FINAL
Present for the Conservation Commission and attending the meeting were: Sandy Broyard, Chairman, Candy Shweder, Vice Chairman, Maureen Eisner, Joan Malkin, Chris Murphy, Bob Hungerford, Pam Goff and Chuck Hodgkinson. Reid Silva, Tim Carroll, Jonathan Mayhew, Brendan O’Neill, Bob Coutinho and Eamon Solway also attended.
The meeting came to order at 12:30 PM.
RFD BOB COUTINHO FOR MENEMSHA POOLHOUSE, LLC; 10 Crick Hill Rd.; AP 27.1-123: Mr. Coutinho reviewed a plan to trench and install a new water line to a depth of four feet below grade in the same vicinity as the current line. The project is within the 100-foot buffer zone from the top of the Menemsha Basin Coastal Bank and on the upland side of the paved Crick Hill Road. After brief discussion a motion was made for a negative determination with the following special condition: Siltation barriers shall be placed between the work area and Crick Hill Road before work begins. The motion was seconded and with no further discussion passed unanimously with seven in favor.
DISCUSSION SE 12 – 749; REID SILVA FOR SCHEUER FAMILY PROPERTIES, LLC; 2 Chocker’s Lane; 5 Herring Run; 267 State Rd.; AP 33-4, 5; 34-4.2: Mr. Silva explained an Order was issued on October 9 to extend a grassy path to the shore of Menemsha Pond and relocate an existing beach stairway to a location that straddles the property line. He presented a revised site plan dated 11/12/15 proposing a change to the approved plan that would not have the walking path extended along the edge of a wetland and along the unstable coastal bank. He explained it would cause fewer disturbances to the resource if the existing path was used and a second stairway down the bank to the beach was installed at that location. This
would further mean that the existing stairway would not need to be relocated. After brief discussion the Commission thought the change was an improvement. A motion was made to declare the change as presented on the site plan dated 11/12/15 as inconsequential to the original plan. The hearing would therefore not need to be re-opened. The motion was seconded and with no further discussion passed unanimously with seven in favor. A subsequent motion was made to approve the changes as proposed. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously with seven in favor.
DISCUSSION BRENDAN O’NEILL - VINEYARD CONSERVATION SOCIETY (VCS) FOR COSSUTTA CR; 10 Eben’s Lane; AP 13-21: Mr. O’Neill thanked the Commission for its time and summarized the existing Conservation Restriction (CR) that is on the property and managed by the Town. He added a potential buyer would like to construct an agricultural barn. To allow this Mr. O’Neill proposed an amendment to paragraph IIIB.7. regarding structures. The proposed change would allow the placement of an agricultural barn of up to 2,000 sq. ft. The Commission reviewed this section of the CR and after several changes the following language was suggested agreed for the amendment: “Placement and maintenance of an unimproved ancillary structure accessory to the aforementioned woodland,
farming and animal husbandry operations including, but without limitation, a shed or greenhouse, provided the maximum footprint of such structure does not exceed 300 2,000 square feet and that none of these structures shall be used for human habitation.” The siting of such structure shall be done in consultation with Grantee to maximize consistency with the conservation purposes of this Conservation Restriction. A motion was made to approve the revised language. The motion was seconded. In discussion Mr. O’Neill said he will prepare all the necessary papers for filing and provide the Commission with a complete revised copy of the CR. The motion came to a vote and passed unanimously with seven in favor.
DISCUSSION TIM CARROLL AND JONATHAN MAYHEW: Mr. Carroll reviewed a concept to convert the existing 42’ X 72’ shell parking area south of the Menemsha comfort station into a bus turnaround area. A new 42’ X 72’ shell parking area would then be constructed on the north side of the comfort station. The purpose is to eliminate the need for buses to loop through the Menemsha Beach parking lot in the summer. This would reduce the risk of a traffic accident and relieve congestion in the peak summer months. The Commission thought this would need a way to define the limits of both the bus turnaround area and new parking lot, vegetation plan and an outline of the machinery to be used and where the sand will be re-distributed.
DISCUSSION SE 12 – 743; SQUIBNOCKET FARM, INC.; AP 35-1.30, 17.3, 17.4, 21, 22, 23: The Commission reviewed a request to dig two additional test borings for the proposed elevated causeway support poles. Also, the first archaeological survey revealed possible significant Native American artifacts. A second, more detailed survey may be required by the Massachusetts Historical Commission causing additional excavation where the proposed causeway intersects with Squibnocket Farm Road (Money Hill). After brief discussion the Commission thought this is within the scope of work outlined in the Order and would cause a minor, temporary disturbance to the resource. A motion was made to declare the proposed additions as inconsequential changes. The motion was seconded and
unanimously approved. A subsequent motion was made to approve the changes as discussed. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved with seven in favor.
DISCUSSION EAMON SOLWAY FOR MITCH RYERSON; 25 Chocker’s Lane; AP 33-10: Mr. Solway explained the Ryersons would like to change seven windows and possibly replace the shingles on the north side of the existing structure. He said the debris will be stored in a dumpster located outside the 100-foot buffer zone of the Quitsa Pond shoreline. The Commission thought the majority of the work will be on the landward side of the structure and a Request for Determination filing would not be needed. Mr. Solway thanked the Commission for its time.
DISCUSSION JOAN MALKIN FOR THE VINEYARD CONSERVATION SOCIETY (VCS): Ms. Malkin handed out reading materials and summarized the VCS is initiating a campaign in all six Towns that would ban the use of plastic carry-out bags in retail establishments. After posing a few questions Chairman Broyard thanked Ms. Malkin and suggested the Commission read the materials and have a more informed discussion at the next meeting. All agreed.
ADMINISTRATION:
The November 4, 2015 meeting minutes were reviewed and approved as presented by consensus.
The FY 2017 budget was reviewed. A motion was made and seconded to approve the budget as presented. With no further discussion the motion passed unanimously with seven in favor.
Signatures:
Determination of Applicability Menemsha Poolhouse; AP 27.1-123.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, December 2, 2015 @ 12:30 PM.
With no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 1:43 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Chuck Hodgkinson, C.A.S.
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