Minutes of Meeting
September 23, 2010
To: Town Clerk
cc: Members
File
Present: J. Senterman, A. Tolland, J. Fournier, M. Allen, N. Alfieri, Conservation Agent
Absent: R. Willis, C. Botchis, J. Livingstone
There was a motion to accept the minutes of the August 26th, 2010 meeting. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 3-0-1; 3 Yes, 0 No, 1 Abstention.
Mr. Nick Alfieri’s Agent’s Report has been appended to the minutes.
The Woodlands
Mr. Richard Goodreau, Engineer of United Consultants, presented a plan with changes that the Town Engineer had requested and the Commission agreed with these changes. This plan is attached to Mr. Alfieri’s Supplemental Agent’s Report.
Mr. Alfieri stated that he will add a note to the file along with the above-mentioned plan for reference attesting that the Commission has amended the friendly Enforcement Order.
416 Maple Street
Mr. Nick Alfieri recused himself from this discussion as he is an abutter to the property.
The Commission Chairman informed the Commission members that the property owner has requested to install an 8’x10’ deck before he closed out a previously issued Orders of Conditions.
According to the plan, there will be 1 additional sono tube installed within Conservation jurisdiction.
The Commission members came to the consensus that the applicant should execute a Certificate of Compliance and pursue a Minor Buffer Zone Activity filing for this work.
Continued – Public Hearing – Notice of Intent – 485 East Central Street – Galaxy Development – CE159-1001
The Commission Chairman informed the Commission members that a letter has been received from the applicant’s engineer requesting a continuance of the public hearing until the October 28th, 2010 meeting.
There was a motion to continue the public hearing until the October 28th meeting. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 4-0-0.
Public Hearing – Notice of Intent – 330 Chestnut Street – Hansen - CE159-1002
Mr. Jim Susi, Engineer of United Consultants, appeared before the Commission for a septic system upgrade. Mr. Susi reviewed the plans for the Commission and gave an overview of the project.
Mr. Alfieri informed the applicant of 5 comments to be addressed in this Notice of Intent filing.
The Commission will walk the site on Monday, September 27th at 6 p.m.
A Commission member stated that this filing contains a project narrative.
Another Commission member questioned the project’s location being within a nitrogen sensitive area. Mr. Susi informed him that he will check on this matter.
There was no one present in the audience for this public hearing.
There was a motion to continue the public hearing until October 14th. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 4-0-0.
Public Hearing – Revision of Conservation Commission Rules & Regulations
The Conservation Commission opened the public hearing and stated that the Commission members have received copies of the rules and regulations from Mr. Alfieri.
There was a motion to continue the public hearing for the Revision of the Conservation Commission Rules & Regulations until the conclusion of the discussion regarding the Minor Buffer Zone Activity. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 4-0-0.
The Commission Chairman reopened the public hearing for the Conservation Commission Rules & Regulations. Mr. Alfieri informed the Commission that he reviewed the previous MBZ filings
and came to the determination that the Commission needs something that explains in more detail
what can and cannot be done along with a form that provides more opportunity for the applicant to submit a more detailed explanation what they are proposing to do.
A discussion ensued regarding the pros and cons of a Minor Buffer Zone filing vs. an RFD filing. Can a simplified RFD be crafted that provides the Commission with more enforcement authority?
The Commission Chairman requested that Mr. Alfieri work on drafting a legal basis for creating a permit for minor projects in the buffer zone and requested that Commission members send their comments to Mr. Alfieri. At the next meeting the Commission will discuss these matters.
There was a motion to continue the hearing until October 14th. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 4-0-0.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Minor Buffer Zone Activity: 80 Populatic Street
The applicant has requested to clean up existing landscaping and overgrown areas and replace a few plantings. The Commission members reviewed the plan and proposed planting list.
Mr. & Mrs. John Ledbetter, the homeowners, were present at tonight’s meeting and gave the Commission an overview of their proposed work. The work comprises of repairing the walkway, doing some landscaping work and reducing the impervious coverage by removing the potting shed and koi pond.
There was a motion to issue a Negative Determination subject to 6 conditions:
- The Conservation Department shall be notified at the start of the work.
- The Conservation Department shall be notified when the work has been completed.
- The work shall be completed in accordance with the plan submitted with the application.
- The applicant has the option of using up to a 6-inch base for the walkway.
- An erosion control barrier must be installed across the shoreline at the top of the slope.
- There shall be no stockpiling of soils excavated from the walkway. Any excess soil must be removed off site and disposed of properly.
The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 4-0-0.
Signed Determination of Applicability
Determination of Applicability (Negative) – 80 Populatic Street - Ledbetter
There was a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 4-0-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Celorier
Conservation Secretary
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