Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
April 3, 2012
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on April 3, 2012 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Rebecca Mattison, Chair
Helen Castles, Vice Chair
David Coppes
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark
Doug Moffat
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
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark made a motion to approve the minutes of March 20, 2012 as drafted and amended. David Coppes seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Preconstruction Discussion
36 North Shore Drive (U5-#1A)
David Mitrou, property owner, would like permission to install a patio and create a sandy beach area on his land abutting the shoreline on the third basin of Lake Boon. It was suggested that he meet with the Commission before filing an NOI. Mitrou was sent the Commission’s policy regarding shorelines for review prior to tonight’s meeting.
Mitrou presented maps, plans and photos to the Commission. He explained that the proposed wall and beach would impact 25 lateral feet of shoreline. Beavers have felled trees in the area along the shoreline where Mitrou would work. No additional trees would need to be removed. The wall would be a 3-3.5 foot tall “stonemaker” proprietary concrete wall. Mitrou claims there would be minimal disturbance in the buffer zone due to the absence of vegetation and trees in the area in which he has proposed to work. In order to show public benefit Mitrou suggested planting a row of shrubs in the area behind the proposed wall to provide habitat for birds overwintering and to aid erosion control. The Commission suggested that, in addition to the row of shrubs behind the proposed wall, he add additional bushes at various points between trees on
the back slope of his property. The Commission also suggested that Mitrou add bushes to the sides of the wall as a means to prevent erosion at weak points.
There is an abandoned roadway that formerly let to a boat launch that would be utilized to bring in materials and a small backhoe. Mitrou told the Commission there would be only one day of excavation. Mitrou explained that he would install a silt fence at the water’s edge to prevent erosion. The Commission found that the project was viable and suggested Mitrou submit a full Notice of Intent.
Notice of Intent (#299-0543) Juniper Hill Water Company
85 Circuit Drive (R-15 #119)
At 7:55 PM Rebecca Mattison opened the public hearing for a Notice of Intent (NOI) filed by Juniper Hill Water Company (JHWC) for the proposed activity of installing a new groundwater supply source. David Coppes reviewed the Notice of Intent and conducted the site inspection on behalf of the Commission. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has suggested the construction of a new well to mitigate water quality concerns being experienced by the system.
Robert Walrath, 20 Middlemost Way serves as Clerk for Juniper Hill Water Company. Anker Berg-Sonne, 8 Middlemost Way serves as Treasurer for Juniper Hill Water Company. Michael Suleski serves as President of Juniper Hill Water Company. All were present and added to the discussion. Greg Roy of Ducharme & Dillis Civil Design Group presented along with the Officers listed above.
The project site consists of 10.6 acres of land. The property is currently developed with two public water supply wells (one of which is defunct), a concrete masonry unit building, water storage tanks and associated utilities such as electricity, propane and a backup gas generator. The site is primarily wooded. There is a perennial stream as well as an intermittent stream or channels flowing through the property with an associated bordering vegetated wetland which surrounds the well site.
One of the current wells has been offline for some time and the remaining well is presenting water with very high iron content. If the JHWC were to attempt to treat the water, they would need to install a full water treatment facility. That is not feasible in this situation. JHWC hopes to drill a source that is strong enough to supply the 74 residential homes on one well and eventually shut down the iron-producing well. Suleski reported that wells below 380 feet generally do not produce iron. The minimum required distance between wells must be 50 feet and JHWC is proposing 70 feet. If it is possible to shut down the current well, JHWC would like permission to excavate and backfill the current well site.
They are hoping to get 43 gallons/minute during a 48-hour test. The Commission questioned where test water would be pumped. Roy said the original engineer’s report prepared by Skilling and Son Construction stated it would be pumped 100 feet away from the site. The Commission is concerned because the area is very saturated and flooding could occur. The Commission required that JHWC submit a revised plan to the Conservation Commission office showing an acceptable plan for discharging the test water.
The Commission asked how JHWC would handle soil that is excavated. JHWC answered that it would be stockpiled at the end of the access road. They would place silt fences as indicated on plans. At the end of the project they would seed with New England Wetland Seed mix.
There was no discussion from abutters.
David Coppes made a motion to close the public hearing for a Notice of Intent File No. 299-0543 filed by Juniper Hill Water Company for the proposed activity of drilling for and installing a new groundwater supply source. Doug Moffat seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark made a motion to approve and issue the Order of Conditions File No. 299-0543 for the proposed activity of excavation work plus the drilling for and installation of a new groundwater supply source as drafted and amended. David Coppes seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Chemical Treatment
Kirkland Drive Pond
Craig Fifield, a resident of 54 Kirkland Drive, submitted the 2011 Year End Report prepared by Aquatic Control Technology, Inc. (ACT) and a proposal from ACT for a second Sonar treatment. The Order of Conditions states that they cannot go forward with another treatment until they have approval from the Conservation Commission. A Year End Report & Proposal were presented to the Commission to review.
Fifield was present and displayed photos to the Commission. ACT treated the detention pond with Sonar and had positive results the first year. The second year no treatment was needed. Now, going into the third year, another application appears to be necessary.
The Commission asked Fifield to remind residents about the problems associated with feeding lawns with traditional fertilizers. Nutrients trickle down and nutrient loading occurs. The Commission informed Fifield of new requirement for pesticide applications from NPDES, and suggested ACT be made aware of those guidelines. The Water Permits Division (WPD) within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Wastewater Management leads and manages the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program in partnership with EPA Regional Offices.
Pat Perry will research whether this Notice of Intent, which is to expire soon, can be extended automatically under the Massachusetts Legislature’s Permit Extension Act of August 2010.
David Coppes made a motion to allow treatment of the Kirkland Road Detention Pond by Aquatic Control Technology Inc. as indicated in the Aquatic Control Technology, Inc proposal. Ingeborg Hegemann Clark seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Stepping Stones School
Playground Placement (U-10 #65)
The Stepping Stones School will be moving to 23 Gleasondale Road and would like permission to install a fence and playground equipment at the rear of the building. Members of the Commission will conduct a site inspection on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 7:30 A.M.
Action/Discussion Items
Pat Perry informed the Commission of the request for public record regarding Meadowbrook Estates Subdivision (Trefry Lane).
Adjournment
David Coppes made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 PM. Doug Moffat seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Commission adjourned at 9:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Trunfio
SCC Secretary
| 
