MONSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION:
MINUTES JUNE 26, 2013
MEMBERS PRESENT: Glenn Colburn, Leslie Duthie, Audra Staples and Davis Johnson.
MEMBERS ABSENT
7:10 Leslie Duthie moved to accept the minutes of June 5 2013 as presented.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
It was so voted by majority vote.
Audra Staples abstained.
7:15 RFD 264 Reimers Road, Jean Shepard et al. The request is for work associated with the removal of four small structures.
Tim Shepard stated he would like to remove the shell of a one car garage, a wood structure that the family called the bunk room, the main cabin and a one room building on the other side of the dam. Only the cabin has a cellar that will be filled with appropriate material. Mr. Shepard stated he believed the structures could be plucked from the ground without too much disturbance to the surrounding soil. A silt fence will be placed between the structures and the pond and extended in both directions to prevent erosion from reaching the pond. Any exposed soil will be seeded with a fast germinating seed. He questioned if it would be a concern for the Commission if he wanted to rebuild in such close proximity to the pond?
Leslie Duthie stated anything within 100 feet of a wetland is under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission, but the Commission is willing to work with property owners. She noted that the plan shows the location of the silt fence.
Leslie Duthie moved to issue a negative determination for work within the buffer zone that will not alter or dredge an area subject to protection and does not require the filing of a Notice of Intent.
Glenn Colburn stated he believed this was a pond with riverine qualities and not buffer zone. It would not change the determination but it was more appropriate to give a negative determination for work within an area subject to protection under the Act but will not fill dredge or alter the area and does not require the filing of a Notice of Intent.
Leslie Duthie so moved.
Davis Johnson seconded the motion.
It was so voted by majority vote.
Voting Aye: Leslie Duthie, Glenn Colburn and Davis Johnson.
Audra Staples abstained.
Tim Shepard questioned who owned the dam on Reimers Road? He expressed concern with the large pine trees on the east side of the spillway stating if the trees die or come down the root structure could cause a problem for the dam.
Glenn Colburn stated usually dam safety recommends removing trees close to dams because of the damage they can cause.
Tim Shepard stated they would have an excavator on hand to take down the structures maybe the trees could be removed at the same time.
7:50 Palmer Road, Ray’s Mobile Home Park. Joseph Bolduc consultant for Raymond Lavallee did not attend the meeting but sent a narrative describing a plan to remove material that was placed in the wetlands and ideas to prevent further violations.
Glenn Colburn stated he wanted a pre-work meeting so that the Commissioners could view the site and make sure everyone was on the same page.
Audra Staples stated she thought the Commission should ask that the narrative be specific and leave as little open to interpretation as possible. Specify that a native seed mix is going to be used, clarify that loam is to be used to level the pit and not compost.
Leslie Duthie stated she would contact Mr. Bolduc to make him aware of the Commissions’ concerns and arrange a pre-work site visit.
Glenn Colburn stated he would like to put a time limit on this and suggested the Commission stipulate that the work was to be completed by July 31, 2013, additionally the Conservation Commission be granted the right to enter at any time to check the progress.
The Commission discussed the determination for Matthew Guthrie Silver Street. It was issued sometime ago but the Commission asked Mr. Guthrie for proof that the Request for Determination was mailed to the DEP and at this point in time has not received that information.
The Commission signed the Order of Conditions for Cornerstone Power Monson, LLC for a solar array to be located on property located on Upper Palmer Road/Macomber Road with conditions that include:
The fence is to be kept 6 to 8 inches off of the ground.
The seed mix to be used on the site shall be as specified at the public hearing for this project held on January 30, 2013, titled N.E. Wetland Plans, Monson Solar Array.
All stockpiles existing for more than one day shall be entrenched by a row of silt fencing.
All stockpiled materials shall be stored outside of the resource area.
8:25 MAIL
- MassDOT received the Determination for resurfacing work on Route 32.
- Notice from Lycott Environmental of vegetation treatment to take place at Paradise Lake on June 14, 2013.
- Notice from Lycott Environmental of vegetation treatment to take place at Dean Pond on June 18, 2013.
- Various Building Permits.
Leslie Duthie stated she has made several visits to Dean Pond, the pre-construction meeting; to see the work in progress; to observe the removal of the material and replacement of the sand. She stated she looked at it last Thursday and the water was still murky in appearance. The turbidity curtain was removed and Ms. Duthie stated when checked it on Sunday the water was clear. It is proposed to cut all the pine trees on the earthen dam across from the beach.
8:30 Leslie Duthie moved to adjourn.
Audra Staples seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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