Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
December 16, 2014
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on December 16, 2014 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Cortni Frecha, Chair
Andy Snow, Vice-Chair
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark
Sandra Grund
Doug Morse
Jeff Saunders
Absent: Serena Furman
comprising a quorum of the Commission
Also present: Kathy Sferra, Conservation Coordinator
Jacquelyn Goring, Conservation Assistant
The Conservation Commission meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM.
Appointment – Brian Colleran – Invasive Species Mapping
Brian Colleran from Polatin Ecological Services was present to discuss his findings regarding invasive species at Captain Sargent Conservation Area. Colleran presented figures to the Commission outlining the invasive species mapping he conducted at Captain Sargent and a preliminary proposal for invasive plant control. Colleran discussed the price of the invasive control treatment including possible savings by including volunteers in select removal projects. Two maps were presented to the Commission including one illustrating the presence of invasives and the other which demonstrated the recommended management
for each area of invasives.
Colleran explained to the Commission that each treatment technique is based on both the habitat location (e.g. woods, wetlands and field) and the species of plant. Each habitat would be treated at a different time and each would have their own treatment plan. The Commission discussed the likelihood of invasives returning or replacing plants in the treated areas. Colleran noted that the wooded areas will likely be more successful and the trail edges would require more aggressive seeding and maintenance.
The opportunity to involve volunteers was discussed at areas that would require only small hand tools and hand pulling and the benefits of using volunteers for educational purposes and cost effectiveness was noted. Colleran and the Commission discussed treatment methods including hand pulling and herbicide, timing of treatment and the disposal of the plants once they have been removed. Colleran informed the Commission of the public health concerns including the increased occurrence of Lyme disease associated with Japanese Barberry.
The Commission discussed possible use limitations during treatment and the need for permitting for treatment work within wetlands. Kathy Sferra noted that the application for CPA funds is only for restoration and not for maintenance therefore the Commission would need to prepare for maintenance after completion of the initial work. Colleran stated that with the plan he outlined in the preliminary proposal, there is an expected 80-90% kill rate of the invasive plants in the first year. Colleran also explained to the Commission that the longer the invasives are left untreated the more favorable the soil conditions are for them to spread, as invasive plants tend to change the chemical composition of the soil in a manner that encourages additional infestation.
Notice of Intent Continuation
MacNaughton Trust – Lot 2 Crescent Street
Cortni Frecha opened the public hearing for a Notice of Intent (NOI) filed by MacNaughton Trust for construction of a house, well, septic and associated site work. Greg Roy of Ducharme & Dillis was present as a representative of MacNaughton Trust.
Roy informed the Commission that he has had a conference call with his client to discuss the findings of LEC’s site visit. Roy noted that they had reviewed the letter from LEC, Inc. and acknowledged the presence of hydric soils in the field upgradient of the wetland line identified by Ducharme & Dillis and EcoTech. Roy noted that the EcoTech delineation had not found evidence of hydrology in the field and they did not agree with LEC’s findings with regard to the wetland boundary. Roy explained to the Commission that the day LEC conducted their work the area had lost frost and that he felt the high groundwater that LEC observed was not due to high groundwater, but the recent thaw.
Roy proposed the installation of groundwater monitoring wells to document the groundwater table. Roy noted he would like it to be on record that with both delineations done by Ducharme & Dillis and EcoTech he finds it extraordinarily hard to believe that groundwater exists in the field to the extent mapped by LEC. Roy noted that they have found the high water mark to be at three feet and that he feels that a more thorough investigation of the groundwater table using groundwater monitoring wells, or piezometers, is necessary.
The Commission discussed the groundwater elevation findings of Ducharme & Dillis and the wetland line found by LEC. Roy noted that he did not feel LEC made an exact determination of the wetland line. Sferra confirmed that LEC did not perform a detailed wetland delineation due to time constraints but said that Tom Peragallo had stated that he and Brandon Ducharme had agreed in the field on the 199’ contour being a close approximation of the line. Ingeborg Hegemann Clark mentioned that the use of indicator of reduction in soils (IRIS) tubes may be beneficial in this case to observe if reduction and oxidation is occurring in soils in the area being questioned. Roy noted that he feels the field would not be able to be mowed if the conditions LEC found on the site occurred for large portions of the growing season. The Commission
discussed with Roy submitting plans for the groundwater monitoring well installation and monitoring plan, as well as the fact that they would likely want them reviewed by LEC.
