Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
May 1, 2012
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on May 1, 2012 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Rebecca Mattison, Chair
David Coppes
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark
Doug Moffat
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.
Request for Determination of Applicability
Steppingstones Preschool
23 Gleasondale Road (U-10 #65)
At 7:40 PM Rebecca Mattison opened the public hearing for a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Susan and Ross Perry of Steppingstones Preschool for the installation of a fence and a play structure. Work will need to occur within the 35-foot No Disturb Zone. Ingeborg Hegemann Clark and Doug Moffat conducted a site inspection on behalf of the Commission.
Susan & Ross Perry presented plans to the Commission. A proposed outdoor play area and fence placement was shown on plans. Nine inches of sand would be required under the play structure. This is the only area where gravel would be removed. Gravel that would be removed would be used in the parking area.
The Commission noted that the fence is not poured concrete and that only two of the posts are 10-15 feet from the wetland. Ross Perry explained that they will be trading use of the driveway behind the building for a play structure. This will result in less vehicular traffic adjacent to the wetland which could be considered public benefit.
Abutters questioned what the play structures consisted of. Susan Perry explained that they are the current wooden swing set and play structure that can be seen at the school’s current location on Great Road. Abutters asked about the placement and height of the fence. Susan Perry explained that the fence must be 48-inches high according to early education requirements and invited abutters up to the table to examine the plans and point out fence placement. Abutters questioned the preschool’s hours and the Perry’s said they would be open 9am-3pm Monday through Thursday with a possibility of being open until 5 pm.
Abutters included David and Ginny Kriz of 33 Gleasondale Road and Jean and Ralph Hekkala of 29 Gleasondale.
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark made a motion to close the public hearing for a Request for Determination of Applicability filed for the installation of a fence and a play structure at 23 Gleasondale Road. Doug Moffat seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
David Coppes made a motion to issue a Negative 3 Determination approving the Request for Determination of Applicability filed for the installation of a fence and a play structure at 23 Gleasondale Road as drafted with a special condition requiring the extension of the silt fence to the edge of the existing parking lot and a condition regarding future change of use. Doug Moffat seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation (ANRAD)
302 Boxboro Road (R-7 #30-7, 34, 35, 38)
Minute Man Air Field
The applicants, Kearsarge Energy LP, have submitted wetland delineations for BVW and riverfront areas at Minute Man Air Field (MMAF). Ingeborg Hegemann Clark and Stewart Dalzell (an associate member of the Commission) have conducted a site visit prior to this public hearing. Randy Christensen presented to the Commission on behalf of Kearsarge as the Environmental Scientist from Stantec. Dalzell disclosed to those present
that he has worked with Christensen in the past on Massachusetts Port Authority projects, where Dalzell is employed.
The Commission, along with Christensen, conducted a site visit at Minute Man Air Field to review boundaries and plans. Together they checked soils and vegetation--parameters required by the Wetland Protection Act. The Commission clarified that they were only confirming the flags that are listed in the ANRAD as amended.
Christensen met with the Commission on site to confirm wetland boundaries that were submitted on the plan that was submitted with the ANRAD document. Some lines were questioned. Modified flags were planted. Modifications are noted on a set of revised plans that were given to the Commission at this meeting with a revision date of April 30, 2012. A major change in boundary was found and shown as B11 (MOD). The 100-foot buffer didn’t change due to this modification. Bank flags (BNK) are shown on the revised plan as found in the field. These flags show the banks of the perennial stream, Heath Hen Meadow Brook.
Christensen clarified that the entire wetland areas for Minute Man Air Field were not determined for this plan. He explained that this new plan determines certain vegetated wetland boundaries and determines banks of the perennial stream, Heath Hen Meadow Brook as it relates to the potential project area.
