Eastham Conservation Commission
Minutes
June 28, 2011
Present: Commissioners Vivien Cook, Sandra Larsen, Stephen Smith, Fred Rollinson, and Linda Haspel
Not Present: Steven LaBranche
Staff Present: Amy Usowski, Conservation Agent, Shana Brogan Administrative Assistant.
Also Present: David Sullivan, Jason Ellis of JC Ellis Design.
6:00PM Chairman Smith opened the meeting.
Request for Determination of Applicability filed by David and Beatrice Burke. Applicant proposes the construction and maintenance of a 150’ beach path at property located at 210 Sunset Ave, Map 19, Parcel 41.
David Sullivan Represented the applicant and said there is currently no path and the vegetation is mostly beach plum, honeysuckle, prickly pear, and poison ivy, and wants to remove the roots and create a 4’ path. He continued saying that the vegetation grows about three feet per year and they would like a safe access to the beach. Amy Usowski asked that the machine not be used on or near the bank and that they have to avoid any prickly pear. David Sullivan said that the path would take awhile to be completely sandy. There was also discussion concerning the bittersweet invasion in the area.
Linda Haspel MOVED to approve, Fred Rollinson SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR.
6:15PM
Notice of Intent filed by William and Elise Varley. Applicant proposes a septic system upgrade at property located at 20 Whepley Court, Map 2, Parcel 68.
Jason Ellis represented the applicant and said that the leach pit is in failure and they will still use the tank and they are placing is as far away from the resource area and there will be no additions. Amy Usowski asked that the limit of work be silt fence.
Vivien Cook MOVED to approve, Linda Haspel SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR.
Administrative Review filed by Wendy Kelly.
Applicant proposes removal of red oak and scrub pine due to shading out of the bearberry. Some Commissioners thought that there was enough sun for the bearberry and they should prune the red oak and they should remove the dead pine. Sandra Larsen said that she remembered a year or so ago that they had discussed the removal of trees on the property and the red oak was one that they wanted to save.
Fred Rollinson MOVED to approve, Linda Haspel SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR.
6:30PM
Administrative Review filed by Bob Baumann, 5 Bay View Drive. The Commissioners agreed that the dead tree closest to the garage can be cut down and Amy Usowski would advise the homeowner about other trees to take down.
Fred Rollinson MOVED to approve, Vivien Cook SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR.
6:35PM
Administrative Review filed by Ron Stultz, 115 Sparrow Road. The applicant wishes to add 250 cubic yards of sand nourishment to put behind their revetment and would like to come back in the fall to file to repair their revetment. Linda Haspel asked what would happen if the applicants did not come back to the commission. Amy Usowski said she would add a condition that the applicant is to come back to the Commission by November 1, 2011.
Fred Rollinson MOVED to approve the project, Vivien Cook SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR.
Other Business
Amy Usowski announced that there will be a meeting with the Board of Selectmen at 3PM on July 6, 2011.
6:40PM
Minutes Approval June 14, 2011
Fred Rollinson MOVED to approve the minutes, Vivien Cook SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR
6:45PM
Bianco draft denial discussion.
Amy Usowski said she and town council will have to draft an official letter. There was discussion about some corrections. Amy Usowski said she would make them.
Linda Haspel MOVED to approve the draft denial, Sandra Larsen SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR.
6:55PM
Discussion - treated and non-treated wood.
Sandra Larsen noted there are places in Maine as well as Martha’s Vineyard which do not allow use of treated wood products, and said the cost for untreated lumber would be approximately double that of treated. The availability to applicants of green non-dried lumber was discussed. Fred Rollinson questioned whether the pressure treated wood was harmful given its wide usage notably in vegetable beds and noted the commission is never going to know all the facts about the products. Sandra Larsen said in the town bylaw it notes an applicant must demonstrate a there is no feasible alternative, and she has done a lot of research and knows there is a better option to the treated wood products. Vivien Cook said she didn’t want to upset a lot of people in the town. Amy Usowski suggested looking at each situation individually, and
having the applicant prove to the Commission that they have presented the best option, and a policy would give the Commission grounds to deny a project.
Linda Haspel MOVED to draft an untreated wood policy, Vivien Cook SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR.
8:01PM
Sandra Larsen MOVED to adjourn, Linda Haspel SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR.
Respectfully Submitted,
Shana Brogan
DPW/Natural Resources
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