Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
April 2, 2013
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on April 2, 2013 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Ingeborg Hegemann Clark, Chair
David Coppes, Vice-Chair
Cortni Frecha
Serena Furman
Doug Moffat
Doug Morse
Jeff Saunders
Associate: Andy Snow
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
Cortni Frecha made a motion to approve the minutes of March 5, 2013 as drafted and amended. Serena Furman seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Correspondence Review
The Commission read a letter from Pat Perry addressed to Charles Kern, Chairman of the Stow Board of Selectmen announcing her plans to retire on June 28, 2013.
The Commission read a letter addressed to the Board of Selectmen from Michele Girard at the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions stating that Maureen Trunfio, Secretary to the Stow Conservation Commission, has completed MACC’s Fundamentals for Conservation Commissioners course.
Review Warrant Article for May Town Meeting
The Commission reviewed the current version of an Article for the Warrant seeking to allow exploration for a public water supply at the Heritage Lane Open Space. Cortni Frecha found one typographical error. The last line should read, “or to take any other action in this matter.” The Commission voted to approve the article as drafted by Jon Witten and amended.
David Coppes made a motion to approve the warrant article presented in the Conservation Commission’s April 2, 2013 meeting packet as written by John Witten and amended. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Minute Man Air Field Solar Project
On March 29, 2013 Ingeborg Hegemann Clark, Dave Coppes and Pat Perry (trio) met with the potential new developer, John Ricketson, Principal at Provectus Business Development Service, for a new solar project at Minute Man Airfield. Provectus was not present at this meeting, but members of the trio reported on the March 29th meeting to the remainder of the Commission.
The trio reported to the Commission that they felt that Provectus is doing their due diligence in researching the viability of the project. The trio informed Ricketson that there are some constraints in the 35-foot No-Disturb Zone in the riverfront area that might affect their ability to build out to the extent that they intend. Provectus told the trio that McPherson would like the project to include upgrades to the runway. The project would require Federal Aviation Administration approval.
There will be a joint meeting of the Commission and the Planning Board on April 16, 2013 with Provectus regarding this project.
Request for Determination of Applicability
109 Barton Road (U-2 #61)
At 7:45 PM Ingeborg Hegemann Clark opened the public hearing for a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Bill Conley for repair or replacement of an existing cinderblock seawall at 109 Barton Road.
Bill Conley presented to the Commission. He showed photos and verbalized his plan of action.
No abutters were present, but Conley submitted a letter of support from his neighbors, Axel and Diana Dougan. The Commission issued a Negative (3) Determination with conditions including the stipulation that work must be performed during a lake drawdown period and that a plan must be submitted to the Commission for review and approval at least 30 days prior to the commencement of work.
Dave Coppes made a motion to close the public hearing for a Request for Determination filed by William Conley at 109 Barton Road for repair or replacement of a seawall on property located at 109 Barton Road. Doug Moffat seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Dave Coppes made a motion to issue a Negative 3 Determination with conditions for repair or replacement of a seawall on property located at 109 Barton Road. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Notice of Intent (#299-0555)
Lot 1 West Acton Road (R-17 #3)
At 8:05 PM Ingeborg Hegemann Clark opened the public hearing for a Notice of Intent (NOI) filed by the Stow Community Housing Corporation (SCHC) for the proposed activity of the construction of a multi-unit apartment project with five primary buildings, sewage disposal and public water supply system on property located at Lot 1 West Acton Road. This project qualifies for 40B status.
Brandon Ducharme of Ducharme & Dillis Civil Design Group, Inc. presented to the Commission.
He reported that there is a significant grade change on the hill where the proposed buildings would be located and that there is an intermittent stream that would need to be crossed using a three-sided concrete structure.
Ducharme said that the project would be located adjacent to the existing Pilot Grove Housing. This plan would include five six-unit buildings on a site that is slightly more than seven acres and is sloped from front to back. He explained that the proposed buildings have been designed to be multi level in order to minimize the cut into the hillside. Access to the proposed units would be accessed from Warren Road. Hardscape for the project would include the road to the new units, the parking area in front of the units and sidewalks. Each unit would include a small concrete patio at the rear of the unit.
Ducharme spoke about the storm water management plan. He also mentioned DEP’s comments regarding the replication area for the proposed stream crossing. He also spoke about plans for erosion control and management practices during construction. They plan to “mat” the hillside. Another technique mentioned was “benching the grade” also know as creating a berm on the low side of the project that would then be leveled after the completion of construction.
It was noted that Sue Carter, Town Consulting Engineer, has not reviewed the drainage plan and Planning Board has not received notice of the project. Peter Munkenbeck, consultant on the project, seemed to believe that since a filing on this project had been started several years prior and they were considered a 40B project, they were not required to have certain documents reviewed again.
Ducharme agreed to deliver revised plans to the Commission by April 11, 2013 showing the planned replication area. The site inspection scheduled for 8 am on April 13, 2013, and the Commission’s public hearing will be continued to April 16, 2013. Sue Carter will review plans by April 16. Reagan Landscape Design will submit a plan for the Commission to review.
Abutters Michelle Vuolo of 4 Point Way and Michelle Contey of 3 Point Way were in the audience for the hearing. Also present in the audience were Steve Dungan of 89 W. Acton Road and Greg Jones, Treasurer of the SCHS.
Greg Jones of SCHC agreed to continue the hearing to April 16, 2013 at a scheduled time after 7:30 pm.
David Coppes made a motion to continue the public hearing for a Notice of Intent File No. 299-0555 filed by the Stow Community Housing Corporation (SCHC) to April 16, 2013 at a scheduled time after 7:30 pm for the proposed activity of the construction of a multi-unit apartment project with five primary buildings, sewage disposal and public water supply system on property located at Lot 1 West Acton Road. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Letter to Kids-A-Lot
109 Red Acre Road
Pat Perry reported to the Commission that she wrote a letter to Kids-A-Lot Country Day School located at 109 Red Acre Road. She advised the school to remove and cease the practice of pushing snow, which carries sand, salt and debris, across the street into the Red Acre Woodland before there was an impact to the wetland.
Revision of Regulations for the Gardner Hill Conservation Land (Town Forest)
The Commission made revisions to the regulations for the Gardner Hill Conservation land including a regulation stating that “Dogs are allowed but owners and keepers must adhere to the regulations in this document under the “Dog Activity and Uses.” There were several changes made to the Dog Activity and Uses section, including a stipulation that there shall be “no more than two dogs per owner or keeper.” This is in keeping with the regulation that reads, “No person shall act as a commercial dog walker on conservation land.” The Commission changed the possible fine for violations to read “Not less than $50 nor more than $500.”
Procedure for Hire of Conservation Administrator’s Replacement
The last day of service for Pat Perry, present Administrator for the Conservation Commission, is scheduled for June 28, 2013. The position has been posted on the MACC website as well as other pertinent sites. A subcommittee has been formed consisting of Pat Perry, Karen Kelleher, Ingeborg Hegemann Clark, Dave Coppes and Andy Snow in order to review resumes and conduct interviews. Applicants are required, also, to complete the Town of Stow Employment Form when applying for the position.
Adjournment
Doug Moffat made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 PM. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Commission adjourned at 9:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Trunfio
Stow Conservation Commission Secretary
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