FINAL
Present for the Conservation Commission and attending the meeting were: Candy Shweder, Chairman, Maureen Eisner, Pam Goff, Chris Murphy and Chuck Hodgkinson. Also attending were Reid Silva and David Smith. Joan Malkin, Sandy Broyard, Russell Maloney and Bob Hungerford did not attend.
The meeting came to order at 12:30 PM.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING NOI SE 12 - 768; REID SILVA FOR JEROME P. & CAROL B. KENNEY; 45 Beach Rd.; AP 2-3: Eligible voters: Candy, Joan, Pam, Chris, Maureen, Russell. Ms. Shweder opened the continued public hearing at 12:35 PM. Mr. Silva reviewed the site plan dated 3/4/16 to restore an inland ecological resource by removing approximately 2,400 sq. ft. of aquatic nuisance vegetation to retard eutrophication of a fresh water pond and to protect wildlife habitat. He added a long-arm excavator is recommended instead of the previously discussed hydro-rake because the excavator will create fewer disturbances to this site. He explained all the vegetation and root matter need to be de-watered before
it is taken off site. He drew a recommended de-watering location on the site plan and the Commission agreed. Mr. Silva said he would like to submit a revised site plan showing the de-watering location for the Commission’s records. After brief discussion and with no public comment a motion was made to close the hearing at 12:48 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. A long-arm excavator is allowed for the work. 2. A revised site plan shall be provided showing the agreed de-watering location before work begins. 3. The contractor shall have a meeting on site
with the Conservation Agent to review this Order before work begins. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously with four in favor.
RFD ROB FULLER FOR BOB VILA AND DIANA BARRETT; 183 State Rd.; AP 33-115: Mr. Smith explained Mr. Fuller could not attend the meeting. He reviewed the plan to install an array of four tracking solar panels one of which is within the 100 foot buffer zone of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland. Each panel will be supported by one pole anchored in the ground. The buried power lines from each panel will be trenched to the junction at the garage. To allow for panel rotation he proposed the vegetation surrounding each should be hand-pruned in a 25-foot radius around each panel pole. The closest activity is approximately 60 feet from the wetland edge.
He added access to the site will be from the parking lot. He said each pole will be anchored with a buried 4’ X 4’ concrete block. The Commission discussed how this wetland is a significant resource as it drains into Quitsa Pond and pointed out how fully developed the buffer zones on this property have become over time. After additional debate a motion was made for a negative determination with the following conditions: 1. The brush clearing around the panel shall have no more than a 12-foot radius around the support pole and shall be maintained to a height no lower than 1.5 feet to ensure the roots are intact. 2. The construction of the array and maintenance of the brush clearing shall only be done in the fall and after September 21 due to the fact that the area is bird
nesting habitat. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously with four in favor.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE SE 12 – 206; RICHARD SCHEUER AND AMY COHEN; 267 State Rd.; AP 33-5: Chuck H. explained an Order was issued for a fixed pier into Quitsa Pond in 1993. The pier has a Chapter 91 license. He shared pictures of the pier and recommended an on-going condition that allows future maintenance provided the plans are reviewed with the Commission or Conservation Agent before work begins. A motion was made to accept the report and declare the project is in full compliance as conditioned. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved with four in favor.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE SE 12 – 712; JAMES HORNBLOWER; 18 Spruce Gate Rd.; AP 35-1.7, 1.8, 1.9: Chuck H. explained this was an Order issued in 2015 for view clearing and maintenance. He added a meeting took place last Thanksgiving weekend among all the affected property owners to review the scope and methods for the work—which was done by Beetlebung Tree Care in December 2015. Photos were distributed showing the work was done as conditioned in the Order. A motion was made to declare the project is in full compliance with on-going conditions # 2 – 11 as outlined in the Order and that any maintenance work shall only be done by a licensed arborist because of the significant nesting habitat. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved with four in favor.
ADMINISTRATION:
The following documents were signed:
Order of Conditions SE 12 – 768; Kenney; AP 2-3.
Determination of Applicability Vila, Barrett; AP 33-115.
Certificate of Compliance SE 12 – 712; Hornblower; AP 35-1.7, 1.8, 1.9.
Certificate of Compliance SE 12 – 206; Scheuer, Cohen; AP 33-5.
The meeting minutes for May 4, 2016 were reviewed and approved as presented by consensus.
The meeting minutes for May 18, 2016 were reviewed and approved as presented by consensus.
The meeting minutes for May 25, 2016 were reviewed and approved as presented by consensus.
The meeting minutes for June 1, 2016 were reviewed and approved as presented by consensus.
With no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 1:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Chuck Hodgkinson, C.A.S.
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