CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Town of Monterey, Massachusetts
MEETING DATE: May 14, 2007
Present: Christopher Blair, Richard Andrus, Chairperson, Timothy Lovett, and David Dempsey
The meeting convened at 6:00p.m.
Alpert; Mt Hunger Rd Fallen Retaining Wall Emergency Order
Carl Audia, representative for the Alpert’s, Leigh Tryon, builder of the wall and Pam Sandler, the new architect presented their case regarding the fallen wall. There is a specialist being called in to help with the repair. It is their feeling that the wall fell because the grading at the top was never completed to specifications and due to a 50 year rain event and because there may have been some frost present in the center section of the wall and because of some hydrostatic pressure it blew. There wasn’t one issue that caused the wall to fall.
During the reconstruction of the wall, both engineers that are currently being retained will be on site for inspections and there will likely be a mobile lab on site to verify density and inspect the process. There is a good chance that the entire wall will be taken down and completely rebuilt as well as the septic field being retained by the wall. The managers are currently waiting on a final report from the soils engineer and a final report from the structural designer.
The Conservation Commission has requested a projected timeline for the possible projects, current and future. The repair will return the wall to its original state. The board is requiring the owners to file new documents regarding any projects at this site beyond the repair of the wall under the Scenic Mountain Act. The Building Inspector has been kept fully up to date with the project. The representatives will be back at the June 11 meeting with additional information and reports that have come in. Immediate action will be taken to stabilize the wall.
Stern, 71 Harmon Rd – RDA – addition: began meeting at 7:05 pm
A project overview was given by Donald Stern, Architect Frank Garretson present. The current house sits on 14 acres, with 400 feet of road frontage but there is a stream that runs along the side of the house. The stream doesn’t appear to be on any map. The stream at its peak is about a foot wide and 2-3 inches at its deepest. The project addition comes closet to the center of the stream. Alternative locations to the project were explored by the Architect. Others involved moving the driveway and longer driveways. After much discussion the Commission decided the area in question was a Bordering Vegetated Wetland and therefore encompassed a 100 Buffer Zone. The commission asked the applicants to submit a site plan showing more detail, dimensions to the wetland and location of the 100 Buffer Zone
at a 1:20 scale. The presented site plan was too small to represent the project. The applicants shall demonstrate the project meets the performance standard for work in the areas proposed. The owners hope to start the project in October.
Kelly, Main Rd – Enforcement Order – wetland delineation and restoration
We reviewed the site plan of the wetland delineation performed by Kelly, Granger, Parsons + Associates. No one was present to discuss the work. The commission asked that Mr Kelly be present and a letter should be sent asking for his appearance before the commission.
USPS, 444 Main Rd Rd – NOI 230-0237 – addition: began meeting at 7:43 pm
Property owner is Charles Slater. Tenant is USPS. Project representative is Jeff Randall of Hill Engineering. A file number had been received from DEP with comments and was read at the meeting. Jeff presented the project which consisted of adding a loading dock. The project is entirely in the 200 River Zone of the Konkapot. It is a highly developed parcel. The project proponent said the addition amounted to 325 SF of permanent disturbance and was being considered Redevelopment. This requires a 1:1 mitigation on site. The proponent also shows a storm water detention basin capable of handling runoff before either percolating into the ground or returning to the river. The mitigation was in the form of planting on the southern and south western parts of the riverfront. The commission asked the proponent to: 1. identify the
type and location of the existing septic system, 2. Revise the detention basin details as requested by DEP, and 3. investigate installation of oil/sediment traps on the highway catch basins (2) in front of the post office. The commission approved the project conditionally on completing the above (3) items. Special conditions were: 1. No stockpiling of any materials on site; 2. Sit fence shall serve as limit of work; 3. Applicant must locate septic tank and field; 4. Applicant must submit a maintenance plan for the drainage structure, signed by the owner, that will be recorded as reference on the deed, 5. The commission found that the parcel is sufficiently developed and this shall be the last expansion on the lot, and 6. “item from 10.58 (5) (h)”
Hearing closed at 8:45 pm.
Melzer, 35 Bidwell Rd – WPA RDA – sitework on lake access lot: began meeting at 8:50 pm
The site is on L Garfield and is a narrow lake access lot going from Bidwell Rd Northerly down to the lake. The representative from Okerstrom-Lang LLP presented the project. The project involves 1. Cutting of (1) standing tree, 2. Cutting and removing of (1) fallen/damaged tree, 3. Improving the existing foot path by installing log treads intermittently and 4. Conducting some Vista Pruning on the existing Hemlocks in the Buffer Zone. The commission wished to make a site visit to inspect the proposed activity.
Melzer, 35 Bidwell Rd – SMA RDA – sitework on lake access lot: began meeting at 9:10 pm
The site is on L Garfield and is a narrow lake access lot going from Bidwell Rd Northerly down to the lake. The representative from Okerstrom-Lang LLP presented the project. The project involves 1. Cutting of (2) 18” Red Maples, 2. Cutting and removing of (1) 24” Sugar Maple, 3. Improving the existing foot path by installing log treads intermittently, 4. Conducting some under story clearing, 5. Thinning the street side tree canopy, and 6. Planting some new Hemlocks. The commission wished to make a site visit to inspect the proposed activity as the plans did not convey the extent of the work.
Alpert, 34 Bidwell Rd – WPA RDA – site work on lake access lot: began meeting at 9:30 pm
The site is on L Garfield and is a narrow lake access lot going from Bidwell Rd Northerly down to the lake now includes a dwelling and extensive landscaping. The representative from Okerstrom-Lang LLP presented the project. The project involves installing a new path to the existing stairs with ½ log treads and handrail. The commission wished to make a site visit to inspect the proposed activity.
Brenner, 42 Elephant Rock Rd Rd – SMA NOI – expiration of OOC: began meeting at 9:40 pm
The applicant had been issued an OOC under the SMA. By letter from the engineer, they have made a request for a 1-year extension of the OOC. We read the letter, discussed the project, and voted to issue an extended OOC for the requested 1-year period.
Cutik, 525 Main Rd – WPA RDA – request to work on dock
The applicant submitted a letter per Rick Andrus. The repairs were approved as submitted and a letter was sent to the applicant.
Stevens Lake Association,– WPA NOI – modification of OOC
The applicant submitted a letter describing recent and current compliance with the OOC for treatment of Stevens Lake with (2) different herbicides. The commission had required sediment sampling to determine if chemical intermediates were being left in the lake sediment. The testing revealed none of the intermediates. The commission agreed that the single condition of sediment sampling could be suspended by the Lycott company. A regular treatment was scheduled for 16 May 2007. The Lake association as well as Lycott should be notified by mail of the decision.
For Discussion:
1. Mail was reviewed.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00pm
Submitted by: Melissa Noe, Inter-Departmental Secretary
cc: Conservation Commission Board Members
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