EASTHAM CONSERVATION COMMISSION
26 February 2008
MINUTES
PRESENT: Steve Smith, Leah Dower, Glenn Collins, David Hoerle, Terry Kelleher
STAFF PRESENT: Deputy Natural Resource Officer Amy Usowski.
ALSO PRESENT: Fred Robinson, Carmella Alfano, Martin McDonald, Jack Lennox, Loretta Neilsen, Joan Sullivan, John O’Reilly of John O’Reilly and Associates, Inc., Tim Brady of East Cape Engineering, Inc.
Mr. Hoerle chaired and opened the meeting at 7:05 P.M.
The Commissioners reviewed the Minutes of 12 February 2008. Mr. Collins MOVED approval with a few minor changes and Mr. Smith SECONDED the Motion.
THE VOTE WAS 4 IN FAVOR WITH ONE ABSTENTION BY MR. KELLEHER
MOTION CARRIED.
7:15 P.M. Request for Determination of Applicability filed by John & Olive Lennox, 680 Samoset Road, Map 14, Parcel 083H.
Mr. Hoerle announced this hearing. The Applicants propose removal of four trees within the 100' Buffer to a Bordering Vegetated Wetland. Mr. Lennox, the homeowner, was representing himself.
Mr. Collins said he sees no problem and added that the property is well-maintained. Deputy Usowski asked how the roots would be handled and Mr. Lennox said that the two trees within the 50" Buffer Zone would be flush cut to the ground and the he would remove the roots of the trees outside of the Buffer.
There were no further questions and Mr. Hoerle closed this hearing. Mr. Kelleher MOVED and Mr. Smith SECONDED the Motion for a Negative Determination for Reason #3.
SO VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
7:30 P.M. Notice of Intent filed by the Town of Eastham, Thumpertown Landing, Map 10, Parcel 409.
Mr. Hoerle announced this hearing. Tim Brady of East Cape Engineering, Inc. was present to represent this project. He said the proposal is for a sand-drift fence at the foot of this slope. He said this would tie into the snow fence previously existing. No planting is proposed due to the fact that stabilization seems to be a lost cause at this point, but if the fence does stabilize the area enough perhaps they will plant in the future. The Town will continue to nourish the bank.
There is a landing proposed in the middle of the stairs due to the steep slope of the bank and there is also an observation deck at the top of the stairs to allow for handicapped access to the view. The platform will be constructed on grade so that no handicap ramps will be necessary, although guardrails will be constructed.
The area directly to the left of the stairway will need to be re-graded because there are old rails buried there. The parking lot has catch basins which have helped with the runoff problems. Mr. Brady finds that there is a fence that has crept over the property line, as has a sliver of the parking lot; this will be rectified. Mr. Brady said he has left it up to the engineer as to driving in the pilings or using the Helix Anchor System on the plans currently.
Deputy Usowski asked about the dimensions for the middle platform. Mr. Brady said he thinks it is 4'x8'. Mr. Collins said he does not think the posts for the sand-drift fence should be pressure treated because they will have contact with the water. Mr. Brady said he doesn’t think this should be a problem because the posts will probably be ripped out before they rot away.
Mr. Smith asked about losing parking spaces and Mr. Brady said that one may be lost. Mr. Hoerle said that snow fences are considered to be a soft solution and that maybe multiple soft solutions would be best to protect this area. Also, he said that he feels a fiber roll may be beneficial to establish plantings. Mr. Brady said this was considered but it is unsure that there would be enough benefit because the fiber rolls might be wiped away before the plants could take hold. Mr. Hoerle and Mr. Brady agreed that at some point in the future this may be looked at again.
Deputy Usowski asked for an updated plan showing platform dimensions and stating that the wood be untreated. Mr. Smith asked if the pilings for the stairs would be treated and Mr. Brady said he would like them to be because they would be there for along time with limited contact with water. Mr. Hoerle suggested that the bottom portion of the stairs be untreated to be safe and consistent. This would mean the bottom four pilings closest to the water would be untreated. Mr. Brady agreed to this but commented that this may lead to the contractor using an auger.
There were no further questions or comments and Mr. Hoerle closed this hearing. Mr. Collins MOVED approval with Order of Conditions 1-18, 19, 20, 21, 25 the four posts closest to the bay as well as the sand-drift fence shall be non-treated, 32, 33. Mr. Smith SECONDED the Motion.
SO VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
7:50 P.M. Continuation of Hearing on Notice of Intent filed by John R. & Ellen Oslund, Jr., 80 Lawton Road, Map 14, Parcel 045.
John O’Reilly of John O’Reilly and Associates, Inc., representing the Oslunds, requested a continuance until the next meeting.
Mr. Collins MOVED and Mr. Kelleher SECONDED the Motion to continue until 11 March 2008.
SO VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
7:51 P.M. Request for Change in Plans filed by Florence Lee, DEP SE 19-1279,
7 West Shore Drive, Map 7A, Parcel 005.
Mr. Brady was present to represent the owner. Rather than putting fill up next to the building, they built a walk-out basement and would like to build three low retaining walls at both corners of the building to stabilize the slope. Mr. Brady proposes a much more advanced landscape plan involving many more plantings and less beach grass. He also proposes laid-in style stone walkways. Mr. Brady said that it has been before the Planning Board and has been accepted.
Mr. Hoerle asked if runoff would be an issue. Mr. Brady said that there would be some runoff but the down spouts are taking care of most of it. He said to do more would involve creating a low area with a drainage structure. Mr. Hoerle wondered if that could be done while the plantings are going in. Mr. Brady said that he is worried that creating this low area would create flooding problems in the basement. Mr. Collins said he feels that creating a swale along the edge of the bank would be very doable. Mr. Brady agreed that he could include this in the revised plan and make it work.
Ms. Dower feels that some specifics may need to be included about the stone walkways so that they remain pervious. Mr. Smith said that perhaps including a statement that the stone walkways cannot be bedded but must just be placed on the sand.
Mr. Collins MOVED to accept the change in plans including the change in landscaping and the runoff prevention swale; and, that the stone would be laid on the sand and no bedding utilized. Mr. Smith SECONDED the Motion.
SO VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
8:20 P.M. Request for Certificate of Compliance, John Hayward(formerly Fisk), DEP SE 19-1156, 11 Smith Lane, Map 20, Parcel 120.
Deputy Usowski said she had a question about a boat being worked on at this property within the 50' Buffer Zone, but as far as the project is concerned, there is no negative impact. Mr. Collins, Mr. Smith and Mr. Kelleher see no problem.
Mr. Collins MOVED to issue a Certificate of Compliance for DEP SE 19-1156 and Mr. Kelleher SECONDED the Motion.
SO VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
8:25 P.M. Clarification of Plans for the Bridge at Wiley Park.
Deputy Usowski presented the project and told the Commissioners that minor cutting of small wetland plants would need to be done in order to re-work the neighboring trail. She said there is also a proposal to change the amount of loam and gravel surrounding the bridge to be graded out to 6' on either side.
Ms. Dower MOVED to accept the clarification of plans. Mr. Smith SECONDED the Motion.
SO VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Kelleher MOVED to adjourn at approximately 8:45 P.M. Ms Dower SECONDED the Motion
SO VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Minutes taken by Leah Dower,
Transcribed and respectfully submitted,
Kay Stewart-Greeley,
Clerk
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