Minutes of Meeting
November 15, 2007
Present: R. Willis, C. Botchis, A. Tolland, P. Murphy, J. Senterman, Nick Alfieri,
Conservation Agent
Absent: P. Boncek, J. Fournier, M. Allen, Associate Member
There was a motion to accept the minutes of the November 1st meeting with 2 corrections. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-0.
Mr. Nick Alfieri’s Agent’s Report has been appended to the minutes.
The Commission Chairman announced that Mr. Jeff Senterman has recently been appointed to the Conservation Commission.
Discussion – DelCarte Property Proposals
There was a discussion among the Commission members regarding the DelCarte property proposals for the wetlands replication and dam study.
The condition of the dams was discussed and the first phase of the evaluation conducted by the consultant regarding the condition of the dams. The recommendation of the consultant and the impact to the properties downgradient of the site was also discussed. The disturbance of the wildlife habitat in the proposed work on the dams was also discussed.
Mr. Alfieri’s concerns are that the dams are becoming increasingly unsafe and the Commission should take this into consideration and try to deter the public from the dams.
The map of the dams on the site were studied by Commission members.
A Commission member expressed interest in conducting a site walk of the property.
The Commission will conduct a site walk of the site on Sunday, November 25th at a time to be later determined.
Public Hearing – Notice of Intent – 104 Populatic Street – LeBlanc - CE159-953
Mr. Thomas LeBlanc, the applicant, and Mr. Bill Halsing, Engineer of Land Planning, both appeared before the Commission for the construction of an addition to existing single-family house located adjacent to Populatic Pond. Mr. Halsing stated that the lot is small; i.e., 10,000 sq. ft. in size.
Mr. Halsing stated that the entire lot is within the 100 ft. buffer zone. There are also Natural Heritage concerns on the site and a response has been received from that organization today stating that they have given the applicant a negative determination, i.e., they have no issues with the proposed work.
The addition is located on the front of the existing house in order to comply with zoning requirements as well as this is the location that would have the least amount of wetlands disturbance.
Mr. Halsing stated that all of construction will take place outside of the 50 ft. no-build zone. The applicant will improve their current driveway, which is located outside of the 25 ft. no disturb zone but inside the 50 ft. no-build zone. A compost sock is proposed to be placed around the proposed work for erosion control purposes. Drywells are proposed to catch roof runoff from the addition.
Mr. Alfieri informed the applicant of 7 items which need to be addressed in this Notice of Intent filing.
There are two 100 ft. buffer zones located on the site and they overlap on the property.
A Commission member inquired of Mr. Halsing as to whether the house is on public water or well water as this is not depicted on the plan. Mr. Halsing’s response was that the applicant has tied in to town water.
Another Commission member requested that the driveway be composed of crushed stone to retain some of the recharge. Another member inquired as to where the sand will go when they cut into the hill. A stockpile will be located on the site for this purpose.
The Commission Chairman noted that there was no one in the audience who had any issues regarding this project.
There was a motion to continue the hearing until December 6th so that the Commission may conduct a site walk. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-0. The Commission will walk the site on Sunday, November 18th at 10 a.m.
Public Hearing – Notice of Intent – Daniels Street Water Line/Storm Drain – Town of Franklin – CE159-954
Mr. Warren Groth, a representative of the Town of Franklin DPW, appeared before the Commission for the installation of 3,800 linear feet of water main, house services and storm drain improvements. Mr. Groth stated that this is a water line project as well as to address drainage issues for Daniels and Short Streets.
The wetlands have been flagged for existing subdivisions in the area and the wetlands have remained unchanged. The new wetlands have been flagged by the Environmental Affairs Coordinator for the Town.
Mr. Alfieri informed the Commission that he has conducted a site walk with Mr. Yadisernia, the Town Engineer and had 2 comments to be addressed in this Notice of Intent filing. Mr. Alfieri also requested that Mr. Yadisernia be present at the site walk with the Commission.
A Conservation Commission member questioned as to whether the only new drainage structure is located at #56 and Mr. Groth stated that there are two new deep sump catch basins located across from Longwalk Road. Mr. Groth also informed the Commission members that the water main is already located inside the road replacing what is already existing there.
A Commission member inquired of Mr. Groth as to what type of erosion control will be used around the small isolated wetlands along Daniels Street. Mr. Groth replied that erosion control will be installed and the road will be repaved after the work is completed.
The Commission Chairman noted that there was no one in the audience who had any issues regarding this project.
There was a motion to continue the hearing until December 6th so that the Commission may conduct a site walk. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-0. The Commission will walk the site on Sunday, November 18th at 10:45 a.m.
Continued - Public Hearing – Notice of Intent - 22 Riverside Drive - O’Brien - CE159-955
Mr. Wayne Carlson of Carlson Survey and Mr. John O’Brien, the applicant, both appeared before the Commission for the construction of an in-ground swimming pool and shed. Mr. Carlson informed the Commission that there were some issues to be addressed from the last meeting and from the recent site walk of the property. Mr. Carlson submitted revised plans to depict these requested changes.
