Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
September 2, 2014
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on September 2, 2014 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Cortni Frecha, Chair
Andy Snow, Vice-Chair
Serena Furman
Sandra Grund
Doug Morse
Jeff Saunders
Absent: Ingeborg Hegemann Clark
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
Andy Snow made a motion to approve the minutes of August 5, 2014 as drafted and amended. Serena Furman seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
38 Adams Drive
Kathy Sferra reported that John Anderson had visited the office requesting a minor revision to Lot 1 at 38 Adams Drive because of engineering errors. Sferra explained that the change would result in less overall impact and the Commission agreed to allow the revision.
Andy Snow made a motion to approve minor changes to work being done at Lot 1 38 Adams Drive. Serena Furman seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
High Grove Estates
Jim Fenton came before the Commission to discuss the High Grove Estate project on West Acton Road. Town Engineer, Sue Carter visited the site and found issues that she noted in a memo dated June 25, 2014. In summary she stated that the site needs general maintenance of erosion control measures, some remediation and should be brought up to date with the NPDES inspections with copies of the reports submitted to both the Conservation Commission and Planning Board. The replication areas are also in need of remediation.
The Commission discussed these issues with Fenton such as wetland plantings that appeared not to have been done, replication area problems, deterioration of hay bales that serve as erosion control, stockpiling of materials, etc.
Fenton was cooperative and said he was satisfied with the drainage improvements on the site. He said that despite heavy rain events, there has been no evidence of water on West Acton Road, as was often the case before the project. The Commission will set a time to do a site visit when Fenton returns from vacation in mid-September.
Athens Lane Restoration
Quirk Estate Property
Scott Goddard of Goddard Consulting was present to discuss the outstanding enforcement issue on the property. Recently the Commission granted an extension for the work to be completed until September 5, 2014. There was some question about wetland flags in Area 3, but it was determined the flagging would stand as it was. No additional fill needs to be removed in Area 3. Goddard reported that 95% of the trash had been removed from the site.
The Commission asked about debris, paint cans, and possible fill, etc., in Area 2 and Goddard said that he had not visited Area 2, but that he would investigate. The Commission ask that the delineation be reviewed in this area.
Goddard said that he hopes the project will have been completed within two weeks and will provide an update.
Doug Morse joined the meeting at 8:35 PM.
RDA
61 Hiley Brook Road (R-4 #60)
Cortni Frecha opened the public hearing at 8:35 PM. Property owner Maureen Mara was present and is seeking to modestly expand a second story wrap-around deck. The second side angles and she would like to bring it out slightly to stay in alignment of the roof line. The third side is narrow and she would like to build it as six feet wide instead of three feet wide.
The work would occur approximately within 50 feet of a small man-made pond and within the inner riparian zone to Elizabeth Brook. Andy Snow and Cortni Frecha conducted the site inspection.
The project would involve 18 columns. These would be 4x4 posts with 36 inch preformed fittings. There would be no machinery utilized. Cement tools would be washed in the on-site dumpster. No cement truck will be required for this project. The area under the deck is gravel and should be considered previously disturbed.
There will be a wattle coir erosion barrier near the Elizabeth Brook.
Andy Snow made a motion to close the public hearing for a Request for Determination filed for a deck repair and expansion on property located at 61 Hiley Brook Road. Jeff Saunders seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Andy Snow made a motion to issue a Negative 3 Determination with conditions for work at 61 Hiley Brook Road. Jeff Saunders seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Coordinator’s Report
Sferra told the Commission of upcoming filings and the Commissioners assigned themselves files for site inspections. Jeff Saunders will inspect 109 Barton Road. Ingeborg Hegemann Clark and Cortni Frecha will visit West Acton Road for an ANRAD. Cortni Frecha will inspect 41 Hale Road. Sferra said she is expecting the following filings: Crescent Street at West Acton Road (ANRAD or NOI), delineation, pool fill across from Pompo and Minute Man Air Field Phase 2.
Sandra Grund and Kathy Sferra will visit a wetland crossing project off Randall Road near Cross Street. The tentative date is Thursday, September 25, 2014.
Sferra discussed the proposal for Town use of 323 Great Road. Affordable housing and a park have been discussed. A dog park was mentioned.
Cortni Frecha agreed to serve as the Conservation Commission’s representative to the CPC. Andy Snow and Sandra Grund expressed interest in serving as liaison to the Open Space and Rec Committee, but tabled the discussion until the next meeting.
Andy Snow made a motion to reappoint Cortni Frecha to serve as a member of the CPC. Doug Morse seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Sferra mentioned that there would not be a Conservation Commission meeting on the first Tuesday in November, due to elections.
Sferra distributed Guidelines for Boundary Posting for the Commission to review. There were minor edits and it was approved by the Commission.
Serena Furman made a motion to adopt the document Guidelines for Boundary Postings as drafted and amended. Doug Morse seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Sferra mentioned that a letter was sent to Nate Smith of 211 Randall Road regarding potential erosion at a non-permitted earth removal project.
Adjournment
At 9:33 PM Serena Furman made a motion to adjourn. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Trunfio
Stow Conservation Commission Secretary
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