Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
September 3, 2013
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on September 3, 2013 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Ingeborg Hegemann Clark, Chair
David Coppes, Vice-Chair
Cortni Frecha
Serena Furman
Doug Morse
Jeff Saunders
Andy Snow
comprising a quorum of the Commission; also
Present: Kathy Sferra, Conservation 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 July 16, 2013 as drafted and amended. Serena Furman seconded the motion and it was passed. Andy Snow abstained.
Cortni Frecha made a motion to approve the minutes of August 20, 2013 as drafted and amended. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Pilot Grove 2 Erosion
Doug Morse noted that he noticed silt on West Acton Road near the Pilot Grove 2 project. Hegemann Clark explained that if silt is running into catch basins, the area then comes under the jurisdiction of the Commission. Kathy Sferra will speak with Mitch Finn, Project Superintendent, and ask him to install crushed stone at the entrance and compact it.
Request for Determination of Applicability
41 Gleasondale Road (R-16 #33)
At 7:45 PM Ingeborg Hegemann Clark opened the public hearing for a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by William P. Scarpati for the construction of a 12’x23’ deck on property located at 41 Gleasondale Road. Scarpati, the contractor, and Galen Carey, property owner, were present at this meeting. Andy Snow reviewed the filing and conducted the site inspection on behalf of the Commission.
Scarpati told the Commission that they would construct the deck on five 12” footings they would like to install to support the deck. Sonotubes would be utilized for the footings, and they would be located approximately 58 feet from the pond located at the rear of the home. The back yard is established lawn.
Snow presented her findings from the site inspection and presented photos. Snow told the Commission that the entire project is within the 100’ buffer zone. There is a pre-existing deck on the property now. The posts will be hand dug and no heavy equipment will be utilized. She reported a very slight grade sloping away from the home. At the time of the inspection there was some pooled water in the yard that had settled in a depression.
The Commission asked if the willow tree shown in the photos present would remain. Carey answered that it would remain or that they would replace the tree if it dies. The Commission asked if they were planning to dig out the area for the Sonotubes, pour concrete into tubes and then backfill. Scarpati said that they would most likely dig the holes and then backfill it half way first. The Commission noted the gutter system on the house which should direct rainwater properly. The Commission told Scarpati to be sure that none of the excess concrete is dumped on site. Scarpati said it will be removed from the site. Scarpati mentioned that there will be a very short time period that he will need to stockpile the soil on site in order to be used as backfill for the project. The Commission will write a condition that requires Scarpati to
have straw bales on site to surround the stockpiled soil, in the event of rain.
The Commission agreed that permission for the project should be granted and issued a Negative 3 Determination with three conditions. The first condition states that the contractor commits to digging all holes by hand with no heavy equipment utilized. The second, states that no concrete wash shall be disposed of on site. The third states that straw bales shall be stockpiled on site for sediment and erosion control and used if needed.
David Coppes made a motion to close the public hearing. Serena Furman seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
David Coppes made a motion to issue a Negative 3 Determination with conditions for the construction of a new deck on property located at 41 Gleasondale Road. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
At 8 pm Andy Snow recused herself from the meeting, as she is an abutter to the Hemenway Farms Subdivision.
Notice of Intent (#299-0559)
33 & 45 Walcott Street (R-1 #64A & 63)
Hemenway Farms Subdivision
At 8:00 PM Ingeborg Hegemann Clark opened the public hearing for a Notice of Intent (NOI) filed by Mark White of Bentley Builders for the proposed activity of removal of a dwelling and construction of a roadway and drainage. David Coppes reviewed the Notice of Intent and conducted the site inspection on behalf of the Commission. Sue Carter, Town Engineer, has submitted comments to PB and Stamski & McNary has received the comments. There is a site walk planned for September 8, 2013. Harrington and White will meet again with PB on September 24, 2013 and will plan to meet with the Commission again on September 17, 2013.
Rich Harrington, Engineer with Stamski and McNary and Mark White of Bentley Builders were present at this meeting. Harrington presented detailed site plans, photos and a narrative regarding the site. He began with a detailed description of storm water analysis and site preparation. The area includes the Sandy Brook, wetlands in the front of the site, and a perennial stream, all of which flow toward the Assabet River. There is a farmer’s pond on site.
Wetland delineation was filed with the Commission and approved at an earlier date. Harrington reported that there are no new wetland flags since the ORAD was approved. David Crossman went out and looked at the potential vernal pool area and determined that it does not qualify (report submitted) as a certified vernal pool.
