MONSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES FEBRUARY 18, 2015
MEMBERS PRESENT: Glenn Colburn, Leslie Duthie and Davis Johnson.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
7:05 Leslie Duthie stated Steven Robert 18 Longview Drive questioned what the Commission meant by an “As Built” plan. The 100 foot buffer zone is right behind the existing house and when the house was constructed the 50 foot buffer zone was agreed to be the limit of work. It appears that lawn and yard work has taken place beyond the 50 foot agreed work limit line. Similar to Ms. Fay the property owner at 18 Longview Drive will have to submit a plan showing what is there now. Leslie Duthie stated she would make a copy of the original plan and speak with Mr. Robert.
Leslie Duthie stated she received the project agreement for the Silver Street property.
Leslie Duthie moved to accept the minutes of January 28, 2015.
Glenn Colburn stated he would like to clarify the minutes to make it clear that he did not like the idea of putting everything into a twelve inch pipe and concentrating it into a swale.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion with the corrections.
Davis Johnson abstained.
It was so voted.
The Commission signed a letter that is to be sent to Gail Howard regarding her property on Silver Street and the Draft Restoration Plan submitted to the Commission by her consultant John Prenosil, JMP Environmental Consulting.
7:35 MAIL
- Copies of the management plans prepared by Scott Gerrish for the Conservation properties on Carpenter Road and Reimers Road.
Leslie Duthie stated there would be a small amount of money left from the grant to use for community outreach, maybe a trail walk or something.
7.40 Request for Determination Boston Road, (Route 20) ExxonMobil pipeline.
Glenn Colburn stated Eric Runstrom, Roux Associates has not arrived but the Commission would give him a little more time.
Glenn Colburn stated he was not absolutely certain where the access road was in relation to the erosion problem on an access road that Roux Associates filed for ExxonMobil not so long ago. Looking at the plan it appeared to be behind the old Schmerhorn fish market.
8:00 P.M. Eric Runstrom, Roux Associates arrived.
Eric Runstrom stated the work is entirely within the ExxonMobil easement/access road located south of 320 Boston Road (Route 20). The access road is raised and a stone culvert carries Calkins Brook under the access road. It is a stone culvert that cannot take heavy equipment so most of the work will be done by hand. The work involves resurfacing a small area of the access road with natural material gravel, stone but no fines. No alteration to the current access road is proposed other than the resurfacing. It is anticipated the resurfacing would be completed within one day.
Leslie Duthie questioned when the work would start.
Eric Runstrom stated as soon as the snow melts, ExxonMobil is anxious to address the erosion.
Leslie Duthie stated it would be a good idea try to add a wetland mix to help the area re-vegetate.
Eric Runstrom stated he did not think that much fill would be needed, it is the drainage associated with the culvert that has caused the problem. The culvert was evaluated about a year ago because there was some concern that it had collapsed, that was not the case so for right now it is proposed to just repair the erosion on the pipeline. Logistically if the culvert should fail it is going to be a challenge to replace because of the stream regulations.
Glenn Colburn stated there is no question that this is a necessary project. It is a small area maybe straw waddles would work and then just cut the mesh and leave the material in place.
Leslie Duthie moved to issue a negative determination for work within the buffer zone but will not alter an area subject to protection under the Act and does not require the filing of a Notice of Intent subject to the following conditions;
- The Commission shall be notified 2 weeks prior to the start of work.
- Erosion control shall stay in place until the Commission gives permission for removal.
Davis Johnson seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Glenn Colburn stated MassDOT had a problem on Boston Road a little further south of this location, in the vicinity of an earth removal project, water was flowing onto Boston Road and freezing. There is a small wetland on the south side but the culvert is blocked and the wetland is just filling up. The culvert goes underneath the pipeline. MassDOT did not resolve the issue just put a lot of salt on the road.
Eric Runstrom stated he would follow up on it.
Leslie Duthie stated the culvert is in the pipeline right of way and goes under the pipeline there is an 8” or 12” pipe that is rusting at the outlet.
Glenn Colburn stated if the culvert could not just be cleared out the Commission would issue an emergency certificate for work.
Eric Runstrom submitted a request for a Certificate of Compliance for State Avenue, Fern Hill Road, Fenton Road, and Boston Road West.
The Commission will look at the sites in the spring when snow has melted.
Mail continued.
2. Forest cutting plan for Craig Benoit, 88 Munn Road 12 acres.
The Commission signed a Certificate of Compliance for 110 Bumstead Road, Fred McDonald.
8:30 Leslie Duthie moved to adjourn.
Davis Johnson seconded.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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