HANSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC MEETING OF FEBRUARY 8TH, 2005
HANSON TOWN HALL, LIBERTY ST., HANSON, MA
Called to Order: 7:30 PM under the M.G.L. Chapter 131, s.40 and the Hanson By-Law 1-13, s.5. by Philip R. Lindquist, Chairman in Meeting Room A in the Town Hall.
Members Present: Philip R. Lindquist, Chairman
Ron Grattan, Vice Chairman
Sean Chrisman, Member
Craig Nicholson, Clerk
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Janine Delaney, Interim Agent
Rebecca Nehiley, Secretary
Approval of Minutes:
Motion to accept minutes of January 11, 2005: Craig Nicholson
Second: Ron Grattan
Vote: 4-0-0
Motion to accept minutes of January 25, 2005: Craig Nicholson
Second: Ron Grattan
Vote: 4-0-0
Public Hearings
7:45 PM Continued Notice of Intent for the construction of a new, single-family house, subsurface disposal system, utilities, site grading and landscaping of disturbed areas within the 100-foot buffer zone of a bordering vegetated wetland at 484 Pleasant St., Assessor’s Map 16, Lots 15B & 15B-1 for Masako Pina represented by Land Planning, Inc., 1115 Main St., Hanson (DEP #175-0459)
Ms. Delaney was not able to inspect the wetland line due to the snow cover. It was decided to continue the hearing until the next meeting with the expectation that the conditions will improve and are favorable for a wetland line review subject to the ground being visible.
Motion to continue the hearing until February 22 at 8:30 PM: Ron Grattan
Second: Craig Nicholson
Vote: 4-0-0
Appointments
8:00 PM Appointment with Dean Anderson – cancelled at request of Dean Anderson
HANSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC MEETING OF FEBRUARY 8TH, 2005
HANSON TOWN HALL, LIBERTY ST., HANSON, MA
Page 2
8:15 PM Appointment with Phil Clemons representing the Town Forest Committee to discuss the potential benefits of the Town Forest being designated as Conservation Land.
Phil Clemons appeared before the Commission and gave a brief history of the Town Forest. He pointed out that it had never been designated as Conservation Land. However, it abuts 2 acres of Conservation Land on the southern end of the property. The Town Forest Committee had met on January 17th and voted to discuss informally with the Conservation Commission the idea of submitting an Article to Town Meeting to consign the 35 acres of Town Forest permanently as Conservation Land and turn over management to the Conservation Commission. The Commission could then appoint associate members to continue to manage the property. This in effect would better protect the land from development in perpetuity and to be set aside as originally conceived for passive recreation, wildlife
habitat and forestry. The Conservation Commission wholeheartedly agreed with this concept and approved of the Town Forest Committee drafting and submitting the Article for May Town Meeting.
Phil Lindquist took this opportunity to discuss Open Space and the “Community Preservation Act”. Hanover has just endorsed and adopted this program. Taxpayers are taxed at 1–3% for their land and the State matches the fees collected, dollar for dollar. This money can then be used by the Town to purchase Open Space, develop affordable housing and designate historical preservation. The concepts of green corridors proposed originally in the Open Space Plan of 1988 have never been instituted partly because of funding restraints. To this end, an article could be submitted to Town Meeting for approval or, as an alternative, a petition signed by 10% of registered voters can be submitted for inclusion on the ballot at the next Town election. If the Act is approved, a
Board is then appointed by the Selectman to oversee the fund and study uses beneficial for preserving disappearing open space and creating trails among other things. Public awareness is the biggest problem faced by Towns in getting this passed.
Discussions
Chapter 40B on Pleasant Street (Hanson Pines) – Phil Lindquist explained that the Zoning Board of Appeals has the authority to override the Local Wetlands Protection By-law 1-13 s.5 but the regulations of the State Wetlands Protection Act must still be enforced. Therefore, the applicant must file a Notice of Intent with the Conservation Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection. Ms. Delaney mentioned that the Vernal Pools and potential rare species are at issue with this project among other things. Craig Nicholson was designated as the delegate for the Conservation Commission to the Chapter 40B Continued Hearing next week.
Review Board of Appeals Comprehensive Permit for Dunham Farms (Chapter 40B)– Again, an NOI must be filed with the Conservation Commission before a building permit can be signed. A letter will be drafted to the applicant.
HANSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC MEETING OF FEBRUARY 8TH, 2005
HANSON TOWN HALL, LIBERTY ST., HANSON, MA
Page 3
Review of revised plan for Silverleaf Landscape Design, 800 Franklin St. showing contours –
Motion to approve revised plan showing contours: Ron Grattan
Second: Sean Chrisman
Vote: 4-0-0
Review of building permit application for an above ground pool at 87 Wagon Trail – A previous filing for this property was looked at and it was determined that it is in the Riverfront Area and any new construction would require the filing of a Notice of Intent subject to the Rivers Protection Act.
Complaint was received about Lot 5, Ransom Road (DEP #175-432) – It was decided that a letter should be drafted to the owner as a reminder that we still haven’t received a restoration plan per the Order of Conditions. Ms. Delaney will inspect.
Request for Certificate of Compliance for Valley Forge Road (Local Filing #99-5)
Motion to continue the Request until the next meeting so that the agent can inspect on the condition that the ground is visible: Craig Nicholson
Second: Ron Grattan
Vote: 4-0-0
Old Business/New Business
Duxbury Clipper/ bill – signed
MACC /bill – signed
Letter from Grady Consulting requesting a new Order of Conditions for Greenbrier Lane
Motion to approve a new Order of Conditions (Local Filing #04-02) for an applicant who had lost the original: Craig Nicholson
Second: Sean Chrisman
Vote: 4-0-0
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn at 9:15 PM: Ron Grattan
Second: Craig Nicholson
Vote: 4-0-0
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