Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
January 7, 2014
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on January 7, 2014 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Ingeborg Hegemann Clark, Chair (arrived at 7:40 PM)
David Coppes, Vice-Chair
Cortni Frecha
Serena Furman
Jeff Saunders
Andy Snow
Sandra Grund, Associate
Absent: Doug Morse
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.
At 7:40 Ingeborg Hegemann Clark arrived.
Notice of Intent Continuation (#299-0561)
21 Hale Road (U-5 #19)
At 7:30 PM David Coppes reopened the public hearing continued without testimony from December 17, 2013 for a Notice of Intent (NOI) filed by Kevin Trenholme for the proposed activity of replacement of a retaining wall, construction of a patio and replacement stairs. Trenholme was present and represented himself at this meeting. He submitted preliminary plans and photos for the Commission to inspect.
Trenholme explained to the Commission that the current retaining wall is in disrepair and tilting at a 30 degree angle. His contractor would pour a footing, in the same footprint as the current wall, and then a mortar stone wall would be built. He added that he would like to build a small patio in the area where they would be disembarking from their boat.
Serena Furman and Sandra Grund conducted the site inspection on behalf of the Commission. Furman explained that the proposed steps would currently be above the water line, but may be in the water when the lake rises after the winter season. The Commission suggested that Trenholme build the patio with porous materials in order to alleviate run off. He said that he plans to use pavers placed into a sand base with joints so water could penetrate and sink into the ground instead of causing runoff into the lake. The Commission explained erosion barriers during construction and Trenholme agreed to comply.
The Commission agreed that Kathy Sferra should review the final plan before Trenholme begins construction and alert them if there are any discrepancies from what was discussed at this meeting.
Cortni Frecha made a motion to close the public hearing for a Notice of Intent File No. 299-0561 filed by Kevin Trenholme for the proposed activity of replacement of a retaining wall, construction of a patio and replacement stairs at 21 Hale Road. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark made a motion to approve and issue the Order of Conditions File No. 299-0561 for the proposed activity of the replacement of a retaining wall, construction of a patio and replacement stairs at 21 Hale Road as drafted and amended. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Pre-Application Meeting PCD Development
38 Adams Drive/John Anderson
John Anderson was present at this meeting to discuss a six-acre, 4 lot PCD development on the 27.5 acres of the former Assabet Water Co. land located at 38 Adams Drive. All of the lots would involve construction in the 100-foot buffer zone. The wetland lines shown on the plan that Anderson presented at this meeting have not yet been reviewed in the field.
Anderson mentioned that he would like to give much of the unbuildable land back to the Town. The Town is interested in the water storage tank. This would provide 25K gallons of stored water that the town could utilize for fire protection. The Commission questioned receiving the land with the abandoned electrical conduit and several sheds on the property. Anderson said that the sheds could be taken down.
Anderson told the Commission that he is proposing 2,200-2,600 square-foot homes. He explained that the plan that he will propose would utilize one septic system tank, one leaching field, and he added that the property passed all perc tests. There are two active wells on the property. Hancock and Associates marked the wetland lines on the plan using GPS. The entire property has been surveyed showing the river, etc.
The Commission explained that Anderson would need to provide some sort of markers for the homeowners to denote the beginning of the 35-foot buffer zone so that yard waste, storage of kayaks, etc. would not encroach into the no-disturb buffer of the wetlands. Anderson agreed. The Commission discussed the placement of the lots to minimize encroachment into the 100-foot buffer.
The Commission told Anderson that they believe the plan may be feasible, but will need to see much more detail when filing the Notice of Intent, including a continuation of the wetland line at both ends. The Commission was most concerned with the eastern and western lots in that these lots may be too small or too close to the 35-foot no-disturb buffer. They want the buffer alteration minimized and houses kept as far from the wetlands as possible.
Andy Snow recused herself from the meeting at 8:25 PM
Notice of Intent Continuation(#299-0559)
33 & 45 Walcott Street (R-1 #64A&63)
Hemenway Farms Subdivision
At 8:30 PM David Coppes reopened the public hearing continued from
November 19, 2013 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 associated drainage infrastructure. Mark White and Rich Harrington of Stamski & McNary were present at this meeting.
Harrington told the Commission that Sue Carter has approved all updates made to the plans, as detailed in her letter dated December 11, 2013. One of the two items left to discuss was the mowing of the meadow area. White noted that it has always been mowed twice per year and he would prefer that it remains that way. The Commission had suggested language that would require the meadow be mowed at least once annually at some time after mid September. After discussion, the Commission agreed to allow the edge of the field abutting the house lots to be mowed more frequently (one tractor width or approximately eight-to-ten feet wide) so long as the remainder of the meadow is only mowed once per year after ground-nesting birds have fledged (September or later). The more frequent mowing adjacent to the house lots would minimize tick
exposure.
The other item the Commission discussed was the requirements for trails that would be constructed on the property. White said that he would like to go out on site with Kathy Sferra and flag the trails to minimize the removal of trees. The Commission determined that trails should be five feet wide, but noted that certain parts will inevitably be three feet wide due to natural constraints. The trails will be constructed by hand.
