MONSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES FEBRUARY 9, 2011
MEMBERS PRESENT: Leslie Duthie, Glenn Colburn and Davis Johnson
7:00 John Prenosil, JMP Consulting requested a continuance of the Notice of Intent for Maple Street on behalf of his client Irving Arnold.
Leslie Duthie moved to continue the hearing to Wednesday March 2, 2011 at 7:15 P.M.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
Leslie Duthie stated she reviewed the forest cutting plan prepared by Scott Gerrish and was very happy with it. It encourages the installation of nesting boxes; pruning the lower limbs of pines to encourage a better future harvest; and marking the boundaries to comply with the Green Certification program. The plan also acts as baseline data for the Conservation Restriction that is being developed and will be held by Opacum Land Trust. Leslie Duthie stated she walked the property with Scott Gerrish and found the map to be good it identifies the forest plots gives recommendations in each of the forest stands and identifies the trails through the property.
Leslie Duthie stated she had a conversation with State Forester, Carmine Angeloni who did not believe remarks regarding previous cutting plans were appropriate going forward with this new plan. Ms. Duthie stated she did not have a problem with the information on the plan and questioned how the other Commissioners felt?
Glenn Colburn stated he agreed with Ms. Duthie it is not intended as a comment or judgment on any previous plan, it is merely the history of the property.
Leslie Duthie stated the plan does recommend that as soon as possible steps are taken to control the invasive species and identifies a possible cost sharing through FLEP or WHIP. Scott Gerrish did discuss the management plan with personnel at DCR because of the Green Certification.
Leslie Duthie stated Scott Gerrish identified a fair amount of cut wood that is still lying around and in good condition in Stand 1.
Glenn Colburn stated the Commission should take a look at that area after the snow melt to determine if any cordwood is salvageable.
Leslie Duthie stated she would talk with Scott Gerrish.
7:45 Walter McLaughlan, Lower Hampden Road met with the Commissioners to discuss an amendment to the Order of Conditions the Commission issued around June of 2010. After meeting with National Grin in November of 2010 it was determined that two utility poles would be placed in the riverfront area one either side of the bridge. Mr. McLaughlan submitted a plan showing the exact location of the proposed poles. The pole identified as 24-3 is fairly close to the river and 24-5 on the opposite side is fairly close to the culvert.
Glenn Colburn stated this did not look as though it would create a lot of disturbance a posthole auger would be used so there would not be a lot of digging.
Walter McLaughlan stated the second pole would have a wire brace on it.
Leslie Duthie stated she agreed with Mr. Colburn this was minimal disturbance. The stream channel was pretty substantial and it did not seem as though the water would fan out in the area where the pole was proposed.
Walter McLaughlan stated Nation Grid wanted something in writing from the Commission before undertaking the work.
Leslie Duthie stated she would prepare an amended Order of Conditions referencing the plan submitted this evening as Exhibit “A” along with the original plan referenced in the Order of Conditions 228-326 and have it ready for signature at the next meeting.
8:05
- Hampden Bank received the Determination of Applicability for 136 Stafford Road.
- CIL Realty recorded the Order of Conditions for 3 McCray Circle.
- Copy of a report for Lower Hampden Road wetland replication site stating it is functioning as designed. This is the replication site associated with the widening of Lower Hampden Road.
- Copy of a letter sent to the Monson Board of Selectmen from Derek Strahan stating his intent to resign from the Conservation Commission because he was relocating to another Town.
The Commission accepted the resignation with regret. Leslie Duthie stated Mr. Strahan was enthusiastic and diligent in his duties for the Commission and wished him the very best for the future.
- Letter from the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife relating to the Draft Impact Report submitted by National Grid for the project to upgrade its line from the Palmer sub station through Monson to Hampden. The Division of Fisheries & Wildlife will not issue a determination regarding the strategies outlined by National Grid to avoid or minimize impacts to wetlands and to develop a conservation plan until the public comment period is complete.
- Information on the Keystone Program a 2 – 3 day program focusing on forestry and conservation.
- Copy of Mass Wildlife.
- MACC Annual Conference on March 5, 2011 Glenn Colburn will attend.
- Copy of cutting plan for Carpenter Road, Mr. Richardson.
- Copy of cutting plan for Wilbaham Road John Hanic.
8:25 Leslie Duthie moved to accept the minutes of January 19, 2011 as presented.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
8:30 Glenn Colburn moved to adjourn.
Davis Johnson seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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