Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
December 3, 2013
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on December 3, 2013 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Ingeborg Hegemann Clark, Chair (arrived at 7:49 PM)
Cortni Frecha
Doug Morse
Jeff Saunders
Andy Snow
Absent: David Coppes, Vice-Chair
Serena Furman
Sandra Grund, Associate
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
Doug Morse made a motion to approve the minutes of November 19, 2013 as drafted and amended. Jeff Saunders seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Conservation Coordinator’s Report
Kathy Sferra reported that conditions at Pilot Grove 2 appeared satisfactory after a local rain storm. She noted that dirt has been getting tracked down from the job site to the roadway. A trench has been dug along the roadway for a gas line that will be installed this week. Shortly thereafter a gravel base will be put down for the entrance road.
Sferra reported to the Commission that she had received a complaint from the Stow Conservation Trust (SCT) regarding illegal trails that have been cut at Flagg Hill. Adjacent property owners, the Sureau family, have reported that hikers have been exiting through their private property. Sferra has been in contact with Bruce Trefry regarding these issues.
Although she was not present at this meeting, Serena Furman has been assigned an upcoming site inspection for the Trenholme property at 21 Hale Road. Cortni Frecha and Andy Snow said that they would be available this weekend for a site inspection. Trenholme has filed an NOI requesting permission to replace a retaining wall, construct a patio and build fire pit.
Sferra informed the Commission that she has checked the status of the Article 97 petitions. She heard from Representative Kate Hogan’s office that the Heritage Lane bill is supposed to be introduced this week. Additionally, Sferra reported that the Deerfield Lane petition is with counsel regarding questions. Sferra has a call in to Hogan’s office for clarification as to what the concerns are. Sferra will inform Jamie Eldridge that the town may need his help regarding these items.
Sferra mentioned that there will be a night hike and camping by a local Boy Scout Troop at Town Forest on January 11-12, 2013.
Commission Members Reports
Andy Snow announced that she attended the recent MACC Conference and had completed two more units of the Fundamentals for Conservation Commissioners course.
Snow reported that she is seeking the latest issue of Time magazine which has a cover story regarding animal population in suburban areas. Sferra said that Dick Perkins mentioned it to her and that he may have a copy that the Commission can borrow. Cortni Frecha mentioned that PBS recently aired a program on the White Tailed Deer. There have been recent reports of deer sightings along the edge of South Acton Road.
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark joined the meeting at 7:49 PM.
Bob Collings Fire Pond (#299-0459)
Barton Road (R-25 #16 & U-2 #55)
Sferra informed the Commission that Bob Collings of Barton Road has requested to meet with them regarding the proposed fire pond/subdivision project that relates to his property near 169 Barton Road. An Order of Conditions (#299-0459) was issued to Collings in May of 1997 allowing work relating to the proposed subdivision, including work on the pond. This Order is in effect until May of 2014.
The Commission welcomed Collings who presented plans and a verbal narrative addressing what he would like to do. Fire Chief Joe Landry was also present.
Collings reported that many years ago he had proposed a subdivision in which the fire pond was included. The idea of a subdivision has since been abandoned. At present, Collings is seeking permission from the Commission to clean out muck, silt, leaves, etc. from the pond down to the natural sand and gravel base. He stated his reasons for his request as twofold: First, the pond would serve as a fire-suppression water source for the Collings Foundation and, second, the pond would serve as a water source in the case of fire for the residents on Barton Road and the general vicinity.
Fire Chief Joe Landry said that he appreciated the opportunity to have access to a water source in the area. Collings confirmed that a hydrant would be added to the pond. Landry added that Lake Boon is not easily accessible and that pressure becomes a problem when the water source is far from the site of a fire. Chief Landry said that planting suggested along the edge of the pond would not be a problem. Fire truck access to the pond was discussed and there is currently a hard-packed crushed stone roadway to the pond that would support a fire truck. The access road to the pond is not currently being plowed but would be in the event the pond is approved as a source for water for fire purposes. The Commission expressed concern regarding plowing a driveway built with crushed stone. Collings explained that they use a bucket loader to clear snow
and that this method does not scrape the surface.
The measurements of the pond are 175 feet long by 10-65 feet wide, and the pond is in the water table. If the pond were cleaned of muck, it is estimated that it could hold between 59K and 90K gallons of water.
Collings reported numbers from plotting of the water table that had been done. When surveying was done the elevation of the water in Lake Boon was 187. The elevation of water in the pond was 184 and the Assabet River was 178, so water is flowing from the lake toward the river.
