Conservation Commission Minutes
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Mashpee Town Hall
Waquoit Meeting Room
Commissioners: In attendance: Board Members Robert Anderson, Dale McKay, Brad Sweet, John Rogers and Ralph Shaw.
Staff Present: Drew McManus, Conservation Agent and Katelyn Cadoret, Assistant Conservation Agent.
Chairman Robert Anderson called the meeting to order at 5:55 p.m.
No comments from the public.
PRE/POST-HEARING AGENDA:
Approval of Minutes: September 24, 2015 Minutes. Tabled
Land Stewardship Program
The Agent gave an update on the Land Stewardship Program. He said Katelyn Cadoret, Assistant Conservation Agent, is in the process of reaching out to the volunteers to see if they are still interested in volunteering for this program. The Department is coming up with different ideas such as trail work, beautification projects, and herring count program. The Department is also trying to make the program more interactive and maybe even having a volunteer appreciation day. Notices will be posted at kiosks, library and other public buildings to gather up interest to try to get our conservation land on the map. Plans are in process for putting together a quarterly newsletter to be sent out to the volunteers as well as posting it on the town’s website. Brad Sweet noted there is a possibility of using
volunteers from other towns who are interested in keeping the paths clear. The Agent named a few volunteer resources: boy scouts, students, Senior Corps, AmeriCorps. He said we will be remapping all the trails. He will be reaching out to the Mashpee Enterprise as well as the Mashpee TV.
Administrative Approval proposed wording for the Chapter 172 Bylaw. (to be discussed at a later date}
HEARINGS:
6:00 William E. Baker, 100 Wheeler Road and 96 Wheeler Road. Proposed removal of hazardous trees. Owner of record of 96 Wheeler Road: John R. Baker. RDA
No one present – tabled until later in the meeting)
6:03 Bryan W. Reardon, Trustee, 2 Mariner Lane. Proposed septic system upgrade. RDA
Resource Area: LSCSF
Jack Landers, J.E. Landers-Cauley, represented the applicant. He stated the reason he is before the Commission is because the proposal is in the flood zone. The project is upgrading a failed septic system to a Title 5 system.
The Agent said the application has been submitted to the Board of Health and is currently under review. He inquired about any landscape plans after the new system has been installed. He said if it is going to be grass, it should adhere to the town’s lawn standards. Mr. Landers said he would speak to the owners for clarification
No comments from the public.
Motion: Mr. Shaw moved a negative determination pending Board of Health approval, seconded by Mr. Sweet. Vote unanimous 5-0
6:06 Stanley W. Kasper, 41 Halyard Lane. Proposed removal of trees to allow for construction of two-car garage as well as mitigation plantings and landscaping. NOI
Resource Area: Bordering Vegetated Land, Buffer Zone, LSCSF
Wayne Tavares, Wet Tech Land Design, Inc., represented the applicant. He said Mr. Kasper has a double lot and needs storage and parking. He wants to put in a two car garage. He referred to the narrative that explains the performance standards. Mitigation is proposed to compensate for intrusion into the conservation area. There is also a waiver request for building within 50’ of a wetland. He explained the proximity to the wetland is due to the steep grade of the entry. Mr. Tavares stated he has submitted mitigation plan for the new plantings for the buffer zone. He said he is in a special permit area which allows him to move closer to the front property line and side property line. He reviewed the plan with the Commissioners. He mentioned Board of Health does not want living space
upstairs so the owner will be using the upstairs for storage. He said one of the concerns is getting ARC approval. Mr. Sweet commented that ARC has approved the plan.
The Agent said he discussed with Mr. Tavares that no part of the new structure is moving any closer to the wetland. He referred to the waiver request which is a demonstration of a compelling need. He said the mitigation would offset any potential impacts to the wetlands. It is a good opportunity to increase vegetation in the buffer zone. The Agent stated the plans meet the performance standards. It was noted that runoff shall be controlled by either a drywell, rain garden or some other system.
No comments from the public.
Motion: Mr. Shaw moved to Close and Issue, seconded by Mr. Sweet. Vote 5-0
6:09 Brad C. and Sharon A. Mantel, 242 Monomoscoy Road. Proposed removal of hazardous/beetle-infested trees. RDA
Resource Area: Great River
David Cummings, DC Tree Service, represented the applicants. He stated the project is to remove one large pitch pine and one smaller pitch pine infested with turpentine beetle on the right side of the house. Plans also call for the removal of one double pitch pine on the left side with a rotten base which is also infested with turpentine beetle. He deemed the trees hazardous due to the infestation and the proximity to their house and the neighbor’s house. He noted this was a great time of the year to remove them.
The Agent recommended removal of these trees.
No comment from the public.
Motion: Mr. Shaw moved a negative determination, seconded by Mr. Sweet. Vote unanimous 5-0
6:12 Robin F. and Denise M. Gofan, Trustees, 244 Wheeler Road. Proposed construction of a walkway for pedestrian access to Ashumet Pond. NOI
Resource Area: Buffer Zone, Inland Bank, Ashumet Pond
Frank Westgate, Westgate Land Survey, represented the applicants and explained the project is to construct a walkway within the buffer zone and inland bank adjoining the easterly shore of Ashumet Pond. The walkway is proposed to be 4 feet wide with crushed stone and treated timbers. He stated the vegetation disturbance will be minimal. The Agent stated the project meets the performance standards and referred to the photos. He commented this was the best spot for the walkway. He recommended a close and issue.
No comments from the public.
Motion: Mr. Shaw moved to close and issue, seconded by Mr. Sweet. Vote 5-0.