Harrington told the Commission that the open land is 32.3 acres of property and that they meet all PCD requirements.
PB has required that the project offer an affordable dwelling unit (Lot 26). A duplex is proposed with 2 attached garages and four parking spots. They plan to provide roof recharge for the proposed duplex. Harrington said that they propose to remove the existing garage and barn at 45 Walcott. This surface area would be replaced with the duplex. The existing gravel driveway will remain in the same location. However, Harrington reported a problem with gravel spreading out into the shoulder of the driveway. They are concerned with erosion and clogging pipes. They would like to pave the driveway (12-feet wide) in order to improve conditions and help cut down on erosion. Water quality swales would be utilized in this area. He mentioned that all wetlands are located on common land except the small wetland on Lot 26.
Harrington said that they are proposing to replace the existing gravel driveway on 33 Walcott with the proposed entrance to Hemenway Farm Lane which is a larger loop system with a cul de sac. There would be a turn out for fire cistern number one and two. There would be a trail connection to the Hale/Corzine Land.
He noted that a Waiver Request to our local bylaw has been submitted for work proposed within the 35-foot buffer zone. The proposed work is associated with the entrance to existing gravel driveway and for storm water improvements near Walcott Street. It also includes demolition of an
existing home that is within the 35-foot No Disturb Zone (NDZ). Storm water management areas will be used to create a decentralized stormwater system. Several of these are in the Riverfront Area.
The open field adjacent to the farmer’s pond will remain as an existing open area. The trail runs along this area. There will be a pipe under the grass from storm water management area #2 to storm water management area #3.
The trail along the frontage will remain. The spruce tree at the entrance will remain. Harrington said that there may be a small stone wall built on the street side of the spruce to protect its root system.
Harrington stated that there will be an NOI filing at a later date for Lot 1. The turnaround area will remain wooded. He stated that there will be a stone trench (additional recharge) at the rear of each home site. A conservation seed mix will be utilized at the rear of each home. During work there will be temporary sediment basins.
The Commission asked for details regarding the River Front analysis. They mentioned that in the filing there were two alternatives and asked Harrington to explain the analysis. Harrington explained the alternatives that were considered and why they believe the proposed sites are preferable to moving the basins further into upland.
Harrington explained that they were referring to storm water management area #3 at the entrance and storm water management area #4 at the back of property. Storm water management area #3 is already disturbed. The alternative to not building in this area would be to open up a larger, narrower basin in field area where the trails are located.
The Commission asked how much they would need to modify the existing area (for #3) to accomplish what they state. Harrington said that the bottom of opening would stay close to grade and they would be adding top soil with minor shaping. He added that they would need to cut back grade and create an area about 20 feet wide by 7 feet high to provide more storm water storage.
The alternative SMA #4 would be to move the basin up and make it bigger. There would be a change to soil group C which has different recharge characteristics. It would remain a wooded area. The Commission asked how many trees would be lost. He described the area as a mature pine forest that was maintained as an open woodland that the former owner had maintained by clearing underbrush, etc. The area is not a habitat for rare species.
The Commission discussed whether or not to require a habitat evaluation and agreed to look at this in the field. Hegemann Clark reviewed the wording of the regulations relative to Riverfront Area Performance Standards. The Commission asked Harrington to demonstrate that less than 10% of the Riverfront Area would be disturbed including areas on lots. The Commission suggested that David Crossman be invited to the site visit where he can suggest his opinions on wildlife.
Abutter Donna Morales-Oemig of 34 Walcott Street had questions for Harrington regarding wildlife in the area and offered her expertise in letting the group know what wildlife is present in the area. Hegemann Clark suggested she send an email listing wildlife that she is aware of lives in the area. Morales-Oemig’s second question related to whether the removal of the barn and house would be immediate. The Commission explained that all approvals must be in place from PB and the Commission before any work could begin. Her third question related to where exactly the road will be in relation to the current driveway going into #33 Walcott Street. She mentioned that, presently, the traffic in that area affects her home.
Janet Moffat was present as a representative of the Stow Conservation Trust (SCT). She asked how all this drainage will affect the wetland system near the trail at the base of the Hale/Corzine property? Harrington explained that there would be zero change in the area.
Due to time constraints, Mark White requested that the Commission present questions and they would plan to prepare answers for the next meeting. Commissioner Coppes said that he had questions regarding the public benefit for work in areas within 35 NDZ. An improvement in the driveway was mentioned. Sferra suggested a written justification of work in the 35 NDZ.
