Lenox Conservation Commission
Landuse Meeting Room
May 21, 2015
Minutes
Members present: Chair Neal Carpenter, (NC); Vince Ammendola, (VA); Tim Flanagan, (TF); Joe Strauch, (JS); Dick Ferren, (DF); David Lane, DL; Rose Fitzgerald Casey, RFC
Staff present: Gwen Miller, Land Use Director/Town Planner, GM; Peggy Ammendola, (PA)
Also present was Mark Stinson Wetlands Circuit Rider of MassDEP Western Region.
Request for Determination of Applicability, MassDOT for the intersection of Route 7 & 20 with Walker St. The proposed project consists of replacing an existing traffic control signal and extending exclusive left turn lanes both northbound and southbound on Routes 7 & 20. This had been advertised and posted for May 7, 2015, but continued to May 21st because May 7th was Annual Town Meeting.
Presenting the application was Amer Raza, District Environmental Engineer of MassDOT. Mr. Raza told the Commission that this location has been identified as a high crash intersection therefore improvements were deemed necessary. Both left lanes approaching the intersection will be lengthened (200 feet) and widened (up to 14 feet) to provide increased storage and there will be new equipment and traffic signal. Some of the work area is in the buffer zone. Mr. Raza reviewed the construction plan and identified what drainage changes would be made and what would remain the same.
DL made a motion to approve the application as presented and to issue a Negative 3 Determination. RFC seconded the motion and the Commission voted to approve 7-0.
City of Pittsfield, Department of Public Utilities New Lenox Road at Mill Brook, Map 29 and Parcels 30 and 33, NOI, replacement of an existing culvert. This hearing had been continued from February 19, 2015 to May 7th, but because May 7th was the Annual Town Meeting, the hearing was continued to May 21st.
Site Visit-There was a site visit prior to the hearing at 4:00 PM and was attended by Tom Touchet and Meredith Washington of AECOM; David Cameron of MA DEP; and Commissioners NC, TF, VA and JS.
Mr. Touchet and Ms. Washington returned to review with the Commissioners the document entitled Response to Notice of Intent Comments regarding the Farnham Reservoir Dam Upgrade Project-Phase II: New Lenox Road Culvert Replacement which is dated May 15, 2015. This document was prepared to provide additional detail with respect to stream crossing standard compliance, the hydraulic analysis performed during the design, the water diversion plan proposed by the contractor to bypass the stream during construction, the proposed stream restoration and the limits of the proposed tree cutting.
Mr. Touchet reviewed each item listed in the table included in their response document. The items summarized the Commission’s previous comments and provided direction on where to find the supplemental information within the attached documents.
Mr. Touchet confirmed that the only trees within the whole limit of work that would be removed were those marked with blue and white striped tape.
Karen Goodman, the owner of the property on the south side of the culvert, has not returned the signed application as she needs clarification of the language. A letter with an explanation has been submitted and when AECOM receives, they will forward to the Commission.
The Commissioners considered the review comprehensive and well done having addressed their concerns from the previous meeting. There were no major concerns voiced at this proceeding.
The public hearing was closed.
The Commission agreed that the following special conditions would apply:
- Work proposed will not proceed until the City has received authorization from property owner Karen Goodman.
- The nominated compliance monitor who is hired shall send to the Commission the same reports that are sent as required to the state pertaining to the culvert project.
JS made the motion to approve the project under the revised plans of May 15, 2015, DF seconded the motion and the Commission voted to agree 7-0.
Notice of Intent, 107 Yokun LLC for property located at 101 Yokun Ave., Map 12 Parcel 2. Repair and stabilize a washout of a drainage swale, and to reconstruct a failed detention basin.
Site visit: There was a site visit on April 23, 2015 that was attended by Mike Kulig of Berkshire Engineering; Michael Sucoff, Construction Manager; and Commissioners TF, VA, JS, DF and NC.
Presenting the NOI was Mike Kulig. Also present was Ethan Berg.
Mr. Kulig reviewed the application with the Commission and detailed the work which would be done that will stabilize the area. He said that substantial areas of pavement have been removed from the site above which will reduce the runoff. He also said that there is a planting plan which includes trees, but in an area out of the buffer zone, therefore he doesn’t want to commit Mr. Berg to it. The Commission responded that this was not in their jurisdiction.
TF made a motion to approve the project as presented and VA seconded the motion. The Commission voted to agree 7-0.
Approve Minutes: April 16, 2015-JS made a motion to approve the minutes as amended and DF 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 and DF seconded the motion. The Commission voted to agree and the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola
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