Minutes approved 6/16/05
Page 1 of 4
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
78 Main Street, Hudson, MA 01749
(978) 568-9625
Martin Moran, Chairman David Esteves, Member Misty-Anne Marold, Member
Paul Byrne, Member Joseph Rodrigues, Member Judith Sabourin, Member
W. Minot Wood, Member
Meeting Minutes
June 2, 2005, 6:30 P.M.
1.0 Preliminaries
1.1. Marty Moran opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
1.2. Roll Call: Marty Moran, Minot Wood, Joe Rodrigues, Judy Sabourin, David Esteves, Paul Byrne.
1.3. 4.10 was added to the agenda.
2.0 6:30 P.M. - Database Application Presentation– Bertram Consulting
The Commission has previously voted to approve the purchase of the Conservation Commission Database Application, which utilizes Microsoft Access software. Bertram Consulting previously presented this application to Marty Moran Chairman, Katrina Proctor Agent and Michelle Ciccolo Assistant Administrator. The presentation this evening is to provide the entire Commission with an overview of the database capabilities, customization options, and specific questions the commission has on attaching and modifying special conditions.
Paula and Tom Bertram provided background of their experience and history of the development of their consulting business. Their experience includes developing databases for the Town Office in the Town of Lunenburg as result of the Y2K conversions. They have developed databases for other Boards of Health, Building Departments and other companies. Thirteen Conservation Commissions in Mass. have purchased this application. Mr. Bertram stated that the Commission could call any of them for references. Mr. Bertram noted that they have discounted $500.00 off the $2,500.00 purchase price to Hudson because the Conservation Agent, Katrina Proctor is a repeat customer, having purchased this application for another commission.
Ms. Bertram presented a PowerPoint presentation of the database application projecting the application on a screen. The consultants noted that a yearly maintenance agreement is available at cost of $350.00 per year. This would include any changes the state makes to the WPA forms. Mr. Bertram noted that all of the other Conservation Commissions who purchased this application purchased the maintenance agreement. Most purchased the maintenance agreement when the state changed the WPA forms. With the purchase of the application, the commission will receive a lockdown version and an open version of the application. The Commission could make changes to the open version and if anything went wrong, the lockdown version is would be available as a backup. Four hours of training is also
included. The consultants charge $55.00 per hour for customization or other changes and services not included in the maintenance agreement.
The Consultant presented two options regarding attaching the standard conditions. The first option is to attach a Microsoft Word document to each record. This option allows the flexibility to revise or modify the standard conditions. The second option is the inclusion of the standard conditions directly embedded into the application. This option allows additional space to add other special “specific to project” conditions. This feature allows tracking, such as querying records with replication areas. Several other customized features created for other Commissions were presented. Several of these customizations were of interest to some Commissioners. The Commission asked the consultants if the current Hudson database in Microsoft Access could be transported into this
application. Ms. Bertram asked the Commission to give her an electronic copy of the file and she will provide a quote for transporting the information.
Katrina Proctor will provide the consultants with a copy of the current database to analyze whether conversion of the data is cost effective or advisable. The Bertram’s noted that because they are a small company and are currently working on other projects it would be the end of July before they could work on this account. The Commission thanked Bertram Consulting for their presentation.
3.0 Hearings and Appointments 7:00 P.M.
3.1 Continuance Notice of Intent (DEP 190-445)
Applicant/Owner: Todd Marsh, Paramount Construction
Location: Coolidge Street Map 19 Parcels 214 & 215
Project Description: construction of a contractor’s garage and retail/office building.
Verbal Request/Written request will be submitted for Continuance Hearing to June 16th
Paul Byrne made a motion to continue the hearing to June 16 at 7:00 p.m., seconded by Marty Moran with all in favor.
3.2 Continuance ANRAD (DEP 190-0443)
Applicant: Jed Hayes, SullivanHayes
Location: 0 Coolidge St.
Written Request for Continuance Hearing to June 16th (Revised Plan has not been submitted)
Paul Byrne made a motion to continue the hearing to June 16 at 7:00 p.m., seconded by Marty Moran with all in favor.
