Salem Conservation Commission
Minutes of Meeting
Date and Time: Thursday, February 12, 2009, 6:00 p.m.
Meeting Location: Third Floor Conference Room, City Hall Annex, 120 Washington Street
Members Present: Chairperson David Pabich, Rebecca Christie, Michael Blier, Amy Hamilton, Carole McCauley
Members Absent: Kevin Cornacchio, Keith Glidden
Others Present: Carey Duques, Conservation Agent
Recorder: Andrea Bray
Chairperson Pabich calls the meeting to order.
1. Approval of Minutes – January 22, 2009 Meeting
Hamilton: Motion to approve the minutes, seconded by McCauley. Passes 4-0.
Christie arrives.
2. Continuation of a Public Hearing – Notice of Intent – DEP #64-484 – DeIulis Brothers Construction Co, 31 Collins Street Terrace, Lynn, MA 01902
Pabich reads the legal public hearing notice, which states that the purpose of this hearing is to discuss the construction of a cul-de-sac extending the existing Circle Hill Road, subdivide the land for two additional lots and construct three single family homes within the buffer zone to bordering vegetated wetland at 40 Circle Hill Road.
Patrowicz states that there was a site visit on Saturday, and because they need to do some additional surveying he needs to continue this issue until March 26, 2009. He adds that he plans to enhance the drainage in the area.
Pabich states that they will have over an acre of disturbed land, which will prompt an NPDES permit. He adds that the enhanced drainage system cannot direct the water into another person’s property, and the other people on the other street must be advised of the NOI.
Patrowicz states that he could place a berm along the back of the property line to prevent the runoff into another property, but it would look bad.
Christie states that the biggest concern was that the wall would become a waterfall.
McCauley asks about the possibility of snow melting into the wetland.
Patrowicz states that the wetland is at least 50 feet from the edge of the road.
Pabich expresses concern about the proximity of lot #3 and suggests rotating the house or moving it back on the lot.
Blier suggests placing the driveway on the other side of the house.
Pabich states that the property owner must disclose the wetland restrictions to any prospective buyers. He adds that the wall may need to be removed to discourage people of dumping.
Pabich opens to the public. There are no questions or comments.
Christie: Motion to continue this hearing until March 26, 2009, seconded by Blier. Passes 5-0.
3. Continuation of a Public Hearing – Notice of Intent – DEP #64-481 – Shelly Bisegna, North Shore Medical Center, 81 Highland Avenue, Salem, MA 01970
Pabich reads the legal public hearing notice, which states that the purpose of this hearing is to discuss the expansion of the existing heliport pad located within the buffer zone to bordering vegetated wetlands at 24 Old Road.
Christie listened to a recording of the hearing she missed on September 25, 2008 and signed an affidavit, which qualifies her to vote on this issue.
Scott Patrowicz states that they had a site visit on Saturday. He points out the vegetation and trees that must be cut. He adds that some of the trees that were cut have grown back quickly and he might need to remove the stumps of the cherry trees and plant grass, and no-mow plans within the 72 foot radius from the center.
Blier asks about the perimeter planting.
Patrowicz states that they will keep the plants that are there and fill in vacant areas.
Pabich asks if they could move the center of the helipad further away from the wetlands.
Patrowicz states that the FAA stipulates that they maintain a set distance from the parking area.
Pabich states that he would like to explore the possibility of moving this to another spot further away from the wetland, and he saw that there is an alternative helipad in the parking lot.
Patrowicz states that this is not a great habitat area and they can’t use the alternate helipad because they can not put lights there because it is in the middle of the parking lot. He stresses the importance of accomplishing this because the FAA wants this.
Pabich states that he understands but he would like to have additional trees added to the wetland.
Blier states that this seems like a reasonable request in terms of scope and scale.
Pabich states that the applicant is asking to remove in perpetuity a significant piece of the buffer zone, and in exchange he would like some smaller trees, perhaps cherry, in the vegetated area.
Discussion ensues regarding possible locations for new trees.
Pabich indicates one area on the plan and Patrowicz states that the area is a mess because the snow storage is near there, and he suggests another site walk.
Pabich agrees to another site walk.
Patrowicz requests a continuance until March 26, 2009.
Blier: Motion to continue this hearing until March 26, 2009, with another site visit scheduled prior to the next meeting, seconded by Hamilton. Passes 5-0.
Old/New Business
4. Discussion of renewing GIS license and updating pictometry
Duques states that the commission needs to renew the GIS license for map data and it costs $425.38. She adds that the City wishes to purchase 2008 pictometry images (they are now using images from 2003). She explains that these images will allow the City to access parcel information and other data and the cost of the purchase can be split with other departments, so the cost for the Commission would be $1825 ($1240 without the GIS person’s support). She states that these are both great tools and they offer different features.
Duques states that the annual MACC fees are an additional $52.
Duques states that the Commission has a current balance of over $38,000.
Hamilton: Motion to approve all of these requests, seconded by Blier. Passes 5-0.
5. Discussion regarding the appeal and Superseding Order of Conditions issued by DEP for 100 Swampscott Road
Duques states that she spoke with Nancy White, with the DEP, who expressed concerns about changing the make-up of the bank, and the way the stormwater runs through that area. She describes the DEP appeal to the Commissions ruling, and the new requirements for the applicants.
The members discuss this appeal and the new restrictions for the project.
Pabich states that he is happy with this appeal and the end result of the ruling.
6. Stormwater Ordinance
Duques states that she is working with David Knowlton to draft a Stormwater Ordinance.
The members discuss the aspects of this ordinance.
Blier: Motion to adjourn, seconded by Christie. Passes 5-0.
The meeting is adjourned at 7:00 PM.
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