 Conservation Commission Minutes of Meeting—January 16, 2003
A meeting of the Hudson Conservation Commission was held in the Hudson Town Hall, 78 Main Street, Hudson, Massachusetts. At 7:00 p.m., Chairman Martin Moran called the assembly to order.
Present were: Martin Moran, Jose Rodrigues, David Esteves, Minot Wood, Judith Sabourin, John Sturgis, and William Brochu
Proctor Avenue and Temple Avenue (RDA - Continuance)
Present: William Parker
The Commission reviewed their site visit. The Commission would like to keep the cutting at least 25 feet away from Lake Boon. Mr. Parker would still like to cut as close as he can he is willing to stay 10 feet away.
Mrs. Sabourin stated that she does not feel the trees down in the glen are a hazard. They are not dead. She is also concerned for the habitat area, which will need shade to survive. Mr. Parker disagreed. He felt that the trees could fall on his house. Mrs. Sabourin argued that the trees will not fall on the house. They are too low and far away.
Mr. Brochu asked what the Commission’s options were. Mr. Moran stated that the Commission could require a Notice of Intent. The Commission felt that would be the way to go.
Martin Moran, seconded by John Sturgis, made a motion to issue a positive determination for Proctor Avenue and Temple Avenue to remove existing trees due to the fact that it is very close to the bank and the lake and it is in the buffer zone and will require a Notice of Intent to be filed.
Vote: 6-0-1 with Minot Wood abstaining
Manning Street (Notice of Intent)
Present was: John Sargent
Mr. Sargent reviewed the plan with the Commission. The proposal is for a single-family house. The house and all the grade is outside the floodplain. The backyard will be vegetated at the existing grade. The house will be connected to Town sewer.
The Commission would like a copy of the flood elevations for the file. Mrs. Sabourin expressed concern regarding the area past the haybale line. Mr. Sargent offered to have concrete bounds placed as a demarcation line. There were no additional questions.
Martin Moran, seconded by Minot Wood, made a motion to close the public hearing and issue and Order of Conditions for Manning Street in accordance with the plan entitled “Notice of Intent Conservation Commission Filing” as drawn by John D. Sargent, PE. Of Bolton, MA and dated November 21, 2002 with the condition that there be concrete bounds ten feet apart exposed 6 inches from the ground and 25 feet from the wetland line.
Vote: 7-0-0 unanimous
Simrah Gardens (Notice of Intent, Continued)
Present: George Connors, Connorstone Engineering
Miraj Ahmed
Mr. Connors reviewed the erosion control plans with the Commission. Mr. Esteves would like to see dates in the sequencing. Mr. Connors offered to supply dates when the building permit was applied for.
Mr. Moran presented a list of special conditions. Mr. Connors agreed to all the conditions.
Martin Moran, seconded by John Sturgis, made a motion to close the public hearing and issue an Order of Conditions for Simrah Gardens in accordance with the construction drawings as drawn by Connorstone Engineering and dated November 10, 2002 and the erosion control plans as drawn by Connorstone Engineering and dated January 2003 with the following conditions:
18. Prior to the beginning of work, the applicant shall:
a. Properly install all siltation controls according to the plans approved by the
Conservation Commission.
b. Provide the Board & Committee Coordinator with the name and telephone number in
writing, of the person who will be immediately responsible for supervision of all work the project site and compliance with this Order of Conditions. The Board & Committee Coordinator shall be notified in the event that the site supervisor or contractor is
changed.
c. Clearly mark the limits of work in the field and instruct all workers not to work beyond the limits.
d. Notify Board & Committee Coordinator of the date upon which work will commence.
e. Hold a meeting on the project site with the Conservation Commission or a designated representative, the project site supervisor identified in Condition No. 18-b above and other relevant parties identified by the applicant or the Conservation Commission to review the project and this Order of Conditions. Siltation controls shall be inspected at this time.
f. Failure to comply with Condition Nos. 18A-E, as well as Nos. 8 &9, shall constitute sufficient grounds for the Conservation Commission to order all work to cease until compliance is achieved.
19. Accepted engineering and construction standards shall be followed in the conduct of all work.
20. All work shall conform to the Notice of Intent, all plans, and all other documents, records, correspondence and representations of the applicant as presented to and approved by Conservation Commission.
21. No excavated material shall be disposed of in violation of any local, state, or federal laws. All stumps must be removed from the site; no burying of stumps on site is permitted.
22. The Conservation Commission shall be notified in writing at the time of any transfer in the title to the property or any change in contractor/developers prior to issuance of the Certificate of Compliance. The name, address, and telephone number of the new owner shall be included in the notification as well as certification that the new owner
has been provided with a copy of this Order of Conditions.
Site Specific Conditions:
23. During the pre-construction meeting required in condition #18 above, the contractor shall provide a construction-sequencing plan to the Conservation Commission for review and approval. The plan shall show:
a. How construction will proceed and how silt will be controlled from leaving the site into the wetland or adjacent drainage structures.
b. A stone construction entrance pad, where access to the site is onto a public roadway to prevent the tracking of mud and silt into the public roadway.
c. Additional interim erosion controls, (i.e. temporary detention basins, dewatering basins, check dams) needed to control runoff once construction begins but before the site is stabilized.
