FINAL
Present for the Conservation Commission and attending the meeting were: Pam Goff, Sandy Broyard, Donald Poole, Caitlin Jones, Wes Cottle and Chuck Hodgkinson. Reid Silva, George Sourati, Lawrence and Nancy Star, Darran Reubens, Linda Greenberg and Keith McGuire also attended. Richard Steves and Dick Smith were absent.
The meeting came to order at 12:33 PM. Ms. Goff was appointed as acting Chair. Caitlin Jones and Wes Cottle were appointed as voting members for the day’s agenda. The site visits for today’s meeting were made on August 16.
NOI SE 12 – 636; GEORGE SOURATI FOR LAWRENCE AND NANCY STAR; 7 Huckleberry Hollow; Map 13 Lot 9.1: Ms. Goff opened the public hearing at 12:34 PM. Mr. Sourati summarized the plan to construct an addition with a basement foundation to the existing single-family residence with associated utilities; install a new septic system and landscape the site within the 100-foot buffer zone of a bordering vegetated wetland. The applicant would also like to convert an existing seasonal studio into a year-round writing studio with heating. The studio is also in the 100-foot wetland buffer zone. The closest activity is approximately 20 feet from the wetland edge. Mr.
Sourati pointed out the wetland is a 20-foot wide drainage swale with no flowing water as noted at the site visit. The propane tank behind the studio will remain in its current location and the patio will not be installed as originally proposed. The studio will be insulated from the inside and have a ½ bath. The sewage will be pumped up to the septic tank. The porch will have a pier foundation except for one wall which will be poured concrete. The retaining wall for the patio near the house will be one foot below grade and three feet above. The project has been cleared by the NHESP.
With no comment from the audience a motion was made to close the hearing at 12:42 PM. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved. A subsequent motion was made to approve the site plan dated 8/17/11 as presented with the following conditions: 1. The propane tank will remain in its current location – behind the studio. 2. The proposed patio behind the studio will not be installed. 3. The silt fencing shall be installed as shown on the site plan dated 6/30/11 and approved by the Conservation Agent before work begins. The motion was seconded and with no discussion approved unanimously with five in favor.
NOI SE 12 – 637; REID SILVA FOR SHEPHERD’S PATH NOMINEE TRUST; 16 Shepherd’s Path; Map 24 Lot 1: Ms. Goff opened the hearing at 12:45 PM. Mr. Silva summarized the plan to remove Phragmites roots and additional decaying organic material from a pond and surrounding wetlands with a hydro-rake that is on a small barge with paddle-wheel propulsion. The raking may go five to ten feet beyond the water’s edge and rake about two feet down. The raked material will be de-watered and spread at an upland location. Access to the pond will be over a grass field.
Mr. Silva added the NHESP has not responded to the application but he anticipates it will require a certified survey of the salt marsh pennywort by an approved botanist. This plant has flourished since the Phragmites removal in 2007. He expects no activity would be allowed until this survey and report is finished and deemed closed. He added no on-going maintenance of the proposed hydro-raking is required for this project.
The Commission commented that there is a large wetland system in the area that is performing as it should. The pond is unique and the proposed hydro-raking will improve the health of the pond and the surrounding habitat for unique and rare species—such as the pennywort.
With no comment from the audience a motion was made to close the hearing at 1:05 PM. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved. A subsequent motion was made to approve the plan as presented with the following conditions: 1. No work may be done as proposed without prior approval by the NHESP. 2. The contractor shall have an on-site meeting with the Conservation Agent to review this Order before work begins. 3. No on-going maintenance of the hydro-raking is needed or permitted. The motion was seconded and with no discussion unanimously approved with four in favor and one abstention (Ms. Jones).
NOI SE 12 – 639 REID SILVA FOR JOHN FURST AND AMY CODY; 4 Pond Mark; AP 26-123: Ms. Goff opened the hearing at 1:06 PM. Mr. Silva summarized the plan to build an addition to the existing house by removing part of the roof on the second floor. A new bedroom will be built with a cantilevered bump out for stairs and a new roof added to meet the existing bedrooms on the second floor. The entire dwelling is in the buffer zone of bordering vegetated wetlands. The footprint of the house will not change and there is no change in the bedroom count. There is a pre-existing shed with a porch in the wetland. All work will be done by hand and the driveway will act as the staging area. With no comment from the public a motion was made to close the hearing at 1:15 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 driveway parking area will be used as the staging area. 2. The
construction debris shall be stored in a covered dumpster or removed from the site daily. 3. Construction snow fencing shall be installed to define the limit of work area and approved by the Conservation Agent before work begins. 4. An on-site meeting shall take place among the contractor(s) and Conservation Agent to review this Order before work begins. The motion was seconded and with no discussion unanimously approved with five in favor.
DISCUSSION DARRAN REUBENS FOR LINDA GREENBERG; 12 Larsen Lane, North Fork; AP 27.1-217: Mr. Reubens reviewed proposed changes to the plan of a previous negative determination for a Determination of Applicability. The approved project added a screened porch over an existing ground-level deck. The architect would like to increase the footprint of the enclosed living area by 36 sq. ft. (8’ X 4.5’) to add a formal entryway and mudroom to the house. A sonotube foundation will be used for the mudroom. A sliding door will be used to enter the screened porch from the house. The entire house and activity is within a wetland buffer zone.
The Commission commented this added interior living space will increase activity and use in the buffer zone. After much discussion a motion was made to accept the change as presented as it will most likely not adversely affect the wetland or wildlife. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved with five in favor.
CERTIFICATE OF COMLPIANCE SE 12 – 590; LEV WLODYKA; 265 North Rd. AP 13-7: Chuck H. explained an Order of Conditions was issued to construct a new dwelling on a Youth Lot. The project was abandoned and the property is being sold. The applicant requests a Certificate of Compliance that revokes the Order of Conditions. A motion was made to issue the Certificate as outlined. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved with five in favor.
(2) CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE - MARIANNE MEYER; SE 12 – 579 (issued in 2009 and lost); SE 12 – 611 (Beach Committee Amended Order of Conditions that deleted Marianne Meyer’s lot from the Order—Map 29 Lot 3). Chuck H. explained the property is being sold and these two Certificates were not executed for the reasons given above. A motion was made to issue both Certificates as described. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved with five in favor.
ADMINISTRATION:
The August 3, 2011 Meeting Minutes were approved as presented by consensus.
The following documents were signed:
Order of Conditions Star; SE 12 - 636; AP 13-9.10.
Order of Conditions Shepherd’s Path; SE 12 - 637; AP 24-1.
Order of Conditions Furst, Cody; SE 12 - 639; AP 26-123.
Certificate of Compliance Wlodyka SE 12 - 590; AP 13-7.
Certificate of Compliance Meyer SE 12 - 579; AP 29-6.
Certificate of Compliance Meyer SE 12 - 611; AP 29-3.
With no further business to conduct the meeting adjourned at 2:00 PM
Respectfully submitted by Chuck Hodgkinson, C.A.S.
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