Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
April 29, 2014
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on April 29, 2014 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Ingeborg Hegemann Clark, Chair (arrived at 7:42 PM)
David Coppes
Cortni Frecha
Doug Morse
Jeff Saunders
Andy Snow
Sandra Grund, Associate Member
Absent: Serena Furman
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
Cortni Frecha made a motion to approve the minutes of April 15, 2014 as drafted and amended. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Conservation Coordinator’s Report
Kathy Sferra told the Commission that State Representative Kate Hogan reported that the Heritage Lane Water Bill had passed the House and Senate. It will need to be reviewed once more and will then head to the Governor’s desk.
Sferra told the Commission that Bob Collings visited the office last week to discuss the potential site for a museum that he would like to build on his property. The Commission will need to review his requests.
Water Planning at Phillip Noonan Field
Steve Mong, Farmer
Steve Mong rents the Phillip Noonan Field from the Commission. This is a parcel of ag land that abuts Arbor Glen and Bose Corp. Mong requested a meeting with the Commission this evening to request their permission to explore the possibility of drilling a well on the farm land. Mong raises vegetables to sell at his farm stand, Applefield Farm.
He told the Commission that he asked Bose for permission to buy water from their well that is utilized for lawn irrigation but his request was declined. He is hopeful that Bose will let him buy electricity if his proposed well is successful. Mong is currently utilizing pond water for irrigation and is spending a significant amount of time cleaning the filter on the system that pumps this water to seedlings each spring.
Sferra reminded Mong that he should avoid the reserve septic area at Arbor Glen. Mong agreed and explained that he hoped for water along the area near the Bose roadway, which is a good distance from all septics. Mong is requesting permission to allow borings (2-2.5 inch casings) to test for water. The Commission agreed to allow the test process to go forward.
Land Steward Discussion-Bruce Trefry
Working Session
The Commission’s Land Steward, Bruce Trefry, visited the Commission on this evening to give an overview of conservation land management, his work and other items. He gave a slide show that showed work involving clearing of invasive species, cleanup work performed after storms and other work done on conservation properties.
Trefry discussed the need for increased signage at many conservation parcels. He expressed the problems that present themselves when there are not consistent regulations for all parcels. Sferra told the Commission that there are regulations for the five major parcels of Conservation Land. Sferra and Trefry offered to work on a draft of standard regulations for Conservation Commission properties and will bring this draft back to the Commission for suggestions once it has been drafted. Trefry suggested that regulations posted at trailheads be kept to one page so that visitors will read them. The Commission suggested directing hikers to the Commission’s web site, or scanning a QR symbol at the trail heads so more detail could be easily provided. Trefry suggested the use of easily understood, non-linguistic signs such as those used to
signify women’s and men’s restrooms.
Trefry suggested that the Commission encourage regular trail users to contact the Commission office with any issues regarding the land. When hikers call regarding a tree down, for example, Trefry responds within 24 hours and clears hazards. Before winter an abutter to Marble Hill suggested clean-ups in Marble Hill so that cross country skiers could enjoy the land on their skiis. Trefry responded to this request and make trails passable. The Commission is seeking volunteer land stewards for all parcels to be responsible for reporting any conditions out of the ordinary to the Commission office. Andy Snow mentioned that the kiosk on the Pompo side of Marble Hill had been blown down. Trefry said he would follow up.
Trefry mentioned perhaps implementing a regulation that would require all dogs to be on leash on all conservation lands. Some members of the Commission were uncomfortable with that approach. It was suggested that perhaps one parcel be utilized as a “dog-friendly parcel” where it would be known that dogs might be off leash. The Commission said that they would like to discuss the item further at a future meeting.
The difficulty of controlling invasive species was discussed. Ingeborg Hegemann Clark mentioned that she would be willing to assist Trefry with this task. Trefry talked about the best techniques that he has found for attempting to control Multiflora Rose, Bittersweet, etc. Trefry utilizes his own equipment (Brush Hog, manual hedge trimmer, etc.) when working on tasks.
Sferra spoke about boundary markings and showed two examples of signs she was considering for conservation restrictions and asked the Commission to offer input on the design and wording on the proposed signs. Andy Snow mentioned that she was confused by some boundary marking signs that make it unclear whether you are allowed to pass them onto private owners’ property. It was suggested that the wording might read, “Please respect private property.” Cornti Frecha mentioned that hikers often cross her property which is not part of the conservation land system. It was suggested that the signs have a QR code on them.