Collings told the Commission that Carr & Associates did soundings and based on that information, Thomas Land Surveyors developed a profile of the pond. Collings mentioned that December or January would be an ideal time to clean the pond since water levels will be low. The Commission mentioned that it seemed that there would need to be some tree clearing done around the pond in order for access. Collings replied that he didn’t think that the large trees around the pond would need to come down. He mentioned that small brush around the pond might need to be cleared. He said that they preferred to keep the large trees. Collings mentioned that the pond would serve well to protect the large forested area at the rear of his property in the case of a brush fire.
Collings was reminded of his maintenance program and he re-read and agreed to it. Hegemann Clark reminded Collings and Chief Landry that back in 2007 a planting program was proposed, which would introduce plankton and other aquatic plants. She asked Chief Landry whether plants in the pond would affect pulling water from the pond in case of an emergency. Chief Landry replied that it would not.
Collings mentioned, separate from this issue, he might possibility seek permission to erect a new building on his property. He was not asking for permission for that building at the moment, but mentioned that a sprinkler system for a potential new building might be fed from this pond. In the case a new building is built, runoff from the roof would recharge the pond.
Collings agreed to send a letter to the Commission summarizing the request made at tonight’s meeting including the fact that he will not be moving forward with plans for the subdivision. Chief Landry agreed to send a short letter noting the need for a water supply for fire fighting in this area.
FY 2015 Budget
The Town Administrator’s budget message has requested that each department budget for a 2% increase in salaries for FY 2015, in addition to any required step increases. The Town Adminstrator asked departments to level fund expenses insofar as feasible. Budgets are due in the Town Administrator’s office by December 20, 2013.
Sferra told the Commission that she increased the Membership Dues and Subscriptions line item due to the desire to provide each Commissioner with an online MACC Handbook subscription at $15 per person. Sferra mentioned that she utilized the one free subscription and Hegemann Clark mentioned that she would not require a license. Sferra mentioned that she increased the Professional Development line item due to the fact that there are many newer members who might like to take advantage of educational courses.
Sferra mentioned a request from Jack Wallace at the Board of Health to split expenses for water sampling and analysis of the Assabet River. She informed the Commission that several years ago the Board of Selectmen paid for this and that last year the Board of Health paid for this. The Commission concurred that the service was important and the price was adequate, but they agreed with Sferra that it seemed odd to require payment for one expense from two separate budgets. Sferra said that she would speak with the Town Administrator regarding this item.
Sferra informed the Commission that she would suggest that they request $10K at Town Meeting to replenish the Conservation Fund. Although we have not requested this amount in several years, this account will soon be drawn upon for baseline documentation work.
Andy Snow made a motion to approve the budget as presented for FY 2015. Cornti Frecha seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Captain Sargent Request for Proposals (RFP) Update
Sferra reminded the Commission that the proposals for available farm land on the Captain Sargent conservation parcel were due on December 2, 2013 at 4 pm. At that time, she had not received any proposals. She noted that at 9 PM, on that same night, she received an email with a proposal. She also received notice that another applicant would be submitting their proposal late. Sferra was advised by Town Counsel not to accept or read either proposal due to the fact that they were received after the advertised deadline. She did not read either and returned them to those who submitted them.
The Commission will need to begin the RFP process again. However, the entire annual advertising budget of $130 has been used for advertising the first round of RFP’s. The Commission discussed the $130 line item Advertising budget and agreed that it should be amended and increased to $500 for FY 2015.
Cortni Frecha made a motion to increase the line item Advertising budget from $130 to $500 for FY 2015. Jeff Saunders seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
There are specific legal requirements for advertising and in addition, the Commission asked Sferra to inquire whether the Action Unlimited would print stories for free.
Massachusetts Central Rail Trail
Expanded ENF comments are due by December 20, 2013 for this multi-town project. Only 300-350 feet of this trail cross the southern edge of Stow near Hudson. Individual filings are expected with each Conservation Commission. The Commission reviewed and approved a draft comment letter.
Marble Hill Boundary Posting
Sferra has drafted a letter to Marble Hill neighbors for the Commission to review and approve. The Assessors have provided Sferra with mailing labels for all of the Marble Hill abutters. Bruce Trefry is available to do boundary posting the last two weekends in January. The Commission will work to pick two half-day volunteer work days, with a goal of having 3-4 people each day.
It was requested that the Commission check the survey for stone walls near homes on Kerrington Way. Sferra will post flyers at kiosks. Andy Snow volunteered to help.
Adjournment
Cortni Frecha made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 PM. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Commission adjourned at 9:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Trunfio
Stow Conservation Commission Secretary
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