HANSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC MEETING OF APRIL 12, 2011
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 John Kemmett, Clerk, in Meeting Room A at the Town Hall.
Present: John Murray, Member
John Kemmett, Clerk
David Harris, Member
Phil Clemons, Associate Member
Howard Dillon, Associate Member
Absent: Richard Vacca, Agent
Frank Schellenger, Member
Philip R. Lindquist, Chairman
Also Present: Rebecca Nehiley, Administrative Assistant
Minutes
March 22, 2011 – postponed until next meeting
Public Hearings
7:30 PM Continued Notice of Intent for the demolition of a dilapidated dwelling and unattached garage and construction of a new dwelling within the same footprint, septic upgrade, installation of a new well, upgrade of various utilities and minimal re-grading within 100 feet of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland and within 200 feet of the riverfront area at 90 Pratt Place, Map 90, Lot 1 for Stephen Egan, Egan Development, LLC (applicant) and Richard Robbins, The Estate of Marion W. Robbins (owner) represented by Land Planning, Inc., 1115 Main Street, Hanson, MA 02341 (DEP #SE175-0603)
Ms. Nehiley commented that the Appeals Board had issued a positive decision regarding a request for a variance from the setback requirements (see memo dated 4/12/11) and a revised plan was received from Land Planning, Inc. dated 3/9/11 depicting conservation posts as requested.
Motion to close the hearing an issue an Order of Conditions: David Harris
Second: John Murray
Vote: 3-0-0
7:45 PM Request for Determination of Applicability to determine whether the boundaries of the resource areas are accurately delineated for vegetation management activities along the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Right of Way for TEC Associates, 46 Sawyer Street, South Portland, ME 04106
Dave Harris read the Public Hearing Notice. Abutter notification had been waived. The Commission reviewed Mr. Vacca’s report and findings regarding the site inspection performed jointly on April 11, 2011 with Halifax Conservation Agent, Mary Guiney. Three new no spray
zones were identified and marked in the field and a revised map was submitted and reviewed. Mr. Vacca recommended approval of a Negative Determination of Applicability.
Motion to approve a Neg. 5 Determination of Applicability: David Harris
Second: John Murray
Vote: 3-0-0
Appointments
8:00 PM Appointment with Alan Osgood to discuss the water level at Maquan Pond
Mr. Osgood was a no-show for the meeting. However, Mr. Clemons suggested that a marker be placed in the culvert at Camp Kiwanee so that the level of the pond can be checked periodically. He commented that verbal reports are not useful and solid data would be helpful towards the cause. Mr. Harris queried as to who was responsible for the level of the pond. Mr. Clemons was of the opinion that Conservation is interested in the waterways of Hanson.
Discussions
Request for Certificate of Compliance for 873 Pleasant Street, Map 3, Lot 13 for Deborah Nelson (DEP #SE175-0583)
Motion to approve and issue a Certificate of Compliance: David Harris
Second: John Murray
Vote: 3-0-0
Report from the Trails Committee
Mr. Howard Dillon, Chairman of the Trails Committee, attended the meeting to give a synopsis of what the Committee has accomplished in recent times. The identification of the route of the Bay Circuit Trail in Hanson came to fruition with the assistance of Al French who is the Executive Director of the Bay Circuit Alliance. After getting permission from different parties, things came together. A grant from REI allowed for the construction of kiosks and gates were donated by the Department of Conservation & Recreation. P.A. Landers donated boulders and gravel for the parking lot at the Smith-Nawalzelski property on Elm Street.
Mr. Dillon also explained that he and Phil Clemons have been laying out a new trail at Smith-Nawalzelski. It used to go along the power lines, but another land donation from Mrs. Stillman has allowed the trail to run a little differently. However, he said, when you see all the trash and tracks through the vernal pools, those things take precedence. Mr. Dillon went on to say the Town has a legal obligation to take care of the property because we were paid a lot of money to do so. “We’ve got to take care of it, it’s a gift.”
Mr. Clemons commented that there is a need to replace signs, design maps and create awareness. His suggestion was to reorganize with 5-7 members and identify all of these priorities so as to report back to the Commission in one year’s time. At this time, a Mr. Bruce
Cunningham was introduced to the group as a potential new member. Mr. Cunningham, a resident of Elm Street in Hanson, explained that he has been walking the Smith Nawalzelski property and the Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area for 15 to 20 years. He’s taken plenty of walks with his family and it’s a “beautiful trail.” He also has a concern with ATV’s, jeeps and the use of the area as a dumping ground.
Motion to set the Trails Committee at 5-members: David Harris
Second: John Kemmett
Vote: 3-0-0
Motion to appoint 2 members Phil Clemons and Howard Dillon to the Trails Committee (Mr. Cunningham has to check with his employers): David Harris
Second: John Murray
Vote: 3-0-0
Orders of Conditions/Determinations of Applicability
Order of Conditions to construct an in-ground swimming pool and concrete patio, remove portions of an existing deck and perform minimal re-grading at 106 Gray Lane, Map 83, Lot 3-16 for Daniel and Elizabeth Doherty (DEP #SE175-0604) – signed
Positive 5 Determination of Applicability for 354 State Street, Map 112, 1 for Scott Phillips – signed
Old Business/New Business
Duxbury Clipper/bill – signed
Mileage – signed
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn at 8:30 PM: David Harris
Second: John Murray
Vote: 3-0-0
| 
