Conservation Commission
Minutes of September 22, 2011
Public Hearings
Mashpee Town Hall - Conference Room 2
Commissioners: Vice Chairman Ralph Shaw, Brad Sweet, Patty Jalowy, Associate Steve Cook
Staff Present: Drew McManus (Conservation Agent) and Kris Carpenter (Administrative Secretary)
Call Meeting To Order: 6:55 pm
Pre/Post Hearing Agenda:
- Minutes: Approval of the following minutes: N/A – Quorum not available for approval
- Jehu Pond CA (Amy Brown Rd): Status update on boulder placement on Amy Brown Road – Mr. Sweet states that they had found boulders that were dumped and asks the Agent if he could find people to donate time and machinery so that they could block the way at Great Hay Road which Agent McManus encourages it. The Red Brook side is Federal Fish & Wildlife property who are still searching for funding to purchase a gate. The Agent suggests that possibly Conservation can purchase the gate. There is also an additional gate that DPW had ordered that may be used. The Agent also mentions putting a sign stating “Not a Thru Way”.
- New Americorps Volunteer – Agent McManus attended the orientation for the new Americorps member; her name is Kelsey and she will be splitting her time between Mashpee & Falmouth. The Agent has given her a packet that includes information regarding projects that she will be working on. She will be starting the first Wednesday in October.
HEARINGS
7:00 Joseph McGinity (9 Little Neck Lane) Remove two oak trees and replace with blueberry and azaleas – RDA – Cont’d from September8, 2011
Resource Area: Coastal Bank
Material submitted: Plot Plan (hand drawn) 8/30/11 Owner
Joe McGinity is seeking approval to remove a tree that was damaged in a wind storm this past spring. Mr. McGinity states that there is also an oak that they believe died from possible disease and are concerned about the remaining trees so they would like to remove it. There is another tree that is approximately 9’ away from the house and they are concerned about the proximity to the house. The third tree was discussed recently with the Agent and it is a tall pine tree that is in a cluster of trees but is a threat to the house and is also preventing the nearby trees from developing. Agent McManus states that the oak tree is definitely dead and poses a hazard to the house. He would like to see some sort of mitigation for the
maple tree. The pine tree is approximately 60’ away from the top of the coastal bank. The owners are also seeking approval for maintenance pruning of the branches overhanging the house.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried for a Negative Determination
7:03 Christine Lazorchak (140 Algonquin Ave) Remove a tree, prune one tree and enlarge existing deck - RDA
Resource Area: Buffer Zone to Inland Bank (Cataquin Pond)
Material submitted: Computer Print Out 9/22/11 Owner; Photos 9/22/11 Owner, Deck Specs 9/22/11 Owner
Ms. Lazorchak explains that there is an oak tree approximately 10” away from the rear deck that she would like to remove and also a branch from another tree in front of the house that overhangs the roof. Ms. Lazorchak also requests approval to extend an existing rear deck to 14’ x 10’. Agent McManus states that the area proposed for deck extension is barren of any vegetation.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried for a Negative Determination
7:06 Greg & Carol Yurek 43-2671 (199 Daniels Island Rd) Reconstruction of attached garage/relocation of swimming pool - NOI
Resource Area: Coastal Bank
Material submitted: Plan of Proposed Addition 9/15/11 Cape & Islands Engineering
Jack Vaccaro from Vaccaro Environmental is representing the homeowner and explains that there are three activities that they are proposing. They would like to create an addition that would connect a detached garage to the house, relocate the pool equipment area to the north area of the garage and 300 sq ft. of mitigation. The addition will create an additional bedroom. Agent McManus states that it is taken place over entirely hardscaped areas and the mitigation is proposed for a barren area that could use additional plantings. There is no impact to the stability of the bank and no adverse impact to the resource area.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried to Close and Issue
7:09 MC Massachusetts Nominee Trust 43-2670 (202 Daniels Island Rd) Porch addition, additional parking and retaining wall - NOI
Resource Area: Coastal Bank
Material submitted: Proposed Site Plan 9/7/11 Cape & Islands Engineering
Jack Vaccaro from Vaccaro Environmental is representing the project for the owner and explains that they primarily would like to improve the traffic on that particular narrow stretch of Daniels Island Road and also provide additional parking. The parking surfaces will be the Echo Block which is a paved block that creates a hardened surface but still gives an appearance of a grassy surface. The area of widening surface is proposed of crushed shell. Mr. Vaccaro is hoping that by providing the additional width, it should improve visibility on that curve and allow two vehicles to pass at the same time. Along the parking area is a proposed masonry wall with a maximum height of 3 feet and also a small porch addition. The porch and driveway are
beyond the 50’ buffer but a portion of the proposed widening is within 50’. Agent McManus states the proposed addition is going over existing landscape/hardscape area. The parking area will require the removal of some vegetation but it is minimal and is in the interest of safety. There is no impact to the coastal bank.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried to Close and Issue
