MONSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES AUGUST 8, 2012
MEMBERS PRESENT: Audra Staples, Leslie Duthie and Glenn Colburn.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Davis Johnson and Dana Staples
7:10 Ray Mansfield, Quaboag Riders Motorcycle Club Inc. 31 King Avenue met informally with the Commission to discuss the stream status on the Clubs’ property. Mr. Mansfield stated the map identifies the stream as perennial but it dries up for significant periods during the year. He questioned how he would go about changing the status of the steam from perennial to intermittent? A video has been taken from which stills can be printed to document that the stream dries up starting at the stream crossing going toward the swamp and then 250 feet down stream. It was over 250 feet before still water was observed.
Glenn Colburn questioned if he looked at the bottom of pond?
Mr. Mansfield stated it is dry now but the silt needs to be removed and replaced on the hill.
Leslie Duthie stated she preferred to use photographs with the location and date on the back of the photographs, include a topo map and mark and number the locations that were photographed.
Mr. Mansfield questioned if the results were sent to the Commission and/or the DEP?
Leslie Duthie stated the Commission would want a copy but was not sure if it went to DEP.
Mr. Mansfield questioned if this would change the filing requirement from a Notice of Intent to a Request for Determination?
Leslie Duthie stated it did not change the requirement of filing a Notice of Intent but it does make it an easier decision for the Commission if the crossing is in an intermittent stream and not a perennial stream.
7:15 RFD 332 Lower Hampden Road, Kevin Carney the request is to remove 8 trees within the riverfront area.
Leslie Duthie stated the trees are next to the stream and the applicant is asking to remove 8 trees and replace them with a variety that does not grow as tall.
Mr. Carney submitted photographs stating he would landscape with bushes and trees but would not necessarily replace all eight trees. The photograph does not show the tree that is lying down.
Leslie Duthie questioned the distance from the trees to the stream?
Mr. Carney stated some are within 5 feet and others within 15 or 20 feet. He stated he did not want to replant anything that grows higher than 25 feet maybe river birch or dogwood. Mr. Carney stated a contractor estimated the existing trees to be 75 to 80 feet high. There are trees in the existing lawn area close to the road that he would like to cut.
Leslie Duthie stated the trees in the lawn area are not in an area that is under the jurisdiction of the Commission. The eight trees close to the stream are under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission and rather than replace them with other trees it would be preferable to plant shrubs.
Mr. Carney stated he was considering rhododendron or mountain laurel.
Glenn Colburn questioned if the stumps were going to be ground out?
Mr. Carney stated yes.
Leslie Duthie advised Mr. Carney to pick a species that will grow in the soil that he has on his property.
Audra Staples questioned if Mr. Carney was planning to grind all of the stumps and not remove any?
Mr. Carney stated he would if that is the preference of the Commission.
Leslie Duthie stated that was the preference of the Commission, the pine stumps will rot fairly quickly.
Mr. Carney stated he hoped to get the replanting done in the fall.
Leslie Duthie moved to give a negative determination for work within the buffer zone that will not alter, dredge or fill and does not require the filing of a Notice of Intent.
Audra Staples seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
7:40 RFD 6 Mill Street Danil Kishko. Mr. Kishko was not present at the meeting and the Commission wanted a plan and details of the proposed work.
Audra Staples moved to continue the meeting to August 29, 2012.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
7: 45 Leslie Duthie moved to accept the minutes of July 18, 2012 with typographical corrections and a correction to Page 7 “Audra Staples questioned if the intent was to clean up in general” should read “if the intent was to clean up the trails”.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
7:50 RFD 329 Lower Hampden Road, Alan & Ann Carman work associated with abandonment of an existing septic system and installation of a new system.
Donald Frydryk, P.E. PLS, Sherman & Frydryk, Land Surveying & Engineering presented the plan stating he had filed for MESA review and NHESP responded that there were no impacts to priority habitat.
Glenn Colburn questioned if a silt fence was proposed?
Donald Frydryk stated no because the run off is toward Wood Hill Road.
Leslie Duthie stated there is a stone wall between the work and the road.
Leslie Duthie stated the Commission would make a determination this evening but would not release the determination until the applicant submitted payment for the legal notice that was put into the paper.