Trefry explained the logic and legal need for having volunteers appointed. Sferra gave the Commission a draft volunteer steward job description to review. Sferra told the Commission that she had put a call out for volunteer stewards for Marble Hill and expected two or three responses but instead received five. Sferra reminded the Commission that volunteer stewards would not be allowed to confront people on the trails or use power tools, but would simply serve as the eyes and ears of the Commission.
Sferra mentioned that there was a letter for the Commission to modify or approve tonight regarding homeowner encroachments at the new homes located at the end of Dunster Drive. The letter was paired with a map. She had visited the area earlier in the month with members of the Stow Conservation Trust, and they found that about 2/3 of the homeowners were encroaching on conservation land that abutted their property. The Commission gave Sferra permission to send the letter as drafted. It was mentioned that a pamphlet or article should plan to be drafted explaining what the Wetland Protection Act encompasses.
Sferra addressed the need to renew the Land Steward Agreement. The most recent version, under which Trefry is working presently, was executed in 2011 and will expire in July 2014. Town Administrator Bill Wrigley told Sferra that she must post the position publicly in accordance with the Town Charter. Trefry told the Commission of his tie to Flagg Hill and asked that if someone else were awarded the contract, would he still be able to assist in tending to that parcel. Trefry mentioned to the Commission that, in the past, he has been reimbursed for gas used in his land management tools, but was wondering whether he should be getting gas from the Highway Department. The Commission did not have an answer to this. Sferra said that she would check with Mike Clayton.
Sferra also showed the Commission a list of current encroachments onto conservation land and violations that she had compiled. The items are prioritized on the spreadsheet-style list. It was mentioned that the Town of Lincoln sends all new homeowners an informational packet regarding the town. Sferra informed the Commission that Stow Town Clerk sends a packet to all new homeowners and that perhaps a pamphlet regarding wetland protection could be included. Trefry added that in some cases, such as a three-to-five-year old brush pile that’s decomposing, it might be better to leave it in place. It may be providing habitat for wildlife and more disturbance may be caused by removing it.
The issue of dumping brush and leaves has been a concern of homeowners who do not own their own wooded land. The Commission suggested that they be recommended to dedicate a small corner of their lawn to a compost area for the leaves and brush. Frecha mentioned the two old town dumps that might potentially serve as an area where grass clippings, leaves, etc. could be dumped.
Conservation Coordinator’s Report (continued)
Sferra mentioned that she had distributed the research on beaver euthanasia by Associate Commission Member, Sandra Grund. Sferra said that she would pass the information along to the Highway Department.
Sferra mentioned that the deadline for the Pompo Street filing is due tomorrow and that Steve Poole is working with Giordano on the filing. Sferra has tentatively scheduled their hearing for May 20, 2014. The Commission recommended that if she does not receive the filing by the end of the business day on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 she should warn them that the Commission will begin finding them $50/day.
Sferra informed the Commission that she has drafted a letter to Joe Pittorino of Wedgewood Pines Country Club, detailing encroachments and other issues. The Commission approved the letter, but suggested that she add a sentence that asks Pittorino to search and identify any areas that need to be cleaned up along all boundaries. The Commission asked whether Wedgewood Pines had yet requested a Certificate of Compliance. Sferra will check. Sferra and Hegemann Clark visited the site and spoke to Pittorino regarding a vernal pool that was being drained. They also observed that Wedgewood was dumping compostable materials on the Derby Woods Conservation Land that abuts the golf course. The Commission said they would schedule a site walk at the end of the summer.
The Commission reported on their site visit to 38 Adams Drive. They stated that they had moved flag number 6 approximately six feet upland and added five blue flags by A1. It was noted that the culvert for water coming from across the road was crushed and there was backwater accumulating. A decomposing deer was floating in the wet area. The Commission noticed that refuse such as flower pots, leaves, and Christmas trees had been dumped in the wetland.
Adjournment
Dave Coppes made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 PM. Cortni Frecha seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Commission adjourned at 10:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Trunfio
Stow Conservation Commission Secretary
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