6:00 William E. Baker, 100 Wheeler Road and 96 Wheeler Road. Proposed removal of hazardous trees. Owner of record of 96 Wheeler Road: John R. Baker. RDA
Mr. Shaw moved to continue the hearing to November 12 at 6:06 p.m., presuming the approval of the applicant, seconded by Mr. Sweet. Vote unanimous 5-0
Pre/Post Hearing Agenda
Proposed Greenway Path/CPA Funding: – Presentation by Mary Waygan
Quashnet River Woodlands Trail Proposal – Presentation by Mary Waygan and F. Thomas Fudala
Present were Mary Waygan, Tom Fudala, and David Kooharian
The Agent introduced Mary Waygan, Tom Fudala, and David Kooharian and stated they were here tonight to explain a project they have been working on. It is a greenway trail system. They are requesting that the Conservation department and Commission be the applicant for this project.
Mary Waygan, Chair of Planning Board and Planning Board representative to the Community Preservation Committee, referred to the draft application to the Community Preservation Committee, a letter from the Planning Board engineer and a map for the proposed greenway project. She explained the greenway is to connect existing green space in Mashpee. The proposal is to connect the two huge green areas in town in partnership with the Mashpee Commons. She referred to the draft application. She asked if the Conservation Department, which would include the Commission, would agree to be the co-applicant. She said David Kooharian, Vice Chair of the Planning Board, is willing to be the contact person and Drew McManus could also be the contact person. She said the application is due November 1, which is a Sunday, so
she needs to submit by October 30. The Community Preservation Committee must vote affirmatively on the application in order for the project to go forward to town meeting. She explained CPC funds can only be used for four things: recreation, open space, historical restoration and affordable housing. She noted that CPA funds cannot be used for maintenance.
Mr. Kooharian spoke about the whole concept of the greenway. He said this is a rare opportunity to build a central park and connect trails. He reviewed the map that depicted the proposed trails. The first step would be to create a trail from Mashpee Commons connecting to existing pathways in the Quashnet River areas south of Route 151. This would include the construction of a footbridge over Quashnet River.
Ms. Waygan referred to a letter written by Engineer Charles Rowley. Town Planner Tom Fudala said it is a matter of brush cutting the trails. There was a discussion regarding bikes on the trails. He said the Quashnet River has to be crossed and he described a couple of locations where this could be accomplished. This would connect Mashpee Commons with the Mashpee High School. Mashpee Commons is working with their insurance company but they are behind the project. The only cost issue is the bridge crossing. The construction cost is $50,000 and engineering cost is $15,000. Ms. Waygan said that volunteers can help with the project. The Selectmen have previously approved the project.
There was much discussion to whether or not Conservation should endorse the application for funds to the CPC. The Agent noted if the funding is secured, the next step would be submitting a NOI with conservation being the co-applicant. He said he felt it was a fantastic idea and he is a big supporter of getting people out into our conservation lands. The whole purpose of a NOI is to condition it to the Commission’s liking. There was concern over the last minute nature of the application.
Ms. Waygan suggested forming a subcommittee with the Planning Board and Conservation Commission to oversee the project.
Assistant Conservation Agent Katelyn Cadoret said it would be a great way to start up the land stewardship plan.
Ms. Waygan summarized the discussions by stating that the Planning Board and Conservation would be the co-applicants. Contact person would be Drew McManus. They would include Charles Rowley’s letter as the budget. Ms. Waygan said she needs to know if there is consensus from the Commissioners to go forward with the application and whether the Commissioners wants to be the sole managing body or have a subcommittee formed. There was a discussion whether or not DPW would be involved. Ms. Waygan will contact DPW and the Town Manager. She noted the Planning Board has an engineer and they would offer his services. She reiterated she would put in the application that Conservation and Planning Board would co-manage with support from the staff and the Planning Board’s engineer.
Motion: Mr. Shaw moved to endorse the Conservation Commission as co-applicant for the construction and management before the Community Preservation Committee for the proposal of the greenway on Conservation land. Seconded by Mr. Sweet. Vote unanimous 5-0.
Ms. Waygan said she will report back in a couple of months and explained the process of the CPC in reviewing the applications. She also noted that if approved, an article will appear in the Town meeting warrant in the spring. Following Town meeting, procurement could be done, followed by engineering work, and hopefully, construction could begin by the spring of 2017.
Motion: Roll Call Vote to discuss Memorial Diana Lund. Mr. McKay moved to discuss Memorial for Diana Lund, seconded by Mr. Shaw. Mr. Shaw, yes; Mr. Sweet, yes; Mr. McKay, yes; Mr. Rogers, yes; Mr. Anderson, yes. Vote unanimous
The Agent stated that long-time Town employee and Conservation Secretary Diana Lund recently passed away. Robert Sherman, former Conservation Agent, wants to set up a donation account to contribute to the donation fund. The Commission would get involved in selecting a location. There has been no decision in what form it would take. Mr. Sherman was asking for the Commission’s endorsement for a memorial and location to be determined. He would be the collector of the funding and overseeing the project and would be open to the Commission’s suggestions. The Agent noted the fish ladder at the Santuit Pond would be a really nice spot for a memorial.
Motion: Mr. Anderson moved the Commission lends its support for the Diana Lund memorial to be managed by Mr. Sherman, former conservation agent. Seconded by Mr. McKay. Vote 5-0
Motion: Mr. Shaw moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Sweet. Vote unanimous 5-0 Meeting adjourned 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Judy Daigneault
Recording Secretary
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