During the site visit the Commission was concerned with one area near the runway that was found to be disturbed (Flags B10 and B11). Together, the Commission and Christensen, looked at this area on the Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) to compare how it corresponded with the current plan. It was shown on the VMP as a swale, but not on Christensen’s current plan. Christensen told the Commission he would, via AutoCAD, “turn on” flags for this particular area, find the flag that created the pinnacle of this swale, include that flag and then modify the boundary back down to B10. He would then give the Commission a revised plan showing this. The Commission agreed to close the hearing tonight but made clear that they required Christensen to submit a revised plan showing the change discussed above with a new revision date of May 1,
2012. Christensen agreed.
Abutters were present including Susan and Michael Matatia, 301 Taylor Road, Richard Fisher, 181 Taylor Road, Linda Chase, 171 Taylor Road. Christensen clarified terminology used for abutters and explained to abutters that questions regarding the solar project associated to the ANRAD should be addressed when a full Notice of Intent is filed. Abutters will be notified of that hearing.
David Coppes made a motion to close the public hearing for an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation filed to determine certain vegetated wetland boundaries and determine banks of the perennial stream, Heath Hen Meadow Brook as it relates to the potential project area at Minute Man Air Field, 302 Boxboro Road, Stow, MA. This hearing closed contingent upon the agreement that Randy
Christensen, Environmental Scientist from Stantec, will submit a revised plan including a new revision date of May 1, 2012 to the Office of the Conservation Commission. Doug Moffat seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
David Coppes made a motion to approve and issue the Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation filed to determine certain vegetated wetland boundaries and determine banks of the perennial stream, Heath Hen Meadow Brook as it relates to the potential project area at Minute Man Air Field, 302 Boxboro Road, Stow, MA. Doug Moffat seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Candidates for Conservation Commission
The Commission spoke with Jeff Saunders, Sandy Taft, Cortni Frecha, Andrianne Snow and Serena Furman who were present regarding open positions on the Commission.
Teradyne Inc.
Proposed Staff Gage Installation
The Commission received a letter from CDM Smith (on behalf of Teradyne, Inc.) notifying the Commission of proposed work in BVW portions of Great Brook in Bolton and in Stow. CDM explained that they would like to install two staff gauges within the portion of the brook located in Stow. 3.25-inch metal rods would need to be sunk to a stable depth. The purpose of this installation is to monitor water during annual sampling.
Since 2002, CDM Smith has been conducting Resource Conservation and Recovery Act post-closure groundwater and surface water monitoring at the former GenRad property located at 37 Great Road, Bolton, MA. To facilitate post-closure activities and monitor the surface water level in the wetlands during annual sampling, CDM Smith is proposing to install three staff gates by hand in Great Brook, two of which are proposed in Stow and one in Bolton.
The Commission determined that this work is not an alteration and no further reviews by the Commission is necessary, however the Commission raised the question as to how the locations would be accessed. The Commission may wish to conduct a site visit with CDM at the time of installation.
Wetlands Violation
819 Great Road (R-3 #50A)
It appeared that fill was brought in to extend a driveway at 819 Great Road. The owner has been notified of the potential violation. The Commission set a date of May 5, 2012 at 9 am to inspect the site. Ingeborg Hegemann Clark will call the homeowner and inform him.
Enforcement Issue (#299-0334 & 0528)
626 Great Road/ C.W. Fuels/Community Convenience (R-10 #41)
David Lorden, Trustee for Community Convenience Trust, came in to the September 20, 2011 meeting of the Commission to discuss issues of incompletion from previous Order of Conditions (OOC). At that time Lorden said he would complete work as specified by the Commission.
To date the work has not been completed and the Commission voted to write a letter and issue a $300 violation charge.
Approve Minutes
Doug Moffat made a motion to approve the minutes of April 3, 2012 as drafted and amended. David Coppes seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Doug Moffat made a motion to approve the minutes of April 17, 2012, 2012 as drafted. David Coppes seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Commission Candidates
The Commission agreed to recommend Serena Furman and Doug Morse to the Selectman as full voting members of the Conservation Commission.
Adjournment
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 PM. Doug Moffat seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Commission adjourned at 9:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Trunfio
SCC Secretary
Approved 6/5/2012
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