUSTY WALTON UPDATES: Mr. Walton informed the Commission of his successful pre-construction meetings with the contractors for the sealed septic tanks at AP 27.1-31; SE 12 – 555 and the Hornblower driveway at AP 35-1.6; SE 12 – 528.
He reviewed a letter with supporting photos from Wendy Bujak owner of AP 24 – 210, 211. The letter outlined the significant erosion and silt runoff that is coming from the construction project from the upland parcel AP 24-209, 216 that is owned by Douglas Sacks. Mr. Walton added that he made a site visit earlier in the day and recommended siltation barriers be installed at a minimum. After discussion a motion was made to have the Conservation Officer issue an Enforcement Order requiring the installation of siltation barriers and a system that prevents further erosion during the winter until a more permanent solution can be planted next year. They requested a plan be submitted by the next meeting on December 3. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
ADMINISTRATION: The meeting minutes for November 5, 2008 were reviewed. A motion to approve the minutes as presented was made, seconded and unanimously approved. The following document was signed and notarized as needed:
Order of Conditions: No DEP File # Required; AP 26-30.1, 30.2.
NEXT MEETING: The site visits for the next meeting will take place on the same day - Wednesday, December 3 @ 12:30 PM. With no further business to conduct the meeting adjourned at 1:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Chuck Hodgkinson, C.A.S.
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