HANSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC MEETING OF MAY 25, 2010
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 Frank Schellenger, Vice Chairman, in the Conservation Office at the Town Hall.
Present: Philip R. Lindquist, Chairman (arrived at 8:10 PM)
Frank Schellenger, Vice Chairman
David Harris, Member
John Murray, Member
John Kemmett, Member
Also Present: Phil Clemons, Associate Member
Richard Vacca, Agent
Rebecca Nehiley, Administrative Assistant
Minutes
Minutes of May 11th, 2010
Motion to approve: David Harris
Second: John Kemmett
Vote: 4-0-0
Discussions
Meeting dates in June
Ms. Nehiley suggested that it was advisable to reschedule the Tuesday, June 8th meeting to Tuesday, June 15th because Town Meeting might extend into a second night. The Commission agreed. Mr. Kemmett mentioned he would not be available for the June 22nd meeting.
Poor Meadow Brook Conservation & Water Supply Protection Area
Mr. Vacca reported that Mr. Scott Peterson will be seeking approval from the Commission at the June 15, 2010 meeting for the Town to purchase said property with the use of Community Preservation Funds. Mr. Clemons said that he was extremely well acquainted with the property that is central to the Poor Meadow Brook Corridor. The area is remote to human roads, is in the floodplain and acts as a buffer to nearby wellfields. He went on to say it has potential as a “Blueway” and because of it’s character and attractiveness, is a “pearl in an oyster.”
Request for a Minor Correction(s) to the approved plan for Lots 1 & 2 Crescent Street (DEP #SE175-0576 & SE175-0577)
Mr. Vacca reported that Mr. Stephen Egan had requested to remove a leaching pit within the 50-foot buffer zone on Lot 2 and change the driveway configuration on Lot 1. The Commissioners had questions and determined that the changes were substantial enough as to require an Amendment to the Order of Conditions.
Motion to require a Request for an Amendment to the approved Order of Conditions: John Kemmett
Second: David Harris
Vote: 4-0-0
Request for Certificate of Non-Completion
Request for Certificate of Non Completion for 81 Ocean Ave., Map 2, Lot 1501 for Kevin Smith and Susan Sanders (DEP #SE175-0487)
Motion to approve and issue: David Harris
Second: John Kemmett
Vote: 4-0-0
Public Hearings
7:45 PM Continued Notice of Intent for a proposal to control aquatic nuisance vegetation by the Town of Halifax to treat the algae in the eastern and western basins of Monponsett Pond utilizing low-dose treatments of aluminum sulfate (alum), to preclude severe algae blooms and to lessen the likelihood of toxic algae blooms (DEP #SE175-0580)
Motion to continue until June 22, 2010 at 7:30 PM per request of applicant: David Harris
Second: John Kemmett
Vote: 4-0-0
8:00 PM Notice of Intent to complete the work that was originally proposed on the Order of Conditions that expired on 3/15/10: plant grass seed, establish shrub & flower beds and restore the water frontage with Creeping Junipers to prevent erosion into Monponsett Pond for Kevin Smith and Susan Sanders at 81 Ocean Ave., Map 47, Lot 1501(DEP #SE175-0591) (New Hearing)
John Kemmett read the Public Hearing Notice and the abutters were verified. Mr. Smith apologized to the Commission for not finishing his project before his previous Order of Conditions had expired. He submitted a new planting plan that is substantially the same as the original with the exception of the installation of a picket fence along the property line abutting Mr. Montgomery. Also, he had replaced about 75% of the deteriorated haybales and cleaned up a lot of the stuff around the house to enhance the property. David Harris read the abutters list. Those present were:
Charles Montgomery, Ocean Ave. – Had no problem with it. It looks 100% better than it did and the fence sounds good to him.
Dean Anderson, Ocean Ave. – Didn’t object.
Mr. Vacca read the memo from Jean Sullivan, Tax Collector into the record regarding Mr. Smith’s payment agreement for back taxes. The first payment is due June 1, 2010 and for that reason Mr. Vacca suggested that the hearing be continued until the first meeting in June. Mr. Lindquist arrived at 8:10 PM.
Motion to continue until 6/15/10 at 7:45 PM pending 1st payment: David Harris
Second: John Kemmett
Vote: 4-0-0
Motion to allow Mr. Smith to rake and plant seed without delay: John Murray
Second: David Harris
Vote: 4-0-0
8:15 PM Notice of Intent for the removal and replacement of the existing 12 inch +/- diameter steel culvert with a 36 inch diameter concrete pipe at 460 Indian Head Street (Camp Kiwanee Road), Map 54, Lot 9 for David Blauss, Camp Kiwanee, property owner: Town of Hanson, 542 Liberty Street, Hanson, MA represented by Alan Hanscom, BETA Group, Inc., 315 Norwood Park South, Norwood, MA 02062 (DEP #SE175-0592) (New Hearing)
This particular hearing was held in the downstairs break room. Frank Schellenger read the Public Hearing Notice and proof of abutter notification was submitted. Mr. Al Hanscom made the presentation for the repair of the culvert at Camp Kiwanee access road which he classified as a limited project under the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act. Mr. Hanscom has been working with Mr. Vacca on the Notice of Intent submittal required under the rules and regulations of the Hanson Wetland By-Law.
