Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
November 20, 2012
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on November 20, 2012 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Ingeborg Hegemann Clark, Chair
David Coppes, Vice-Chair
Cortni Frecha
Serena Furman
Doug Morse
Arrived at 7:45 PM: Doug Moffat
Absent: Rebecca Mattison
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.
Continuation of Hearing for Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation (ANRAD)
33 & 45 Walcott Street (R-1 #64A & 63)
At 7:30 PM Ingeborg Hegemann Clark reopened the public hearing continued from November 13, 2012 for an ANRAD filed by Mark White of Bentley Building Corp. for the proposed activity of
the confirmation of wetland delineation and the delineation of mean annual high water line of two perennial streams partially located on site at 33 & 35 Walcott Street. Rich Harrington was present for this meeting.
Rich Harrington of Stamski & McNary submitted revised plans dated November 14, 2012 to the Commission earlier in the week. The Commission reviewed and accepted the final plan.
Cortni Frecha made a motion to close the public hearing for an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation filed by Mark White of Bentley Building Corp. for the proposed activity of confirmation of wetland delineation and the delineation of mean annual high water line of two perennial streams partially located on site at 33 & 35 Walcott Street. Serena Furman seconded the motion and Ingeborg Hegemann Clark, David Coppes, Doug Morse and Serena Furman voted in the affirmative. Doug Moffat was not yet present.
Cortni Frecha made a motion to issue an Order of Resource Area Delineation requested by Mark White of Bentley Building Corp. at 33 & 35 Walcott Street as drafted and amended. Serena Furman seconded the motion and Ingeborg Hegemann Clark, David Coppes, Doug Morse and Serena Furman voted in the affirmative. Doug Moffat was not yet present.
Certificate of Compliance Request (#299-0306)
53 Conant Drive (R-5 #26)
Steve Poole, PE at Lakeview Engineering, requested a Certificate of Compliance for Order of Conditions File No. 299-0306 for the installation of a new septic system, utilities and brick patio adjacent to the front entrance within the buffer zone. No work was proposed within the 35-foot No Disturb Zone at 53 Conant Drive. Patricia Perry conducted the site inspection on behalf of the Commission and found the area stabilized and in good condition. All areas were well vegetated. The entrance at the driveway has been slightly modified from the original plan, as noted in the engineer’s report, but is outside the buffer zone. Perry submitted photos of the site dated November 15, 2012.
The Commission agreed to issue the Certificate of Compliance.
David Coppes made a motion to issue the Certificate Of Compliance for work satisfactorily completed at 53 Conant Drive in compliance with Order of Conditions File No. 299-0306. Serena Furman seconded the motion. Ingeborg Hegemann Clark, Cortni Frecha, Serena Furman and Doug Morse voted in the affirmative. Doug Moffat was not yet present.
Doug Moffat entered the meeting at 7:45 pm
Well Zone Restrictions per DEP
David Coppes researched the possibility of a future well on conservation land in conjunction with an effort to explore possible water sources for Stow’s Lower Village. Coppes reported that it appears that walking trails are permissible in the vicinity of well heads. He told the Commission that there is a provision in the Zone 1 regulations that is called “Passive Recreation Use.” This does not clearly state that trails would be allowed. It does say that all uses have to demonstrate that they have no significant adverse impact. They go on to define “passive recreation” as walking, hiking, cross country skiing, etc.-- all the activities for which one would potentially use a trail.
The Commission will request a confirmation in writing from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Violation Lundy Property
Joanne Drive (R-13 #11-1)
The Commission has requested and is still waiting for owner, Frank Lundy, to file an after-the-fact Request for Determination of Applicability. Ingeborg Hegemann Clark volunteered to call Lundy before the Commission’s next meeting on December 4, 2012.
FY2014 Budget Proposal
Town Administrator instructed departments to add a 3% cost of living (COLA) increase for all personnel and to include any step increases that were due. Conservation Commission Secretary, Maureen Trunfio, remains at Step 3 and will receive the 3% COLA raise. Perry’s salary will advance to the maximum step allowed for her position and she will receive the 3% COLA raise. Salaries for the Conservation Commission will total $78,699.
Department heads have been instructed to level fund expenses again. Expenses for this budget period, level funded, will equal $4,280. The Conservation Commission’s total budget will amount to $82,879.40 for FY2014.
Perry asked the Commission whether they would consider asking that money be appropriated for its Conservation Fund. Because of a slow economy, the Commission has not asked for its usual $10K to add to this account at Annual Town Meeting. Perry attempts to maintain this account at approximately $50K. The Commission has been able to add small amounts of money to this account with fees collected from Community Garden fees, etc. The account collects interest, and Perry estimates that, at present, the account stands at $49K. The draft budget is due to the Town Administrator by December 21, 2012. Perry told the Commission that she will present them with a final version of the draft budget at the December 4, 2012 meeting.
Deer Management
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark spoke to the Commission about a conference she attended in Weston, MA regarding deer overpopulation. She reported that in the Weston area deer have decimated the understory in almost all forested areas. She told the Commission that the problem has not yet become so extreme in the Route 495 belt area, west of Weston. She would, however, like to begin discussion regarding the problem of deer over population and possible solutions. The Commission agreed to discuss this issue at a future meeting.
Adjournment
David Coppes made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 PM. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Commission adjourned at 8:07 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Trunfio
Stow Conservation Commission Secretary
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