Lenox Conservation Commission
June 5, 2014
Minutes
Town Hall
Members present: Chair Neal Carpenter, NC; Vince Ammendola, VA; Tim Flanagan, TF; Rose Fitzgerald Casey, RFC Joe Strauch, JS; David Lane, DL; Dick Ferren, DF
Staff present: Peggy Ammendola, PA
Request for Determination of Applicability-Scenic Mountain Act, Kennedy Park, 7 A Main St., Map 21 Parcel 8.
Site Visit: Ruth Wheeler, TF, JS, DF and NC attended on May 20, 2014. DL went on another day.
Making the presentation was Ruth Wheeler of the Kennedy Park Committee. The project is the removal of trees located near the gazebo that is off the Weaver Olympic Trail. For several years members of the public have asked the Committee to open up the view toward Greylock, which is obstructed in the summer.
Pictures of the area had been taken and presented by NC. DF showed to the Commission photos that he had on his computer.
TF said that this project was well within the performance standards of the Scenic Mountain Act.
The area below the gazebo was cleared two or three years ago. DF is concerned about trees which are 100 yards away that will eventually mature and block the view from the vantage point of the gazebo area.
JS and TF feel there should be a management plan for the park.
RFC made a motion that the hemlock on the left can be removed; the oak to the right may be trimmed; the two black birches which measure over 5 inches in diameter can be removed as well as anything under five inches in diameter. DL seconded the motion and the Commission voted to agree 7-0. The trees to be removed were denoted in photos.
Request for Determination of Applicability, Town of Lenox, Brunell Ave., Map 42 Parcel 27. The proposal is improvements to the existing Brunell Avenue Pumping Station.
Sean VanDeusen (SVD) the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works made the presentation to repair and rebuild the pumping station with expectation that the project will take approximately one year. Both the original and current plans were presented.
The Commission looked through the drawings, but felt that they were incomplete and in order to fully understand the details of the project, an engineer and hydrologist should be present. SVD asked the Commission if they would be able to approve some parts without dewatering in order to get the project started. The Commission agreed.
DF made a motion to put in the minutes that the project could be started by putting in hay bales and silt fences, taking down the requested trees and to start working on putting in the water and sewer lines above the old treatment plant up towards the road above the 1064 contour. VA seconded the motion and the Commission voted to agree 7-0.
RFC made a motion to continue the meeting to June 19, 2014 at 7:45 pm. JS seconded the motion and the Commission voted to agree 7-0.
Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Pam and Peter D’Ambrosio, 37 Laurel Lake Rd., Map 1 Parcel 9. The proposed project is septic system upgrade, new subsurface drainage, landscaping, and excavation/backfill for addition.
Presenting the RDA was Dana Bixby, the architect. Since the site visit on May 29, 2014 which was attended by Ms. Bixby, Pam D’Ambrosio, TF, JS, DF, VA and NC, Ms. Bixby has updated the plan. The latest plan was reviewed and details of the project were discussed.
TF made a motion to approve the project as presented with the revised plans dated June 5, 2014. VA seconded and the Commission voted to agree 7-0.
Other business:
MassDOT will be on the June 9, 2014 agenda at 7:30 pm for repaving a portion of the highway. There will not be a planned site visit. Board members will check on their own.
70 Bramble Lane- Realtor® Judy Lazan had contacted NC as she had a potential purchaser who had questions regarding conservation issues by possibly increasing the size of the structure from 1,200 sf to 3,000 sf. Site visit was attended by Ms. Lazan and NC on June 3, 2014 and NC and TF also had a site visit the day before.
Edith Wharton property for haying-After a brief discussion about mowing bobolink inhabited fields, it was agreed that mowing should not take place any earlier than Aug 15th. DL will advise Dave Carrington.
Approve minutes-May 15, 2014 JS made a motion to approve the minutes and TF seconded the motion. The Commission voted to approve 6-0-1. RFC abstained as she was not at that meeting.
RFC made a motion to adjourn at 8:55 pm. DL seconded and the Commission voted to agree.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola
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