Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
March 15, 2011
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on March 15, 2011 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Helen Castles, Vice Chair
David Coppes
Doug Moffat
Kathy Sferra
Absent: Rebecca Mattison, Chair
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark
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 7:35 PM.
March 1, 2011 Minutes
Doug Moffat made a motion to approve the minutes of March 1, 2011 as drafted and amended. Kathy Sferra seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Certificate of Compliance (#299-0431)
Stow Acres Country Club/58 Randall Road (R-11 #37A)
Doug Moffat inspected the site on behalf of the Commission. He decided it was too early to issue due to the amount of snow accumulated in the area. He noted a large pile of debris (televisions pallets, etc.) behind dumpsters that he assumed to be on site. After reviewing an alternate site plan with Pat Perry, it was determined that the trash most likely belonged to owners on an adjacent site where a house had been demolished to make way for a new construction. Pat Perry said she would drive by to confirm that the rubbish was on the adjacent site and not on the country club site. Moffat was concerned that regardless of whose property the rubbish was on, it appeared to be in an area where wetlands had been flagged. Moffat will try to revisit the 58 Randall Road site before the next meeting. The Certificate of Compliance was not issued until
further review of the site has been conducted. This item will be posted on the agenda for April 19, 2011.
Request for Determination of Applicability
Susan Lawrence Park/380 Great Road (U-10 #68)
At 7:45 pm Helen Castles opened the public hearing for a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by the Town of Stow for plans to move the well located on town property at Susan Lawrence Park. Craig Martin, Town of Stow Building Inspector, presented. David Coppes reviewed the filing and conducted the site inspection on behalf of the Commission.
There was an initial vote to expand the parking lot at Town Building. The new design was found to be too close to the public water supply; the Zone 1 offset of 150 feet. It was decided to relocate the well, if possible, to accommodate the expansion of the parking lot. Upon studying the plans, the Commission questioned whether the well would need to be drilled in the wetland area or the Bordering Vegetated Wetland.
Martin explained that a drilling rig would need to be brought into the area. He explained that they would most likely need to conduct a 48-hour pump test to check water quality and that would involve pumping clean water. They would also need to cap the well, trench 50 feet to the power distribution line, backfill the trench and reseed the area. The Commission stated that controls must be in place before work could begin. Because the area is difficult to inspect at present due to snow, the Commission stipulated that controls must be placed at the edge of the grass down near the pond. The Commission stipulated that if the area of wetland is beyond the pond, then any proposal based on the assumption of “edge of grass as border” will be nullified.
Kathy Sferra made a motion to close the public hearing for a Request for Determination filed for moving the well on the property located at 380 Great Road. Doug Moffat seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
There was further discussion. The Commission wanted language written for erosion control and to insure that the pump test water would go through a siltation system. They insist that all drilling runoff and debris be captured. Martin assured the Commission that they would protect around the drilling area properly.
David Coppes made a motion to issue a Negative 3 Determination based on adherence to conditions discussed and drafted. Kathy Sferra seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Certificate of Compliance
25 Hale Road (DEP# 299-038 & 299-327)
Steve Poole represented the applicant. Helen Castles conducted the site inspection. She found the area to be low on topsoil but well stabilized with pine needles.
Kathy Sferra made a motion to issue Certificates of Compliance for Orders of Conditions file No. 299-038 & 299-327 for work satisfactorily completed at 25 Hale Road.
There was further discussion from the Commission. Poole clarified by stating that the original Order was for the original septic and that the home was a summer cottage later converted to a year-round home.
David Coppes seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Arbor Glen Public Easement
Draft agreement for the public easement has not been accepted by Town Counsel. No action is required by the Commission at this time.
Center School Wetland Issues
Pat Perry reported that a site inspection was conducted on Friday morning, March 11. Ingeborg Hegemann’s site meeting report was submitted to the Commission for their review. A follow up meeting is proprosed to check on the progress to get the site stabilized. The Commission determined that they would like a written progress report from P.J. Stella Construction Company on the status of the site by April 5, 2011. The Commission is especially concerned due to the possibility of heavy spring rains.
Kirkland Drive Pond Year-End Report
Pat Perry informed the Commission that she was still waiting for a report from the applicants regarding the education component of the Order.
Assignment:
Doug Moffat was assigned the NOI/55 Lantern Lane – Addition to existing home currently in the riverfront.
Inlet Restoration Project
Hale Road
Kent Seith is meeting with the Commission on April 5th regarding a restoration project for a lake project adjacent to his home on Hale Road. He has received two quotes for the work and would like the Commission’s input before he contracts with a vendor.
Adjournment
Doug Moffat made a motion to adjourn the meeting at: 8:30 PM. Kathy Sferra seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Commission adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia R. Perry
SCC Coordinator
Maureen Trunfio
SCC Secretary
| 
