Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
February 3, 2015
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on February 3, 2015 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Cortni Frecha, Chair
Andy Snow, Vice-Chair
Doug Morse
Jeff Saunders
Absent: Ingeborg Hegemann Clark
Serena Furman
Sandra Grund
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 – Jesse Steadman – Captain Sargent Agricultural Field
Jesse Steadman and Jaime Aspenson, Captain Sargent Field farmers, were present to update the Commission on the progress of their tree farm. Steadman and Aspenson informed the Commission of issues they have experienced with deer browse and the steps they have taken to protect their trees including organic spray deterrent and fencing. Steadman noted that approximately 180 of the 700 trees had been damaged by deer.
Steadman informed the Commission that they have ordered 850 trees for next year and hope that the trees damaged by deer this year may come back. The majority of the new trees will be planted towards the front of the field closer to the road. The Commission discussed installing a gate on the South Acton Road entrance to the field with a pedestrian opening or signage indicating the area is open to pedestrians. Sferra will talk with the Highway Department about the availability of their gate.
Steadman informed the Commission that he had the field mowed in late summer. He noted that Ben Schlosser, Captain Sargent Field farmer, did not come with his chickens until after the field had been mowed. Steadman discussed the schedule for mowing the field and expressed not wanting to mow the entire field next year. The Commission discussed the benefit of not mowing every year and noted that the field should be mowed at least every two years to prevent woody growth. Steadman will discuss the mowing schedule with Schlosser and what his needs are for his chickens.
Steadman informed the Commission that he has been working with an insurance agent regarding selling trees on the property and has been preplanning for potential tree sales including site planning. Steadman and Aspenson would like to have a website up a year in advance of sales and/or have an event for the public to see what will be available the next year. Steadman noted that they have a new wreath making machine and they plan to use some of the plantings for making wreaths. Steadman noted that he is aware that he would have to work out parking and pedestrian traffic. The Commission discussed selling the trees and conducting a business on conservation land, public perception and if it would be allowed by the State to have a business on land purchased with EOEEA Self-Help funds. The Commission discussed the benefits of keeping the selling of
trees in Stow rather than cutting and selling them out of state and making the tree sale a community event including public education and potential donations from the sale. Sferra will discuss further with the state.
Steadman informed the Commission that the trees will not be ready for sale for another six years but it would be helpful to know if he could conduct tree sales at Captain Sargent sooner for planning purposes. The Commission discussed including sales into next year’s lease agreement for the purpose of preplanning for plantings. The Commission discussed with Steadman and Aspenson keeping a blog on the website with updates on tree growth progress and wildlife. Steadman also noted that he would be in support of Lenny Rodriguez’ proposed plan to put in a water tank or well at the property.
Appointment – Steve Mong – Phillip Noonan Agricultural Field (Arbor Glen)
The appointment was cancelled by Steve Mong and rescheduled for February 17, 2015.
Notice of Intent
Collings Foundation – 0 Barton Road
Cortni Frecha opened the public hearing for a Notice of Intent (NOI) filed by the Collings Foundation, Inc. for construction of a 66,000 square foot museum building, associated site and utility work with access road and wetland crossing. Due to an issue with the public notice publication in the Stow Independent, the hearing was continued without testimony to March 3, 2015.
Andy Snow made a motion to continue the public hearing for a Notice of Intent filed by the Collings Foundation to March 3, 2015 on or after 7:30 PM. Doug Morse seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Coordinator’s Report
Maple Street Violation – 200 Maple Street – Sferra updated the Commission on the 200 Maple Street filing. Albertelli sent in the Request for Determination (RDA) using the correct form. Further proceedings on the filing are postponed until weather conditions improve.
Minuteman Air Field – Sferra informed the Commission that Randy Christenson contacted her regarding any additional items needed for the February 17, 2015 hearing. The Commission discussed the stockpile locations and Sferra will contact Christenson regarding alternative locations for the stockpiles.
FY 2016 Budget – Sferra informed the Commission that she met with William Wrigley, Stow Town Administrator, to discuss the FY 2016 budget. Wrigley agreed to include the Conservation Assistant salary into the budget for FY 2016. He did not have any issues with the budget as proposed.
2015 Stow Community Garden Applications – Sferra informed the Commission that the 2015 Community Garden Applications are now available.
Community Preservation Committee – Sferra informed the Commission that the February 2, 2015 CPC meeting for the Conservation Commission proposals was cancelled due to weather and was rescheduled on February 9, 2015.
Open Space and Recreation Plan Subcommittee – Sferra informed the Commission that the Open Space and Recreation Plan Subcommittee created a ten question survey available both online and by hard copy. Sferra distributed copies and invited the Commission members to take the survey and contact her with feedback.
Conservation Commission Enforcement and Permit Tracking Deadlines – Sferra informed the Commission that she created a Google calendar for all enforcement and permit tracking deadlines and shared it with the Commission.
Maple Street Violation – DiPietro – Sferra informed the Commission that the site visit was rescheduled to February 9, 2015 due to inclement weather. MassDEP conducted an aerial over flight and took photographs of the area. Their estimated square footage of clearing is approximately an acre and a half.
Forest Cutting Plan – Sferra updated the Commission about email correspondence from the forester for the Barton Road property Forest Cutting Plan objecting to filing with the Commission.
Stow Independent – Sferra inquired about advertising space with the Stow Independent for the May town-wide special issue. The Commission discussed placing a quarter page add to include information about dumping brush on conservation land. Sferra reached out to the Stow Independent and mentioned her disappointment with the lack of Conservation Commission coverage. Andy Snow noted that the Stow Independent does not include a lot of town news and could use a better balance.
Certificates of Compliance – Sferra informed the Commission that she received two Requests for Certificates of Compliance (COC) for Villages at Stow. There will be a delay completing the site visits for all COC requests at this time due to snow cover. She will keep them in the meeting report until weather conditions improve.
Invoice from LEC - The Commission reviewed the invoice from LEC for the wetland line review for Lot 2 Crescent Street. Andy Snow made a motion to issue a check to pay LEC invoice #136922. Doug Morse seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously. The balance of the funds will be kept for further use during the review of this project.
Stow Conservation Trust – Dunn Conservation Restriction – Susan Crane of the Stow Conservation Trust (SCT) was present to discuss the conservation restriction on the 24.5 acres of the Dunn property which SCT is intending to purchase. The Commission reviewed the Municipal Certification form and the draft Conservation Restriction. Sferra informed the commission that after closing on the property the trail location will be discussed with the Acton Conservation Trust. Cortni Frecha asked about the reserved rights listed in the Conservation Restriction for beaver management and if there is presently an issue with beaver on the property. Crane confirmed there is currently a dam altering flow but the reserved rights were generally written for the future. Beaver management may be needed at some point to prevent significant
property impacts and management issues. Sferra noted that forest management may be an issue in the future which would require a forest cutting plan consistent with conservation values and a filing with the Commission.
Doug Morse made a motion to approve the Municipal Certification. Jeff Saunders seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Municipal Certification form was signed by the Commission.
Jeff Saunders made a motion to approve the Conservation Restriction as drafted. Doug Morse seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Andy Snow made a motion to approve the release of $23,250 in Community Preservation Funds held by the Conservation Commission to purchase the Conservation Restriction. Jeff Saunders seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Minutes
Andy Snow made a motion to approve the minutes of January 20, 2015 as drafted. Jeff Saunders seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Adjournment
Doug Morse made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 PM. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Commission adjourned at 9:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jacquelyn Goring
Conservation Assistant
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