Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
November 15, 2011
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on November 15, 2011 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Rebecca Mattison, Chair
Helen Castles, Vice Chair
David Coppes
Doug Moffat
Absent: Ingeborg Hegemann Clark
Kathy Sferra
comprising a quorum of the Commission; also
Patricia R. Perry, SCC Coordinator
Maureen Trunfio, SCC Secretary
The Conservation Commission meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM.
Approve Minutes
David Coppes made a motion to approve the minutes of May 17, 2011 as drafted and amended. Helen Castles seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
David Coppes made a motion to approve the minutes of October 18, 2011 as drafted. Doug Moffat seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
J. Olszak
6 Cider Mill Road
Jonathan Olszak was notified by letter that he was working within the 35-foot No Disturb Zone and wetland resource area at rear of his property in violation of the Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) and the Town of Stow Bylaw. He was requested to cease and desist and meet with the Commission this evening.
Mr. Olszak has installed a small footbridge over the existing stream (drainage easement) and was in the process of doing work within the wetland. Pat Perry spoke with Mr. Olszak and explained that the purpose of the meeting with the Commission was to educate and bring awareness regarding the wetland resources on his property. Pat Perry provided Mr. Olszak and the Commission with a copy of a portion of a site plan showing the wetland delineation for the lot.
Mr. Olszak was present for this meeting. The Commission told Olszak, briefly, what he is and is not permitted to do in the wetland resource area without a permit from the Conservation Commission. Olszak was apologetic and explained that he was not aware that he was not permitted to build a small bridge over the stream. He wanted access to the back part of his property so that his children could play there and he could clean up large branches after the recent storm. The Commission granted permission to allow Olszak to leave the footbridge.
Olszak talked to the Commission about the possibility of putting a fence in along the back of the property in the future. The Commission suggested that he check with the Building Department with regard to how far the fence must be located from property lines. The Commission said they would like to be informed of what type of material he would use for a fence in that area, how many post hole would be dug so that an informed decision could be made as to whether or not he would have to seek permission through a formal filing.
Septic Replacement
111 Kingland Road
Pat Perry presented a plan to the Commission for a simple septic replacement to be done at 111 Kingland Road. Perry felt the location of the septic system would not impact the lake and requested permission to allow the engineer to submit a Request for Determination of Applicability for the project. Perry showed past photos of the lot and explained that the lot is very flat at the top and the bank slopes down to the lake. Based on the plan and the photos, the Commission agreed that it would be sufficient to file a Request for Determination for the project.
Lake Boon Drawdown
The Lake Boon drawdown is underway. Theresa O’Riorden has been taking a level reading almost every day and sending it by email to the Conservation Commission office. Pat Perry reported that according to O’Riorden the lake has dropped 7 inches. Once a freeze happens, the drawdown will need to stop due to the fact that air forming between the ice and the water would create a dangerous situation for winter recreation. Perry has created a data base for the readings and notes rain days and when boards have been removed.
Forest Cutting Plan
497 Great Road
The Melone’s have submitted another Forest Cutting Plan for their property at 497 Great Road. The property is listed as an area of rare species and wildlife. Mr. Melone has already noted that the area is a habitat for Eastern Box Turtles. Pat Perry has supplied the Commission with the Forest Cutting Plan and an article on Management Practices for Eastern Box Turtles. Pat Perry is waiting for a return phone call from Laura Dooley, Service Forester for DCR’s Bureau of Forestry.
Draft Action Plan for Regulatory Reform at MassDEP
A copy of the plan has been provided to the Commission for possible discussion this evening. Public Comments are Due November 21, 2011. MACC will be commenting on the draft plan and will be included on their website. Kathy Sferra has submitted comments.
It was noted by the Commission that the draft Action Plan would allow Alternative Energy projects will be classified “Limited Projects”. An example of this would be solar fields that may be proposed for Stow.
Center School Site Update Report
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark was not present at this meeting but did submit site visit reports from her visit to the Center School Building site on October 29, 2011 for the Commission’s review. There was no discussion by the Commission members.
Adjournment
David Coppes made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 PM. Helen Castles seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Commission adjourned at 8:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia R. Perry
SCC Coordinator
Maureen Trunfio
SCC Secretary
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