Conservation Commission
Minutes of October 10, 2013
Public Hearings
Mashpee Town Hall
Ockway Meeting Room
Commissioners: Ralph Shaw, John Rogers, Brad Sweet and Steve Cook
Staff Present: Drew McManus (Conservation Agent) and Judy Daigneault (Recording Secretary)
Call Meeting to Order: 5:55 p.m.
The meeting was called to order with a quorum by Acting Chairman Shaw at 5:55 p.m.
There was no public comment
Pre/Post Hearing Agenda:
Approval of Minutes: September 12, 2013. Tabled until the next meeting.
AmeriCorps Updates. Pollinator Gardens/Pickerel Cove Trails
Agent McManus updated the commissioners on the AmeriCorps volunteers who have been dealing mainly with the pollinator gardens at different locations. They came in to weed out the gardens and spread mulch. They also finished the trail at Pickerel Cove and will be signing up for a couple of more projects. On November 1, there will be a Pollinator Workshop at Waquoit Bay Reserve at which Agent McManus will be speaking. This is tentatively scheduled for November 1rst.
HEARINGS
6:00 Patricia A. Cowhig, 3 Bight Circle. Proposed installation of vinyl sheet bulkhead landward of the coastal bank bordering Popponesset Creek. Continued from 9/26/13. Board requested more detailed site plan. At request of engineer, continued to October 24, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. NOI
Chairman Shaw requested a motion to continue this hearing.
Brad Sweet moved to continue the hearing for Patricia Cowhig to October 24, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at the request of the engineer. Seconded by Mr. Rogers. Vote unanimous.
Agent McManus stated he has been working with the new harbormaster on 10-A Float Permits authorized by previous harbormaster. There are an unknown number of homeowners who have docks under our regulatory language who were told by the former harbormaster that they had 10-A floats. Drew has been working with the new harbormaster Steven Mone to try to bring everyone in compliance. Permits were issued to homeowners for 10-A floats that technically do not have10A floats but have docks. He suggested if they can produce evidence obtaining a 10A float to the harbormaster’s office they could come in and get their dock permitted through an RDA or the alternative would be to apply for an NOI. Mr. McManus requested that the commissioners think about this and he will research the files along with
the harbormaster and come up with a plan.
6:03 Brian J. and Dawnmarie Jadul, 25 Ocean Bluff Drive. Proposed construction of pool and deck as well as an elevated walkway to provide beach access. Continued from 9/26/13. Applicant to submit revised plan. NOI
Resource Area: Coastal Bank, Coastal Dune, Coastal Beach, LSCSF
Material Submitted: 25 Ocean Bluff Drive
Scott Goddard, Goddard Consulting, was representing the applicants along with Mike Coutu, Sudbury Design Group.
Scott Goddard stated as a result of the conversations at the last meeting, they have submitted additional information. One request was to amend the NOI as filed. It was brought to their attention that there has been ongoing vista pruning along the upper part of the bank along with other properties along the stretch. They wanted to include that zone of vista pruning on the site plan so it is on record. Since there were no abutters at the past meetings and since this is a minor change, he was hoping the commissioners would consider this amendment. On the site plan, they also showed the mitigation plantings based on the bylaw. Another request was the reduction of the width of the walkway so now they are showing a 4 foot wide walkway with one jog. They also took the fence and put it
up the bank. The trees would remain.
Agent McManus approved of the walkway as revised. He spoke about the vista pruning and stated most of the properties have done pruning over the years and not all with permits. He said there have been no abutters at the meetings and felt there would be no abutter concerns. The applicants are asking for a waiver of the requirements. It is not really going to affect the performance standards one way or the other. They are limiting the vista pruning to the top row of vegetation and not extending all the way down to the resource area to the coastal beach. He said it would be up to the commissioners if they wanted to approve the amendment for vista pruning; Agent McManus suggested the commissioners could approve the vista pruning tonight and take the same approach for the other homeowners in
the area. Agent McManus stated the wording for vista pruning would be included in the order of conditions.
No comment from the public
Motion made by Mr. Sweet to close and issue with the modification to the plans as submitted in addition to the vista pruning modification as discussed, seconded by Mr. Rogers. Vote was unanimous.
6:06 John M. and Phyllis K. McGrath, 240 Surf Drive. Proposed upgrade of existing septic system in a new soil absorption system RDA
Resource Area: Buffer Zone to Isolated Land Subject to Flooding
Material Submitted: 240 Surf Drive
Mike, JC Engineering, represented the McGrath’s. He outlined the project which involved the upgrade of an existing septic system along with site work. 100 feet of a bordering vegetative wetland (Agent has deemed this resource area to be Isolated Land Subject to Flooding). The existing septic system is located in front of the house and the proposed system is situated in the northwest corner of the property and consists of utilization of existing septic tank, a new 1,000 gallon pump chamber and a new soil absorption system. The new system will be located outside the buffer zone. The disturbed portion of the existing drive will be restored to its original condition. They have approval from the Board of Health. Agent McManus recommended a negative determination
Motion made by Mr. Sweet for a negative determination, seconded by Mr. Rogers. Vote was unanimous.
6:09 Christopher J. Joe, 47 Monahansett Road. Proposed planting of ornamental trees/shrubs, removal of 13 trees, replacing walkway and front steps, install new walkway along right side of house. RDA
Resource Area: Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetland
Material Submitted: 47 Monahansett Road
Mr. Joe, homeowner, was present. He was proposing to plant around the perimeter with a walkway to the back. He will have to take the deck down because of the redrawing of the flood zone map. He is looking to have a sitting area that is a patio rather than a deck. Mr. Joe was also requesting to remove 13 trees which are marked and showed the trees on a plan. Agent McManus said he walked the site and found the oak trees to be diseased but wanted to take a look at one of the oak trees and reassess it. Many of the other trees are a threat to the house. The patio has no effect to the wetland. Mr. Cook asked about a plot plan showing the wetland delineation and stated the commissioners need a plot plan submitted with the application showing a wetland delineation as part of
the proposed project is within 50 feet of the wetland.
Following a discussion, it was agreed that the applicant would request a continuance in order to submit a plot plan showing wetland delineation.
Mr. Sweet moved to continue the application of Christopher Joe, to October 24 at 6:03 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Rogers. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Sweet moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Rogers. Vote unanimous
Meeting adjourned 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Judy Daigneault
Recording Secretary
| 
