Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
March 31, 2015
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on March 31, 2015 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Cortni Frecha, Chair
Andy Snow, Vice-Chair
Serena Furman
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark
Absent: Jeff Saunders
Sandra Grund
Doug Morse
comprising a quorum of the Commission
Also present: Kathy Sferra, Conservation Coordinator
Jacquelyn Goring, Conservation Assistant
Bruce Trefry, Associate & Land Steward
The Conservation Commission meeting was called to order at 7:45 PM.
Appointment – Alan DiPietro – Maple Street Violation – Alan DiPietro was invited but not present for the appointment. Kathy Sferra updated the Commission on her conversations with the Stow Police Department regarding the ticketing process. As voted by the Commission, the first ticket will be issued April 1, 2015 for $100 and mailed to DiPietro with a cover letter, Town Counsel’s letter and a copy of the Enforcement Order. Thereafter tickets will be issued daily, but mailed weekly until DiPietro submits a plan for compliance.
Minutes
Serena Furman made a motion to approve the minutes of March 17, 2015 as drafted and amended. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Serena Furman made a motion to approve the executive session minutes of January 20, 2015 and March 3, 2015 as written. Ingeborg Hegemann Clark seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Appointment –Brian Colleran – Invasive Species Management and Mapping
Brian Colleran of Polatin Ecological Services, LLC was present to discuss the invasive species management and mapping project. Sferra updated Colleran and the Commission on the Community Preservation Committee’s approval to put the project on the May 4, 2015 Town Meeting warrant. Sferra noted that the Commission will have to file for a Request of Determination for the invasive species removal project at Captain Sargent. Sferra also informed Colleran that the Commission has a potential group of adult volunteers that could be used as part of the removal project.
The Commission discussed with Colleran the timing and schedule of invasive species removal at Captain Sargent. Colleran informed the Commission that the best time to conduct the majority of the planned work is either at the beginning or end of the growing season, with the exception of herbicide treatment which is most successful at the end of the growing season. Physical and mechanical removal can be conducted at any time but identifying the target species is easiest in spring and fall. Sferra asked Colleran if the timing with the May town meeting would be too late to begin the project this spring which Colleran agreed it would be best to wait until the fall. The Commission discussed the volunteer work and how the project could be educational and shared with the residents on Captain Sargent Day this summer.
Colleran discussed the Glossy Buckthorn patch and removal techniques including using hand pulling, weed wrenches, girdling, and using fire. Ingeborg Hegemann Clark inquired about using a restoration seed mix after the removal to prevent other invasives from replacing the buckthorn. Colleran agreed it would be helpful to use a seed mix in that area due to the limited shade and proximity to the road which would likely promote new invasive species growth. The Commission discussed with Colleran various waste disposal options including leaving behind standing deadwood which could provide habitat and an educational opportunity for residents.
The Commission discussed the application of herbicide and the proximity of water bodies and vernal pools near the potential treatment areas. Colleran informed the Commission that stem injections can be a more targeted way to apply herbicide rather than widespread foliar spraying. The Commission discussed the various herbicides that could be used including water safe and organic herbicides. Colleran noted that using herbicides should be approached with a balance between treatment and ecology and that invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed can be as harmful as herbicides to vernal pool ecology. Colleran discussed using varying herbicides throughout the 3 year treatment period of Knotweed and keeping application amounts down to avoid overdosing the area with herbicide. Colleran also recommends using stem injection for the knotweed patches
due to the proximity of the farms. Sferra informed the Commission that she has heard some concern from community gardeners and farmers about the use of herbicides and so the Commission will want to approach such use in an ecologically sensitive manner. There was agreement that foliar spraying was not desirable.
The Commission discussed with Colleran mowing of Knotweed and how mowing has contributed to the spread of the invasive species at Captain Sargent. Colleran noted that the small Knotweed patches at Captain Sargent cannot be hand dug due to the extensive length of the rhizomes (up to 20 feet long from the stem). The Commission would like to educate and work with the Highway Department to prevent the Knotweed from being spread by mowing. Colleran can provide photos for identification and best management practices to discuss with the Highway Department. Colleran noted that the Knotweed should not be cut within one to two weeks of treatment.
The Commission discussed the use of grazing to treat the Knotweed at Captain Sargent. Colleran noted that using grazing is possible, but a long process, and that he would recommend using grazing for one year then following up for two years of herbicide treatment. Colleran explained that grazing can cause Knotweed to act as ground cover and cannot remove the rhizomes therefore it will grow again quickly after it is no longer being grazed. Colleran also discussed the option of mowing knotweed which would requiring every two to four weeks of mowing and take up to 5 to 7 years at best to remove the plant.
The Commission agreed to begin invasive removal during the fall and will provide Polatin a priority list for treatment and preferred method to remove the Buckthorn. Colleran will provide costs to the Commission for stem injection for the Knotweed as well as a list of supplies required for volunteer removal of Buckthorn. He will discuss the schedule with Chris Polatin and get back to the Commission. Sferra asked for examples of Requests for Determination applications if they have them.
Execute Dunn Conservation Restriction – Linda Hathaway was present to notarize the executed Dunn Conservation Restriction.
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark made a motion to approve and execute the Dunn Conservation Restriction. Serena Furman seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Coordinator’s Report
Lake Boon Refilling – Sferra informed the Commission that the Lake Boon refilling has been postponed due to ice.
Planning Board – Proposed Zoning Amendments – The Commission reviewed the Planning Boards’ Proposed Zoning Amendments and confirmed the changes are not conservation related and do not require comment.
Collings – The Commission received and read the cease and desist letter to the Collings Foundation regarding the existing airport and landing field.
Stow Independent Ad – The Commission reviewed and discussed the draft Stow Independent ad. Sferra informed the Commission she has contacted the Stow Conservation Trust (SCT) and thinks they will want to “co-sign” the ad. Cortni volunteered to assist with design and preparation of camera ready copy.
Open Space and Recreation Survey – Sferra shared the results of the Open Space and Recreation Survey with the Commission. There were a total of 268 responses. The Commission discussed the interest of more access to walking on trails, sidewalks, and bike lanes and the large number of comments received from the survey.
Captain Sargent Day – The Commission discussed Captain Sargent Day and scheduled the event for August 15, 2015 with a rain date of August 22, 2015.
May Meeting Dates – The Commission discussed May meeting dates with the potential conflict of the annual Town Meeting on May 5, 2015. Those present suggested rescheduling the meeting to May 7, 2015. Sferra will confirm with the other members.
Wetland Protection Regulations – Vernal Pools – The Commission continued working on their revised Wetlands Bylaw regulations, with a focus on vernal pools. The Commission reviewed the recommendations provided by Sferra. The Commission discussed the current bylaw and the State (Wetland Protection Act) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ jurisdiction of vernal pools. Additional items discussed by the Commission included defining vernal pool habitat and the vernal pool boundaries. The Commission reviewed the draft Performance Standards including the 100’ and 200’ buffers, no point source discharges directly to vernal pools and percent alterations including the potential problems with multiple lots within the buffer to vernal pools. The Commission discussed including an implementation date for future
development to allow preexisting lots to have lesser performance standards. Sferra will prepare a revised draft for future discussion.
Adjournment
Serena Furman made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 PM. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Commission adjourned at 10:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jacquelyn Goring
Conservation Assistant
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