Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
June 16, 2015
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on June 16, 2015 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Cortni Frecha, Chair
Andy Snow, Vice-Chair
Jeff Saunders
Sandra Grund
Serena Furman
Doug Morse
Absent: Ingeborg Hegemann Clark
comprising a quorum of the Commission
Also present: Kathy Sferra, Conservation Coordinator
Maureen Trunfio, substitute Recording Secretary
The Conservation Commission meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM.
Minutes
Serena Furman made a motion to approve the minutes of June 2, 2015 as drafted. Sandra Grund seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Order of Conditions (#299-0588)
Collings Foundation, Inc. – 0 Barton Road (U-2 #54, R-25 Lots #13, 16A, 16B and 17)
The Commission reviewed and amended a draft of the Order of Conditions.
Andy Snow made a motion to approve and issue the Order of Conditions as amended for the Notice of Intent filed by the Collings Foundation. Jeff Saunders seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously with Serena Furman abstaining.
Sandra Grund left the meeting at 7:45.
Request for Determination of Applicability
200 Maple Street – (R-2 #20-11)
At 7:45 PM Cortni Frecha opened the public hearing for a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) filed by the owners of 200 Maple Street for clearing work completed without a permit. Homeowners Randy and Jessica Albertelli were present. Kathy Sferra provided a plan from the Board of Health depicting site conditions and photos of the property and clearing. Randy Albertelli explained to the Commission that he intended to remove the overgrown shrubs and tall grass in the area. Albertelli informed the Commission that he had used a brush hog and that everything removed was less the 2 inches in diameter with the exception of one 4 inch pine tree. Albertelli also noted that he had spoken to a neighbor who said that the previous homeowner used equipment and removed soil from the area and that he did not think the area was wet. Albertelli
stated he cleared the area because he was concerned about ticks and coyotes. The cleared area has been seeded with grass. Albertelli additionally applied for a shed and fire pit as part of the RDA. The Commission discussed the location of 100’ wetland buffer and the 35’ no disturb buffer and confirmed that the shed and fire pit are not within their jurisdiction.
Albertelli noted that he has only owned the property for six months and has seen small wet areas after the significant snow fall of the past winter and that there has been beaver activity in the area. Albertelli reiterated that the area was dry when he did the clearing. The Commission explained that soil samples can be taken to determine if there are hydric soils are present. The Commission discussed the clearing which was conducted from the 100’ buffer into the 35’ no disturb buffer.. The Commission discussed various ways to mark the 35’ no disturb buffer, such as split-rail fence or rocks.
Doug Morse arrived at 8:04 PM.
The Commission noted that no future clearing or work can be done in the 35’ no disturb buffer. Sferra noted that she will provide the air photo to the Albertellis which includes the approximate wetland line and 35’ no disturb buffer. Albertelli noted that he is concerned that the beaver activity will affect the wetland line and would require him to move the rocks or other delineating marker of the 35’ no disturb buffer. The Commission discussed replanting the 35’ no disturb buffer or allowing it to grow back naturally and offered to mark the 35’ no disturb buffer in the field. Edward Reverdy of 190 Maple Street noted that there were a lot of non-native plants in the area that was cleared and that the wetland was not disrupted. Reverdy also noted that he believes the previous owners cleared the area.
Andy Snow made a motion to close the public hearing for a Request for Determination filed by Randy Albertelli. Serena Furman seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
New Project Assignments – Sferra informed the Commission that she is expecting two Notice of Intent (NOI) fillings before the next Commission meeting including a septic replacement on Red Acre Road and Lot 2 Dawes Road. Serena Furman will conduct a site visit for Red Acre Road and Jeff Saunders will conduct a site visit for Lot 2 Dawes Road. Cortni said she would help with Dawes.
Notice of Intent (#299-094) Continuation
184 Barton Road (U-2 #23)
At 8:15 PM Cortni Frecha opened the continued public hearing for a Notice of Intent (NOI) filed by Dennis Murphy for removal of trees, construction of a patio and walkway and associated site work within the 100’ buffer. Todd Stout of Perfection Landscaping and Dennis Murphy were present. Murphy provided the Commission an updated landscaping plan which included additional plantings and retaining wall details. The Commission reviewed the project and discussed the updated plans. The Commission reviewed the plantings selected by Stout and recommended that native plants be used rather than ornamental plants because native plants are more likely to survive. The Commission will include in the Order of Conditions that the plantings must survive in order to receive a Certificate of Compliance. The Commission discussed the proposed lawn area
between the retaining wall and the water’s edge. The Commission noted that they do not want a manicured lawn but a meandering path down to the water and recommended using a long fescue grass seed mix that does not require fertilizer. The Commission requested that at least 5 trees be planted within the 35’ no disturb buffer. The Commission discussed the retaining walls which Stout confirmed will be completed when the Lake level is dropped in the fall. Straw wattles and silt fence will be used for erosion control between the retaining wall and the water’s edge as well as at the top of the retaining wall. Doug Morse noted that he feels that this sets a good precedent for mitigation for residents who cut trees without a permit and that the planting plan is substantial.
Doug Morse made a motion to close the public hearing for a Notice of Intent filed by Dennis Murphy. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Coordinators Report
Captain Sargent Work Day – Sferra informed the Commission that the work day at Captain Sargent with Boston Scientific was successful. The crew cleared a portion of the trail on the Brewer property and worked on cutting back knotweed along Tuttle Lane.
