Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
February 7, 2012
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on February 7, 2012 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Rebecca Mattison, Chair
David Coppes
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark
Doug Moffat
Kathy Sferra
Absent: Helen Castles, Vice Chair
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 January 17, 2012 as drafted and amended. Kathy Sferra seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Stow Recreation Commission
Pine Bluffs Beach Proposed Expansion
Ditch Cleaning at Pompositticut Elementary School Soccer Fields
Pat Perry has had a preliminary phone discussion with Mike Busch, Chairman of the Recreation Commission in January 2012 regarding the expansion of the beach at Lake Boon and the clearing of a drainage ditch at the Pompositticut School Soccer Fields.
Regarding the beach expansion, a site inspection was conducted by Ingeborg Hegemann Clark with John Sangermano of the Recreation Commission prior to this evening’s meeting.
Sangermano was present at this meeting for a preliminary discussion with the Commission regarding the proposed projects.
Sangermano presented photos of the beach from 2003 that showed the beach before encroachment of junipers and other shrubs. Bittersweet and Japanese Knotwood (invasive species) were also noticed along the edge of the beach and the Recreation Commission (Rec) would like permission to eradicate these. Sangermano mentioned a pile of pine needles and leaves that has resulted from the lifeguards raking the beach. Rec would like permission to remove this pile. Sangermano stated that they may request permission to take on additional projects such as replacement of the existing steps, replacement of the pump house roof and removal of one tree that threatens the pump house. The Commission agreed that a Notice of Intent application would be required for the proposed work including ongoing maintenance issues.
The second issue that Sangermano raised was cleaning the drainage ditch at the Pompo School soccer field. According to Sangermano, the ditch is full of weeds and leaves, resulting in very wet fields. Sangermano also stated they would request permission to cut back encroaching Multiflora Rose and install a temporary fence to prevent soccer balls from rolling into the areas where the Multiflora Rose is growing alongside the soccer field.
Perry stated that she had contacted Mike Clayton of the Stow Highway Department for his opinion and confirmed that the back corner near the Life Course does overflow and flood the area. Perry believes this will require extensive work and would most likely not be considered maintenance. The Commission suggested possibly breaking this project up into two phases. The first phase would require Rec to file an Request for Determination of Applicability in order to clean the north and east swales. The second phase would require a Notice of Intent in order to develop a maintenance plan for the future.
Preliminary Discussion
Solar Fields at Teradyne Property off Delaney Street
Robert Knowles of Renewable Energy Massachusetts LLC (REM), requested a preliminary meeting with the Conservation Commission regarding the possible installation of solar panels at property owned by Teradyne on Delaney Street. Brian Koppell of REM was present. Larry Beals and Gregory St. Louis of Beals Associates Inc. (BAI) presented to the Commission along with personnel of REM.
Knowles described the project as a 2.45 megawatt ground-mounted solar project. In 2011 Teradyne signed a 25-year lease with REM to lease land on Delaney Street. They have secured a 100% power purchase agreement with Hudson Light and Power. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been involved because this piece of land has been found to be contaminated with cadmium. Some remediation has taken place. This land has been approved for solar field use. It has been projected that in 25 years the land will have decontaminated itself. The Commission questioned access to the monitoring wells and Beals claimed access to the wells will not be restricted.
The panels will be anchored with helical pier technology. They will face due south and will be 3-feet tall at the low end and 10-feet tall at the high end.
The area has not been flagged, but Beals presented plans showing wetland areas affected by the project; Bordering Vegetated Wetland, Elizabeth Brook and Delaney Project. Areas on REM’s presentation material were labeled Priority Habitat, but Beals stated that when he’d recently checked with Natural Heritage they were no longer concerned with this piece of property as habitat. He added that when its next atlas is published, it would no longer list this area as Priority Habitat.
The Commission questioned whether trees would need to be taken down. Beals said a shade analysis will be completed and any trees that interfere would be noted on a Notice of Intent. The project is planned for an area that has been previously cleared. Beals projects only one or two trees, would need to be removed, if any.
REM would plan to plant low growing grasses and will not plan to have to mow the area or put down crushed gravel. Low grasses are growing in the area now. The area will be fenced, but will allow 6-12 inches open space on the bottom for wildlife to pass.
The Commission reminded REM that if work is proposed within the 35 foot No Disturb Zone a waiver must be requested from the Commission and a public benefit must be provided to allow the disturbance. REM will contact the Commission to schedule a public hearing in the spring.
Conservation Commission 2011 Annual Report
The Commission reviewed the annual report written by Pat Perry for the next version of the Town of Stow’s Annual Report. The Commission accepted the report as drafted.
Kathy Sferra moved to accept the Conservation Commission’s submission to the Town of Stow’s 2011 Annual Report as drafted by Pat Perry. David Coppes seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
License Agreement for Tuttle Lane
Perry drafted a license agreement to offer Lenny Rodriguez a three-year license to farm five acres of land at Tuttle Lane. The rental rate will be $50 per acre. Rodriguez rented acreage last year and has proven to be an outstanding land steward. Perry stated she would be in touch with Mr. Rodriguez for the insurance certificate. The license will be voted on and signed at a future meeting.
Announcement of Classes/Courses
Pat Perry informed the Commission of upcoming workshops/events:
MACC Annual Meeting, Saturday, March 3, 2012
CISMA Meeting at ARNWR Tuesday, March 13, 2012
“Locally Grown: Sustaining Communities and Birds Too” at Drumlin Farm April 24, 2012
Keystone Project, 3-day training on forest ecology and stewardship, April 19-22, 2012
Headway Life Course Marble Hill
Pat Perry informed the Commission that Bruce Trefry, Conservation Land Steward, inspected the Life (Exercise) Course at Marble Hill Conservation Area and found it to be in disrepair. Perry suggested that the Town Building Inspector look at the equipment and make recommendations to the Stow Conservation Trust. Perry will contact the Trust and also require the Trust to submit a certificate of insurance for any liabilities that may occur.
Wetland Protection Bylaw Regulations
The Commission briefly reviewed Sections 1-4 previously drafted in 2002 but never voted on. Future working sessions will be scheduled.
Adjournment
Kathy Sferra made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 PM. Ingeborg Hegemann Clark seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Commission adjourned at 10:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Trunfio
SCC Secretary
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