MONSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES JANUARY 20, 2010
MEMBERS PRESENT: Leslie Duthie, Glenn Colburn and Davis Johnson.
ALSO PRESENT: Derek Strahan
7:20 Mail
- Letter from Sandra Bailey responding to a letter she received from the Monson Conservation Commission regarding property owned by the Commission that abuts her property.
- Documents relating to the purchase of property by the Conservation Commission owned by Joanne Cortina – project agreement, GIS data entry form and contract with State for purchase of land.
- Al Joyce, Bedrock Financial recorded the Certificate of Compliance for Waid Road.
- Report from New England Environmental of a site inspection at the Lower Hampden Road wetland replication area.
- Letter from Carmine Angeloni to NHESP re: Forest Cutting Plan for 35 acres of land owned by Jack Carter on Cote Road.
- Letter from NHESP re: Forest Cutting Plan for Jack Carter, Cote Road.
- Copy of Lakes & Ponds.
- Various building permits.
- Notice of regional hearing for CSX vegetation plan.
10. Information on the Keystone Program.
John Morrell stated the steps they have taken on Wood Hill Road appear to have solved the problem at the intersection of Wood Hill Road and Lower Hampden Road. He will keep the Commission informed.
7:32 NOI Bridge Street Monson Highway DEP 228-0324 continued. Donald Frydryk, Sherman & Frydryk, Land Surveying & Engineering stated because the drainage structure is not working correctly water is undermining a portion of the road. It is proposed to correct the problem with the drainage structure, repair the road and remove the invasive species. He stated there is an 18 to 21 inch pipe that goes perpendicular to the structure but they have not been able to find where it ends. A new top will be installed on the drainage structure and the water will be directed back into the structure and eventually under the railroad and into the brook by Omega. John Morrell wants to limit the amount of work that is done on private property.
Leslie Duthie stated the Commission did look at the site and she would like to reiterate that any cutting of material is fine as long as nothing is pulled out and there is no disturbance to the soil. The roots are holding the bank along the wetland if the soil is disturbed and roots pulled up there will be erosion into the wetlands.
John Morrell stated he would like to dig out the stumps of the broken trees that are near the drainage structure. There are three trees that are broken off just behind the structure and he would like to remove the stumps.
Glenn Colburn questioned if that was the area that would be covered with stone?
John Morrell stated no.
Donald Frydryk stated the stone rip rap is proposed from the structure to the road.
Glenn Colburn questioned what was proposed for the area where the roots were to be removed?
John Morrell stated he was just going to leave it alone.
Leslie Duthie stated jute netting should be used to cover the disturbed area to hold down the soil and prevent erosion. This is a small area so it should not be costly and the netting can be left in place to degrade over time.
John Morrell stated he would use the matting.
Glenn Colburn questioned if the top of the inlet was higher than the ground?
Donald Frydryk stated there is a space between the ground and the top cover but the structure is still lower than the road.
John Morrell stated the space allows water to go into the structure rip rap will be used to fill in from the road to the stone collar.
Donald Frydryk stated the grade on the road side would be raised and the grade on the back side of the structure left as it is.
Leslie Duthie questioned the time schedule to start the project?
John Morrell stated he would like to do it as soon as possible but it would depend on weather conditions. The vegetation is really thick and he wanted to be sure his men can get in and see what they are doing and have secure footing.
Leslie Duthie stated this is a straight forward project as an on going condition the Commission might ask that the applicant to continue to cut the bittersweet as a control measure.
Glenn Colburn moved to close the hearing and issue an Order of Conditions.
Davis Johnson seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
8:00 RFD CSX Railroad – Control of vegetation in the railroad right of way.
Leslie Duthie stated AMEC is requesting on behalf of its client CSX a determination on the areas that are to be sprayed for vegetation control for the railroad that runs east to west in Monson. The areas marked in blue on the plan are within 100 feet of wetlands and it is proposed to spray them one time; the areas marked in yellow on the plan are within 10 feet of wetlands and this is a no spray zone; the areas marked in purple on the plan are sprayed every two years.
Glenn Colburn stated he rode the rail line three or four years ago to view the areas and the colors marked on the plan are sprayed right on the railroad ties.
Leslie Duthie stated the railroad is mandated to update the vegetation and maintenance plan of its right of ways to ensure switches and signals are kept clear of vegetation for safe operation.
Dave Johnson questioned how far the spray reached from the railroad track?
Leslie Duthie stated the plan states “Please be aware the 100 foot buffer zone is redundant as low pressure sprayers are used throughout.” Ms. Duthie stated it is usually invasive species that grows along the railroad tracks and they want to control the vegetation and grass because it’s a fire hazard.
Glenn Colburn stated nothing has changed in the area around the old fish market it floods because of the beavers he would be confident in saying that the boundaries are accurately identified.
Leslie Duthie moved to issue a positive determination that the boundary areas described and referenced on the plan are confirmed as accurate. The resource area boundaries confirmed in this Determination are binding as to all decisions rendered pursuant to the Wetlands Protection Act and its regulation regarding such boundaries for as long as this Determination is valid.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
The Commission discussed the Conservation properties with a view to setting a timetable to check them in the spring. It has not been done in sometime the Commission will look at Cedar Swamp, Wilbraham Road, Silver Street, Carpenter Road, Margaret Street and Main Street.
Glenn Colburn stated he believed the Commission should respond to Sandra Bailey’s letter regarding the conservation property on Wilbraham Road formerly owned by the Gerrish family and invite her to accompany the Commission when it checks the site in the spring.
Leslie Duthie stated the Carpenter Road property must be cut this spring and the property on Margaret Street that was previously owned by Mr. Kolowrat is very difficult to maintain and should be cut once or twice a year. Ms. Duthie stated she spoke with Kathleen Norbut who told her that 200 acres of land at the Monson Developmental Center has been put into conservation. The Conservation Commission has not been notified and Ms. Duthie has not been able to find out who is managing the property or if there is a deed or plan of the land that has been recorded at the Registry of Deeds.
It was the consensus of the Commission that weather permitting they would start sometime in mid March visiting the various parcels under their control.
The Commission signed the Order of Conditions for the Water & Sewer Department sewer line maintenance at Palmer Road. Included in the Special Conditions was the removal of invasive species at Conservation property on Main Street as restoration of the Bordering Vegetated Wetland. A sign bearing the DEP number must be installed at the restoration area.
The Commission signed the Order of Conditions for the Water & Sewer Department sewer line maintenance at the bridge on Margaret Street. Special Conditions include maintenance of the bio-engineered and mechanically stabilized slopes and the reasonable stability of the Land Under Water shall be the responsibility of the Monson Water Department until a Certificate of Compliance is issued; and removal of invasive multiflora rose located downstream of the Margaret Street bridge and stabilization of the bank shall be a requirement before a Certificate of Compliance will be issued.
The Commission noted the DEP form that is used when completing an Order of Conditions has been changed by eliminating the notary requirement.
Leslie Duthie questioned if the Commission was in agreement that a letter should be sent to the Board of Selectmen asking them to appoint Derek Strahan a member of the Conservation Commission?
Glenn Colburn moved to send a letter to the Board of Selectmen.
Davis Johnson seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
Leslie Duthie moved to accept the minutes of December 30, 2009.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
9:15 Glenn Colburn moved to adjourn.
Davis Johnson seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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