The Conservation Commission held a meeting in the Basement Mural Room of Town Hall on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Members present were Chairman Friend Weiler, Samuel Butcher, Thomas Gill, Joseph Messina, and Arthur Vautrain. Brendan Halligan and Anne Hill were absent. Also present was Joe Grady, Conservation Administrator.
PH, PORTER, 18 OCEAN RD. SOUTH, S.F. DWELLING, SE 18-1214
The applicant Donald Porter and his architect, Mr. Rockwood explained the project. The proposed project is to demolish the existing dwelling and construct a new single family dwelling in the exact footprint on the barrier beach. The structure would be constructed on an open pile foundation with no continuous footing between the piles. Latticework is permitted between the footings. The Commission indicated that there could be no future increase in impervious cover without approval from the Conservation Commission. Mr. Butcher made a motion that was seconded to issue Orders of Conditions. A vote (5 - 0) was taken and the motion passed.
CONT'D. PH, HUMMOCK LLC, GURNET RD., SE 18-1191, SE 18-1192,
SE 18-1193, SE 18-1194, & SE 18-1195
The applicant submitted a written request to continue the public hearing. Dr. Gill made a motion that was seconded to continue this public hearing to August 19, 2003 at 8:25 p.m. A vote (5 - 0) was taken and the motion passed.
PH, GRAHAM, 172 CHURCH ST., SEPTIC, SE 18-1216
Representing the applicant were Brad Graham and engineer Gary Wolcott. The proposed project is a septic system upgrade in the buffer to bordering vegetated wetlands and intermittent stream. The applicant submitted a revised plan based on a review from the Board of Health. Pinebrook Consulting delineated the wetlands and the Conservation Administrator agreed with the delineation. The proposed location of the septic system is an improvement over the existing system and is as far from the wetlands as possible. The applicant will install a poly-barrier along the sides of the leaching facility. Mr. Butcher made a motion that was seconded to issue Orders of Conditions. A vote (4 -0) was taken and the motion passed. Dr. Gill was not present for the vote.
PM, BLAIRHAVEN RETREAT CENTER, 23 HOWLANDS LANDING, SEPTIC
Representing the applicant was Engineer, William Snow. The proposed project was to upgrade the existing septic system. The only work within the buffer to a coastal bank was installation of the septic tank and pump chamber and the closing of the existing cesspools. Mr. Butcher made a motion that was seconded to issue a negative determination that a Notice of Intent is not required. A vote (4 - 0) was taken and the motion passed. Dr. Gill was not present for this vote.
PM, SIMONELLI, 250 GURNET RD., DORMERS
The applicants, Robert and Corinne Simonelli described the project, which was to construct two dormers and a new roof. All the work would be within the footprint of the existing dwelling. Mr. Butcher made a motion that was seconded to issue a negative determination that a Notice of Intent is not required. A vote (5 - 0) was taken and the motion passed.
PM, TOWN OF DUXBURY, OFF HATCHES BAR RD., BOARDWALKS
The Conservation Administrator explained the project, which was to construct two boardwalks over a stream and wetlands for the walking trails at North Hill Marsh Area. Mr. Butcher made a motion that was seconded to issue a negative determination that a Notice of Intent is not required. A vote (5 - 0) was taken and the motion passed.
Mr. Butcher made a motion that was seconded to expend from the Conservation Fund $1,635 for the construction material for the boardwalks and $35 for the legal ad for the public meeting. A vote was taken (5 - 0) and the motion passed.
CONT'D. PH, DBR, INC., DUXBURY BEACH, SE 18-1198
Representing the applicant were Shawn Dahlen, Margaret Kearney, and Don Beers. Also present for the discussion was the Commission's consultant Leslie Fields. The Commission discussed standard operating procedures (SOP) and began the review of version 4 of the draft Orders of Conditions. The Commission reviewed the sections of the Beach Management Plan where SOP were appropriate. Issues discussed included beach closures, vehicle limits, use of the cobbles, dog policy, the bird-monitoring program. The Commission also reviewed the letter from Dr. French of the Natural Heritage Program. Ms. Molly Bartlett of 52 Crooked Lane commented that the issues raised in the letter should only be rebutted with evidence and that the burden of proof is on the applicant to show no impacts. Ms. Bartlett presented
photographs that in her opinion showed evidence of damage to wrack by vehicles. She commented that the number of vehicle trips and the intensity of vehicle use have an effect on the beach. Mr. Dahlen responded that the applicant is studying the geologic profile of the beach on an annual basis and that the studies show no increase in erosion. Mr. Butcher made a motion that was seconded to continue this public hearing to August 12, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. A vote (5 - 0) was taken and the motion passed.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
The Conservation Administrator explained a grant application for improvement to the Snug Harbor drainage system. He asked the Commission for a letter of endorsement. Mr. Butcher made a motion that was seconded to support the request of the Conservation Administrator to apply for a grant of up to $200,000 for the Snug Harbor Mitigation Project. A vote (5 - 0) was taken and the motion passed.
The Commission reviewed requests for Certificates of Compliances and postponed action on the requests for SE 18-1143, SE 18-976, SE 18-977, and SE 18-1089 because there were outstanding issues on these projects.
Dr. Gill made a motion that was seconded to issue a Certificate of Compliance for SE 18-496. A vote (5 - 0) was taken and the motion passed.
Dr. Gill made a motion that was seconded to expend $113.92 from the Conservation Fund for the purchase of T-shirts for the interns. A vote (5 - 0) was taken and the motion passed.
Mr. Vautrain made a motion that was seconded to nominate Friend Weiler as Chairman and Sam Butcher as Vice-Chairman of the Conservation Commission. A vote (5 - 0) was taken and the motion passed.
The Commission reviewed a proposal from Horsley & Witten regarding updating the rules and regulations of the Conservation Commission. Mr. Butcher made a motion that was seconded to accept the Horsley & Witten proposal to assist the Commission in drafting new rules & regulations for $3,000 and to expend that amount from the Conservation Fund. A vote (5 - 0) was taken and the motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m.
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