Andy Snow made a motion to continue the public hearing for a Notice of Intent filed by the Town of Stow to January 20, 2015 on or after 7:30 PM. Doug Morse seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
41 Hale Road (U-5 #8) - Orders of Conditions (#299-0581)
Greg Roy of Ducharme & Dillis was present as a representative of Eric and Denise Kerble to present to the Commission an updated plan for the construction of a house at 41 Hale Road. The Order of Conditions required resubmittal of a plan after approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The plan presented by Roy included the new building design approved by the Zoning Board and the old house box previously approved by the Commission. Roy noted that all structures are the same distance from Lake Boon and the deck has moved to the other side of the house from the previous plan. The Commission confirmed no additional trees would need to be removed.
Andy Snow made a motion to approve the plan for 41 Hale Road as revised and submitted. Sandra Grund seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Notice of Intent (#299-0586)
Town of Stow - Pompositticut School – 511 Great Road (R-9 #92)
Cortni Frecha opened the public hearing for a Notice of Intent (NOI) filed by the Town of Stow for Fire Station and Community Center, well, septic and related site work. Kaffee Kang of Kang Associates, Inc. was present as representative for the Town of Stow. Kang presented color drawings of the most updated plans. Kang discussed the entrance to the food pantry and parking area, the driveway and entrance to the fire station, the staff entrance and the shared entrance for the Council on Aging and function hall. Plans presented by Kang include the 100’ wetland buffer, the 35’ no disturb buffer, and highlighted areas where the planned edge of pavement and current edge of pavement overlaps the 35’ no disturb buffer. Sferra requested a quantification of how much additional impervious area is being created and how much impervious
area is being removed within the 35’ buffer.
The Commission expressed concern regarding the number of parking spaces behind the building and the impact on the 35’ buffer. Kang confirmed the need for the additional parking to serve the food pantry and Council on Aging as well as spaces for Marble Hill access.
Kang addressed the concerns identified during the review completed by the Town’s consulting engineer, Sue Carter. The turning radius of emergency vehicles was addressed by testing the largest vehicles with the Fire Chief to ensure they could maneuver around the building. Kang discussed with the Commission the outdoor truck washing bay and oil sand separator and leaching basin. Carter provided information from MassDEP regarding the restrictions on detergent and chemical use, undercarriage and engine washing, and the need for a permit to register the leaching basin with MassDEP. Kang informed the Commission that a Pompo Fire Station/Community Center Building Committee meeting was scheduled for the following evening and would discuss how to proceed with the truck washing bay. The Commission discussed the truck washing bay, MassDEP
regulations and how the regulations would be enforced.
Kang addressed the requirement to have the rain garden greater than 50 feet from the septic system which has resulted in the rain garden being removed from the plan. The Commission discussed the addition of rip rap to the drainage outlets and requested the dimensions of the area to be disturbed. Ingeborg Hegemann Clark clarified her concerns regarding comparing the pre-site development calculations which only analyzed one outlet, to the post development calculations which analyzed two outlets. Kang noted that they had received the permit to conduct the pump test on the new well.
The Commission discussed continuation of the hearing in regards to the upcoming Planning Board meetings. Kang requested the continuation to be as soon as possible and the Commission confirmed that a draft Order of Conditions could be completed prior to the continuation date and issued at the same meeting. Kang confirmed with the Commission that the rip rap and impervious to pervious calculations would be included in the Order of Conditions and could be submitted to the Commission prior to the continuation date.
Pompo Fire Station Community Center Building Committee chair Jim Salvie commented to the Commission that the Committee is intending to include the Pompo reuse in the special Town meeting in February and the Commission said they would have a decision by then. Salvie also addressed the Commission’s concerns regarding the parking in the rear of the building which will serve as parking for the food pantry, Marble Hill, the recreation field as well as the 10,000 square feet of future tenant space.
