Minutes of Meeting
March 1, 2012
To: Town Clerk
cc: Members
File
Present: A. Tolland, J. Fournier, R. Willis, J. Livingstone, M. DePoto, R. Ballantyne, Peg Stolfa, Associate Member
Absent: M. Allen, A. Riordan, Associate Member, Nick Alfieri, Conservation Agent
There was a motion to accept the minutes of the February 2nd, 2012 meeting. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-1; 5 Yes, 0 No, 1 Abstention.
There was a motion to accept the minutes of the February 16th, 2012 meeting with several changes. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-1; 5 Yes, 0 No, 1 Abstention.
There was a motion to accept the Executive Session minutes of February 16th, 2012. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-1; 5 Yes, 0 No, 1 Abstention.
Enforcement: 880 West Central Street
The Conservation Commission Chairman stated that a letter has been received from the applicant’s representative requesting a continuance of this Enforcement matter until the March 15th meeting.
Public Hearing – Notice of Intent – Emeritus at Franklin Assisted Living – 656 King Street – CE159-1029
Mr. Andy Tolland, Conservation Commission Chairman, recused himself from this public hearing.
Mr. Donald Nielsen, Engineer of Guerriere & Halnon, appeared before the Commission for the construction of a 2-story 81 unit Senior Assisted Living Facility.
Mr. Nielsen provided the Commission with a detailed overview of the project plans for the site.
There is no activity proposed with the 0-25 ft. buffer zone except for a limited crossing.
Mr. Nielsen stated that some of the abutters would like to have fencing installed around the site. A white vinyl fence was presented to the ZBA and the Planning Board along the entire westerly side and across the rear of the site. Either shrubs for screening or a fence could be installed. The ZBA included in their variance that a white stockade fence should be installed. Mr. Nielsen stated that he will reappear before the ZBA on March 22nd to request an administrative correction for the change from the white vinyl fencing.
Mr. Nielsen also informed the Commission that there are 2 options for tying into the sewer on the adjacent EMC property.
Mr. Nielsen stated that the following are the sensitive issues:
- the limited crossing
- 1,300 sq. ft. of alteration filling with a culvert beneath the crossing
- which type of fencing to be installed
- sewer wrapping around the 25 ft. buffer
- construction within the buffer zones
A Commission member stated there is no variance request included in the application based on the limited crossing and requested that Mr. Nielsen provide it. He also stated that the alternatives analysis is similar to a project narrative. The white pvc vinyl fence would be optimal for screening but would be required to have gaps for wildlife crossing purposes and would have to be kept out of the sensitive areas.
A Commission member requested that snow storage be relocated outside of the 100 ft. buffer zone.
The Commission will conduct a site walk of the property on Sunday, March 11th at 9 a.m.
Mr. Mike Davis, an abutter of 670 King Street, requested that fencing be installed around his side of the site to block some of the lighting shining on his property.
Ms. Debby Murphy, an abutter of 17 Forest Street, expressed concerns regarding a pipe located in her yard and the increase in water flow into the wet area located there. Will the water come off the site into her backyard? Could it be required to remove the snow off the site?
Mr. Nielsen stated that signage will be put in place to prohibit snow in certain places.
Mr. Paul Murphy, an abutter of 17 Forest Street, questioned where the employee parking will be located and where will be water flow be discharged?
There was a motion to continue the public hearing until March 15th. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-1; 5 Yes, 0 No, 1 Abstention.
Public Hearing – Amendment Request to Orders of Conditions – 847 West Central Street – Vendo Realty Trust - SE159-922
Mr. Donald Nielsen, Engineer of Guerriere & Halnon, and Mr. Matt Vendetti, the applicant, both appeared before the Commission for the adjustment of 7 parking spaces and access road.
Mr. Nielsen gave the Commission members a brief overview of the plans for the site and also a history of what has transpired on the site to date. A plan was approved by the Commission in 2006 and there were some issues at that time. Mr. Nielsen gave a brief summary of this plan.
Mr. Nielsen stated that there are 9 parking spaces that impact the outer riparian zone proposed for the site. Mr. Nielsen requested the planting of some additional trees and a bioretention cell. There would be 7 parking spaces on the righthand side of the access road and 2 spaces on the left side adjacent to the wetland.
Mr. Nielsen informed the Commission members that he has appeared before the Planning Board and they have requested a complete revised site plan addressing all of the issues for the site including the plan approved by the Conservation Commission. He stated that this will be provided to the Commission at the next meeting.
Mr. Nielsen questioned could the parking spaces be put in by providing some mitigation and suggested some locations for the mitigation.
The Commission Chairman asked Mr. Nielsen if there could be some stormwater treatment and a landscaping plan added to the revised plan.
The Chairman stated that Mr. Nielsen will work with the Planning Board to show all of the addressed issues on one plan including some more details for drainage, plantings and snow storage.
There was a motion to continue the public hearing until March 15th. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 6-0-0.
There was a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 6-0-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Celorier
Conservation Secretary
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