Coppes had further questions on the vernal pool determination. Coppes was concerned about activity around the buffer of that vernal pool. Coppes wanted clarification regarding untreated flows from the driveway to the wetland mentioned in Sue Carter’s letter.
Harrington and White signed the agreement to continue the hearing to the Commission’s next meeting on September 17, 2013.
Dave Coppes made a motion to continue the public hearing for a Notice of Intent File No. 299-0559 to September 17, 2013 at a time after 7:30 PM. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion and it was passed.
At 9:20 PM Andy Snow rejoined the meeting.
Minor Project Authorization for Conservation Coordinator
In an effort to create a more transparent process, Kathy Sferra requested that the Commission formally vote to authorize the Conservation Coordinator to approve minor projects, when, in the opinion of the Coordinator, there will be no adverse impact to wetlands or to protected resource areas. Examples of such projects included removal of single hazard tree in the 100 foot buffer, construction of a small shed, annual mowing of open fields to manage succession/invasive species. Sferra said she would bring this item up for further discussion at the Commission’s next meeting.
Approval of Memo from Conservation Coordinator to Planning Board re: Hemenway Farm Project
Kathy Sferra asked the Commission to review a memo she drafted dated September 3, 2013. The memo was address to the Planning Board and addressed the upcoming PCD named Hemenway Farm located at 33&45 Walcott Street. The Commission made small edits and voted to approve the letter.
Cortni Frecha made a motion to authorize Kathy Sferra, Conservation Coordinator, to send the memo as amended regarding Hemenway Farm PCD. Serena seconded the motion and it carried. Andy Snow abstained.
Land Donation by Walter Lankau
In a letter dated May 8, 2013, Walter Lankau offered to donate land located on the Assessor’s Map as R-12 #23 in exchange for the waiving of all back taxes. The parcel amounts to 53 acres. The Commission was favorable to the donation of the land, but suggested that Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT) might be a more appropriate recipient. Sferra said she would contact Lankau and the SVT regarding the offer.
Deerfield Lane Article 97 Petition
Sferra reported that the Deerfield Lane Article 97 Petition has passed the House and is moving onto the Senate.
53 Great Road
Sferra reported that a revised project was discussed regarding property at 53 Great Road. The new owner of the property would like to move the location of the garage from the proposed location at he left side of the house to the right side of the house. The proposed move would locate the garage nearer to the wetland. The property was never flagged so the Commission is reluctant to allow this change. The Commission suggested that he hire a professional to flag the wetland if he would like to move forward and have the change considered by the Commission.
Delany Solar Installation
Kathy Sferra, Serena Furman and Karen Kelleher of PB visited the installation of solar arrays at Delaney St. The project is approximately 80% complete according to Sferra. She presented photos to the Commission of one concern found during the visit. It appeared that filling had been done at the rear of the property. During excavation for the posts, large rocks were found and piled at the rear of the property. There was some question as to whether the rocks were actually found on site. It appears that soil was back filled into the rocks. The operators of the site claimed that Stow Highway Dept. required a crude roadway to allow them to get a vehicle along the edge at the back corner of the property. Sferra said that she will contact Mike Clayton, Superintendent of the Highway Department to verify the need for the road and discuss the issue
further with Syncarpha.
Coordinator’s Report
Kathy Sferra reported that she is in the process of updating the Conservation Commission’s web site. She also created a new Facebook page for the Stow Conservation Commission.
Melone Property-Forest Cutting
497 Great Road
Kathy Sferra put together a chronology sheet detailing what has transpired at the Melone Property at 497 Great Road. Hegemann Clark shared her noted from a prior site walk. It was the consensus that Hegemann Clark suggested that Melone file an After-the-Fact NOI. Melone responded that he did not know how to do that. Hegemann Clark offered to flag his property, but it was decided later that the Commission should not do this. The Commission agreed that Melone should hire a professional engineer. Doug Morse, who accompanied Hegemann Clark on the initial site visit, said that he noticed that Melone has been spreading loam in the area. Morse mentioned that he is concerned with blow over of the thin line of trees Melone left standing. At an earlier meeting it was mentioned that the area that was cleared may turn into a wet meadow, which
interested the Commission. The Commission asked Kathy Sferra to follow up with Melone.
Continuing Education Opportunities
Kathy Sferra mentioned an upcoming Stream Crossings Workshop offered by Baystate Roads in Marlboro on October 29, 2013. Cornti Frecha and Dave Coppes mentioned interest in attending the workshop. Sferra will register them.
Adjournment
Serena Furman made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:17 PM. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Commission adjourned at 10:17 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Trunfio
Stow Conservation Commission Secretary
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