Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
August 5, 2014
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on August 5, 2014 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Cortni Frecha, Chair
Andy Snow, Vice-Chair
Sandra Grund
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark
Serena Furman
Doug Morse
Jeff Saunders
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.
Continuation of Notice of Intent (#299-0576)
164 Barton Road (U-2 #16)
At 7:30 PM Cortni Frecha re-opened the hearing for a NOI filed by Robert and Catherine Cantin for construction of a patio and steps on their property located at 164 Barton Road. Steve Poole of Lakeview Engineering was present.
Poole showed plans and proposed plans for a bluestone patio and retaining wall. He displayed plans that detailed the project and the slope. The plans have been designed to avoid the need to take material onto or off the site, which would be difficult with the steep slope. A 4.5 foot high wall would originate from the bottom of the lake. Poole told the Commission the water level in the area is 6-9 inches. The project would be completed during the Lake Boon drawdown period.
Behind the wall at the water’s edge, they would like to level off a six-foot area for a bluestone, open-joint patio. Another wall, 3.5 feet in height, would be constructed at the rear of the patio and be built into the slope. For this wall, they would take fill out from the slope and use it to backfill the lower wall. Joints would be mortared on the walls. The Commission suggested that weep holes be added to the wall. The Commission asked if there were plans to use a geotextile fabric on the inside of the walls. Poole replied that the stone prevents the soil from shifting.
The Commission told Poole that they will require an approved planting plan prior to the start of construction. Poole said he would like to plant winter rye in the short term in order to stabilize the slope and then plan for native plantings in the spring growing season. Doug Morse suggested specific plants and seed mixes such as an erosion control mix or a wildflower seed mix.
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark made a motion to close the public hearing for Notice of Intent File No.299-0576 filed by Robert and Catherine Cantin for retaining wall repair, construction of a stone patio and steps and retaining wall at their property located at 164 Barton Road. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Serena Furman made a motion to approve and issue the Order of Conditions for Notice of Intent File No.299-0576 filed by Robert and Catherine Cantin for retaining wall repair, construction of a stone patio and steps and retaining wall at their property located at 164 Barton Road. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA)
126 North Shore Drive /U-4 #21
At 7:45 PM Cortni Frecha opened the public hearing for a RDA filed by Sarah Bailen for work associated with the replacement of a failed septic system at 126 North Shore Drive. Andy Snow completed the site inspection on behalf of the Commission.
Engineer Tom DiPersio of Thomas Land Surveying was present of behalf of the applicant. He explained that the original cesspool had failed and he proposed a galley-style septic system that allows for a minimum footprint area. DiPersio said that the lot did not allow for a 150-foot offset between the septic and the well. He said he received a variance from the Board of Health for a 125-foot offset. The location of the new septic will be 20 feet in elevation above the lake level.
The Commission required that DiPersio have materials on site (plywood and metal bars, for example) to repair the wall in the event that unexpected problems occur given the proximity of the trench to the top of the slope. The Commission also asked that the proposed silt fence be backed with straw bales.
DiPersio stated that he believed two small trees would need to be removed in order to complete the project. Andy Snow displayed photos she had taken during the site inspection and together they identified the two trees.
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark made a motion to close the public hearing for a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Sarah Bailen for the replacement of a failed septic system at 126 North Shore Dr. Serena Furman seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark made a motion to issue a negative determination for a Request for the Determination of Applicability filed by Sarah Bailen for the replacement of a failed septic system at 126 North Shore Dr. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Continuation of Notice of Intent (#299-0572)
68 Pompositticut Street (R-30 #76-6A&7A)
At 8:35 PM Cortni Frecha reopened the public hearing continued from July 1, 2014 for a Notice of Intent (NOI) filed by John Giordano of Top-Flite Custom Homes for tree work that was performed in the buffer zone without a permit from the Conservation Commission. Steve Poole of Lakeview Engineering was present as representative for Giordano of Top-Flite Custom Homes.
Poole explained that an invasive species management plan had been submitted by the applicant’s wetland consultant Karon Skinner Catrone. The Commission reviewed the plan and stressed the fact that whoever is hired to treat and remove invasives on the property must be a certified, licensed chemical applicator.
The Commission told the landowner that he will need to make provision for access to the land if it is sold to another owner.