Salvie noted that the cost of emptying the tight tank inside the Fire Station is significant and they hope to avoid doing this year round. Salvie also noted that the Fire and Building Departments recognize the proximity of the truck washing bay to the wetland resource area but for practical reasons the Fire Department will likely be washing trucks outside and the plan should include conditions to do so. The Commission discussed the MassDEP regulations on the truck washing bay and their interpretation of the concerns MassDEP may have. Kang confirmed that she would send the Commission a copy of the MassDEP permit and registration form for the Commission to review. Sferra recommended that outdoor truck washing will likely occur and it should be designed for. The Commission discussed the use of a drainage swale for the truck
washing bay. Bruce Fletcher, associate member of the Pompo Fire Station Community Center Building Committee, recommended the use of a water quality swale. The Commission discussed using a drainage swale and where it could be located as well as the need to get more information regarding the MassDEP regulation for discharge.
Andy Snow made a motion to continue the public hearing for a Notice of Intent filed by the Town of Stow to January 6, 2014 on or after 7:30 PM. Sandra Grund seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
White Pond Road (R-29 # 61)
Bob Pace was present to display a plan for the proposed water line. The plan requires a temporary access road to be constructed to allow the drill rig access to the well area. The temporary access road proposed by Pace included a slight encroachment within the 35’ no disturb buffer. Pace noted the encroachment would avoid having to grade a steeper area, remove large trees, and avoid the risk of tipping of the drill rig. Pace informed the Commission that he did ask the neighbor to access the area through his property and he was denied. The Commission discussed ways to avoid additional disturbance including using a less intrusive drill rig and flush cutting trees rather than removing stumps. Kathy Sferra asked if the water line could be placed in the same disturbed area for the access road and Pace confirmed it can. The Commission
discussed replacing each tree removed with another tree or two shrubs which Pace confirmed he would be willing to do. Pace informed the Commission that he would like to start the work as soon as possible. The Commission asked that they be notified 72 hours in advance.
Notice of Intent Continuation (#299-0584)
Minuteman Air Field – 302 Boxboro Road (R-7 #35)
The hearing was continued to January 6, 2014 based on a request by the applicant. No testimony was taken.
Minutes
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark made a motion to approve the minutes of December 2, 2014 as drafted and amended. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Coordinator’s Report
Minuteman Air Field – Kathy Sferra informed the Commission of a meeting on December 19, 2014 at 9:00 AM at Minuteman Air Field.
Maple Street Violation – DiPietro – Sferra informed the Commission that she met with MassDEP and the Town of Bolton Conservation Administrator for a site visit. MassDEP confirmed that they will be working on obtaining a search warrant and indicated that the process should not hold the Commission up on any action they’d like to take within the local bylaw.
53 Great Road – The Commission signed a duplicate of the Order of Conditions for Bob Pace. Sferra confirmed she did receive the Invasive Species report from Bob Pace.
Request for Certificate of Compliance – Lot 10 Fairway Drive - Sferra informed the Commission that she conducted the site visit and confirmed the stone wall had been built and all conditions had been met.
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark made a motion to issue a Certificate of Compliance. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Request for Certificate of Compliance – Access Drive off of Delaney Street - Sferra informed the Commission that she received a written request for a Certificate of Compliance for the access road off of Delaney Street. Ingeborg Hegemann Clark conducted the site visit and confirmed the trees that were required to be planted had been planted. Hegemann Clark stated that all conditions were met.
Andy Snow made a motion to issue a Certificate of Compliance. Doug Morse seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Maple Street Violation – 200 Maple Street – Sferra told the Commission that the property owner has not filed. The Commission discussed reaching out to the property owner by phone or certified letter, and including the form to file a Request for Determination.
Community Preservation Funding Proposals – The Commission discussed the draft application for the Invasive Species removal and mapping project, land acquisition, and replenishing the Conservation Fund. Cortni Frecha will assist in the application process for the invasive species project. The Commission discussed the potential land acquisition project as well as the need to return to CPC with a proposal for general land acquisition funds to replace what has been expended.
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark made a motion to move forward the Invasive Species Project and one of the two Land Acquisition Community Preservation Funding proposals. Doug Morse seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Pine Bluffs – Cortni Frecha informed the Commission that she has been following the application process for Pine Bluffs. The work includes improving the existing road for canoe and kayak access, handicap parking and emergency vehicle access. An additional road for boat access is also proposed as well as the removal of invasive plant species.
Adjournment
Andy Snow made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:40 PM. Sandra Grund seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Commission adjourned at 10:40 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jacquelyn Goring
Conservation Assistant
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