MONSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES NOVEMBER 9, 2011
MEMBERS PRESENT: Leslie Duthie, Audra Staples and Davis Johnson.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Glenn Colburn and Dana Staples.
7:10 The Commission met informally with Building Commissioner Paul Tacy to discuss procedure regarding the issuance of building permits.
Mr. Tacy stated he has worked with various Conservation Commissions over the years and has always had a sign off from the Conservation Commission when a hole or any type of excavation was involved. He questioned if the Commission wanted to sign off on all building permits where excavation was involved?
Leslie Duthie stated it depends where the property is located. In the past the Building Department has contacted the Commission if there is any question that the site is jurisdictional. The Commissioners are volunteers and would not want to hold up a project unnecessarily. There are areas of the Town that pretty much always require some sort of action from the Commission.
Paul Tacy stated he was not going to look at plan and make a call if it is wetlands.
Leslie Duthie stated she works in Town and was available most of the time if there was any question about the area. Additionally Audra Staples works in the Town Offices on Monday and Friday and would be available to answer any questions.
7:25 NOI Washington Street restoration of tornado damage. Dan & Debra Baer were present and had questions regarding the drainage that runs by their property.
Leslie Duthie stated the proposed work is to remove invasive species that are there by cutting the plants and applying herbicide to the cut stems. There will be no soil disturbance and no change to the topography. The drainage will not be affected by the work and native shrub species will be planted after the invasive species are removed.
Dan Baer stated the drainage water runs down into the field and there used to be a trench that carried it down to the river. He would like to see the trench opened up to allow the water to run down to the river.
Leslie Duthie stated the channel would not be dredged. It is hoped that by removing the invasive species it will help clear the path for the water and replanting with native species will help to draw the water out. The tornado has compounded the water problem because the trees and vegetation that were lost on Ely Road allows more water to flow down the hill to Cushman field. This area is also on the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species map and there is record of two rare species living there one a mammal and one a turtle species.
Dan Baer stated water is not flowing.
Leslie Duthie stated it does flow, slowly, but it does flow. Tim Pascale wants to use the field for recreation and the commission is anxious to remove the invasive species. Ms. Duthie stated there are three culverts that come out in this area and seeing the water that comes out of the culverts she was not surprised Mr. & Mrs. Baer have a water problem, but that problem is now exacerbated by the loss of vegetation on the hill coming down from the Keep Homestead.
Leslie Duthie questioned if Mr. & Mrs. Baer would allow the contractor who is removing the invasive species to access the site from their driveway along the stone wall with the understanding any damage to the lawn area would be restored?
Mr. Baer stated he would not have a problem with accessing the area from his driveway.
7:45 NOI Monson Parks & Recreation Dept. State Street & Washington St. 228-338. Mark Stinson the circuit rider at the DEP had a lot of comments most specifically regarding the elevation of the areas where the material was removed and filled. The regulations require compensatory storage at the same elevation. The DEP is requesting that the applicant quantify the amount of material that came out and went in, and the elevations of those areas.
Tim Pascale stated on Cushman Field, Washington Street he excavated 5,600 cubic feet of material and put in 4,950 cubic feet at elevation 365 and at Veterans Field, State Street he excavated 6000 cubic feet of material and put in 5665 cubic feet at elevation 370. These are recreational baseball fields and the areas of excavation and fill are pretty much in the same place.
Mr. Pascale stated to respond to Mark Stinson’s other questions:
- No excavation has occurred on the west side of Cushman Field, Washington Street.
- Both fields existed prior to the Riverfront Act and no significant changes are being made.
- Removal of invasive species in particular Japanese Knotweed will improve the riverfront area.
- No sediment from either location went into Chicopee Brook. There is a berm between the field and the river.
Leslie Duthie stated the Conservation Commission should have a list of the usual maintenance activities on Cushman and Veterans fields.
Audra Staples moved to continue the hearing to allow Mr. Pascale time to submit the information requested by DEP.
Davis Johnson seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
8:40 RFD Monson Housing Authority Bob Wall. The tornado of June 1, 2011 damaged/uprooted several trees along the river bank on the Housing Authority property. They propose to cut five stumps level to the ground, grind down seven stumps and remove seven stumps.
Leslie Duthie stated she believed the Commission should make a site visit to determine the location of the stumps the Housing Authority want to remove, grind and cut flush. They propose to plant three maple trees and rake and plant fast rye on the disturbed areas.
Leslie Duthie stated she would contact Bob Wall to make arrangements for a site visit for a date mutually convenient.
8:50 RFD Craig Levesque 354 Main Street. The Commission is waiting for a plan showing the location of the underground electric utility line. On site the Commission discussed with Mr. Levesque the placement of stone around the edge of the existing building, the removal of a pile of soil by the south east corner of the existing building and improvement of the driveway that is limited to minor grading and additional material to form a driveway.
Leslie Duthie stated the Determination of Applicability would include a condition that petroleum, antifreeze and other pollutants shall be controlled to prevent ground water and surface water pollution within the watershed protection area and spills shall be immediately cleaned and reported to the Monson Water Department and the DEP.
Audra Staples moved to continue the meeting to receive a plan from Mr. Levesque.
Davis Johnson seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
9:00 Leslie Duthie stated she discovered she had mailed the letter regarding the placement of fill along a stream bank on T. Peck Road to the wrong Mr. Courniotes. She stated contacted Bill Van Doren, regarding the site and he stated he was asked to confirm the wetland line and he did minimal work.
Audra Staples moved to accept the minutes of October 19, 2011 as presented.
Leslie Duthie seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
The next regular meeting of the Conservation Commission is scheduled for November 30, 2011.
MAIL
- Carl Tassinari received the Determination for property on Washington Street.
- Letter from National Grid detailing the emergency work in wetlands that they performed after the recent snow storm in October.
- The deed for property formerly owned by Dr. Jean Porwoll has been recorded and officially belongs to the Town.
- Forest cutting plan for Steven Holsten, Carriage House Lane 23.4 acres.
- Forest cutting plan for John Hall, T Peck Rd. 4.6 acres.
- Forest Cutting plan for John Lapointe, Carriage House Lane 10 cords.
- Forest cutting plan for William Pegoraro, T. Peck Road 6.5 acres.
- Forest cutting plan for Martin Pikul, 23 Brimfield Road 18.75 acres.
- Various building permits.
9:30 Audra Staples moved to adjourn.
Davis Johnson seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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