MONSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES AUGUST 26, 2015
MEMBERS PRESENT: Leslie Duthie, Glenn Colburn and Davis Johnson.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
ALSO PRESENT: Mark Stinson, Circuit Rider, DEP
7:05 84 Silver Street Gail Howard, Enforcement Order. Mark Stinson and John Prenosil, JMP Consulting, consultant for Gail Howard, made a site visit to the Silver Street site prior to attending the Conservation Commission meeting and Mark Stinson stated he was recommending that the Commission modify the Enforcement Order. The Order should require all spoils from the former beaver dam to be removed from the wetland area. The property owners’ consultant will be on site when the spoils are removed and the activity coordinated with Mark Stinson, DEP and Natural Heritage and Endangered Species program. The work will take place within 30 days or by October 1, 2015.
Glenn Colburn stated the Commission feels the work along the edge of the driveway and dressing of the driveway has expanded the driveway.
Mark Stinson stated he felt if should be left alone and if the owners want to do any other work they must file with the Commission.
Leslie Duthie stated she believed it was box turtle habitat.
Davis Johnson stated he believed it was also wood turtle habitat.
Mark Stinson stated he would coordinate enforcement with NHESP. John Prenosil has to be on site when the material is removed to make sure native vegetation is not touched, by November 15, 2015 the Commission should have the consultants’ report and everyone sign off. All future work would require a filing with the Commission.
Glenn Colburn stated one reason the Commission hesitates to redo the Enforcement Order is that initially stabilizing the site was discussed and then file for all other work.
John Prenosil stated the driveway slopes have revegetated. It was proposed to use a backhoe from the driveway to pull out the spoils.
Mark Stinson stated the Enforcement Order should include compliance with Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.
Leslie Duthie moved to modify the enforcement order for 84 Silver Street.
Davis Johnson seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
7:35 Cheryl Medvetsky 3 Pond Road, Notice of Intent to construct an accessory structure in the buffer zone.
Glenn Colburn stated the Commission went back to the site to review the work limit line and modified it a little at one end.
Leslie Duthie stated the work limit line was discussed with Ms. Medvetsky at the site visit and decided that it was not necessary for Greenhill Engineering to redo the plan, because the Commission flagged trees where it wanted the new work limit line.
Cheryl Medvetsky questioned if she would receive the Order of Conditions at this meeting?
Glenn Colburn stated after the Commission closes the hearing an Order of Conditions would be prepared and signed at the next meeting. The Order of Conditions must be recorded at the registry of deeds.
Leslie Duthie stated the Order of Conditions would state that the Commission agrees with the work limit line and there would be conditions such as, a pre-construction meeting with the people doing the excavation and tree work; inspect the silt fence to make sure that it is installed property; 3 years to complete the work.
Glenn Colburn stated if the work is to be done in phases the Commission could meet with the person taking down the trees to make sure he knows which ones are to be taken and which to leave alone, and then come back to meet with the excavator before any work starts.
Leslie Duthie moved to close the hearing and issue an Order of Conditions with the conditions discussed.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
8:10 MAIL
- RFD East Hill Road, from West View Farms Inc. for a large Ground Mounted Solar project.
- Michael Woloshchuck recorded the Certificate of Compliance, Zuell Road DEP 228-153.
- Copy of a letter the Commission sent to Richard Johnson re: property located at 20 Cushman Street.
- Information from the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions re: availability of a brochure that explains the Wetland Protection Act.
Leslie Duthie stated she thought this would be helpful to have as a handout at the office and moved to order the minimum order of 100 copies at 15 cents a copy.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
- Copy of Water quality Certification for National Grid transmission line project.
8:20 Leslie Duthie stated she looked at Lots 36 & 37 Heritage Lane following a request for a Certificate of Compliance on both lots.
She stated she found the limit of work markers on Lot 36 and they were not easy to find, there is also an area where sediment has gone under the silt fence and into the wetlands. She moved that the Commission issue a partial Certificate of Compliance and ask the owner to clean the sediment out of the wetlands and paint the work limit markers so that they are easily visible.
Glenn Colburn stated a bright red paint for the markers would work and with the conditions stated would second the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Leslie Duthie moved to issue a complete Certificate of Compliance for Lot 37 Heritage Lane. The property does not include the pond and the work limit line is at the top of the hill.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Leslie Duthie stated the Order of Conditions for the Monson Highway Department work on Cote Road was ready for signature and includes conditions that work on the culvert takes place during low flow periods; dewatering if necessary and erosion control not to be removed without the approval of the Commission.
Glenn Colburn stated the Parks & Recreation Department storage building Order of Conditions located at 200 Main Street was ready signature and included the usual a pre-construction site visit.
Mark Stinson stated the Commission should make sure it referenced latest plans.
8:45 The Commission set a site visit for East Hill Road, Westview Farms Inc. for Wednesday September 2, 2015 at 5:30 P.M.
Leslie Duthie stated Mickey Lessard wanted to meet the Commission on the Silver Street property to discuss her request for a stone circle on the property. The Commission set a site visit for Wednesday September 2, 2015 at 6:00 P.M.
Leslie Duthie stated she wanted to speak with Pathfinder Regional School to see if they would be interested in building two kiosks one for the Conservation property on Nieske Road, Quinlan Conservation land and one for Silver Street the Stephen and June Skorupski Woodlands Project.
Glenn Colburn stated the Town of Sturbridge has some nice ones and he would see if there was a plan on file.
Leslie Duthie stated Dick Whippie was going to build one for the Margaret Street Quarry land. She stated she had already ordered signs for the Quarry land.
Mark Stinson stated he thought the Commission should look into getting a part time Conservation agent in Monson. If three or four Towns got together they could get someone full time and share the cost.
Leslie Duthie stated it is the cost of an agent that is the problem, and a full time agent would include benefits etc. Those kinds of things are difficult to work out when three or four Towns are in the mix. She stated she had spoken with Town Administrator Evan Brassard about a part-time Conservation agent.
9:15 Leslie Duthie moved to approve the minutes of August 12, 2015 as presented.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
Voting Aye: Leslie Duthie and Glenn Colburn.
Davis Johnson abstained as he did not attend the meeting.
Leslie Duthie moved to accept the minutes of July 15, 2015 as presented.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Leslie Duthie moved to adjourn.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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