Leslie Duthie stated the request asks for a determination for the area and work.
Audra Staples moved to give a positive determination for the area that is subject to protection under the Act and a negative determination for the work that would not alter, dredge or fill an area subject to protection under the Act and did not require the filing of a Notice of Intent.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
8:10 RFD 152 Bethany Road Lamcotec, Inc. The request is for work involved in the reconstruction of loading docks and a new entryway to the building within the riverfront area.
Donald Frydryk, P.E. PLS presented the request on behalf of Lamcotec stating the reconstruction of the loading dock will provide better and safer access into the property for trucks. The plan is to reconstruct the loading dock at an angle to provide easier access for trucks, the dock will be covered and landscaping done to better define the parking area. It is also proposed to construct a new entryway to improve the look of the building and provide more convenient access for visitors to the company. Mr. Frydryk stated it is proposed to grade and compact the parking area and provide inlet protection at the existing basin. The work proposed is 100% within the already disturbed area and Mark Stinson, DEP felt that an RFD was a suitable filing. No work is proposed that involves the river bank,
this is flood plain but there is no filling proposed and no loss of flood storage. The work does not increase the degraded area on the site, this is not priority habitat and the only resource area is riverfront.
Leslie Duthie stated the work depicted is in an area subject to protection under the Act.
Glenn Colburn moved to give a negative determination for work within an area subject to protection under the Act, but will not remove, fill, dredge or alter the area and does not require the filing of a Notice of Intent.
Audra Staples seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
8:25 MAIL
- NOI for Flynt Park drainage from Monson Park & Recreation
Leslie Duthie stated she has looked at the site with John Morrell, Highway Surveyor and Tim Pascale, Parks & Recreation Dept. there are three ball fields at Flynt Park the top field that was to be used for little league baseball is unusable because it does not dry out and there is a large hole by the third base line. Run off from the middle field flows down to the lower field and eventually down Park Road. The work proposed is to reconstruct the drainage and to pave a portion of the access road and make a new paved parking area. It is proposed to add rip rap pads, drain inlets and trench and surface swales to slow down the water. Ms. Duthie stated if the Commission members wanted to make a site visit they could either go on their own or contact Tim Pascale at Parks & Recreation Dept.
Glenn Colburn stated he has been there before but would like to go and refresh his memory.
- Forest cutting plan for Flynt Park and Keep Homestead, filed by Scott Gerrish for the Town of Monson. The plan has been filed with NHESP.
- Forest cutting plan Polly Gustafson 40 Pease Avenue 14 acres forwarded to NHESP.
- MACC quarterly news.
- Various building permits.
Leslie Duthie abstained from voting to avoid the appearance of a conflict.
8:40 RFD Crow Hill Road, Norcross Wildlife Foundation the work proposed in the request is to repair and regrade an access road to restore the effectiveness of pre-existing drainage.
Glenn Colburn stated he was nervous initially to allow this type of activity under an RFD but it is a very thorough filing and he believes that the Foundation has the best of intentions in repairing the access to the property.
Audra Staples stated she was happy that there was no plan to remove or kill the beaver instead it is proposed to manage the size of the beaver dam without using equipment.
Glenn Colburn stated usually the Commission would ask for a Notice of Intent to cover this activity but given the thoroughness of the Request for Determination and the way it is proposed to complete the work taking into consideration the protection of wildlife in the area he would move to give a negative determination for work in an area subject to protection but said work will not dredge, alter or fill and does not require a NOI.
Audra Staples seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
Leslie Duthie returned.
8:55 RFD Matthew Guthrie 241 Silver Street. Leslie Duthie stated the applicant is not present but the Commission would wait a few minutes to see if the applicant arrived. The form that was filed by Mr. Guthrie is incorrect, he filed a request asking the Department of Environmental Protection for a decision he needs to file the correct form and send a copy to DEP. The applicant should provide more information with a plan that shows the work and the wetland line. The Commission has no determination as to where the wetland line is.
Leslie Duthie moved to continue the hearing to August 29, 2012 for more information and for Mr. Guthrie to file the correct form and copy DEP.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
The Commission signed the Order of Conditions for the work proposed by the Monson Highway Department on State Street/Fern Hill Road.
9:05 Leslie Duthie moved to adjourn.
Audra Staples seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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