Conservation Commission
June 27, 2013 Minutes
Waquoit Meeting Room
Commissioners: Chairman John Fitzsimmons, Vice Chairman Ralph Shaw, Brad Sweet, Mark Gurnee, John Rogers and Robert Anderson.
Staff Present: Conservation Agent Andrew McManus and Administrative Secretary Cynthia Bartos.
Call Meeting to Order: 5:55 pm
The meeting was called to order with a quorum by Chairman Fitzsimmons at 5:55 pm. He announced that the meeting was being televised live.
Pre/Post Hearing Agenda:
Americorps Updates – Several members of Americorps addressed the Commission. Some of the projects during Americorps week included installation of seven kiosks clearly identifying the various Conservation lands throughout Town. Five pollinator gardens, which will attract bees, butterflies and birds, were also installed. This will help pollinate flowers and crops. The Americorps volunteers also worked with Shellfish Constable Richard York who is working vigorously to mitigate nitrogen levels. Ninety-five shellfish and oyster trays were established. The Commission was asked to complete a Needs Assessment questionnaire identifying three of Mashpee’s most pressing needs that Americorps could assist in resolving. Conservation Agent Andrew McManus expressed his gratitude for all of the projects that
Americorps completed. He thanked the volunteers who have agreed to maintain the pollinator gardens. Chairman Jack Fitzsimmons also thanked Americorps. He applauded Mr. McManus for his tireless efforts and significant accomplishments not only during Americorps Week but throughout the year as well.
HEARINGS
6:00 NOI Clifford J. Meijer, 58 Quaker Run Road. Perform landscaping improvements including a vista pruning corridor as well as installation of steps, stepping stones, timber retaining walls, patio pavers, and a fire pit.
• Resource Areas: Coastal Bank, LSCSF.
Mr. Jack Vaccaro represented the applicant. He also praised the Americorps volunteers for their assistance with non-profit organizations and said that Americorps helped the Sandwich Conservation Trust by clearing trails in that Town. Mr. Vaccaro said that the proposal calls for establishing a vista window by right and maintaining it in perpetuity. Remnant piles will be removed from the saltmarsh. Addition of a 14x20-foot patio will be accomplished by terracing retaining walls and installing ecostone permeable pavers. A leaching catch basin will be installed under the patio to reduce runoff. Removal of honeysuckle and bittersweet invasives will be replaced with approximately 650 square feet of native mitigation plantings. Mr. McManus said that the proposal is in accordance with Town regulations and
recommended approval. He reminded the applicant that the Harbormaster requires any home with a dock to place a sign that is visible from the water with the home address.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried to Close and Issue.
6:03 RDA Paul A. Boucher, 196 Monomoscoy Road. Rebuild an existing dock and 50-foot walkway within the existing footprint, leading to a small floating dock that will be removed in the winter.
• Resource Areas: LUO, LSCSF, Saltmarsh, BVW.
Mr. Mark Burtis, owner of Little River dock construction, represented the applicant, who also attended the meeting. This is the same proposal as the original RDA filed several years ago. Mr. Burtis said that the proposal calls for installation of a gangway with a case enclosed float out to the river. Mr. McManus reminded the applicant to place a sign visible from the water with the home address.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried for a Negative Determination.
6:06 RDA Gail E. Gurnee, 22 Little Neck Lane. Removal of two trees.
• Resource Areas: Coastal Bank.
Mr. Mark Gurnee represented the application and said the property is on Ockway Bay with a steep embankment. Two trees within the resource area of the bank are leaning precariously and will seriously destabilize the bank if allowed to fall over. He is seeking permission to remove those trees. The stumps will not be removed. Mr. Gurnee said that he would like to remove several branches of another tree overhanging the house. Mr. McManus said that the proposal is necessary to preserve the bank as well as eliminate problems with leakage into the house.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried for a Negative Determination.
6:09 RDA Edward P. Weinsoff, 41 Devon Street. Install New Septic System. Existing system to be pumped and filled.
• Resource Areas: Buffer Zone to Coastal Bank (Shoestring Bay).
Mr. Scott Campbell, owner of Cardinal Construction, represented the applicant. The existing septic system was pumped twice to remove all solids and then filled with sand. Mr. McManus said that the new septic system has already been installed because this was an emergency repair. Mr. Campbell said that the Title V septic system consists of two 1,000 gallon leach pits, with a bull run valve, a 1,000 gallon tank, a 1500 gallon septic tank and H20 distribution box. The area has been loamed and seeded.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried for a Negative Determination.
6:12 RDA Paul and Lesley K. McLatchey, Jr., 28 Seconsett Point Road. Reconstruct permitted dock structures.
• Resource Areas: LUO, LSCSF, Saltmarsh (Little River).
