MONSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES MARCH 11, 2015
MEMBERS PRESENT: Glenn Colburn and Davis Johnson.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Leslie Duthie.
7:10 MAIL
- Notification of a Lake and Ponds workshop sponsored by Massachusetts Lakes & Ponds Association.
- Notification from Andrea Augostino, National Grid that the mats have been removed at Reimers Road and Neiske Road.
Glenn Colburn stated he could personally verify that the mats have been removed and the gate put back on at Reimers Road.
- Copy of the 2014 management report for Paradise Lake Road.
- The Certificate of Compliance for 110 Bumstead Road, DEP # 228-155 has been recorded.
- Notice of CSX Railroad vegetation plan public hearing review.
7:20 Silver Street, Gail Howard, with and her consultant John Prenosil, JMP Environmental Consulting were present to discuss the Draft Wetland Restoration Plan submitted to the Conservation Commission dated February 2/17/2014.
John Prenosil stated he had inspected the site and could clearly prove that when Carl Trant built up the driveway it was the same width as the path that existed with the exception of a couple of spots that are wider. It is the intent to armor the sides of the driveway, but this is still a Draft plan that will not be finalized until the weather permits the Conservation Commission to make a site visit.
Glenn Colburn stated there are other areas of concern. The area to the north down to what looked like another beaver dam had obvious signs of equipment, probably a bobcat working in that area.
John Prenosil stated they would look at the area when the snow melts and if there is disturbance would re-vegetate.
Gail Howard questioned if they could fish down there?
Davis Johnson stated fishing is fine, but no four wheelers.
Gail Howard stated they have a problem with neighbors driving four wheelers on the property.
Glenn Colburn stated the Commission would not want to see a bobcat in that area doing any type of work. He suggested the Commission carry this for six weeks to allow time for the snow to melt.
John Prenosil stated he would send a plan next week. There are a couple of spots on the driveway that have spilled over but he thought it could be taken care of.
Glenn Colburn stated he would agree that the slopes must be armored.
John Prenosil agreed stating over time rain will cause gullies and everything will erode into the wetlands if the slopes are not armored.
Glenn Colburn thanked Gail Howard and John Prenosil for attending the meeting, stating the Commission would take the matter up in six weeks at the April 22, 2015 meeting.
7:50 John and Deborah Scheuermann 12, Alden Thrasher Road met informally with the Commission to discuss a pipe that appears to be going across Conservation land siphoning water from the brook to feed a pond on their land.
John Scheuermann stated the line was there when he purchased the property. The line comes from the old dam and goes to the pond that is gravity feed. The property was originally an old saw mill, the dry canal was kept and the house designed with the history of the property in mind, a portion of the home is on pillars and the water flows underneath.
Davis Johnson questioned if he was correct in saying the home straddles the dry canal?
John Scheuermann stated the flood that occurred in 1955 in Monson took out the dam, the house was built in 1958 and raised to allow water to flow underneath. The atrium looks down on the gravity fed pond that is underneath the home. Saw Mill Brook is not adversely affected because the pond is gravity fed and when the flow in the brook slows down the flow to the pond stops. He stated it was one of the selling points of the property and he and his wife feel honored to be stewards of this small ecosystem. There are thousands of tadpoles in the pond underneath the house, and the brook supports brook trout, muskrat and they have seen egrets.
Glenn Colburn stated the problem is that the pipe is going across Conservation property. The Trustees of Reservations hold the Conservation Restriction on land that the Town owns, and the Conservation land runs along the brook, out to the road and up to Peaked Mountain. He suggested arranging a meeting in about six weeks with the Trustees, Monson Conservation Commission and Mr. & Mrs. Scheuermann when the snow has gone and it is easier to walk around the property, see where the pins are and if they are on Conservation land have a discussion at that point.
John Scheuermann stated he has deeded rights to withdraw from the brook, but having said that he wanted to reiterate that the pond is gravity fed, when the brook is low and needs to retain water, the water to the pond is cut off.
Glenn Colburn thanked Mr. & Mrs. Scheuermann for meeting with the Commission and depending on the weather would be in touch to arrange a meeting.
8:00 The Commission signed the Determination of Applicability for ExxonMobil to repave a small area that has eroded over the pipeline, all work being within the pipeline right of way off of Boston Road.
8:00 Glenn Colburn moved to adjourn.
Davis Johnson seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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