CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Town of Monterey, Massachusetts
MEETING DATE: October 9, 2012
Present: Richard Andrus, Timothy Lovett, David Dempsey, Christopher Blair and Betty Pixley
The meeting convened at 6:00p.m.
Also present: Mark Stinson from DEP, Muriel Lazzarini and Mickey Jervas
Blackman – North Cove Rd – RDA – Rebuild an existing shed in the same footprint at a slightly higher elevation (R. Andrus is the project manager)
This project was submitted as 42 North Cove Rd but should actually have no number as this is a lot with an existing shed but no residence (Map 110 Lot 003). Mark Reynolds of Kelly Granger and Parsons was present to review the project details. Richard Nault an abutter was concerned about the proximity to the lake. The Commission wasn’t concerned because excavation would be minimal and a silt fence is required. The applicant is planning to demolish the existing shed and pour the piers this fall and rebuilding in the spring. The project was approved as a N2 with the following conditions; silt fence must be installed, must be reseeded and mulched, a dumpster must be on the premise and a floor plan with existing and proposed elevations will need to be submitted. Paperwork will be
mailed once the documents requested by the Commission are received.
Hume – 73 Chestnut Hill Rd – NOI – seven foot drawdown of Stedman Pond for dam repairs & improvements (B. Pixley is the project manager)
Chris Tryon of Berkshire Geo-Technologies was present to review the project with the Commission. The purpose of the drawdown is to repair the existing dam that is in disrepair. There is a beaver dam that needs to be removed. The larger pond is approximately 30 acres and Chris was unsure what the square footage of the lower pond is but he will get this information for the Commission. The Hume property is comprised of several lots totaling over 400 acres. Their intention is to start the drawdown in November so that by the spring the dam repairs can be made (weather dependent). DEP & DFW comments and a file number have not yet been received. A maintenance plan will be submitted to manage any future beaver issues. Mark Stinson of DEP provided copies of the drawdown
procedures from the Mass Dept. of Fish & Wildlife. Mark wanted to know if the drawdown would impact the camp’s public water supply. Contour data for the bottom of the pond was requested.
The hearing was continued until the November meeting so that Chris may compile the additional information requested and incorporate the suggestions made by the Commission and DEP representative.
The Commission also discussed the need for a consultant to represent the Commission’s concerns and interests.
Town & National Grid – Beartown Mtn Rd – NOI – replace two condemned utility poles (C. Blair is the project manager)
Mallory from National Grid was present to review the project and explain why it would be going from one pole to three poles. This was needed for the repaving of Beartown Mtn Rd. The project was approved as submitted.
Town – NOI – RT 23 resurfacing (D. Dempsey is the project manager)
Mark Lavassar of Foresight Engineering was present to review the project. There are BVW, intermittent streams and rivers that border this project. This will be a resurfacing of RT 23 from the Gt. Barrington town line to the Otis town line. Mickey Jervas had questions about how this might affect her property; plans will be given to Mickey from Foresight. Comments have not yet been received from the Natural Heritage therefore the hearing will be continued to the November meeting. Foresight is also going to provide the erosion control reports to the Commission.
Mark Stinson of DEP informed every one of the bundled NOI policy for routine maintenance for highway projects (culvert replacements and storm water management are not included in these) that would encompass multiple projects for a one year period.
For Discussion:
1. Mail was reviewed.
2. Mickey Jervas commented about the poles that were removed on Swann Rd (5 years ago) and were supposed to be cleaned up after the project that still have not been. Rick has a contact that he will call although this project doesn’t fall under the Commission’s jurisdiction.
3. After all the hearings Mark Stinson, Muriel Lazzarini and the Commission discussed how future town projects need to be handled and what constitutes an emergency (which still requires a filing by the town) to prevent being fined for any violations for starting on a project that has not been approved as four towns in MA recently have been. The questionable project discussed tonight is the above mentioned Beartown Mtn Rd. Mark Stinson suggested that the Commission should issue an Enforcement Order which will be written up tomorrow and distributed as soon as possible to the Highway and Select Board. Mark was unsure at this time if DEP would be taking on the case.
4. Mark Stinson gave a heads up to the Commission about a company that is approaching Highway Departments and telling them that slip lining a culvert is the next best thing and saves money and doesn’t require permits from anyone. This is absolutely not true; it does require permission and permits from the Conservation Commission and possibly the Army Core of Engineers.
5. Mark offered to come back and speak to the Highway Department, Select Board and Commission about bundling.
Meeting adjourned at 9pm
Submitted by: Melissa Noe, Inter-Departmental Secretary
cc: Conservation Commission Board Members
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