Mr. Mark Burtis, owner of Little River dock construction, represented the applicant. He said that the majority of the repair work will occur inside the interior part of the horseshoe-shaped bulkhead which is deteriorating. Some patch work will be done on another dock on leaking sheeting. The applicant purchased the property in 1977 and the dock was licensed in 1986. Mr. McManus mentioned that this will facilitate wheelchair access to the float and ramp for a handicapped family member. The length of the ramp will be discussed with the Harbormaster. Asked if this area will be back filled, Mr. Burtis responded that he will install ¾ native stone that will act as a natural filter for the river. By stopping the erosion process, there will be regrowth of vegetation. Mr. McManus recommended
approval of the proposal.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried for a Negative Determination.
6:15 RDA Diane Lang, Trustee, Trustees of Reservations, 0 South Sandwich Road. Cut and clear vegetation to create access to boat landing/beach area and allow for maintenance of property.
• Resource Areas: Buffer Zone to Mashpee Wakeby Pond.
Ms. Diane Lang, manager of the property, represented the application. Last year she received approval from the Conservation Commission to cut along the edge of the pond in this area. She said that the proposal is not to create a new trail or beach area. The Trustees would like to clear just enough for a person to pass through the vegetation and access the beach area. The Trustees have received complaints about violation of the rules with open fires and people using the bushes for latrines. Clearing the vegetation would allow staff access to more closely monitor the beach and put an end to illegal activities. Mr. McManus agreed and said that the maintenance pruning would allow the trustee staff to do their job. The Town developed a memorandum of understanding with the Trustees of Reservations which
allows the Town and The Trustees to share management duties and keep in regular contact to ensure that the parcels are managed correctly. He recommended approval.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried for a Negative Determination.
6:18 Administrative Approval Lawrence Pearce, 146 Waterway. Administrative Approval to allow for Modifications to an approved site plan including changes to the building footprint and spa location. Administrative Approval.
• Resource Areas: LSCSF, Buffer to BVW, Saltmarsh, LUO.
Mr. Jack Vaccaro represented the applicant and stated that modifications to the original plan approved in 2011 include replacing a screened porch with a sunroom and relocating the spa to the pool area. Mr. McManus said all of the changes are within the footprint of the previously approved plan and recommended approval.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried to Close and Issue.
6:21 NOI David I. Goulden, 22 Taffrail Way. Install timber retaining wall along upper part of coastal bank adjacent to Popponesset Creek. Disturbed areas to be loamed and planted with Conservation grass seed mixture.
• Resource Areas: Coastal Bank, LSCSF, Saltmarsh, Buffer to LUO.
Mr. Jack Vaccaro represented the applicant and said that the proposal will structurally stabilize an area of an eroding coastal bank. Taffrail Way is exposed to wave forces from boat wakes and south westerly winds. The project features a wooden structure of thirteen 10 inch x 10 inch posts installed into the bank with a series of guy anchors extending into the bank anchored by another post embedded into the bank. The area above the guy anchors will be back sloped. This will provide a break to eliminate runoff.
The wall is entirely above mean water. Some of the shrubs in the area will be removed, but the trees will not be disturbed. The top will be replanted with a Conservation mix. Mr. Vaccaro read the list of ingredients in the Conservation seed mix. Mr. McManus was satisfied that the mix would provide habitat for wildlife. He said that mowing would be restricted to twice a year. He recommended approval.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried to Close and Issue.
6:24 NOI Glen M. and Beverly C. Petrie, 31 Sand Dollar Lane. Demolition and replacement of an existing home with construction of a three-bedroom home and garage, retaining walls and a new Septic System.
• Resource Areas: Buffer Zone to Coastal Bank, LSCSF, Saltmarsh.
Mr. Thomas Bunker of BSS Design represented the applicant and stated that a new foundation will be installed and the parking area will be elevated to make room for a garage. This will improve drainage and eliminate runoff into the water by diverting it into the plant areas and the drainage area. The existing leaching pit is only 49 feet from the water and will be replaced with a new title V septic system that will be 79 feet away from the water. Other improvements include revegetation of areas closer to the water as well as paving being installed further away from the water. Mr. McManus said that a retaining wall was recently installed on the property. He reminded Mr. Bunker that the Harbormaster is requiring that the street address must be visibly displayed from the most seaward pile, ramp and float for
emergency response from the water. This will also assist to return any storm born debris to the homeowner. The Harbormaster is asking for letters 3 inch in height with contrasting color. Mr. McManus recommended approval of the proposal.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried to Close and Issue.
Minutes of May 30, 2013.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried to approve.
Mr. McManus agreed to Mr. Fitzsimmons’ suggestion to resume notification of site visits He reminded the Board that one of the forms that applicants submit allows for access to properties. He said that the Board Members have the authority to enter a property outside a scheduled site visit.
Mr. McManus asked the Board to complete the Americorps survey and return to him as soon as possible.
Mr. Fitzsimmons inquired about the plaque and bench for Jeff Cross. Mr. McManus said it is a great idea to continually add to the plaque honoring former Conservation Commission Board Members.
Motion made, seconded and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:06 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia Bartos
Administrative Secretary
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