MONSON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES SEPTEMBER 16, 2015
MEMBERS PRESENT: Glenn Colburn, Leslie Duthie and Davis Johnson
7:00 Commission signed Bill Schedule.
MAIL
- NOI for Levesque Properties, LLC 354 Main Street.
Leslie Duthie suggested the Commission set up a site visit for 354 Main Street and have someone from Sherman & Frydryk meet them on site. It was arranged to meet at 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday October 7, 2015 at the site.
7:15 NOI Lot 6 Upper Hampden Road Campagnari Construction, LLC for work associated with the construction of Single Family Home with the buffer zone.
The Commission received a request from Peter Levesque, Wetlands Consultant, Inc. to continue the hearing to October 7, 2015 at 7:15 P.M. because Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program has not issued any comments on the Notice of Intent.
Leslie Duthie moved to continue as requested.
Davis Johnson seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
MAIL
- Project update for the Transmission Power line improvements from Nat Grid.
- Michael Woloshchuk recorded the Certificate of Compliance for 14 Zeull Road.
- Copy of a Water Quality Certification re: National Grid’s Transmission Power line upgrade, it appears to be saying that the project did not violate surface water quality standards.
- Copy of a full size plan from Protech Energy Solutions for the Macomber Road Solar array project for the revised sedimentation basin.
Glenn Colburn stated Mark Stinson, DEP advised the Commission to request the revision because the previous plan discharged directly into the stream.
7:30 RFD East Hill Road Assessors Map 152, Parcel 15 Monson Solar, LLC. The property is owned by Westview Farms Inc.
Donald Frydryk, Sherman & Frydryk, Land Surveying & Engineering, LLC was present representing Monson Solar, LLC. He stated that a 2.6 MW (DC) Large Ground Mounted Solar Array is proposed on a portion of a 177 acre parcel on East Hill Road. The site is ideal for a solar array, it is an existing hay field, with a gentle slope that will only require mowing prior to setting the posts for the panels. There are wetlands down gradient of the panel site. At some point in time small swales were constructed to handle the water from the fields. The only disturbance would be the underground electric conduit and that is outside of the 100 foot buffer zone. Donald Frydryk stated approximately 12 ½ acres would be fenced in with a 7
foot chain link fence for the solar panels.
Glenn Colburn questioned if West View Farms would be selling the property or leasing it?
Donald Frydryk stated Monson Solar, LLC is leasing land from West View Farms. The project includes a gravel access driveway for maintenance and a sediment basin is proposed to take any run off from the driveway access. An operation and maintenance plan was included with the submission.
Leslie Duthie stated the Commission made a site visit and it seems to be a fairly straightforward project.
7:45 Leslie Duthie moved to close the meeting and give a negative determination for work within the buffer zone as defined in the regulations but will not alter the area and does not require a Notice of Intent.
Davis Johnson seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Leslie Duthie moved to accept the minutes September 6, 2015.
Glenn Colburn seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Leslie Duthie stated Tim Shepherd contacted her because recently he was contacted by the stated regarding the dam on Baldwin Pond. He had questions about ownership.
Davis Johnson stated if he has maintained it, it is his dam.
8:00 Leslie Duthie stated Bob Richardson has mowed the hay field on Cushman Street and plowed the field. The whole field from the house to the wood line by stream has been plowed and he did not file. It appears that he has preserved the swale. The swale is wet because water drains from the field to the swale.
Glenn Colburn stated he would drive by and look at it.
Glenn Colburn stated Richard Mayoski contacted him to complain about a track that has been made through the woods and the destruction of the woods by teens in the area riding four wheelers.
Glenn Colburn stated he looked at it and it may be in the buffer zone.
Leslie Duthie stated if it is within 100 feet of wetlands it will require a filing with the Commission.
Davis Johnson updated the Commission on the Pulpit Rock Dam. He stated the Association looked at the dam specifically the gate that is the problem and came to the conclusion that to repair the gate they will need to create a coffer dam which is an expensive way to go, or they can attempt to do it themselves. However besides the question of expense how will this affect wells in the area?
Glenn Colburn stated he thought it would depend where they are in the acquifer.
Leslie Duthie questioned the depth of the water now?
Davis Johnson stated they measured it at approximately 11 – 12 feet around the dam, and up to 13 feet in a couple of other areas. If the level of water is slowly drawdown in the winter he believed the fish would survive. If they go with a coffer dam, add the details to the existing Notice of Intent, pump the water out and repair the gates. Davis Johnson stated this is a difficult project because of limited money available, a drawdown affecting shallow wells and there is a lot of sediment against the old boards on the dam. When that is removed what shape will the boards be in?
8:15 With no further business Leslie Duthie moved to adjourn.
Davis Johnson seconded.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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