MONSON PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES SEPTEMBER 16, 2014
MEMBERS PRESENT: Craig Sweitzer, Kevin Haley Tara Hengveld and Karen King.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Paul Hatch.
ALSO PRESENT: Eugene Quaglini, Upper Palmer Road, Greg Leighton, Macomber Road, Nancy Messina, Macomber Road.
Craig Haldeman, Protech Energy Solutions and Jeremy Croteau, Burton Engineering met informally with the Board to discuss the screening around the solar facility on Macomber Road and Upper Palmer Road.
Jeremy Croteau stated originally Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron were proposed now it is proposed to add more diversity. He submitted a plan that showed Mountain Laurel removed from the planting and the addition of High Bush Blueberries, Ruby Spice, Arborvitae and Easter Red Cedar with varying heights at maturity from six (6) feet in height to nine (9) feet in height.
Craig Sweitzer questioned the height at planting.
Jeremy Croteau stated three (3) to five (5) feet at planting and six (6) to ten (10) feet on
center. The Rhododendron would be fifteen (15) on center.
Craig Sweitzer questioned why certain plans were selected and why a maximum height of nine (9) feet?
Craig Haldeman stated the plants cannot grow too high because of shading the panels. The shortest distance from the panels is twenty (20) feet and the tallest grow to nine (9) feet. He stated they have someone ready to start the work to get the plantings in and growing.
Tara Hengeveld questioned how long it would take for the plants to reach mature height?
Craig Haldeman stated he did not have that information.
Craig Sweitzer stated the decision of the Planning Board included a cash surety of $5000.00 to be held for two (2) years to replace any plants that died and were not replaced by the property owner. He questioned if there was a plan to maintain and water the shrubs after they were planted?
Craig Haldeman assured the Board they would be watered.
Tara Hengeveld questioned if the planting would be extended along the National Grid access, as when the Board approved the access it specifically asked for screening?
Craig Haldeman stated although plantings along the north side of the access for National Grid are not shown on the plan submitted this evening he had already addressed that and the proposed plantings would be extended down the north side of the access for National Grid.
Greg Leighton questioned if the existing growth that is about six (6) foot high along Upper Palmer Road would be removed?
Craig Haldeman stated there is a berm there a bobcat will be used to brush hog the growth down.
Greg Leighton questioned if the berm was created when the site work was done before putting in the panels?
Craig Haldeman stated they would take of the berm and bring in soil.
Craig Sweitzer reminded everyone that the idea is to create a visual barrier, it is impossible to screen the facility from view.
Greg Leighton stated he was concerned that if the plantings are not maintained all the money and time spent on this will be for nothing because the plants will be choked out by the vegetation that grows naturally there.
Craig Sweitzer stated the original plan did not have maintenance plan but the plan submitted this evening appears to have tighter spacing of plants with a greater variety that are hardier and grow better than the plants originally proposed. The proposed plants are similar in height at planting and maturity to the original plan. Mr. Haldeman has stated the plants will be watered and maintained, they are available and with budget.
Gregg Leighton questioned if the Board approves the planting plan how long will it take to complete?
Craig Haldeman stated he did not have a definitive answer but would expect it to be completed by the end of the fall.
Eugene Quaglini questioned when the dumpsters would be removed? There are two dumpster on the site that are full and trash has overflowed onto the ground.
Craig Haldeman stated he was working on removing the dumpsters. There are two (2) 30 yard dumpsters full and approximately 15 yards of rubbish on the ground.
Craig Sweitzer advised abutters to contact the Building Inspector/Zoning Enforcement Officer if the problems persists.
Gregg Leighton questioned if the price will impact the variety of plants that will be used?
Jeremy Croteau stated they work with various nurseries and were confident that they would be able to use all the varieties they have proposed.
Craig Sweitzer stated the applicant has no choice, as previously stated a condition of the original decision was a cash surety to ensure the plantings survive. A planting plan has been submitted and the Board has to believe that they will come through and follow the plan.
Nancy Messina questioned if abutters could plant flowers in addition to those proposed by the applicant?
Craig Sweitzer stated the Board could not give permission for anyone to do anything on land they did not own.
Craig Haldeman stated Sun Edison would not give permission to anyone to plant anything on their property.
Craig Sweitzer stated the Board must decide if this is substantial change from the plan previously approved. The proposed plantings are similar in height at the planting stage and maturity stage as previously proposed and the spacing is similar to that previously proposed. The revised plan dated September 10, 2014 has been stamped and signed by a Landscape Architect, and Note #2 on the plan states “All plant material must be maintained appropriately for each plant’s requirements per industry standards until established. Water and organically fertilize plants until established”.
Kevin Haley moved that this was not a substantial change to the plan that was previously approved and did not require a new public hearing.
Karen King seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
7:55 Ellen Freyman representing Verizon Wireless met informally with the Board to discuss changes to the antennas and site at 5 High Street (First Church of Monson). She stated they were now replacing the antennas in the new steeple of the Church but because of the limited space on the property wanted to discuss with the Board the placement of a new generator on the site. It is proposed to site the generator close to the property line on Fountain Street.
Craig Sweitzer questioned the size of the generator?
Ellen Freyman stated she was not sure, it is an emergency backup generator that is tested once a week.
Craig Sweitzer questioned if there would also be a propane storage tank?
Ellen Freyman state she believed it was run on natural gas.
Kevin Haley questioned how it would be screened?
Tara Hengeveld stated she believed Site Plan Review was required, as there too many questions.
Ellen Freyman called Doug Roberts an engineer who was working on the project.
Ellen Freyman stated the size and height of generator enclosure was four (4) feet by nine (9) feet long on an eight (8) foot pad, it is a natural gas generator four (4) feet tall.
Craig Sweitzer stated he had several questions, if bollards were planned on the Fountain Street side, what was proposed for screening and what is the distance from the property line on Fountain Street to the generator?
Ellen Freyman stated Doug Roberts could not answer the questions at this time and would look into the Boards concerns.
Ellen Freyman questioned Mr. Roberts if there were other locations on the property the generator could be sited?
Ellen Freyman stated Doug Roberts said this was the closest to the building.
Craig Sweitzer stated the Board must decide whether to waive the necessity of site plan approval or not. He stated speaking as one member of the Board he did not see enough information to make a decision.
Kevin Haley stated he could not vote either way because of the lack of information.
Karen King stated she did not see why the generator could not be located in a different location on the property.
Craig Sweitzer stated it is not the generator that is the problem, it is the location of it that is the problem, the less obtrusive the better and further away from the property line the less problems the Board would have with it.
8:15 Kevin Haley moved to approve the minutes of August 19, 2014 as written.
Craig Sweitzer seconded the motion.
It was so voted.
Karen King abstained.
Karen King moved to adjourn.
Kevin Haley seconded the motion.
It was so voted.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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