Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
February 17, 2015
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on February 17, 2015 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Cortni Frecha, Chair
Andy Snow, Vice-Chair
Jeff Saunders
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark
Sandra Grund
Absent: Doug Morse
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 – Steve Mong – Phillip Noonan Agricultural Field (Arbor Glen)
Steve Mong, owner of Applefield Farm, was present to update the Commission on the status of his farmland at Phillip Noonan Agricultural Field (Arbor Glen). Mong informed the Commission of anticipated issues regarding food safety regulations with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding deer. Upcoming FDA food safety regulations will limit the access to both wild and domestic animals which Mong noted may impact the ability to have loose dogs on the property. Mong informed the Commission that the back field closest to Arbor Glen is heavily frequented by deer and that there are portions of his land that he is unable to farm due to deer browse. Mong expects the need to address deer management for food safety within the next three years.
Mong informed the Commission that he had installed a well using United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funding. Mong asked the Commission for permission to install underground water piping from the new well to avoid blocking access to the back field. Mong describe the location of the well and proposed piping to the Commission using aerial photos. The Commission asked about the depth of the proposed piping which Mong confirmed will be as shallow as possible with a sixteen inch wide trench. As part of the USDA funding, the area was surveyed by archeologists who showed the area has been previously disturbed and is not historically significant.
Mong noted that he maintains a relationship with Arbor Glen and works to keep the fields open for their access, mowing areas behind the back field that he does not farm. Mong currently holds the only legal access to cross the Bose access road. There is an eight inch culvert under the access road to connect water piping between Applefield Farm and the Phillip Noonan Agricultural Fields.
Mong also asked the Commission to allow him to remove small trees that had grown in along the edges of the back field which are hitting tractor equipment and interfering with plowing the field. Mong had met on site with Kathy Sferra, Jacquie Goring and Land Steward Bruce Trefry to discuss the tree removal. Most of the trees to be removed are small, less than four inches in diameter, which Mong would like to remove before they are much larger. Trefry requested during the site visit that the cedars in the hedge row be kept wherever feasible. Sferra informed the Commission that some of the trees and shrubs to be removed are invasive. Mong plans to burn any wood and brush resulting from the clearing.
During the site visit Mong identified a large tree along the BOSE access road that had been struck by lightning last summer which poses a hazard. Mong would like to remove the tree. Mong also noted that he would like a sign to be put up explaining that the property is part of the Phillip Noonan Field. Mong informed the Commission that dumping has been an issue in the past and that signage may help deter future dumping. Sferra noted that the Commission will be placing boundary markers at the property. Mong noted that Applefield Farm Inc. would be happy to split the cost of the sign.
Sandra Grund noted using fencing to keep out deer and other wildlife would likely force wildlife into unfenced areas by changing wildlife corridors which should be considered in the future. Andy Snow noted that food safety should be considered during future discussions on deer management.
Notice of Intent (#299-0584)
Minuteman Air Field – 302 Boxboro Road (R-7 #34 and #35)
Don McPherson of Minute Man Air Field and Randy Christenson of Stantec Consulting Services were present as representatives for Minuteman Air Field Inc. Christenson informed the Commission that the additional abutters to parcel 34 were notified. The initial hearing was on October 21, 2014 which was continued by Minuteman Air Field Inc. in order to coincide with the permitting process with the Planning Board and the Board of Selectman. As a result of these hearings, input from the Town engineering consultant, and the Commission, Christenson presented an updated set of plans.
Christenson displayed the plans for each component including the 1,050 linear feet of runway to be reconstructed, relocation of a 700 linear foot taxiway, and removal of a hill to create a 120 foot by 240 foot runway safety area. All material from the removal of the hill will be stockpiled in a single location to the east side of the taxi way and south of the terminal area. Both the stockpile and the erosion controls will be located outside of the 35’ no disturb buffer. The dimension of the stockpile is approximately 260’ wide by 160’ long by 21’ high and will be composed of 95% blasted and chipped rock. The second stockpile presented to the Commission during the January 20, 2015 Commission meeting will no longer be utilized in order to avoid being within the 35’ no disturb buffer.
Andy Snow noted that the Commission was concerned about the second stockpile location and appreciates that it was removed from the plan. McPherson noted that the second location was selected as a stockpile location because it was the most cost efficient but once the taxiway is repaved the pile would not be able to be removed and is farthest from the street, so the solution is best for everyone.
Christenson additionally requested from the Commission a waiver for the 35’ no disturb buffer in addition to the two previously submitted waivers for the compensatory flood storage area and the replication area. The Commission discussed the Town consultant’s comments which have been addressed. Ingeborg Hegemann Clark asked if the compensatory flood storage was adequate and Christenson confirmed that the Commission’s requirements had been met and exceeded. Christenson also noted that the wetland replication area ratio is 2:1.
