MONSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MAY 13, 2009
MEMBERS PRESENT: Donald Lambert, Glenn Colburn, Leslie Duthie and Davis Johnson.
7:12 17 Old Stagecoach Drive, Elizabeth Chase and Horace Marchant. Mr. Marchant met with the Commission to discuss a Certificate of Compliance for his property located at 17 Old Stagecoach Drive and work associated with a boat dock and the removal of some trees on the upper Stagecoach Lake Road pond. Mr. Marchant stated they are in process of having an “as built” prepared to submit with a request for a Certificate of Compliance. He stated they would like to put in an aluminum dock with piers that sit on the bottom of the lake and the dock floats on top of the piers. The dock would be removed in the winter time and stored on land.
Leslie Duthie questioned if anything would be on the bank?
Mr. Marchant stated originally they had proposed steps down to the lake but over the peninsula and near the bank there are existing trails, utilizing the existing trails eliminates the need for steps. The dock itself would extend out six feet and is four feet deep. If it works as well as they anticipate sometime in the future they would like to add another six foot section because their canoe is sixteen feet long.
Glenn Colburn questioned how the dock was supported?
Mr. Marchant stated the dock was supported by the posts that sit on the bottom of the lake and the dock on top of the posts.
Davis Johnson questioned if the posts remain in the water during the winter or if they too are removed?
Mr. Marchant stated sometime had elapsed since he did the research on this and he could not remember if the posts were removed but would look over his material and let the Commission know. He stated what they proposed was minimally intrusive.
Leslie Duthie suggested the Commission make a site visit to look at both the upper and lower pond. The site visit was scheduled for May 19, 2009 at 6:00 P.M. starting at Old Stagecoach Drive.
Mr. Marchant stated he looked at the application for a Request for Determination and did not see how it related to what they proposed.
Lesley Duthie advised waiting until the Commission does the site visit.
118 Moulton Hill Road. Donald Lambert stated he looked at the property and thought the rest of the Commission should do a site visit. The owners have surface water going into their cellar. The water flows through a series of pipes and ends up flowing under the road and sheet flows out on the right hand side of a barn across the street. The office received information that the property owners were working in wetlands without a permit.
The Commission scheduled a sit visit for May 19, 2009.
The Commission discussed concerns raised by Thomas O’Connor regarding beaver dams in the area of Reimers Road, Silver Street and Thayer Road.
Glenn Colburn stated the Commission had a discussion with John Morrell at its last meeting regarding a beaver dam on Silver Street/Thayer Road, and concluded there was no imminent danger to property or roads at this point.
Davis Johnson stated because of what happened with the flood when the bridge serving the residents of Lakeshore Drive was washed out Mr. O’Connor is sensitive about the dams upstream.
Glenn Colburn stated there is a beaver dam on Baldwin pond but he did not believe they are active further down. He stated Baldwin pond would be the ideal place for a beaver deceiver.
Leslie Duthie stated she had spoken with the owners of the property several times and during one conversation they indicated their willingness to put in a beaver deceiver at Baldwin pond.
8:10 MAIL
- Request for Certificate of Compliance from Frank Carey 95 Wilbraham Road.
- Richard Courchesne recorded the extension of the Order of Conditions for Lakeside Drive.
- Various building permits.
- Beaver permit from Board of Health for Town of Monson to remove beaver at 67 Old Reed Road because of imminent road damage.
- Forest cutting plan for John Kane Lower Hampden Road 160 acres. Review by NHESP who approved the plan with the condition that wood harvesting takes place during the time frame December 1st ending March 31st.
- Final cutting plan Brian Quinlan Reimers Road 60 acres.
- Forest cutting plan Stella Furgal Bumstead Road 22 acres.
- Copy of weekly report from C & A Construction Lower Hampden Road.
Leslie Duthie stated she drove along Lower Hampden Road and thought the Commission should take a look at one particular area. During the hearings the Commission discussed a location where there is a steep gully and asked the consultant to move the discharge area to the other side. The report states there are no stockpiles of earth on site but in the area of May Hill where the road is changing there are large stockpiles of earth.
Leslie Duthie stated she met with Leo Cortina on Monday 10, 2009 and had a lengthy discussion about the possible purchase of some of his property on Margaret Street. Ms. Duthie stated she has had numerous conversations with Mr. Cortina about purchasing some of his property that includes the old granite quarry and wanted to make sure that he was still interested in selling and to start the ball rolling. Approximately 150 acres are involved and to make sure there is agreement with regard to the land involved appraiser Bill King and Leo Cortina will walk the property with Ms. Duthie on Monday May 18, 2009. Ms. Duthie stated she made it abundantly clear to Mr. Cortina that the Commission cannot under any circumstances pay more than the appraised value of the land. It will take time to put together the
various sources to purchase the property if agreement is reached with Mr. Cortina. The Commission has used the Self Help Grant (now called Land) in the past but the rules have changed and ancillary costs such as surveys and appraisals cannot be rolled into the grant. Ms. Duthie questioned if the Commissioners would be willing to pay for the appraisal costs thought to be approximately $3000.00 out of the Conservation funds?
Davis Johnson stated he believed it was worth the risk. This land has historic value as well as recreational value as it is part of the High School Cross Country trail. The granite from the quarry is evident in many buildings in Monson and to preserve the ridge line would be terrific.
Leslie Duthie stated it is a risk to spend the money for the appraisal but she felt it was a risk well worth taking.
Davis Johnson made a motion to pay the cost of the appraisal.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
Leslie Duthie moved to accept the minutes of April 1, 2009 as presented.
Davis Johnson seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
8:40 Leslie Duthie moved to adjourn.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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