HANSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE PULBIC MEETING OF APRIL 14, 2009
TOWN HALL, 542 LIBERTY STREET, HANSON, MA
Called to Order at 7:30 PM under M.G.L. c 131, §40 and the Hanson By-Law 3-13, §5 and Rules and Regulations by Philip R. Lindquist, Chairman, in Meeting Room A at the Town Hall.
Present: Philip R. Lindquist, Chairman
Frank Schellenger, Vice Chairman
John Kemmett, Member
David Harris, Member
Also Present: Richard Vacca, Agent
Rebecca Nehiley, Administrative Assistant
Phil Clemons, Associate Member
Minutes
Minutes of March 24th, 2009
Motion to approve: David Harris
Second: Frank Schellenger
Vote: 4-0-0
Executive Session Minutes of May 13, 2008, June 10, 2008, July 8, 2008, July 22, 2008,
August 12, 2008 and November 18, 2008
Motion to approve but withhold from public view all of the above: John Kemmett
Second: David Harris
Vote: 4-0-0
Request for Certificate of Compliance
Request for Certificate of Compliance for 588 Brook Street, Map 88, Lot 114 for Deborah Lee (DEP #SE175-0422)
Motion to approve and issue: David Harris
Second: John Kemmett
Vote: 4-0-0
Discussions
Invasive Pond Plant Species at Maquan Pond Ms. Maria McClellan of the Recreation Commission and a direct abutter to Maquan Pond informed the Conservation Commission of an
invasive plant species that had covered about a quarter of the surface of the pond last summer. After she consulted with a Michelle Robinson of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), they determined it to be Purple Bladderwort, a floating, carnivorous plant that reproduces through fragmentation. According to DCR, the only way to tackle this plant is by hand harvesting, which Maria and others attempted to do last summer. Ms. McClellan is of the
opinion that the cause of the proliferation of this invasive species is due to nutrient loading and she is seeking help from the Commission to identify the source of the pollution to try and reduce
and/or eliminate the problem. Her thought is that the nutrients are coming from an area of a burned house on the Pond at Route 14. Mr. Vacca commented that last summer there was a failed tight tank across Maquan Street that might have contributed to the problem as well. The Board of Health has since dealt with that situation. Mr. Lindquist suggested that we follow up with the BOH.
Public Hearings
7:45 PM Request for Determination of Applicability for the removal of 33 dead trees on the water front and 2 live trees that are encroaching upon the lodge at Camp Kiwanee, Map 54, Lot 9
for the Recreation Commission represented by Maria McClellan, Camp Kiwanee, Route 58, Hanson, MA (New Hearing)
John Kemmett read the Public Hearing Notice and the abutters were verified. Ms. McClellan,
accompanied by Scott Ripley, one of the part-time caretakers at Camp Kiwanee, presented a diagram of the dead trees, kind and diameter, to be taken down. The proposal is to leave the stumps so as to not cause any disturbance to the soil. Mr. Harris suggested that the trees be topped off at 10 feet high so as to provide for wildlife habitat. Mr. Alan Osgood, an abutter on Maquan Pond, commented that since Camp Kiwanee is currently not in compliance with an enforcement order issued for the blockage of the control structure located on Camp Kiwanee property, they should not be allowed permission to do work elsewhere on the property. Mr. Vacca offered that after a meeting with Meredith Marini, Executive Assistant to the Town Administrator and Jim Egan, Selectman last week, a call was placed to Al Hanscom,
Town Engineer to prepare a Scope of Services to fix the control structure, restore the stream and rehab the boat launch at Indian Head Pond. Mr. Clemons suggested that the problem was not difficult and with a little patience could be fixed.
Motion to continue to 4/28/09 at 7:45 PM pending a response from the Town Engineer: David Harris
Second: John Kemmett
Vote: 4-0-0
8:00 Notice of Intent for the construction of a perimeter drain around the limits of the existing subsurface sewage disposal area for the Shaw’s Plaza Shopping Center, 430 Liberty Street, Maps 73, 81 & 82, Lot 7 for NP Hanson, LLC, c/o Northstar Centers, LLC, 532 Page Street Stoughton, MA 02072 (New Hearing) (DEP #SE175-0569)
John Kemmett read the Public Hearing Notice and the abutters were verified. Tom French initiated the presentation by explaining that the Hanson Board of Health had asked for an investigation after water broke out of the septic system and ran over the pathway behind Shaws Plaza a couple of years ago. After installing monitoring wells, it was determined that the seasonal groundwater had increased over the years, possibly because of nearby development. The proposed solution was to install a curtain drain around the leaching area with perforated
pipe and stone that will collect water, lower the water table and then discharge it into a catch basin. The plan has been approved by the BOH. Because of 2,560 feet of disturbance to the buffer zone, mitigation was proposed in the form of a wildlife enhancement area consisting of plantings and a wildflower mix. Mr. Schellenger asked if it was a failed system. Ms. Marjorie Hession, of Northstar Centers replied that it was not. Mr. Vincent Flaherty, the BOH agent came to the meeting to explain that the curtain is a protective action to prevent future breakouts and the monitoring wells showed that the groundwater is lower than previously thought. Mr. Kemmett requested to see the drainage calculations. No abutters were present.
Motion to continue to 4/28/08 at 8 PM pending additional information: John Kemmett
Second: David Harris
Vote: 4-0-0
8:15 PM Public Hearing to solicit public comment on proposed changes to the Hanson Wetlands Protection By-Law 3-13, §5 Rules and Regulations pertaining to fees and further that at this Public Hearing, the Conservation Commission will vote upon the proposed changes to the
Regulations.
John Kemmett read the Public Hearing Notice. There was no public comment.
Motion to approve changes to the fee schedule as proposed: Frank Schellenger
Second: John Kemmett
Vote: 4-0-0
Discussions
Earth Day/Saturday, April 25, 2009 Phil Lindquist, Frank Schellenger and John Kemmett will set up a table on Earth Day. Becky will prepare handouts for the table.
Mr. Clemons, Associate Member expressed happiness that the Open Space and Recreation Plan had been completed and approved by the State. Mr. Vacca recommended that the Planning Board formally accept the OS & R Plan by motion and vote.
Mr. Clemons also suggested, in regards to Maquan Pond, that in some communities, an organization such as “Friends of such and such” are formed to be watchdogs, or caretakers for beaches, camps, coves (i.e.: Camp Kiwanee) and to monitor the water quality and work with the “powers that be”.
Old Business/New Business
Clipper Press/bill – signed
Executive Session
9:00 PM Philip Lindquist asked for a motion to go into executive session under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 39, Section 23B (3) to discuss strategies with respect to enforcement and
pending land acquisition because a public discussion of these strategies will have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the Town of Hanson through the Conservation Commission. A Roll Call vote was taken and each member was in favor.
9:35 PM, the Commission voted unanimously to come back into public session. It was announced that no votes were taken during executive session.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn at 9:35 PM: David Harris
Second: Frank Schellenger
Vote: 4-0-0
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