HANSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC MEETING OF OCTOBER 14, 2014
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, Chairman, in Meeting Room A at the Town Hall.
Present: John Kemmett, Chairman
John Murray, Clerk
Frank Schellenger, Vice Chairman
Also Present: Laurie Muncy, Agent
Rebecca Nehiley, Administrative Assistant
Absent: Brad Kirlin, Member
Phil Clemons, Associate Member
Minutes
Motion to approve minutes of September 23, 2014: Fran Schellenger
Second: John Murray
Vote: 3-0-0
Public Hearings
7:15 PM Continued Notice of Intent for the installation of a pre packaged 30,000-gallon capacity propane gas above ground storage tank within 100 feet of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland at 1158 Main Street, Map 43, Lot 50 for James Lamparelli of Supreme Energy represented by Environmental & Energy Solutions, Inc. (DEP #SE175-0654)
Mr. Joseph Dorsett of Environmental & Energy Solutions presented a revised Plan dated 10/13/14 and said that he did his best to respond to the comments in John Delano’s review letter dated 9/22/14. A drainage swale was added adjacent to the project and parallel to the wetland line. Additionally, two outlet structures with headwalls to capture runoff and manage sediment from the parking lot were depicted. Mr. Dorsett added a detail of a dewatering pit that he was of the opinion was adequate in size to handle excavation of the foundation for the tank.
In terms of the Riverfront Analysis that Mr. Schellenger had asked for, Mr. Dorsett said that all of the work is outside of the 200’ riverfront area. Basically the only alternative, since the site is already completely developed, is to not do the project which is not an economic option for the applicant who is invested in the property. Mr. Schellenger questioned the riverfront line on the map, pointing out the unnamed tributary to Poor Meadow Brook on the USGS topo map and suggested that it’s buffer zones be depicted on the plan.
In conclusion, Mr. Dorsett said that a filter sock will be installed along the wetland line and that the work should take about a day. All soils will be trucked offsite and the applicant will seek a Certificate of Compliance before the propane tank is filled. Ms. Muncy commented that the plan is a “substantial improvement” over the last one. No abutters were present.
Motion to approve variance to work within the 50’ No Touch zone: Frank Schellenger
Second: John Murray
Vote: 3-0-0
Motion to approve an Order of Conditions to include an additional condition to revise the Plan to include the Riverfront buffer areas and the submittal of an annual report at the end of May:
Frank Schellenger
Second: John Murray Vote: 3-0-0
7:30 PM Continued Notice of Intent for the upgrade of a septic system, the installation of a private drinking well and an after-the-fact request for an addition to a single family home at 48 Leon Ct., Map 2, Lot 54 for Daniel Barbone represented by Collins Civil Engineering Group, 225 S. Main St., W. Bridgewater, MA (DEP #SE175-0652)
Mr. George Collins of Collins Civil Engineering Group responded to comments and suggestions made by the Commission at the last meeting. He presented a revised Plan dated 10/8/14 that depicted the addition of a Presby Advanced Enviro-Septic Leaching system as secondary treatment. The reasoning behind his proposal for supplemental passive treatment was outlined in a new Alternatives Analysis dated 10/1/14. In response to Mr. Schellenger comment, a dewatering pit was increased in size and the specifications were depicted on the Plan.
Mr. Kemmett asked about the amount of disturbance and was concerned that the addition was built in the 50’ Buffer Zone without a building permit. He commented that he had never been called upon to approve an addition that didn’t have a building permit. Mr. Collins said that the Building Department is the policing mechanism and if the Commission approved the plan as proposed, he would file a separate application if the addition has to be torn down. Also, Mr. Kemmett was of the opinion that the proposed mitigation was insufficient. Mr. Collins pointed out that he had proposed plantings and a split rail fence to demarcate an area that will be allowed to revegetate. Mr. Kemmett remarked that he would like to see the buffer zone increased by
20’ and the shed moved to a different location. No abutters were present.
Motion to approve a variance to work in the 50’ Buffer Zone: Frank Schellenger
Second: John Murray
Vote: 3-0-0
Motion to approve an Order of Conditions subject to Board of Health approval of the variance requests on the revised plan and subject to approval by the Building Inspector and subject to a revised plan for moving the fence and the shed: Frank Schellenger
Second: John Murray
Vote: 3-0-0
Orders of Conditions
Order of Conditions to raze an existing foundation and construct a new single family dwelling with associated septic system, site grading and utilities at Ferris Street, Map 7, Lot 17 for Alan Dias, J & G Trust (DEP #SE175-0653) – signed
Order of Conditions to construct an outdoor community recreation area with two beach volleyball courts, a fitness trail and two basketball courts at 600 Franklin Street, Map 86, Lot 2 for the Whitman Hanson Regional School District (Local By-Law#14-01) – signed
Order of Conditions for razing an existing dwelling, construction of a new dwelling and the upgrade of a residential septic system at 273 Lakeside Road, Map 79, Lot 7 for Thomas F. James, Trustee (DEP #SE175-0649) – signed
Discussions
Resignation of John Murray
Motion to commend John Murray for his years of service to the Commission: Frank Schellenger
Second: John Kemmett
Vote: 3-0-0
Mr. Schellenger remarked that the Commission is sorry to see him go and that he’ll be greatly missed.
5-acre "Indian Crossway Conservation Area" on Crooker Place
Motion that the Town Meeting vote be recorded at Registry of Deeds: Frank Schellenger
Second: John Murray
Vote: 3-0-0
Commence to write a draft Management Plan for “Indian Crossway Conservation Area”
Although Mr. Clemons wasn’t at the meeting he had drafted an email that outlined a preliminary management plan for the Indian Crossway Conservation Area. Ms. Nehiley read it into the record. It included the following important elements:
- Vehicle control (via existing locked gate, etc.)
- Info needed on kiosk that already there (but empty)
- Bay Circuit Trail route
- Adjacent LiteControl property (potential for expansion of conservation land)
- Nearby Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area
- Certified existing vernal pool that exists on the site
- Documentation of past comments made during site visit by Dr. Tim Simmons (MassWildlife habitat restoration ecologist)
Request for Certificate of Compliance for 136 Brook Street, Map 97, Lot 10 & 16 for Grace Doherty (DEP #SE175-56)
Ms. Muncy commented that this was an old Order of Conditions for a single family house that was in the riverfront area. She suggested to the owner to put in five (5) conservation plaques along the driveway regardless of the fact that it wasn’t a condition of the original order. The owner was amenable to installing the posts and conservation plaques.
Motion to approve a Certificate of Compliance: Frank Schellenger
Second: John Murray
Vote: 3-0-0
Old Business/New Business
Whitman-Hanson Express/Invoice – signed
Mileage/Invoice – signed
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn at 8 PM: Frank Schellenger
Second: John Murray
Vote: 3-0-0
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