Captain Sargent Day – Sferra updated the Commission on Captain Sargent Day, scheduled for August 15th.
FY 2015 Budget – Sferra updated the Commission on the FY 2015 budget. The Commission discussed potential expenditures including continuing efforts to make residents aware of the permitting requirements including completing a mailing to all Lake Boon abutters. Sferra recommended adding information on the back of the abutter notices regarding permitting requirements.
Certificate of Compliance – 76 Pine Point Road – Ingeborg Hegemann Clark and Cortni Frecha conducted a COC site visit at 76 Pine Point Road. Frecha noted that the knotweed was not completely removed and that they had concerns about erosion at the 100’ buffer line. Sferra conducted a second site visit with the homeowner at which time the homeowner explained that she had the area surveyed and the remaining area of knotweed is on her neighbor’s property. No erosion was evident at the 100’ buffer line and grass has grown in. Sferra encouraged her to talk with her neighbor about this. The Commission determined that a plant or shrub needed to be planted at the 100’ buffer line per the conditions in the Order. The Commission will request the planting prior to issuing the Certificate of Compliance.
Certificate of Compliance – 425 Taylor Road – Sferra informed the Commission that she conducted a site visit at 425 Taylor Road and provided photos. Sferra noted that MassDEP was involved in the enforcement case and was satisfied with the work completed. Sferra recommended a Certificate of Compliance be issued. Sferra noted she observed invasive plants at the property and will let the homeowner know.
Andy Snow made a motion to issue a Certificate of Compliance for 425 Taylor Road. Doug Morse seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Certificate of Compliance – 33 Hale Road – Sferra informed the Commission that she conducted a site visit at 33 Hale Road and provided photos. Sferra noted that the required dry wells were installed and recommended a Certificate of Compliance be issued.
Jeff Saunders made a motion to issue a Certificate of Compliance for 33 Hale Road. Andy Snow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Request for Determination of Applicability
200 Maple Street – (R-2 #20-11)
The Commission reviewed and amended a draft of the Request for Determination including demarcation of the 35’ no disturb buffer using either stakes, high bush blueberry plants, boulders or split rail fence.
Andy Snow made a motion to approve and issue a Negative #3 Determination of Applicability for the Request for Determination filed by Randy Albertelli. Serena Furman seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Order of Conditions (#299-0589)
Recreation Department – 303 Sudbury Road (U-3 #12)
Kathy Sferra updated the Commission on the Pine Bluffs project for which a decision was voted on during the June 2, 2015 hearing. Sferra noted that the plans for the access road to the beach had been changed during the review process and now includes a 12 foot retaining wall and two parking spaces at the bottom of the hill. Sferra conducted a site visit and reviewed the plan changes with Laura. Sue Carter, town engineer, required grades be surveyed for the new plans to provide a detailed topography and as a result it was identified that there was not sufficient turning radius and two parking spaces were added to the plan. The Commission discussed the revised plan and the decision that did not include the most recent plans. Laura Greenough, Recreation Director, granted the Commission an extension to July 15, 2015 to review the revised plans
and revise the decision as necessary. Sferra provided photos from the site visit which included flagged trees proposed for removal. The Commission discussed potential drainage issues from the slope.
Andy Snow made a motion to not to issue the previous Order of Conditions for the Notice of Intent filed by the Stow Recreation Department for Pine Bluffs recreation improvements and to revise the Order as necessary as a result of new information submitted to the Commission. Doug Morse seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Coordinators Report - Continued
Ridgewood – Request for Comment – Sferra informed the Commission that the developers of Ridgewood, Toll Brothers, have requested to make changes to the approved design plan submitted with the Order of Conditions. Sferra displayed a revised proposed plan for the development which includes moving the footprint of the original design back from the wetland buffer and adding a club house and pool facility. The Planning Board will be considering the modifications to the plan at their next meeting. The Commission discussed the revisions to the plan and will provide comments to the Planning Board noting that a revision is needed to the limit of work.
323 Great Road – Sferra updated the Commission on the proposal for 323 Great Road. The Open Space Committee, Stow Conservation Trust and the Recreation Commission are working together to complete a consensus proposal for the property. The Commission discussed the updated proposal.
Andy Snow made a motion to endorse the joint proposal for Minister’s Pond 323 Great Road property. Serena Furman seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Brewer Property Conservation Restriction – Sferra informed the Commission she is working on a draft for the Brewer Conservation Restriction with the Stow Conservation Trust. The closing date is scheduled for July 6, 2015. The Commission signed the municipal certification form.
Commission Reorganization – Kathy Sferra requested volunteers to step forward to serve as Chair and Vice-Chair for the coming year. Andy Snow volunteered to serve as Chair and Serena Furman volunteered to serve as Vice-Chair. Cortni Frecha volunteered to continue as the liaison to the Community Preservation Committee.
Serena Furman made a motion to appoint Andy Snow to serve as the Chair of the Conservation Commission effective July 1, 2015. Doug Morse seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Andy Snow made a motion to appoint Serena Furman to serve as the Vice Chair effective July 1, 2015. Doug Morse seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Andy Snow made a motion to appoint Cortni Frecha as the liaison to the Community Preservation Committee. Serena Furman seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Adjournment
Andy Snow made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:15 PM. Jeff Saunders seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Commission adjourned at 10:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jacquelyn Goring
Conservation Assistant
| 
