Stow Conservation Commission
Minutes
June 30, 2015
A meeting of the Stow Conservation Commission was held at the Stow Town Building, 380 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts, on June 30, 2015 at 7:30 in the evening.
There were present: Cortni Frecha, Chair
Andy Snow, Vice-Chair
Jeff Saunders
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark
Serena Furman
Absent: Sandra Grund
Doug Morse
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 – Open Space and Recreation Plan Subcommittee – Draft Open Space and Recreation Plan
Andy Snow presented an update on the Open Space and Recreation Plan to the Commission and members of the Open Space and Recreation Plan Subcommittee including Eve Donahue, Bob Wilber, and John Sangermano. Snow reviewed the progress since the 2008 Open Space and Recreation Plan, recommendations and changes, and action items for the Conservation Commission which will be included in the 2015 Plan update. Snow’s presentation is attached. The Commission reviewed new maps to be included in the 2015 Plan update including Lands Protected and Developed since 2006, Drumlin Protection Status, Prime Agricultural Soils, Stow Open Lands and Hudson Road/Great Road Walking Paths Maps. A discussion of climate change will be included in the 2015 Plan update including the impacts of climate change, protecting land in relation to climate change, and
what the Town of Stow can do about climate change as a community. The Commission discussed the 2015 Plan update and recommended including blue/water trails and information on the Complete Streets Policy for sidewalk and bike lanes. Kathy Sferra provided a list of action items to the Commission which they will provide feedback on high, medium and low priorities to be included in the 2015 Plan update.
Minutes
The Commission discussed the level of detail included in the minutes. Members of the Commission disagreed on the level of detail necessary, particularly with regard to identifying comments with the name of the person who made them. Kathy Sferra will review the Open Meeting Law requirements for minutes with the Town Clerk.
Andy Snow made a motion to approve the minutes of June 16, 2015 as drafted. Serena Furman seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Coordinator’s Report
Pine Bluffs recreation improvements – Sferra reminded the Commission that the Pine Bluffs decision will be reviewed during the July 7, 2015 Commission meeting. The Commission agreed to hold a site visit at 6:30 next Tuesday evening.
Brewer Property – Sferra informed the Commission that the Conservation Restriction for the Brewer property will be signed during the July 7, 2015 Commission meeting as a notary was not available for this meeting. Cortni Frecha noted that she had concerns about removing forestry management from the Conservation Restriction and the future implications that may have on the property and the Commission’s ability to remove trees. Sferra noted that selective cutting will be allowed as part of the Conservation Restriction.
Order of Conditions (#299-094) - 184 Barton Road (U-2 #23)
The Commission reviewed and amended a draft of the Order and added language requiring as much of the planting as possible be completed in Calendar Year 2015, with any remaining planting finished by June 30, 2016 unless an extension is sought and approved in writing. The Commission will require that plantings must be established through two growing seasons in order to issue a Certificate of Compliance.
Andy Snow made a motion to approve and issue the Order of Conditions as amended for the Notice of Intent filed by Dennis Murphy. Serena Furman seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously with Ingeborg Hegemann Clark abstaining.
Wetland Protection Regulations – Vernal Pools and Performance Standards for Buffer Zones – The Commission continued working on the revised Wetlands Bylaw regulations, including vernal pools and performance standards for buffer zones. The Commission reviewed the changes made by Sferra to the vernal pool regulations following the previous discussion. The Commission discussed the current bylaw and the State (Wetland Protection Act) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ jurisdiction of vernal pools. The revised draft vernal pool regulations completed by Sferra included the definition of vernal pool habitat and vernal pool boundaries. The Commission reviewed the draft Performance Standards including the 100’ and 200’ buffers to vernal pools, 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 an implementation date for future development on preexisting lots. The Commission also discussed public awareness of vernal pools noting that vernal pool certification will be included in the 2015 Open Space and Recreation Plan. Sferra will incorporate the vernal pool regulations into the working draft and create a GIS map showing vernal pools and their 200’ buffers.
The Commission reviewed the White Paper on Performance Standards for Buffer Zones drafted by Sferra. Sferra included questions for the Commission to guide discussion. The Commission discussed preferred habitat within the 100’ buffer, previously disturbed areas, the interests of the Bylaw and the presumption of those interests. The Commission reviewed the current regulations including floodplains and the impact climate change may have on floodplain buffer zones. Commission members discussed their opinions on work within the 35’ no disturb buffer and the area between the 35’ no disturb buffer and the 100’ buffer. The Commission discussed developing a series of questions to pose to each applicant which would directly tie to protecting the Commission’s interests and guide the hearing discussion. Commission members
will review the minor project exemptions in the State Wetland regulations and determine if they will be adopted under the bylaw. As a next step, Kathy, Ingeborg and Andy will meet to draft regulatory language for the Commission to consider at a future meeting.
Adjournment
Andy Snow made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:22 PM. Ingeborg Hegemann Clark seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The Commission adjourned at 10:22 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jacquelyn Goring
Conservation Assistant
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