Minutes of Meeting
October 4, 2012
To: Town Clerk
cc: Members
File
Present: R. Ballantyne, A. Tolland, M. Allen, J. Fournier, J. Livingstone,
P. Stolfa, Associate Member, Michele Grenier, Conservation Agent
Absent: R. Willis, M. DePoto, A. Riordan, Associate Member
There was a motion to accept the minutes of the September 20th meeting with the edits as discussed. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-0.
Ms. Michele Grenier’s Agent’s Report has been appended to the minutes.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Discussion: 34 South Street
Mr. Bob Halterman, the homeowner, appeared before the Commission to request a change to the requirement for constructing a fence to satisfy the Orders of Conditions in order to obtain a Certificate of Compliance.
Michele Grenier, Conservation Agent, informed the Commission members that she conducted a site visit of the property and the area behind the yard has been kept undisturbed. She talked to Mr. Halterman and was informed that he would put up 3 Conservation placards on 4’ high posts in lieu of the fence to depict the edge of disturbance; i.e., where the lawn meets the field.
Mr. Halterman stated that he will be requesting a Certificate of Compliance from the Commission in the near future.
Continued - Public Hearing - Notice of Intent – 4 Bogastow Brook Lane – Walsh - CE159-1038
Ms. Danielle Walsh, the applicant, Ms. Rebecca Weissman, PWS, and Mr. Jeffrey Campopiano, the engineer, all appeared before the Commission for the removal of ten trees, the placement of fill and grading in the rear yard.
Ms. Weissman submitted additional information along with supporting documents and a project narrative which were requested at the last meeting and at the recent site walk by the Commission members.
Ms. Weissman provided the Commission with a detailed overview of these documents which have been added to the Conservation file.
Ms. Weissman stated that she has not yet finalized the planting plan as she will be seeking further comment from the Commission members regarding alternatives relative to the number of trees to be removed. There are a couple of Japanese barberry shrubs located in the 100 ft. buffer zone in the rear yard. Witch hazel shrubs are proposed to be planted in place of these shrubs.
Ms. Weissman provided some alternatives for the site; i.e., to remove fewer trees and require less fill in the backyard. An alternatives analysis was provided and Ms. Weissman gave the Commission a detailed overview of this document which has been added to the file. Under this proposal, the work will be moved back from the wetland over 50 ft.; it will be located in the 50-100 ft. buffer zone. The area of impact to the wetlands has been reduced from 2,800 sq. ft. to 1,600 sq. ft. in this alternative.
A Commission member asked Ms. Weissman if it was possible to install a stockade fence with plantings and how would that meet the needs of the applicant.
A Commission member stated that the functions and characteristics statement does satisfy the burden of proof and the interests of the Town are served under Alternative 2.
Three bounds were suggested to be placed across the whole rear of the property at the edge of the lawn to depict the limit of work.
The Commission was in favor of numerous plantings for the site.
There was a motion to continue the hearing until November 1st, 2012. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-0.
Continued - Public Hearing - Amendment Request to Orders of Conditions – Lot 6-3 Grace Lane – Southern Acres - CE159-1023
Mr. Donald Nielsen, Engineer of Guerriere & Halnon, and Mr. Robert Massucco, the applicant, both appeared before the Commission on an amendment request for the construction of a barn and indoor arena for horses.
Mr. Nielsen submitted revised plans for the site reflecting the changes and concerns of the Commission members from the last meeting. Mr. Nielsen gave the Commission a detailed overview of these plans.
One bound is being reset at approximately 30 ft. back. The planting plan depicting the number and size of the trees was met with approval by the Commission members. The bounds were depicted in the original plan.
Mr. Nielsen stated that there is no activity proposed in the rear of the site in the 100 ft. buffer zone. The barn will be located outside of the 100 ft. buffer. Some shrubs will be planted along each side to allow for value to the habitat. There will be no activity proposed in the paddock area. No fencing in the buffer zone is proposed.
There was a motion to close the public hearing. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-0.
There was a motion to approve the amendment request as presented on the plan of October 4th with planting changes as discussed. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-0.
Discussion: Residence at Union Place – Detention Basin Cleaning & Maintenance
Michele Grenier, Conservation Agent, informed the Commission members that the applicant will not be requesting a Certificate of Compliance until the required work on the cleaning of the detention basin has been completed. There still remains a lot of work to be performed at the site and the contractor should be done in October. Ms. Grenier will contact the contractor who is conducting the work on the site to determine how they are progressing with the work.
Signed Amended Orders of Conditions
Amended Orders of Conditions – Lot 6-3 Grace Lane – TNT Building – CE159-1023
There was a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded and accepted with a vote of 5-0-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Celorier
Conservation Secretary
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