3.3 Discuss Enforcement Order, 69 Fort Meadow Rd.
Contractor: Al Sousa, Sousa Services
Owner: Denis Chaves
Al Sousa appeared before the Commission as required in the Enforcement Order issued on 5/20/05. Mr. Sousa offered his apologies and stated that he has had family issues and a vacation that was previously planned. He noted that he has been working with the homeowner Denis Chaves during the development of this project. Al explained the details of the project and problems incurred. First, he explained that the 18-ft. panels delivered could not be used because they hit bedrock at 6 ft. This caused a time delay in that the 18ft panels had to be removed from the site and the new panels brought in. Al admitted that this has been a difficult job. Unfortunately water kept coming in through the panels and they had to keep using the pumps for de-watering. Originally, the
Plas-Crete blocks were going to be moved by crane. The Building Commissioner would not allow that method and therefore an excavator had to go up and down the slope, which is a very slow process. Dave Esteves stated that this job has required a lot of effort on the part of the Agent and he himself has been on site frequently. Dave reinforced the fact that communication is the key, and that there was little communication while Al went on vacation. Additionally, changes in the plan were not communicated to the Agent. Al stated that he forgot to give the Commission the block wall plan which came in the engineering packet. The engineer was concerned that the wall was too long and needed a deadman return. The tree well structure needed something to back up against. An additional stairway was also added. The Commission required the applicant to submit a letter providing narrative of the plan changes along with a plan including the redline
revisions. Al noted that the wall is above the water line, the pilings have been removed and the drainage system behind the wall is in the process of construction. Al explained that additional haybales would be added as a precaution. It was agreed that Al would leave voicemail messages for the Agent to keep the Commission informed.
4.0 Work Session
4.1 Minutes
4.1.1 Paul Byrne made a motion to approve the May 19, 2005 as amended by Marty Moran, seconded by Marty Moran with all in favor.
4.2 Vouchers
4.2.1 UMASS - $35.00 workshop (previously approved), Proctor reimburse $17.68 mailing meeting packets. Marty Moran signed the voucher.
4.3 Discuss Expense Ledger Report – tabled.
4.4 Appoint a Treasurer – tabled.
4.5 Discuss Cliff Grimm’s resignation – Katrina Proctor asked the Commission if they would like to talk to Cliff about continuing his work on open space planning. It was noted that he does not need to come to regularly scheduled Commission meetings. Marty will talk to Cliff.
4.6 Request for Certificate of Compliance – DEP 190-391 Marlborough/Reed. It was noted that erosion controls may still be in place and should be removed before the Certificate is issued.
4.7 Request for Certificate of Compliance – DEP 190-392, 4 Bonazolli Ave. Dave Esteves made a motion to issue a Certificate of Compliance, seconded by Marty Moran with all in favor. Dave Esteves also requested that the Agent send a letter stating that snow removal has been occurring over the back of the guardrail which is a violation of the Wetlands Protection Act and this activity must cease or it will create an enforcement issue with the Commission.
4.8 Sign OOC
4.8.1 DEP 190-0448 - Sauta Farms - The Commission reviewed the revised plans with the requested additions. The Commission determined that the stockpile area needs double-staked hay bales with siltfence and an additional row of hay bales for the length between the stockpile and Brook Street.
4.8.2 DEP 190-0452 - Doris Freitas, Lot 1 Princeton St. (The Commission signed the Order)
4.8.3 DEP 190-0453 Mary L. Kelly, 7 Worcester Ave. (The Commission signed the Order)
4.9 Durand Chevrolet – The Commission advised the agent to contact Rick Durand of Durand Chevrolet and require the erosion controls to be removed. The applicant needs to submit a Request a Certificate of Compliance.
4.0 Correspondence
4.1 Memo from Planner re: Falls Brook Subdivision Roadway acceptance (Proctor will comment that the Commission still has an Enforce Order on the project for Lots 1-4 Falls Brook 2,4,6,8 Riffles Lane and does not recommend roadway acceptance.)
5.0 Pending
4.3 Bolton Conservation Commission email/map re: gift of land – noted.
4.4 Create an Order of Conditions inspection sign off card. – noted.
6.0 Advertisements and Conferences
7.0 Commentary
8.0 Adjournment - Paul Byrne made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m., seconded by David Esteves with all in favor.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Katrina Proctor, Conservation Agent
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