HANSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC MEETING OF FEBRUARY 28, 2012
TOWN HALL, 542 LIBERTY STREET, HANSON, MA
Called to Order at 7:00 PM under M.G.L. c 131, §40 and the Hanson By-Law 3-13, §5 and Rules and Regulations by John Kemmett, Vice Chairman, in Meeting Room A at the Town Hall.
Present: John Kemmett, Vice Chairman
David Harris, Member
Audrey Hayward, Member
Absent: Frank Schellenger, Chairman
John Murray, Clerk
Also Present: Mary Guiney, Interim Agent
Rebecca Nehiley, Administrative Assistant
Minutes
The minutes of February 14, 2012 were passed over.
Request for Certificate of Compliance
Request for Partial Certificate of Compliance for Great Cedar Condominiums, Lot 4 (DEP #SE175-0602)
Motion to approve and issue a Partial Certificate of Compliance: David Harris
Second: Audrey Hayward
Vote: 3-0-0
Determination of Applicability
Positive 1 Determination of Applicability for a proposed canoe launch on Conservation land located at Adams Circle, Map 120, Lot 114 for Peter Veneto III, 24 Greenbrier Lane, Hanson, MA as part of an Eagle Scout Project - signed
Old Business/New Business
Land Planning, Inc./Invoice – signed
Harding Print/Invoice – signed
Site Walk with Mr. Hussey
Mr. Harris reported that he and Ms. Hayward had met with Mr. Hussey and his grandson last Thursday, February 23, 2012 regarding Mr. Hussey’s request to stone 160’ of his roadway as part of his farm plan as regular maintenance. Mr. Harris was of the opinion that it was an improvement to fill in the severe rutting as it was outside of the flagged areas and would cut down on erosion. Mr. Hussey was also given an okay to remove broken limbs that were hanging from a couple of the trees along the roadway on the conservation property, as they presented a danger. He also was given the okay to move the portions of tree which had been cut up and left along the roadway. Mr. Harris had no problem with the proposed work on Conservation land, however, Mr. Hussey would have to deal with the owners of
private property himself.
In addition, while they were in the vicinity, they had a chance to look at the area where there had been a recent complaint of cutting of trees and Mr. Harris said everything appeared to be outside of the flagged area as well.
1101 Main Street - Agent Report
At the request of Town Administrator, Rene Read, Ms. Guiney, Mr. Read himself and members of various town departments had made a site visit to 1101 Main Street on February 21, 2012. Also in attendance were the owner, Joseph Marangiello, Steve Wry of Land Planning, Inc. and Al Hanscom, Town Engineer. Ms. Guiney had prepared a thorough report of which she distributed and gave a brief overview of her findings to the Commission. Of note, Fire Chief, Jerry Thompson, had delivered a letter to the owner allowing him to remove oil tanks from a building onsite
Mr. Kemmett was concerned about a PVC pipe depicted on Ms. Guiney’s sketch. Mr. Kemmett was of the opinion that there was no discussion or reference to that pipe previously and wanted to know it’s purpose. Ms. Guiney explained that the pipe runs underneath the gravel road that was permitted under an emergency certification last year and it’s purpose was to balance the flow of water. Mr. Kemmett asked if the water had been treated? Ms. Guiney said that no water was being treated or pumped out at this time and only a natural flow of water was going through the pipe. A silt sock was installed as approved.
Ms. Nehiley commented that Mr. Marangiello had submitted a Notice of Intent for upgrade of a cart path out back to allow access for earth removal which in turn will be used to fill the foundations at 1101 Main Street. She said that if the members had questions for Mr. Marangiello about the dewatering of the foundations, they could ask them at the public hearing.
Memo from Kathy Drinan, Board of Health Agent regarding stakeholders meeting for Monponsett Pond watershed
This was a reminder to the Commission of a “kick off” meeting scheduled for March 15, 2012 at
7 PM at the Town Hall in Halifax to address the regional problem of severe algae blooms. The purpose of the meeting is to form a coalition of people and organizations to determine the sources of pollution that are degrading the water quality in the Monponsett Ponds. Mr. John Delano will deliver a PowerPoint presentation and Water Superintendent Brian Creedon of Brockton will be in attendance as well.
Memo from Samantha Woods regarding support for funding for the North & South Rivers Watershed Association
Ms. Woods drafted a letter to the Commission asking for their support for a request to the region’s legislators to continue to fund staffing at the NRSWA. It is more likely that these legislators will agree to advocate and be more effective if they have the support of local Conservation Commissions.
Motion to support the NSRWA’s request for funding to continue staffing: Audrey Hayward
Second: David Harris
Vote: 3-0-0 *Ms. Nehiley will draft a letter.
Memo from Rene Read regarding trimming of shrubbery
The Commission received a memo from Mr. Read asking for direction as to pruning some shrubbery and trim lower tree branches outside and next to the Town Hall. The Commission looked at the pictures and all were in agreement that there was no problem and it didn’t require a permit.
Articles for Town Meeting
Motion to approve and submit Article for engineering and planning for repairs of the spillway at Factory Pond Dam: Dave Harris
Second: Audrey Hayward
Vote: 3-0-0
Motion to approve and submit Article to replenish the Conservation Fund for Open space Management and related conservation purposes: David Harris
Second: Audrey Hayward
Vote: 3-0-0
Motion to approve and submit Article to see if the Town will vote to authorize a revolving fund under the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 53E ½ for the use of the Conservation Commission: David Harris
Second: Audrey Hayward
Vote: 3-0-0
Appointments
7:30 PM Appointment with Charles Montgomery to discuss the shoreline restoration at 71 Ocean Avenue (DEP #SE175-0552)
Ms. Hayward recused herself from this discussion as she is a direct abutter. Mr. Montgomery asked for guidance from the Commission; He explained that he received approval to perform a shoreline restoration with Bio-logs in 2009. He went on to say that he tried and they would not stay in place. Mr. Kemmett asked if he had an engineer. Mr. Montgomery answered that he had hired an engineer to design it, but he was doing the work himself. A picture of the shoreline depicted the Bio-logs, which were 1’ x 20’ long, floating offshore. He said that the ice during the winter snapped the Bio-logs and took them out. Altogether, he had been trying to install 80 linear feet of restoration. After the logs didn’t work,
he tried planting Sandbar Willows which started to grow, but then the water got so high, the same thing happened. Mr. Montgomery asked if the Commission would allow him to forgo the plantings and allow a row of rocks instead under his existing Order of Conditions.
Mr. Harris asked Ms. Guiney if she had an opinion to which she replied that she didn’t have experience with this type of restoration (Bio-logs). However, she did say that the fluctuation of the level of the Pond can be considerable, especially during the winter months when the City of Brockton draws down. Also, she had received a call from a neighbor who asked to remove the logs that had floated in front of his house.
Mr. Kemmett asked for a plan. Ms. Nehiley suggested that Mr. Montgomery submit a Request for a Minor Correction to his Order of Conditions with a revised plan utilizing his previously approved plan. After said request is received, Ms. Guiney will conduct and inspection.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn at 7:45 PM: David Harris
Second: Audrey Hayward
Vote: 3-0-0
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