The Plymouth Conservation Commission held its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, September 8, 2008 at the Plymouth Town Hall, 11 Lincoln Street, Plymouth, MA 02360.
Present were Evelyn Strawn, Chairperson, Gerre Hooker and commissioners Christopher Brink, Brook Monroe, John Scagliarini and Paul Withington. The Conservation Planner, Elizabeth Sullivan and the secretary, Michelle Turner, were also present.
David Foster was absent
7:15 PM Massachusetts Highway Department, Route 3 at Herring Pond Road. A Request for Determination of Applicability for the installation of a drainage retention basin and related appurtenances as necessary to control further erosion at the site, in the buffer zone of Bordering Vegetated Wetlands.
Bill Travers, Traffic Engineer, from Mass Highway represented the applicant and explained the project. He described the erosion area that was brought to Mass Highway’s attention by White Cliff’s staff through the Conservation Planner. Work should be completed by spring summer 09 or as early as this fall.
Public Comment:
David Mastriani One East Cliff Drive-White Cliffs and Leanne Larson, Director of Operations at White Cliffs discussed a second area of erosion on Mass Highway property but was affecting the White Cliffs land.
David Travers, Mass Highway noted that the runoff causing this problem comes from Route 3 and hoped that restoration of that area would be handled as part of the larger repaving Route 3 project. Staff noted that although it would not be a condition of approval of the negative determination, this new erosion work could be added as authorization to complete on this Determination. The Commission supported this recommendation to add the additional work. Gerre Hooker motioned to issue a Negative Determination. Motion approved unanimously.
7:25 PM Donna Mager, 41 Black Pond Lane, Parcel ID No. 052-000-018-000. A Request for Determination of Applicability to construct a new Title V septic system in the buffer zone of the top a coastal bank and bordering vegetated wetlands.
Don Bracken of Bracken Engineering represented the applicant and explained the upgrade of the septic system project.
No public comment.
Gerre Hooker motioned to issue a Negative Determination Motion approved unanimously.
7:35 PM ADM Agawam Development LLC., Off Wareham Road – Fawn Pond., Parcel ID No. 117-000-004A-000. A Request for Determination of Applicability to make improvements to an existing cart path including clearing of trees, grubbing and grading of the path in preparation for access to the future wastewater treatment facility as part of the River Run Master Plan. The work is within the buffer zone of a cranberry bog and Isolated Vegetated Wetland.
Matt Varrell of VHB represented the applicant and explained the project for the cart path improvement of approx. 600 square feet.
Roadway will remain a pervious material.
Public Comment
Nancy Candelora of 101 Fawn Pond Road was interested in seeing the proximity of the new improved road to her lot. Matt Varrell referenced the location on the plans.
Gerre Hooker motioned to issue a Negative Determination. Motion approved unanimously.
7:45 PM Elspeth Franks, 900 Old Sandwich Road, Parcel ID No. 070-000-017-000. A Notice of Intent for the chemical treatment of nuisance vegetation within Savery Grassy Pond.
Rob Wheaton of Lycott Environmental Inc., represented the applicant and explained the project. Property owner, Elspeth Franks was also present.
Mr. Wheaton noted the plants that have taken over this pond as the White Water Lily and Bladderwort.
Sonar AS will be used to chemically treat the pond and after treatment, the fish habitat should begin to increase. Treatment will not eliminate in total but it will be decreased by 80%. Purple Loosestrife will be eliminated.
The application process was explained and monitoring reports will be forwarded to the Commission. He noted that the chemical treatment would not travel through the aquifer. The plants would die off and drift to the bottom of the pond. There would be no water use or restriction to people or animals.
Public Comment:
Ben Brewster wanted confirmation that the aquifer would not be affected and Rob Wheaton of Lycott confirmed it would not leach into the aquifer.
Gerre Hooker motioned to approve with conditions. Motion approved unanimously.
8:00 PM Friends of Ellisville Marsh, Inc., 201 Ellisville Road, Parcel ID No. 053-000-003-000. A Notice of Intent to dredge the inlet channel of Ellisville Marsh in order to restore the Marsh and enhancement of the fisheries and wildlife habitat.
Eric Cody of 65 Lookout Point Road represented the “Friends of Ellisville Marsh” and gave a brief overview of the project. Stan Humphries, Senior Coastal Geologist with LEC Environmental, Inc. also represented the applicant. They described this project as necessary habitat restoration for fish and wildlife. Mr. Cody compared this project to the prior filing by Vlad Hruby also to dredge the channel to stop the bank erosion and endangering the dwellings.
Mr. Humphries discussed the project and the comparable volumes to be exchanged between the dredge and the fill. Plover habitat would be improved greatly.
He submitted the final letter from NHESP/MESA including their recommending conditions and comments of the projects.
They also explained that an importance aspect of this project would be the ongoing maintenance which is proposed to continue yearly in order for the continued habitat improvements.
Stan also noted that MEPA had issued the Certificate for the Notice of Project Change and no Environmental Impact Report was required. He noted that the Certificate was viewed on-line but it was not submitted for the record. Neither the Commission nor the staff was aware of this.
Public Comment:
Don Quinn, a former owner of this land gave some history of the hand-dredging of the channel by the fishermen.
Staff was recommending a 5-year permit and would be presented as a special condition of the Order.
Gerre Hooker motioned to approve the project with conditions. The motion was approved unanimously.
Other Business:
Attorney Edward Conroy for Article 15 – Center Hill Preserve: Accept revised plan that shows 8777 sq. ft (newly created Lot A) to be taken out of the Center Hill Preserve lot (formerly known as Lot 10E) and gifted back to Trask.
Note: Lot 10E then becomes Lot 10F.
Ms. Sullivan explained the submitted memorandum.
Gerre Hooker motioned to accept Staff’s memorandum and support Article 15 and supporting site plan. The motion was approved unanimously.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE:
*Judith Beeten, SE57-1718. Paul Withington motioned to issue COC. Approved by a majority.
*Steve Kahian, SE57-2167. Gerre Hooker motioned to issue COC. Approved unanimously.
*JAS Realty, SE57-2169. Christopher Brink motioned to issue COC. Approved unanimously.
*Raymond Snow, SE57-1357 (partial COC for 20 Pleasant Harbour). Gerre Hooker motioned to issue COC. Approved unanimously.
FIELD CHANGE:
*Donna Lee Mager, SE57-2349 – To allow additional decking and landing w/steps.
Gerre Hooker motioned to issue the field change requiring no further conditions. Motion approved unanimously.
ORDERS OF CONDITIONS:
*Elspeth Franks, SE57-2376. Gerre motioned to approve as amended. Motion approved unanimously.
*Friends of Ellisville Marsh, SE57-2380. John Scagliarini motioned to approve as amended.
EXTENSION PERMITS:
*Edward Peck, SE57-2094. Christopher Brink motioned to issue 3-year extension permit. Motion approved unanimously.
*Jeffrey Gould and Jeanne Runewicz, SE57-2115. Gerre Hooker motioned to issue 3-year extension permit. Motion approved unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle A. Turner
Michelle A. Turner
Administrative Secretary
Approved on: September 22, 2008
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