The Commission discussed the decision and will issue it during the next Commission meeting on March 3, 2015.
Andy Snow made a motion to close the public hearing for a Notice of Intent filed by Minute Man Air Field. Sandra Grund seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Minutes
Jeff Saunders made a motion to approve the minutes of February 3, 2015 as drafted and amended. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Coordinator’s Report
323 Great Road – Sferra informed the Commission that the UMASS team has submitted the final report for 323 Great Road. Sferra will pull together a meeting with the Stow Recreation Department, Open Space Committee, and Stow Conservation Trust (SCT) to get a consensus on a proposal for open space and recreation. The Planning Department also plans to coordinate a meeting between all parties to discuss the proposals.
Dunn Conservation Restriction – Sferra informed the Commission that the Board of Selectman will review the Dunn Conservation Restriction on March 10, 2015. Sferra asked the Commission if members could attend the meeting and that SCT members will be attending as well.
Stow Garden Club – Sferra informed the Commission that the Stow Garden Club has requested permission to plant winterberry shrubs around the pond behind Town Building for cuttings for winter arrangements. Cortni Frecha proposed that the Commission research varieties of winterberry to ensure the variety planted would be a food source for wildlife. Andy Snow agreed that there should be some public value for the plantings beyond arrangements. The Commission thought it was generally a good idea but will inquire about species of winterberry with Commission member Doug Morse.
Pine Bluff – Sferra informed the Commission that the Recreation Department submitted the Notice of Intent for the Pine Bluffs project. Cortni Frecha will be the lead on the project. The hearing is scheduled for the March 3, 2015 Commission meeting.
Open Space Survey – The Open Space Committee approved the Open Space and Recreation Survey today. Sferra will work to finish the survey this week and have it ready for the Town Meeting. The survey will be available online and paper copies will be available at the Conservation office and Town meeting.
Community Garden Meeting – Sferra informed the Commission that she had met with Deb Stein and Joyce Bunce, Community Garden stewards, and Jacquie Goring to discuss the 2015 garden season. The group discussed that there has been less interest for annual plots than perennial plots therefore they would like to convert a few annual plots to perennial. Sferra plans to talk with Scott Morse regarding plowing plots on the annual side to add additional perennial plots. The Commission discussed the perennial plots and the gardening supplies allowed to be left behind during the winter. The Community Garden application includes a rule requiring perennial gardeners to remove all material with the exception of fences and trellises. The Commission would like that rule enforced this year. The Commission will work with the garden stewards to
ensure only fences and trellises are left behind at the end of the 2015 season. Sferra mentioned that the Flagg Hill garage could be considered for storage space for gardeners in the future, particularly for those who do not have other storage options.
March Commission Meeting Dates – Sferra noted that March 31st is the fifth Tuesday in March. The Commission will meet for a work session.
Bose Volunteer Opportunity – Sferra informed the Commission that Bose is interested in participating in volunteer work for the Town. The Board of Selectmen have created a proposal form for Bose volunteer work. Sferra and Goring will put together ideas for volunteer opportunities and update the Commission.
Stow Garden Club – Sferra informed the Commission that there are two upcoming Stow Garden Club lectures on bees and edible perennials. Sferra will send the Commission members dates and time for the lectures.
Appointment – Lenny Rodriquez – Captain Sargent Agricultural Field – Lenny Rodriquez was not present for the appointment and will be rescheduled to meet with the Commission on a later date.
Appointment – Ben Schlosser – Captain Sargent Agricultural Field – Ben Schlosser was not present for the appointment and will be rescheduled to meet with the Commission on a later date.
Pompositticut School – The Commission discussed the Planning Board’s decision for the project which asked that a dense mix of evergreens be substituted for White Pine and if the substitution would be acceptable to the Conservation Commission. Commission member Doug Morse was consulted previously and recommended Balsam Firs, Norway Spruce, and one Blue Spruce with White Pines.
Ingeborg Hegemann-Clark made a motion to approve the minor modification to the decision as amended. Sandra Grund seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Request for Plan Revision – 553 Sudbury Road – The Commission reviewed the revised plan to add a patio area for a hot tub within the proposed front porch area.
Andy Snow made a motion to approve the plan revision for 553 Sudbury Road. Ingeborg Hegemann-Clark seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Warrant Articles – The Commission reviewed the draft warrant articles for the May 2015 Town Meeting.
Ingeborg Hegemann-Clark made a motion to approve the draft warrant articles for the May 2015 Town Meeting. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Agricultural Regulations – The Commission reviewed and discussed the Agricultural Exemptions of the Wetland Protection Act. The Commission discussed meeting with the Agricultural Commission and sending letters to farmers about the Conservation Commissions jurisdiction and agricultural land.
Adjournment
Ingeborg Hegemann-Clark made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 PM. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Commission adjourned at 9:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jacquelyn Goring
Conservation Assistant
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