Conservation Commission
April 17, 2008
Minutes
Land Use Meeting Room
Members present:
Chair Neal Carpenter, NC; Joe Strauch, JS; Tim Flanagan, TF; Vince Ammendola, VA; Rose Fitzgerald Casey, RFC; David Lane, DL
Absent with notification: Dick Ferren, DF
Celeste Wheelock, a student at Berkshire Community College, attended at the invitation of her instructor Dick Ferren as part of a class project.
Mass Highway, RDA for resurfacing of Route 7 from south of the intersection of Routes 7&20 in Lenox to the intersection of Routes 7&102 in Stockbridge. Presenting the RDA was Amer Raza of Mass Highway. Mr. Raza said that there would be no excavation and the work would be limited to the pavement and immediate shoulders of the highway. Hay bales will be used in the stormwater runoff areas.
DL made a motion to approve the RDA with a Negative 3 Determination and the condition that the hay bales will be installed as requested and removed when the job is completed. RFC seconded the motion and the Commission voted to approve 6-0.
Jedd Hall, 474 Walker Street, Map 39 Parcel 25, informal. Mr. Hall wishes to build a barn large enough for seasonal storage of two automobiles. The proposed size would be 24 feet wide by 32 feet deep. Mr. Hall contacted NC about his plans and NC went to view the site on April 12, 2008. After discussing Mr. Hall’s proposal and viewing a drawing of the property, the Commission determined that a site visit would be necessary and was scheduled for April 24, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Hall will stake the proposed location of the barn.
Minutes: April 3, 2008. DL made a motion to approve the minutes with a minor edit. JS seconded the motion and the Commission approved 5-0-1 with RFC abstaining as she was not present at that meeting.
Clean Up Day: DL told the Commission that both the Lenox Sportsmen’s Club and Lee Sportsmen’s Club would be meeting on May 17, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. at the ranger’s station of October Mountain State Park for a cooperative effort to clean back roads of litter.
Post Farm: DL discussed the recent damage done by recreational vehicles and trucks. To prevent further damage he has sealed off the access at the sites of Borgnis Lumber and the Town cemetery. The Lenox Police Department has been alerted and the activity has subsided. Monitoring the site will continue. The Commission will enforce for destruction of public property. NC has spoken to Jeff Vincent, Superintendent of the Department of Public Works, regarding construction of a new parking area and gate.
36 Sargent Brook Road, Map 1 Parcel 30: NC advised the Commission that he signed off on a building permit for the reconstruction of a shed.
Roaring Brook Road: Tony Gola of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife called TF about the salamander season. Mr. Gola spoke to Jeff Vincent of the DPW who said that the road will be closed to thru traffic to Wood’s Pond during the season.
DJ Oil, 18 Crystal St., Map 4 Parcel 73, Brent White of White Engineering gave an informal progress report and expects to meet the EPA’s June 1, 2008 deadline. No contamination was detected.
Special Town Meeting, Zoning Bylaw update: At the Special Town Meeting on April 15, 2008, the article relating to Flexible Development was tabled to the Annual Town Meeting on May 1, 2008. Comments were solicited by the Planning Board on the proposed new Zoning Bylaw. In response to that request, TF felt that the language needs to include:
1. No wetlands are to be used in the open space calculation.
2. The Commission feels that 40% of open space should be specified in the Bylaw, not 25%.
3. The approval process should begin with a presentation to the Conservation Commission prior to other Land Use Boards.
The Commission concurred and NC will discuss the Commission’s concerns with the Town Planner, Mary Albertson.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola
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