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11.16.15 Conservation Commission Minutes
Minutes of the Taunton Conservation Commission November 16, 2015


Present: Chair Steven Turner, Vice Chair Neil Kelly, Commissioners Marla Isaac, Debra Botellio, Ernest Enos, Renwick Chapman, and Luis Freitas.

Motion to approve the minutes of the October meeting, DB, second MI, so voted.

Certificate of Compliance
  • Tremont Street, (49-12 & 115), Hopgood/Clarewood Homes, (COC), SE73-2573  Field report states that this project was for the construction of two single family homes, one of which the house, driveway, septic system, and grading are within the 100 foot buffer of a BVW.  A common driveway will lead to the two homes-this driveway was approved under SE73-2456, and a COC issued on 7/29/15.  All work has been done in significant compliance to the order of conditions issued on 3/12/14.  The lawn area is stabilized on #589 (within jurisdiction) while the lawn at #589A is coming up very slowly amid some moss areas.  This house is outside jurisdiction and does not negatively impact the wetland.  MR recommends that the TCC issue a COC for this filing.  Motion to approve DB, second RC, so voted.
  • 37 Cushman Street, Bucci/American Rock Salt Co., (COC), SE73-2546  Field report states that this project was for the construction of new stormwater BMP’s, including grading, swales, and a retention basin to fulfill requirements of an Administrative Consent Order issued by DEP on 6/22/11.  This property is considered Land with Higher Potential Pollutant Loads (LUHPPLs).  This project will improve the stormwater drainage system in order to reduce pollutant loads.  Part of this plan will be to keep the existing salt pile covered to minimize runoff.  The proposed swale and retention basin was designed to reduce the peak rate and volume of total suspended solids (TSS) that ended up in the wetlands.  This work was designed to minimize infiltration to groundwater and allow for removal of sediments within the basin per the company’s O&M plan.  All work has been completed in significant compliance to the order of conditions that was issued on 6/12/13.  The retention basin appears to be working as it should.  MR recommends that the TCC issue a COC for this project.  Motion to approve, RC, second MI, so voted.
  • 253 Plain Street, Rogers, (COC), SE73-2363  Field report states that this project was to construct a 40’ X 60’ storage garage, with associated grading within 100 feet of a BVW.  All work has been completed in significant compliance to the order of conditions issued on 11/24/08.  Lawn areas are stabilized and there is no indication of siltation into the wetland.  MR recommends that the TCC issue a COC for this project.  Motion to approve, RC, second DB, so voted.
  • 342 Winthrop Street, St. Germain, (COC), SE73-2463  Field report states that this project was for the construction of a convenience store, retail shops, restaurant, and a fueling station with a canopy, on an existing disturbed site, with associated grading, lighting, and landscaping.  This property is located on the south (right) side of Winthrop Street just past Harvard Street.  The only work done on this site was grading.  Siltation barriers remain on-site.  This property is for sale and the plans for the site have changed enough that a new NOI will be necessary, thus requiring a COC to close this file.  MR recommends that the TCC issue a COC to close this file.  Motion to approve, RC, second MI, so voted.
  • Goodwin Street, (92-105), Fasolo, (COC), SE73-2518  Field report states that this project was for the construction of a single family home with deck, driveway, utilities, and associated grading.  The applicant did not start work on this project and the order of conditions has lapsed.  MR recommends that the TCC issue a COC, Invalid Order of Conditions, for this project.  Motion to approve DB, second RC, so voted.
Public Meeting
  • 128 Birchwood Drive, Burgo, (RDA), DSE-1120  Field report states that this filing is for a septic system repair and associated grading within the 100 foot buffer zone to a BVW.  The wetland line was delineated by SFG Associates on 10/7/15.  MR reviewed the line and is in agreement with the delineation as follows: Flags 3 and 8, with flags 1,2, 4-7, and 9-10 for reference purposes only.  The current soil absorption system will be pumped and removed prior to the installation of the new system.  The current tank will be replaced with a 1500 gallon tank.  The leaching field and tank will be located in the backyard of the property, and will be 56 feet from the wetland (flag 9).  Grading will be 51 feet from the BVW and decommissioning of the existing system will be 36 feet away.  The siltation barrier is depicted on the plan at least 25 feet from the BVW, and will be considered the limit of work.  The project as presented should not negatively impact the BVW, therefore MR recommends that the TCC approve the project and issue a negative determination to include the attached special conditions.  Present Brad Fitzgerald.  Motion to open, DB, second RC, so voted.  Motion to approve with conditions 1, 2, 3, 4, 14, 18, and 19, RC, second DB, so voted.
Extension
  • 1601 Bay Street, Melo, (EXT), SE73-2088  Field report states that in 2008, the original owner requested and received a three year Extension which fell under the Tolling Period and has been valid through 11/9/15.  Mr. Melo, the new owner, is requesting an additional three year extension for the Sabbatia Landing Condominium project located at 1601 Bay Street.  Mr. Melo purchased the property in 2009 and resumed construction in January 2014.  A number of condominiums have already been built, however the work has not been completed due to the slow down in real estate market which caused delays in construction.  The applicant believes that an additional three years will be enough time to complete the project.  The work completed thus far is within compliance.  MR recommends that the TCC grant this additional three year extension to the project, with all special conditions and standard conditions remaining the same.  Motion to approve extension, DB, second RC, so voted.
Other Business
  • Use of Boyden Letters.  Apparently permission was granted to the Cultural Council to use the building.  TCC is the only body with the right to grant permission for use of the building at Boyden.  Motion to approve letter sent stating protocol for use of building permission with change “all request be referred to Conservation Commission”, DB, second MI, so voted.
  • 2016 Meeting Schedule.  Went over meeting schedule, decided on dates.  Any extra meetings to be added will be voted on as needed.  
  • MR away for December meeting.  There is only one meeting scheduled so far.  Motion to move that one scheduled hearing to 1/11/16, have waiver signed, MR will let TCC know if 12/14/15 meeting will occur, ST, second DB, so voted.
  • Closing some COC’s.  $912.00 for 12 COC’s will be pulled from the wetland filing fee account to take record at Registry of Deeds.  Motion to approve the removal of $912.00 from wetland filing fee account, DB, second MI, so voted.
Motion to adjourn, DB, second NK, so voted.  Meeting ended at 7:05p.m.