24. During construction the applicant/developer shall submit to the Conservation Commission a monthly written status report prepared by a registered professional engineer or environmental consultant competent in such evaluation, summarizing the work that has been completed, compliance of the project with the Order of Conditions, and the status of the erosion
controls.
25. Large piles of soil and other materials shall not be stockpiled closer than 50 feet to any wetland resource area without the approval of the Commission. All large stockpiles must be maintained in a stabilized condition with erosion control in place and approved by the Commission.
26. Construction shall follow the sequence specified in the Simrah Gardens Hudson, Massachusetts Erosion Control Protocol submitted to the Conservation Commission.
27. If permission is obtained from the owners, a temporary basin shall be constructed next to the headwall across Central Street from the project. If this is not possible, the headwall shall be moved closed to the road.
Certificate of Compliance:
28. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance, the site shall be stabilized with vegetation or other measures approved by the Conservation Commission.
29. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance and after the site has been stabilized, all erosion controls shall be removed from the site.
30. Prior to requesting a Certificate of Compliance, the applicant or its agent shall clean the drainage swales and/or drain pipes to ensure they are working properly.
31. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance, the applicant shall submit to the Conservation Commission for review and approval an as-built plan and a letter of compliance stamped by a registered professional engineer. Said plan and letter shall show that all conditions of this Order have been complied with in a satisfactory manner.
Vote: 6-0-1 with Judith Sabourin abstaining
Cox Street: New Fire Station (Notice of Intent)
Present: Dorian Bertram & John Maynard, Maguire Group
Ms. Bertram reviewed the resource areas with the Commission. Mr. Maynard reviewed the plans with the Commission. The entire work are will be surrounded by hay bales. There is no wetland filling and no replication required. The project consists of the headquarters building and a three-story training tower. There will be about 1.2 acres of impervious surface.
The Commission expressed concern that if Cox Street is opened for a construction entrance that mud will be tracked out. Mr. Maynard stated that he would agree to a condition that a mat be laid down on Cox Street. All the pavement drainage will go into catch basins and piped to the detention basin that will be constructed in the back. Nothing sheet flows out to Cox Street.
Mrs. Sabourin asked if some trees can be planted around the fence that surrounds the detention basin. Mr. Maynard agreed to incorporate some plantings.
Mr. Moran requested an alternative analysis because the riverfront area is being disturbed. There was much discussion regarding the placement of the training tower and if it can be moved out of the riverfront area. The Fire Chief was adamant the Tower remain contiguous to the headquarters.
Martin Moran, seconded by John Sturgis, made a motion to continue the public hearing for Cox Street until February 6, 2003.
Vote: 7-0-0 unanimous
176-182 Washington Street (Continuance)
Present: Mark Donahue, Atty. at Law
Greg Roy, Ducharme & Wheeler
Atty. Donahue reviewed the open issues including the maintenance of the storm water plan, the operation of the reclaim system and the issue of the litter fence. Mr. Esteves also would like to address the issue of snow storage.
Mr. Roy reviewed the storm water maintenance notes. Mr. D’Amelio reviewed the concerns of the Planning Board and he suggested that the Commission condition that the drainage be inspected and cleaned quarterly for the first two years.
The Commission expressed concern that no alternative for snow storage has been discussed. Mr. Roy indicated that there are no other locations for snow storage. Mr. D’Amelio stated that the Commission can condition that after 6 inches of snow it should be trucked off the site. Donis Tracy, 17 Overland Street, stated that the snow storage is proposed on a hill and once it melts, the snow will drain right down in the wetland. The Commission discussed whether this was an appropriate location for snow storage or not.
David Esteves, seconded by Bill Brochu, made a motion to condition the plan that no snow storage can be shown on the northerly side of the building between the pavement and the wetland.
Vote: 4-3-0 with John Sturgis, Minot Wood and Martin Moran opposed
Ms. Tracy asked if citizens can report violations. She was told yes, she should call the Board & Committee Coordinator with any concerns.
Ronnie MacDonald from Non-Stop Sales & Services reviewed the reclamation system with the Board. Stu Irvine, 10 Overland Street, asked what happens if the bacteria in the reclamation system dies. Mr. MacDonald indicated that if that were to happen, the system would shut itself down.
Ms. Tracy asked who monitored the water quality issues. Mr. MacDonald said that they recommend the water be tested every day.
Mr. Moran asked if the system could discharge or overflow into the wetlands. Mr. MacDonald stated that the system is completely sealed and if there were a problem, it would shut down. Commission agreed that as long as it does not discharge to the wetlands the reclamation system is out of the Commission’s jurisdiction.
Atty. Donahue stated that the applicant is proposing a four-foot high fence to be placed four feet down the slope to give a more aesthetic appearance. The Commission feels that the fence should be on top of the slope in order to properly protect the wetlands. The Commission will require a six-foot high fence.
