FINAL
Present for the Conservation Commission and attending the meeting were: Sandy Broyard, Chairman, Candy Shweder, Vice Chairman, Pam Goff, Bob Hungerford, Chris Murphy and Chuck Hodgkinson. George Sourati and Chris Kennedy also attended. Joan Malkin and Wesley Cottle were absent.
The meeting came to order at 12:30 PM.
RFD GEORGE SOURATI FOR STERLING WALL; WALMARK REALTY TRUST # 2; 8 Sheep Pen Lane; AP 33-92: Mr. Sourati reviewed a site plan to remove two cesspools and upgrade the septic system. The two cesspools and a portion of the new septic system are located within the 100-foot buffer zone of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland. The closest activity will be approximately 60 feet from the wetland edge. A new water well will also be installed in the buffer zone of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland and be approximately 75 feet from the wetland edge.
Mr. Sourati explained the soils behind the house are mostly clay which caused the leach field to be located on the north side of the stone wall which is outside the wetland buffer zone. The leach field will need to be a raised system to meet the Board of Health regulations requiring at least 5 feet of separation from the ground water.
Mr. Sourati sketched where the erosion controls of hay bales and silt fencing will be installed for the well and septic activity in the buffer zone. After brief discussion a motion was made for a negative determination with the following special conditions: The hay bales and silt fencing shall be approved by the Conservation Agent before work begins and a revised site plan will be provided showing the erosion control measures. The motion was seconded and with no discussion passed unanimously with five in favor.
PUBLIC HEARING NOI SE 12 - 699; CHRIS KENNEDY FOR THE TRUSTEES OF RESERVATIONS; Off North Rd.; AP 14-2: Ms. Broyard opened the public hearing at 12:45 PM. Mr. Kennedy reviewed TTOR’s plan to create a new 1000-foot long beach loop trail originating at the existing lower loop trail and terminating at the shore of Vineyard Sound. Water bars will be installed to manage water runoff and erosion along the trail. A new set of year-round stairs leading to the beach will also be installed and maintained. The stairs will be approximately 40 feet long and similar to the existing beach stair at the northwest corner of the property. The work is proposed on TTOR’s 234-acre Menemsha Hills Reservation.
The Commission discussed that this is a good plan for public access to the north shore and TTOR’s past management practices demonstrate they are good stewards of the land. With no comment from the public a motion was made to close the hearing at 12:55 PM. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved. A subsequent motion was made to approve the plan as presented with the following special conditions: 1. The lower half of the stairway shall have all sections labeled “TTOR Map 14 Lot 2” to identify the materials should they be destroyed by storms and scattered on the beach. 2. Perpetual maintenance of the trail water bar system and stairs is allowed provided the maintenance plans are reviewed with the Conservation Agent before work begins. The motion was
seconded and with no further discussion passed unanimously with five in favor.
ADMINISTRATION:
The April 2, 2014 meeting minutes were reviewed and approved as presented by consensus.
The following documents were signed:
Order of Conditions TTOR; SE 12 – 699; AP 14-2.
Determination of Applicability Sterling Wall; AP 33-92.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, May 7, 2014 @ 12:30 PM.
With no further business to conduct the meeting adjourned at 1:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Chuck Hodgkinson, C.A.S.
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