TOWN OF RUTLAND
CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES: MARCH 2, 2010
MEETING OPEN: 7:10 PM
THE MEETING ON FEBRUARY 16, 2010 HAD NO QUORUM DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER.
Attendance: Stephanie Bacon, Chairwoman; Joe Dell’Aquila; Mark Sinkewich; Eric Bigelow; Harry Johnson; John Breault
Guests: Dick Williams
Ralph Colario
Richard Kortes
Ed Himlin
Karla Bigelow
Glenn Kauppila
Application Submissions
Notice of Intent, Lussier Enterprises, LLC, Lot 1, Pleasantdale Road
Construction of a single family home and associated site work within the buffer zone. Hearing scheduled for March 16, 2010 at 7:30 PM.
Votes
Approved Minutes from February 2, 2010 – Motion made by John, seconded by Joe; vote unanimous at 7:04 PM.
Extension of Order of Conditions for Lots 2R, 3R, 4R, 5R and 10, Highlands at Brunelle North, Carlson’s Way – Motion to extend all Orders and to sign all made by Joe, seconded by John; vote unanimous at 7:08 PM.
Amendment of Order of Conditions, Lot 7, Highlands at Brunelle North, Carlson’s Way – Motion to sign made by Joe, seconded by Harry; vote unanimous at 7:10 PM.
Negative Determination of Applicability, Richard Kortes, 171 Maple Avenue – Motion to sign made by Joe, seconded by John; vote unanimous at 7:38 PM.
Meeting adjourned – Motion made by John, seconded by Mark; vote unanimous at 8:40 PM.
Hearings
Hearing opened at 7:30 PM – Request for Determination of Applicability for Richard Kortes, 171 Maple Avenue
They are replacing a septic system. Joe told Stephanie that at the last meeting he informed Mr. Kortes that we had to continue the hearing until March 2, 2010 due to no quorum, but it looked like he would be getting a negative determination. They will be 2 – 250 gallon cement tanks and not a cesspool. This hearing is to determine whether a Notice of Intent is needed or not. The work will be between the fireplace and shed. Stephanie asked the board if there were any questions from the members. There were none. Motion to close hearing made by Joe, seconded by John; vote unanimous at 7:34 PM.
Discussions
Extension of Order of Conditions for Lots 2R, 3R, 4R, 5R and 10, Highlands at Brunelle North, Carlson’s Way
Joe thinks it should be extended for 2 years due to the current economy and lack of house sales so that it doesn’t need to be revisited so quickly. Stephanie is inclined to only extend for only a year. Joe said that Doreen Dunn didn’t really know whether she wanted a year or more extension.
Glenn Kauppila
Beaver Dam between Simon Davis & Rufus Putnam roads
The Beaver Dam is right next to the nursery where the cows are. They had a beaver problem before and the beavers were removed. The town put in a pipe to help stop the beavers. With all the precipitation the water is rising and animals are getting into the wetlands. The water is about 4 feet deep. He would like to lower the water again. Glenn saw the DPW today and they can maintain the part by the road but there needs to be a screen or something put in to stop the water from rising. If it gets breached it would have to be done slowly. The pipe may need to be moved. They may have to go on his property 25’ to 50’ in the buffer zone to fix it. Gary at the DPW is going to try to do something tomorrow. He is concerned about a permanent solution, not
a temporary solution. The fence isn’t high enough to work when the water rises. Joe told him Gary can do the work and get us the paperwork. Glenn doesn’t want all the water gone, just wants the water level drained so that it stays at the fence level.
Ed Himlin, Open Space & Recreation Plan
This plan was originally started in 2004. The plan was complete in October 2009. The plan lasts for 5 years. We need to revise and resubmit it. Ed Himlin went through the whole plan to determine what needed to be changed. He passed out a list of things that had to be updated. Section 3 in the plan needs the most work. GIS Maps are needed in the plan. Stephanie asked Ed what we needed to do. Ed said he can do the updates, and Debbie Shriver can do the maps. She works with Ed part time and UMASS part time. An Open Space Committee needs to be formed to do an Open Space Plan – it’s one of the requirements. An Open Space Committee can decide how much public participation they want. They did a survey in 2004 which was very well received. 10% of surveys were received back from the public (there is an example of the survey in the packet). Grant money is one reason an Open Space Plan is needed. There are no violations if we don’t have an Open Space Plan.
It should be guiding what the Conservation Commission, Board of Health, DPW, Land Conservatory, Planning Board, Recreation Department want and they should all be a part of the process, as well as a Board of Selectman member. Commonwealth Capital has the requirement of having an Open Space Plan to get anything from them.
Stephanie asked about the cost. Ed said he would probably need 120 hours which would come to $4800.00, or approximately $40.00/hour. Ed said it would probably be between $2,000.00 and $3,000.00 for Debbie to do the required maps only. Stephanie thinks that each department should contribute to the cost because this includes all the boards, not just the Conservation Commission. Ed suggested that we could also apply for a grant to pay for the Open Space Plan.
This is for both state and federal funds. There is a current grant that we could apply for, but if approved the money will be set aside until the Open Space Plan is approved by DCS.
Stephanie thinks we should hire someone that can spend time on it and can get them done, because there is a small window to apply. Glenn Eaton was a grant writer for the town before, or Steve Parker has written a few grants too. Stephanie would like to get email updates about the grants.
The Open Space Committee will do the survey and update the maps to make sure Chapter 61 is on the maps through the assessor’s office. The Open Space Committee would be a sub-committee of the conservation Commission.
Surveymonkey.com for electronic survey with cards sent out or put in the paper. Hard copies can be left for the town library, town hall, etc. Surveymonkey will collect all the data and just give a report – it would take a couple of weeks.
First a committee needs to be formed, and then the survey should be done. The questions should be updated from the last survey and the state offers a sample questionnaire as well.
Stephanie is going to send a letter to all the boards to see who would like to be on the sub-committee. She is going to give a 3 week time frame to respond. Karla Bigelow from the Land Conservatory would be willing to be on the sub-committee. Ed suggests meeting approximately three times per month. Stephanie thinks an online/phone meeting might be the way to go. Ed said that there shouldn’t be more than 7 people on the committee. The last committee had 5 people on it.
No competitive bidding would be needed because the cost is under $5,000.00. Ed and Debbie will email Stephanie with a contract and a quote from Debbie. Ed can start on some of the changes that can be done without the survey, but will need the survey for other changes.
Reviewed Mail
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen Wamback
Secretary
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