Martin Moran, seconded by John Sturgis, made a motion to close the public hearing and issue an order of conditions to 176-182 Washington Street for the construction of a car wash in accordance with the plans entitled “Site Plan of Land in Hudson 176-182 Washington Street” as drawn by Ducharme & Wheeler of Bolton, MA and dated December 19, 2002 with the following special conditions:
18. Prior to the beginning of work, the applicant shall:
a. Properly install all siltation controls according to the plans approved by the Conservation Commission.
b. Provide the Board & Committee Coordinator with the name and telephone number in writing, of the person who will be immediately responsible for supervision of all work on the project site and compliance with this Order of Conditions. The Board & Committee Coordinator shall be notified in the event that the site supervisor or contractor is changed.
c. Clearly mark the limits of work in the field and instruct all workers not to work beyond the limits.
d. Notify Board & Committee Coordinator of the date upon which work will commence.
e. Hold a meeting on the project site with the Conservation Commission or a designated representative, the project site supervisor identified in Condition No. 18-b above and other relevant parties identified by the applicant or the Conservation Commission to review the project and this Order of Conditions. Siltation controls shall be inspected at this time.
f. Failure to comply with Condition Nos. 18A-E, as well as Nos. 8 &9, shall constitute sufficient grounds for the Conservation Commission to order all work to cease until compliance is achieved.
19. Accepted engineering and construction standards shall be followed in the conduct of all work.
20. All work shall conform to the Notice of Intent, all plans, and all other documents, records, correspondence and representations of the applicant as presented to and approved by Conservation Commission.
21. No excavated material shall be disposed of in violation of any local, state, or federal laws. All stumps must be removed from the site; no burying of stumps on site is permitted.
22. The Conservation Commission shall be notified in writing at the time of any transfer in the title to the property or any change in contractor/developers prior to issuance of the Certificate of Compliance. The name, address, and telephone number of the new owner shall be included in the notification as well as certification that the new owner has been provided with a copy of this Order of Conditions.
Site-Specific Conditions:
19. During the pre-construction meeting required in condition #18 above, the contractor shall provide a construction-sequencing plan to the Conservation Commission for review and approval. The plan shall show:
a. How construction will proceed and how silt will be controlled from leaving the site into the wetland or adjacent drainage structures.
b. A stone construction entrance pad, where access to the site is onto a public roadway to prevent the tracking of mud and silt into the public roadway.
c. Additional interim erosion controls, (i.e. temporary detention basins, dewatering basins, check dams) needed to control runoff once construction begins but before the surface is stabilized.
20. During construction the applicant/developer shall submit to the Conservation Commission a monthly written status report prepared by a registered professional engineer or environmental consultant competent in such evaluation, summarizing the work that has been completed, compliance of the project with the Order of Conditions, and the status of the erosion controls.
21. Large piles of soil and other materials shall not be stockpiled closer than 50 feet to any wetland resource area without the approval of the Commission. All large stockpiles must be maintained in a stabilized condition with erosion control in place and approved by the Commission.
22. The stormwater drainage system shall be inspected and cleaned quarterly for the first 2 years of operation. The results of the inspection and cleaning shall be reported to the Board and Committee Coordinator within 2 weeks of the inspection and cleaning. Based on these reports, the Conservation Commission will determine the required frequency of inspection and cleaning (continuing condition).
23. There shall be no use of deicing chemicals (continuing condition).
24. There shall be no snow storage on the northern part of the site between the pavement and the wetlands. Snow shall only be stored in the designated area next to Washington Street (continuing condition).
25. There shall be no discharge from the water reclamation system into the wetlands (continuing condition).
26. The water reclamation system sludge tank shall be inspected monthly and cleaned as required to assure proper operation (continuing condition).
27. The site shall be inspected daily for proper operation of the water reclamation system. A logbook of the inspections and maintenance performed shall be maintained on-site and shall be available to the Conservation Commission on request. Any malfunctions of the reclamation system resulting in discharge from the system shall be reported to the Board and Committee coordinator within 24 hours (continuing condition).
28. If the water reclamation system is to be replaced, the Conservation Commission shall be notified and must approve the new system before installation (continuing condition).
29. A 6-ft. high fence to contain litter shall be erected along the entire East side of the paved area and be maintained in good condition (continuing condition).
Certificate of Compliance
25. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance, the site shall be stabilized with vegetation or other measures approved by the Conservation Commission.
26. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance and after the site has been stabilized, all erosion controls shall be removed from the site.
27. Prior to requesting a Certificate of Compliance, the applicant or its agent shall clean the stormwater drainage system to ensure it is working properly.
28. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance, the applicant shall submit to the Conservation Commission for review and approval an as-built plan and a letter of compliance stamped by a registered professional engineer. Said plan and letter shall show that all conditions of this Order have been complied with in a satisfactory manner.
Vote: 6-1-0 with Judith Sabourin opposed
Adjournment
At 10:00 p.m., John Sturgis, seconded by Joe Rodrigues, made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: 7-0-0 Unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
JLB
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