Mr. Carlson stated that the flipping of the pool 180 degrees would remove it further away from the wetland and allow for more patio space. This would be done to create less of an impact to the wetland and the size of the patio would be reduced as well. The excavated soils and materials would be removed from the site. The yard waste would be deposited in a corner of the yard and this location is depicted on the plans.
Mr. Alfieri informed the applicant that the filter system for the proposed pool should be a non-backwashing filter with no chlorine to be used.
A Commission member requested that Mr. Carlson denote the large oak tree to be removed on the plan. It was also requested by the Commission that some mitigation be done for this tree as it is located in the riverfront area; i.e., the planting of 2 trees in the riverfront area to make up for what has been lost. The species of these trees should be taken from the Best Development Practices Handbook.
Another Commission member stated that he does not believe that concrete bounds would be a good idea for this particular site.
The Commission Chairman noted that there was no one in the audience who had any issues regarding this project.
There was a motion to close the hearing. The motion was withdrawn as changes to the plan are being required.
There was a motion to continue the hearing until December 6th so that the applicant may have an opportunity to make the plan changes and submit them to the Conservation Office and then the hearing could be closed. Mr. Carlson is not required to be present at the next meeting. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-0.
Continued - Public Hearing – Notice of Intent – Map 292, Parcel 2 Spring Street – Maggiore - CE159-951
Mr. Donald Nielsen, Engineer of Guerriere and Halnon, appeared before the Commission for roadway improvements to a parcel of land on Spring Street.
Mr. Alfieri informed the Commission that he has spoken with Mr. Nielsen and was informed that there will be some engineering changes to the plan forthcoming based on the MEPA letter and also that there was only one response to the Request for Proposal for the project and the Purchasing Agent is currently on vacation. Therefore, there has been no opportunity to finalize it. A copy of the MEPA letter has been received by the Conservation Office and this has been added to the file.
Mr. Nielsen asked the Commission as to whom the consultant was that replied to the RFP. Mr. Alfieri informed him that it was LEC and this must first go through the process with the Purchasing Agent for acceptance. The amount of this proposal is $2,500 for Phase I for the wetlands delineation and the replication area as well.
Mr. Nielsen requested that the consultant be contacted to conduct the site walk and move forward as soon as possible. Mr. Nielsen will be increasing the amount of replication on the plans and reviewing the MEPA comments and submit a new revised plan regarding the roadway and walls to provide some reduction to the wetland disturbance on the site.
There was a motion to approve the selection of LEC as the consultant for Phase I contingent upon the Purchasing Agent’s approval. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote
of 5-0-0.
There was a motion to continue the hearing until December 6th. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-0.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Extension Permit: Lot 43 Spring Street – SE159-784
Mr. Alfieri informed the Commission members that the applicant has previously obtained 2 Extensions to the Orders of Conditions and this would be the third and final Extension that the applicant would be allowed. The lot has not yet been sold as there are extensive wetlands on the property and a large piece of undevelopable land as well.
There was a motion to issue a one-year extension to the Orders of Conditions with the understanding that this is the last extension that will be granted to the applicant for this site. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-0.
Minor Buffer Zone Activity: 35 Hutchinson Street
The applicant has requested the construction of a 14’x20’ shed on his property. There is a stream at the rear of the site. The shed would be constructed on cinder blocks. The area where the shed would be constructed is previously disturbed.
There was a motion to issue a Negative Determination with 2 standard Special Conditions. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-0.
Minor Buffer Zone Activity: 55 Wampanoag Drive
The applicant has requested the construction of a 10’x12’ shed on his property. The proposed shed is required to be located at least 10 feet from the rear and/or side property line. The area is previously disturbed and the shed would be located on crushed stone with cinder blocks.
There was a motion to issue a Negative Determination with 3 standard Special Conditions. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-0.
Permit Decision: 11 Cherie Lane - CE159-952
There was a discussion among Commission members regarding the issuance of Orders of Conditions for this project.
There was a motion to issue Standard State and Local Orders of Conditions. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-0.
Certificate of Compliance: DPW Facility – Hayward Street – SE159-870
There was a motion to issue a Certificate of Compliance for the DPW Facility on Hayward Street. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-0.
Signed Orders of Conditions, Certificate of Compliance, Determinations of Applicability & Extension Permit
Orders of Conditions – 11 Cherie Lane – Lafrance – CE159-952
Determination of Applicability (Negative) – 35 Hutchinson Street – Palmieri
Determination of Applicability (Negative) – 55 Wampanoag Drive – Morin
Extension Permit – Lot 24 Spring Street – DePoto – SE159-784
Certificate of Compliance – DPW Facility – Hayward Street - SE159-870
There was a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Celorier
Conservation Secretary
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