Conservation Commission Minutes
November 08, 2011
Earle Mountain Room
Eastham Town Hall
2500 State Highway
Commissioners Present: Chairman Stephen Smith, Linda Haspel, Steven LaBranche, Sandra Larsen, Fred Rollinson and Vivien Cook.
Staff Present: Amy Usowski, Conservation Agent, Shana Brogan, Administrative Assistant.
Also Present: Neil Andres of Eastham DPW, David Young, Jan and John Charlton of Silver Springs Beach Association, Matthew and Jaime Rivers, Gordon Peabody of Safe Harbor Environmental.
6:00PM
Chairman Smith announced the meeting.
Continuation on Notice of Intent filed by Eastham Department of Public Works. Applicant requests reconstruction of Ellis Road to eliminate storm water discharge to Town Cove, Map 22.
Neil Andres of the Eastham DPW stated the project is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. He continued to say they are proposing to raise the road and put down pervious pavement and this will eliminate future flooding and the existing pipe will be left on the property where it is currently located. Amy Usowski said the project is barely within the Conservation Commission’s jurisdiction, most of it is in a flood zone, and asked about the proposed height. Neil Andres replied it would be two feet higher, they would no longer be piping water directly into Town Cove. He also stated they will have to coordinate with residents and the fire department during construction because the road will be difficult to pass through and in regards to the options for paving they do not have many because they are so close to ground
water and this option will prevent rain flooding. One abutter asked about the current pipe property and whether his yard will become flooded and agreed to meet Neil Andres on the site. Neil Andres commented on the lifespan of the road and that it would not last forever and at some point will have to e replaced.
Fred Rollinson MOVED to approve a continuance until November 22, Steven LaBranche SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR.
6:22PM
Notice of Intent filed by David Young. Applicant requests 26’ x 32’ addition and a 6’6”x 17’ breezeway at property located at 100 Old Orchard Road, Map 11, Parcel 28.
David Young represented the project. Amy Usowski said it is a straightforward project and it is in a currently disturbed lawn area and the owner will plant four shrubs by the wetland as mitigation and they have had a septic inspection and passed.
Steven LaBranche MOVED to approve the project, Fred Rollinson SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR.
Notice of Intent filed by Ruth Taylor. Applicant requests vista pruning on a coastal bank at property located at 50 Smith Heights Way, Map 18, Parcel 055.
Doug Wallace represented the applicant and said the owners would like to improve their view and the son wanted to remove the cedar trees but he was not sure and maybe they can be topped. Fred Rollinson said the applicants can have the view they want without touching the cedar trees. The invasive vegetation removal was discussed as well as plantings for a buffer to the bank from the lawn.
Fred Rollinson MOVED to approve a continuance until November 22, 2011, Vivien Cook SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR.
6:55PM
Notice of Intent filed by Thomas Rodgers. Applicant requests replacing sandbags with installation and maintenance of a stone revetment at property located at 95 Shurtleff Road, Map 10, Parcel 236.
Tim Brady represented the applicants and said they are proposing to replace sandbags which are currently in place with a stone revetment, the house was built in 1949 and the sandbags have been overtopped. Chairman Smith noted the revetment to the north was rough and to the south the wall is smooth. Tim Brady replied they propose a dimpled wall and stairs will be put back where they currently are after construction.
Fred Rollinson MOVED to approve a continuance until November 22, 2011, Steven LaBranche SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR.
7:01PM
Notice of Intent filed by David Valovcin. Applicant requests extension of current stone revetment and nourishment at property located at 15 West Road and 300 Silver Springs Beach Road, Map 4, Parcel 481 & 480.
Chairman Smith announced the applicants requested a continuance.
Vivien Cook MOVED to approve a continuance until November 22, 2011, Fred Rollinson SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR.
7:03PM
Other Business
Administrative Reviews
Administrative Review Filed by Richard & Eileen DeVito. Applicant requests topping 2’-3’ seven lealands at property located at 265 Shurtleff Road.
The commission decided that the lealands may not be the best choice of plant for the specified area and decided to hold off on the permit until they speak with the homeowners or a representative at the next meeting.
7:10PM
Eastham Ponds Remediation Discussion
Amy Usowski said the key piece they want to know is what ponds most need the help. Fred Rollinson asked about the question posed about the Herring Run and Amy Usowski clarified that there was a chain of ponds which serves as a herring run and the question was how it would affect the fish if chemicals are used on the ponds as they are protected by the state. Amy Usowski said they cannot permit it if it will have an effect on the fish. Vivien Cook said it was assumed what should be used to treat the ponds, but they did not focus on what should be done and suggested some rules for those living on the ponds, such as not using pesticides. There was discussion about the use and exploring the use of aeration and the exploration of the use and application of chemicals elsewhere. Sandra Larsen said they should learn what the effects on invertebrates
will be and mist results from use of chemicals on the ponds are still pending. Amy Usowski said the last application was ten to fifteen years ago and there was a large fish kill. Linda Haspel said they are not looking into the long term costs environmentally to the ponds. Chairman Smith said this is the least expensive solution and buys time, but is it the best solution for the ponds. Amy Usowski mentioned the use of aeration in a cape pond which the homeowners around the pond participated. There was discussion on use of a machine that is solar powered and able to be moved.
7:45PM
Mize Violation Discussion and Administrative Review, 18 Horton Way.
Gordon Peabody of Safe Harbor Environmental who said the installation of the fence on the bank needs a response plan that includes vegetation and the posts from the fence cannot stay, and they will place 30 – 40 cubic yards of sand there and stabilize it with jute netting as well as plantings suitable to the soil composition.
Linda Haspel MOVED to rescind the fines if a management plan is implemented, Fred Rollinson SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR.
Linda Haspel MOVED to approve the Administrative Review, Vivien Cook SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR.
8:15PM
Work Session Minutes February 22, 2011
Fred Rollinson MOVED to approve the Minutes, Vivien Cook SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR.
8:20PM
Steven LaBranche MOVED to adjourn, Vivien Cook SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR.
Respectfully Submitted,
Shana Brogan
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