MONSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES 10/22/2008
MEMBERS PRESENT: Leslie Duthie, Glenn Colburn, Davis Johnson and Donald Lambert.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
7:10 Glenn Colburn stated he would talk to Mark Stinson DEP regarding registering the Commission for the electronic filing. Once the Commission is a registered user it will be easier to prepare an Order of Conditions because certain field would fill in automatically.
Bennett Road, Susan & Thomas Long. Leslie Duthie stated the Commission checked the site and found the work to be completed in accordance with the plan submitted. Ms. Duthie moved to issue a Certificate of Compliance.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
7:20 MAIL
- Emergency certification received from G. J.A Construction for a small oil spill that occurred on October 4th on Main Street near the intersection of Main Street and Mill Street. The gas tank bracket broke on one of G.J.A’s trucks and spilled a small amount of fuel near 23 Main St.. The Fire Department and the Police Department were notified and responded. DEP was also notified. The total amount of spillage was 15 gallons. The Fire Department spread a drying agent on the spill but a small amount did get into the stream. Absorbsion pads were used in the stream to soak up any standing fuel and more were placed to catch any additional fuel that should surface.
Leslie Duthie moved to ratify the emergency certification.
Davis Johnson seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
- Request for Certificate of Compliance from Sean Finnegan, for Lot 6A Crow Hill Road. This project has been going on for a long time. The Order of Conditions was for the installation of the driveway that runs parallel to a stone wall and turns left up the hill to the proposed house location. There is a large vernal pool on the Stafford Road side and a large wetland behind the proposed house location.
The Commission set a site visit for Wednesday October 29, 2008 at 5:00 P.M.
- Copy of a report from Lycott Environmental regarding Paradise Lake. The results from the water samples collected at three different times of the year in 2008 show low counts of bacteria and nutrient levels indicative of a healthy water body. A small area of Variable milfoil was identified and should be targeted for treatment in 2009.
- Forrest cutting plan Silver Street, June Skorupski and Helen Moore 60 acres.
- Various Building permits.
- Mass Wildlife.
- Newsletter pipeline awareness.
7:35 55 Reimers Road Robert & Deborah Pafumi. Glenn Colburn stated the Commission requested an informal meeting with Mr. & Mrs. Pafumi to discuss some of the work that is occurring on the property. There are wetlands on the property and some of the work the Commission has observed over the past few weeks is in the buffer zone and would come under the Conservation Commission’s jurisdiction. The area that was cleared for the metal and canvas shed is in the buffer zone and although the likelihood is that the Commission would have allowed it there should have been a filing. Similarly some clearing has taken place near the riding area in the field that area too is jurisdictional.
Mr. Pafumi stated in the field area he has not cleared anymore than the previous owner Christopher Russell cleared. The area that was brush hogged down does not extend any further than what was previously cleared. He stated he did clear the area to put in the storage shed.
Leslie Duthie stated the Commission wanted to meet and have an informal discussion before any major infractions occur. The Commission regulates any work and that would include clearing brush or cutting trees that is within 100 feet of a wetland and 200 feet of a perennial stream. If there is any doubt as to whether a filing is required with the Commission contact the office to arrange a site visit.
Deborah Pafumi stated they were not aware that the shed for the tractor was in or near wetlands.
Glenn Colburn stated it is important to understand there is an intermittent stream on the property, and near the barn where the horses are stabled there are significant wetlands. In the past the Commission had a problem with the owner of the property prior to Mr. Russell who tried to extend that area for livestock. It has been decades since it was a farm those areas cannot be expanded upon without filing with the Commission. There are endangered species in the area that must also be taken into consideration.
Robert Pafumi questioned if it would be possible to put in fencing across the street for his horses for a summer grazing area?
Leslie Duthie suggested sending a letter or calling the Commission to ask for a site visit.
Glenn Colburn stated if a paddock area was created a buffer zone would have to be maintained between the flat part of the field and the stream.
Glenn Colburn stated the canvas shed would have been allowed if Mr. Pafumi had filed with the Commission and he had no problem with leaving it where it was.
Leslie Duthie cautioned Mr. & Mrs. Pafumi that if they planned any work on their property in the future to contact the Commission first.
Glenn Colburn moved to accept the minutes of October 8, 2008 with the changes on Page 3 as discussed.
Davis Johnson seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
8:10 Leslie Duthie moved to adjourn.
Davis Johnson seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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