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark made a motion to close the public hearing for Notice of Intent File No.299-0572 filed by John Giordano of Top-Flite Custom Homes for property located at 68 Pompositticut Road. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Andy Snow made a motion to approve and issue Order of Conditions File No. 299-0572 for an after-the-fact Notice of Intent filed by John Giordano of Top-Flite Custom Homes for tree work performed in the buffer zone without a permit for property located at 164 Barton Road. Serena Furman seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Notice of Intent (#299-0577)
White Pond Road (R-29 #61)
At 8:20 PM Cortni Frecha opened the public for a Notice of Intent filed by Craig Nicholson of Nicholson Development to build a three-bedroom single-family home, septic system, well and associated activities. The majority of the work would be in the 100-foot Buffer Zone. Ingeborg Hegemann Clark and Jeff Saunders conducted the site inspection. Dan Wells was present as a representative from Goddard Consulting. Craig Nicholson was also present.
Wells addressed the Commission’s concerns with the potential placement of the waterline from the well to the proposed home. The Commission was concerned about the number of trees that would be required to be removed for construction of the waterline and access to the well. They also stated that they would require a site visit with the drilling company to look at the route from the home to the well. The Commission required a revised plan showing the method of construction, final well location, planting plan (native plants only) and erosion controls. The Commission stressed that the applicant may need to file a request for amendment if the plans change and that no work should occur within the 35’ no disturb buffer.
The Commission informed Nicholson that the builder must mark the 35-foot No Disturb Zone with a split-rail fence so that it is obvious to the purchaser of the home. Cortni Frecha expressed her concern that the house, as presented, seems too large for the small developable area of the lot.
Andy Snow made a motion to close the public hearing for a Notice of Intent File No. 299-0577 filed by Craig Nicholson of Nicholson Development to build a three-bedroom, single-family home, septic system, well and associated activities on White Pond Road. Road. Doug Morse seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Coordinator’s Report
Kathy Sferra reported that she had finalized the Stow Landowner’s Guide to Wetland Permitting and had posted it on the Conservation Commission bulletin board, and on the Town of Stow website as a PDF. The Commission asked for copies they could give to interested residents.
Sferra told the Commission that Sandra Grund would be meeting with the Board of Selectmen at their next meeting on August 12, 2014 in order to be interviewed for the full member position on the Conservation Commission.
Sferra reported that she was working with the Planning Department to develop a solicitation for concept proposals for the land at 323 Great Road.
Sferra told the Commission that she had followed up with James Fenton regarding Highgrove Estates on West Acton Road and he has agreed to attend the Commission’s meeting on September 2, 2014.
Sferra told the Commission that the leaves that had been dumped on the Deerfield Lane trail easement have been cleared by the abutters.
Sferra informed the Commission about a new NOI that will be filed by Laurel Reynolds of 128 Barton Road. She has scheduled the public hearing for August 19, 2014. Andy Snow said that she would coordinate a date for a site inspection with the other Commissioners.
Sferra told the Commission that she would be visiting the Dunn Property with an appraiser the following day. She mentioned that the property would be a valuable acquisition because it connects Stow and Acton hiking trails.
Sferra shared her thoughts on filling the Conservation Assistant position. She met with Town Administrator, Bill Wrigley and created a revised job description that would involve office/administrative work as well as field and stewardship work that would entail a 25-hour per week position. The Conservation Commission’s budget does not have the funds to pay for the additional hours this fiscal year, but she mentioned possibly funding the additional hours through the Stein Fund and the Wetlands Protection Fund for the coming year. The Commission was supportive of this approach.
Sferra told the Commission that she is working with the Planning Department to draft comments on Spring Hill Estates (Cushing property). Four new lots would be developed in addition to the existing lot on the site. Most work would be conducted outside the 100-foot buffer zone, but the Commission had concerns regarding driveway infiltration, drainage improvements, balancing the cut and fill, etc. Sferra will send comments summarizing the discussion to the Planning Board.
Sferra received a request for an extension on the work deadline at Athens Lane. The Commission agreed to grant the extension, noting the fact that many extensions have been granted previously. They were, however, encouraged to see that progress is being made on the site cleanup.
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark made a motion to extend the deadline to September 5, 2014 for debris removal and wetland delineation on the Quirk property located at Athens Lane. Serena Furman seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Adjournment
At 10:05 PM Ingeborg Hegemann Clark made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Commission adjourned at 10:05 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Trunfio
Stow Conservation Commission Secretary
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