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark made a motion to close the public hearing for a Notice of Intent File No. 299-0559 filed by Mark White of Bentley Builders for the proposed activity of removal of a dwelling and construction of a roadway and drainage. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously. (5-0)
Andy Snow re-joined the meeting at 9:00 PM
Certificate of Compliance Request (#299-0326)
10 Marlboro Road (U-7 #37)
Laurie Burnett contacted the office requesting a Certificate of Compliance for the property located at 10 Marlboro Road. Burnett and her husband, Julius Yang, will be closing on the sale of the property on January 8, 2014.
The OOC was required for a septic replacement. On December 31, 2013 Kathy Sferra conducted the site inspection on behalf of the Commission. She mentioned that the Board of Health (BOH) has issued a COC and the Commission did receive an as-built plan. She displayed photos and found the area in stable condition. Sferra recommended that the Commission agree to issue the Certificate of Compliance.
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark made a motion to issue the Certificate Of Compliance for work satisfactorily completed associated with OOC #299-0326 at 10 Marlboro Road. Jeff Saunders seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Approve Minutes
Serena Furman made a motion to approve the minutes of December 3, 2013 as drafted and amended. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Conservation Coordinator’s Report
Kathy Sferra reported that she has provided the Commissioners with a copy of the final FY2015 Budget submitted to Bill Wrigley, Town Administrator, on December 16, 2013.
Sferra distributed copies of an updated Town of Stow Chapter Lands Map prepared by Jill Kern.
Sferra informed the Commission that she and Maureen Trunfio will meet with Joyce Bunce, Garden Steward, and Deb Stein on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 to discuss the upcoming season at the Community Gardens on Tuttle Lane.
Sferra informed the Commission that Tuttle Lane farmer, Lenny Rodriguez, has begun building his cow structure. He began work without first obtaining a building permit. Craig Martin, Building Inspector, has spoken with Rodriguez.
Boundary marking for Marble Hill is scheduled for January 18, 2014. Kathy Sferra, Bruce Trefry, Cortni Frecha and Sandra Grund are scheduled to go out on this day. The second session is scheduled for January 25, 2014 and Kathy Sferra, Ingeborg Hegemann Clark, Bruce Trefry and Andy Snow are scheduled to go out on this date.
Sferra informed the Commission that the deed conveying the Derby Woods Open Space to the Conservation Commission has been recorded. Additionally, the MacFarlane and Frecha Conservation Restrictions along Heath Hen Meadow Brook were recorded. In all there were 70 new acres of protected land in Stow this year.
Tree Removal Request
457 Gleasondale Road
Sferra informed the Commission that she received a request for permission to remove a dead Ash tree and a diseased Hemlock. The Town owns the lot adjacent to the trees which are located very close to the river. The Commission was concerned that the roots of these trees might be supporting the banks of the river. They suggested that the tree cutting be allowed, but no stump grinding and they required that some sort of tree or shrubs be planted on the bank. They were comfortable with Sferra approving this as a minor project.
Certificate of Compliance Request (#299-0558)
170 Hudson Road (R-11 #7)
Homeowner Mardi Esquivel requested the Commission sign a duplicate Order of Conditions and issue a Certificate of Compliance for the property located at 170 Hudson Road. In December Kathy Sferra conducted a site inspection and noted that the grass had reestablished, but that it was not lush. Her opinion was that there would not be any erosion with the exception of a downspout that is still a concern. Andy Snow inspected the site as well.
The OOC was required for a septic replacement in preparation for the sale of the home. The downspout issue has yet to be resolved, but the owner assured the Commission that it would be in the spring. The Commission signed a duplicate Order of Conditions.
Bob Collings Fire Pond (#299-0459)
Barton Road (R-25 #16 & U-2 #55)
The Commission received a letter from Bob Collings that was requested of him at the Commission’s December 3, 2013 meeting. The letter summarized his plans and detailed the dry hydrant that would be installed at the fire pond. Fire Chief Joe Landry also submitted a letter to the Commission stating that he would work with Collings and that he appreciated the opportunity to have access to a water source in the area.
In 2007 a planting program was proposed, which would introduce plankton and other aquatic plants. The Commission determined that the pond should be built without a “shelf” as originally planned. The Commission determined that the OOC would not need to be amended. They also noted that if there are any bare areas around the perimeter of the pond, they would like to see them planted with blueberry, viburnum or other shrubs. They agreed this could be evaluated when the dredging was completed.
Andy Snow made a motion to authorize Kathy Sferra to send a letter to Bob Collings approving the changes to the planting plan and other changes noted in Collings letter of January 2014 with the addition that shrub planting may be required. Serena Furman seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Captain Sargent Request for Proposals (RFP) Update
Sferra told the Commission that two proposals for available farm land on the Captain Sargent conservation parcel were received. The proposal from Jesse Steadman puts forth a plan to operate a cut-your-own Christmas tree farm. The other proposal from Ben Schlosser of Earnest Farms proposes grazing animals on the farm property. Sferra asked if the Commission would be interested in inviting both individuals to speak with the Commission at its next meeting. The Commission agreed that they would speak with both farmers.
Adjournment
Andy Snow made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10 PM. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Commission adjourned at 10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Trunfio
Stow Conservation Commission Secretary
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