7:12 Cynthia Marble & Karen Richard (10 Cricket Way) Eliminate failed cesspool and upgrade to a fully compliant Title V system - RDA
Resource Area:
Material submitted: Proposed Septic Repair 8/24/11 Meyer & Sons
Darren Meyer is representing the property owner and states that the cesspool is in failure and needs to be upgraded. The Board of Health comments read that the application has been approved and is on the agenda for a variance relief.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried for a Negative Determination
7:15 Peninsula Council 43-1696 (4 Fells Pond Circle) Amend Order of Conditions to include “Maintenance in Perpetuity”- AOC
Resource Area:
Material submitted:
Ed Cohen is representing the Peninsula Council and states that they would like to amend the existing Order of Conditions to add “Maintenance in Perpetuity”. The pond is treated annually for aquatic plantings. Agent McManus states that this type of ongoing treatment typically includes Maintenance in Perpetuity but this one did not so they are asking for this amendment before the Orders expire. The pond is treated with DEP approved chemicals for submerged aquatics. The treating company notifies the Commission yearly.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried to Close and Issue on the addition of “Maintenance in Perpetuity” in SE 43-1696
7:18 Cynthia & Ken Jones (25, 27 and 28 Great River Road) remove (5) trees on 27 Great River Road, remove (3) trees on 25 Great River Road and prune limbs on 28 Great River Road - RDA
Resource Area: Land Subject to Coastal Storm Flow
Material submitted: Town GIS 9/13/11 Owner
Ken Jones states that 27 Great River road has four pines and a white oak that has grown very close to the house which makes them hazardous during a wind storm. 25 Great River Road is a storage unit and the bays are obstructed by trees. 28 Great River Road has branches that need to be removed.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried for a Negative Determination
7:21 Sheila McNamara (19 Ocean Bluff Drive) Install approximately 250’ of aluminum picket fence for dog enclosure - RDA
Resource Area: Buffer to Coastal Bank, Coastal Dune & Coastal Beach/ LSCSF
Material submitted: Plot Plan (hand drawn) 9/13/11 Greg Bush & Tree Landscaping
Greg Bush from Greg Bush Tree and Landscaping is presenting for the homeowners and explains that the proposed fence is an aluminum picket fence and will go around the perimeter of the back yard. The owner would like to enclose the back yard for her two large dogs. Agent McManus states that there will be minor vegetation maintenance to accommodate the fence which Mr. Bush states that they minimized the impact on the vegetation as much as possible. A gate at the top of the stairs was recommended to be included in this application. Agent McManus marked the gate on the plans that were submitted.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried for a Negative Determination
- Barnstable County Land Management Grant: Moody Pond project – Agent McManus states that he heard from Bill Clark from the Barnstable County Cooperative Extension in response to the application that he had sent in for a land management grant. He was told that Mashpee will receive the full amount of $4,000 which is the maximum allotment for any town. The Moody Pond project will include the creation of a five or six car parking area on the other side of the road, some signage and fencing and water bars for erosion control. The approximate estimate for the work is $7500 and Barnstable County stated that there will need to be a matching donation from Mashpee DPW in labor and equipment use. Agent McManus is hoping to start work in the spring.
- Habitat Management Work: Mashpee Pine Barrens – Chief Baker and Tom Eagle from US Fish and Wildlife will be coming into the Commission soon to present additional habitat management work that is in the interest of creating more dense thicket habitat for the New England Cottontail which is close to be being listed on the Federal Endangered Species list. They will also be coming forward with a proposed prescribed burn for this area as well.
- Vista Pruning Regulation: A public meeting will be held on 10/6/11 for the vista pruning regulations for public comment and if there is no public comment it will then be promulgated for the revised regulations that night.
Vice Chairman Shaw asks for a motion to add an item to the agenda for the purpose to discuss the purchase of a computer from the Land Steward Account. The Board complies with a roll call in which all unanimously agree.
Agent McManus explains there is a Land Stewardship account that was created when the program was first started and it was granted by The Barnstable County Land Management grant money. There is a need for a new computer which will be used by the new Americore volunteer for the Land Steward program and trail mappings as well as the Agent for site visits and power point presentations. The IT provided a quote for a new laptop for $890.10 which would use the rest of the funds in the Land Steward account and remainder to be withdrawn from the Lands & Maintenance account.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried to approve the allocation of funds for the purchase of a new laptop specifically for Conservation use only.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:53 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kris Carpenter
Administrative Secretary
***All material submitted for hearings can be found on Conservation Flash Drive dated 7/1/10***
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