Minutes of Meeting
August 11, 2011
To: Town Clerk
cc: Members
File
Present: A. Tolland, J. Fournier, J. Livingstone, R. Willis, M. DePoto, Associate Member
A. Riordan, Associate Member, Nick Alfieri, Conservation Agent
Absent: M. Allen, R. Harrold
There was a motion to accept the minutes of the July 28th meeting with 1 correction. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 3-0-1; 3 Yes, 0 No, 1 Abstention.
The two Associate Members, Marc DePoto and Andrew Riordan, gave the Commission members a brief synopsis of their background and qualifications for being on the Conservation Commission.
There was a motion to recommend both Marc DePoto and Andrew Riordan to Mr. Nutting as appropriate candidates for the Commission. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 4-0-0.
Mr. Nick Alfieri’s Agent’s Report has been appended to the minutes
Public Meeting – Request for Determination – New England Power Company
Mr. Amy McKinnon, representative of New England Power Company, and Ms. Lee Curtis, representing BSC Group, both appeared before the Commission for the 303 line optical groundwater replacement and structure repair project. Ms. Curtis stated that the project is located within an existing right-of-way between Rte. 495 and Mount Street for approximately 5 miles in the Town of Franklin.
Ms. Curtis gave the Commission a brief overview of the details of the proposed project. There will be limited construction equipment required to perform some of the work. For this, swamp mats will be put in on access roads in order to put the anchors in. This will require 63,000 sq. ft. of temporary swamp mats in wetlands to obtain access to these locations.
There are proposed activities adjacent to vernal pools in 2 areas. Swamp mats will be used between August and the Winter 2012 so as not to be in during breeding season.
Mr. Nick Alfieri informed the applicant of 3 items to be addressed in this application.
There was a motion to issue a Negative Determination subject to 6 special conditions; the applicant shall notify the Conservation Agent when the work begins, notify the Agent when the work has been completed, conduct the work according to the plan, use wattles as opposed to haybales or strawbales, any disturbed soils get mulched or seeded and use the Town’s Best Development Guidebook for reference. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote
of 4-0-0.
Public Hearing – Notice of Intent – Nu-Style Building – 87 Grove Street – Town of Franklin - CE159-1022
Mr. Nick Alfieri, Conservation Agent, recused himself from this public hearing.
Mr. Jeff Nutting, Town Administrator, appeared before the Commission for the razing of existing building and filling and grading of the site.
There was a motion to waive the fees for this project. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 3-0-1; 3 Yes, 0 No, 1 Abstention.
Mr. Nutting presented the project plans to the Commission for review.
The Commission Chairman questioned the threat to the stream as the chimney is being taken down and could it be taken down in sections? Could this be added to the plan?
The Chairman stated that after the building comes down, there will be a shell of a wall next to the edge of the brook. Will the wall be secured so as not to pose a threat to the stream? After the site is graded and mulched, will the runoff be directed away from Mine Brook? Could the material on the scaffolding be removed on the same construction day?
Mr. Ralph DeLucia, an abutter to the site, questioned when the bids will go out for this project.
Some special conditions discussed were:
- the chimney to come down in sequence as per the application description
- removal of the material off the scaffolding until area is backfilled
- putting dumpsters in the parking lot to the north of the building
There was a motion to close the public hearing. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 3-0-1; 3 Yes, 0 No, 1 Abstention.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Certificate of Compliance: 3 Peters Lane
Mr. Alfieri informed the Commission members that he has inspected the site and determined that the applicants did not finish all of the work that was originally permitted. They did not construct the tool shed and put in the play area.
There was a motion to issue a Certificate of Compliance for 3 Peters Lane. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 4-0-0.
Certificate of Compliance: Crossway Church – 282 Summer Street
Mr. Alfieri informed the Commission members that he has recently conducted a reinspection of the site at the request of the Commission at the last meting. There was no Japanese Knotweed found anywhere on the site.
Mr. Alfieri recommended that the Commission issue a Certificate of Compliance for the project.
There was a motion to issue a Certificate of Compliance for the Crossway Church. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 4-0-0.
Certificate of Compliance: Lot 43 Spring Street
Mr. Alfieri informed the Commission members that this project was not constructed.
Mr. Alfieri recommended that the Commission issue a Certificate of Compliance and check the box on the form that the work was not completed; i.e., invalid Orders of Conditions.
There was a motion to issue a Certificate of Compliance for Lot 43 Spring Street. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 4-0-0.
Signed Determination of Applicability & Certificates of Compliance
Determination of Applicability (Negative) New England Power Co. - Transmission Line ROW
Certificate of Compliance – Crossway Church – 282 Summer Street – CE159-993
Certificate of Compliance – 3 Peters Lane – Dolan - SE159-931
Certificate of Compliance – Lot 43 Spring Street – DePoto - SE159-784
There was a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 4-0-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Celorier
Conservation Secretary
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