The wetlands were delineated by Sharon LePorte. Ms. Nehiley read the Request for Variance for permission to work within the buffer zone into the record (attached). Mr. Hanscom mentioned that provisions to insulate the water main had been made. A dirt bag was proposed to allow for pumping water and permission was requested for a possible location for a frac tank if needed.
Mr. Hanscom reiterated that the FEMA application for reimbursement would cover the emergency work and there was a good chance it would cover the design and replacement of the culvert. However, there would be a separate application for long term and intermediate phases of remaining work for the control structure at Camp Kiwanee and the problem with two (2) control structures at Edgewood Bogs.
Mr. Lindquist asked for a profile of the crossing and inquired how the elevation of the stream had been measured. Mr. Hanscom distributed a handout of a Culvert Replacement Comparison as it relates to the Stream Crossing Standards and answered that Land Planning had performed the survey work. Mr. Kemmett asked where the silt was coming from that was clogging up the pipe. Mr. Hanscom answered that the sand was coming from the replenishment of the beach from Camp Kiwanee and it was being addressed under a separate, open Enforcement Order issued by the Commission in 2008.
Mr. Lindquist asked for the elevation of the pond. Mr. Hanscom said there was a discrepancy between what was shot by Land Planning and the USGS map by about 1 ½ feet. He can’t explain the difference, but since they have to acquire a Chapter 91 license to do the work through the State, the actual elevations will be determined at that time. Mr. Schellenger asked if the outlet of Indian Head Pond had been looked at because of the connection to Maquan Pond.
Mr. Clemons commented that this would be an opportunity to look at the entirety of the brook and function of the system. He surmised that the design of the culvert looked reasonably good.
Mr. Lindquist asked for comments. Mr. Vacca citing the Hanson Wetlands Protection By-law read from his report that listed a number of items required but missing from the plan such as drainage calculations, stream crossing standards, erosion control details and mitigation. Also outstanding are a number of issues outlined in the Enforcement Order regarding stormwater management at the parking lot. In addition, he requested that the backup verification for the wetland delineation be submitted. Mr. Harris took the opportunity to express his
disappointment that the height of the pond had not been established, the original Enforcement Order had not been addressed, and more buffer zone activity had taken place without authorization. Mr. Lindquist asked for comments from abutters. Those present were:
Alan Osgood, Maquan St. – Thought that the culvert replacement would alleviate some of the flooding issues, but persisted in his opinion that the real problem was the sand at the beach and the clogging of the control structure.
Mariah McClellan, Indian Head St. – Considers it an “unsafe situation” at the moment. Also, she would like to see a guardrail installed.
Bill Straight, Indian Head St. – The time element is imperative because of all the functions at the Camp.
Motion to approve a variance to work within a resource area: Frank Schellenger
Second: David Harris
*Mr. Kemmett read a memo from Phil Clemons into the record regarding Culvert and Stream Crossing Standards (attached). Mr. Clemons said this was a good start.
Vote: 5-0-0
Motion to approve an Order of Conditions pending receipt of an Operations and Maintenance Plan to address stormwater management issues for the parking lot and a sand cleaning schedule for the outlet structure: David Harris
Second: John Murray
Vote: 5-0-0
Orders of Conditions
Order of Conditions for a septic repair and the replacement of a garage/office/dwelling at 908 West Washington Street, Map 67, Lots 13 & 14 for Franklin Harbester (DEP #SE175-0590) - signed
Order of Conditions for the installation of groundwater monitoring wells at 507 Monponsett Street, Map 23, Lot 5 for Muftah Bugazia (DEP #SE175-0589) – signed
Extension Permits
One-year Extension to an Order of Conditions for Lot 15A, Deerhill Road, Map, Lot for Richard P. Beal, A.W. Perry, Inc. (DEP #SE175-0524) – signed
One year Extension for Lots 12A for Deer Hill Road Ext., Map 102, Lots 7 & 18-4 for Richard P. Beal, A.W. Perry, Inc. (DEP #SE175-0528) – signed
One year Extension for Lots 13A for Deer Hill Road Ext., Map 102, Lots 7 & 18-4 for Richard P. Beal, A.W. Perry, Inc. (DEP#SE175-0531) – signed
One year Extension for Lot 9A, Fawn Lane, Map 102, Lots 7 & 18-4 for Richard P. Beal, A.W. Perry, Inc. (DEP#175-0532) – signed
Old Business/New Business
LaMotte/bill – signed
Re-imbursement – signed
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn at 9:45 PM: David Harris
Second: John Murray
Vote: 5-0-0
| 
