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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-08 Conservation Commission Minutes Conservation Commission Minutes 08-04-2020 Page 1 of 4 Approved 04/22/2020 North Andover Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes April 8, 2020 Members Present: The following identified themselves as present on the call: John T. Mabon, Joseph W. Lynch, Albert P. Manzi, Jr., Vice Chairman, Louis A. Napoli, Chairman, Deborah A. Feltovic and Sean F. McDonough Members Absent: Douglas W. Saal Staff Members Present: The following identified themselves as present on the call: Amy Maxner, Conservation Administrator Meeting came to Order at: 7:20 p.m. Quorum Present. The Administrator Amy Maxner reads the following statement: Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the North Andover Conservation Commission is being conducted via remote participation. No in-person attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings as provided for in the Order. A reminder that persons who would like to listen to this meeting while in progress may do so by tuning in to the local NACAM ED cable channel or by visiting www.northandovercam.org. If you have public comments, please email amaxner@northandoverma.gov. The Commission discusses the need for site reviews by staff. The Chair would prefer that staff avoid conducting site inspection during the next couple of weeks, which are supposed to be the peak infection time frame, as he believes it is important to protect staff and others from transmission. Members agree to this approach, and if after that, staff has Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and maintains social distancing it will be up to the Administrator’s discretion. They urge the Administrator to reach out to the Chairman or Vice Chairman for direction if need be. Acceptance of Minutes  A motion to accept the minutes of the March 11, 2020 & March 25, 2020 meetings as reviewed and amended is made by Mr. Manzi, seconded by Mrs. Feltovic.  Vote 6-0, Unanimous. Notice of Intent (NOI) 242-1782, 800 Massachusetts Avenue (Worden)  The Administrator reviews the proposal for the installation of geothermal wells with associated power connection, trenches, permeable paver patio, concrete platform/walkway, minor pavement expansion, and drain line replacement. The plan was revised to move the wells outside the Buffer Zone. The installation of the pervious paver patio remains within the 50-foot NBZ. A portion of the driveway extension and the walkway elements are within the Buffer Zone. Proposed construction access is at the westerly side of the building, within the 25-foot NDZ for the patio. The applicant is seeking a waiver for the installation of the patio.  Jack Sullivan, Sullivan Engineers presents on behalf of the applicant.  Mr. Mabon would like to know why the area where the patio is proposed is already disturbed. He expresses concerns that the proposed patio touches the 25-foot NDZ and whether or not the patio will drain due to the high water table. He requests the applicant move the patio away from the 25-foot NDZ.  Mr. Sullivan states the patio will be approximately 460-square feet. There are concrete foundation supports from an old HVAC unit in the proposed patio location. The area is grassed and will require no Conservation Commission Minutes 08-04-2020 Page 2 of 4 Approved 04/22/2020 native vegetation to be removed. There will be separation between the bottom of the base material for the patio for water to move through and purify before it reaches the water table. They are willing to shift the patio to provide more space between the 25-foot NDZ and patio area.  Mr. Lynch would like to know why they propose to move the parking area closer to the back of the lot.  Mr. Sullivan states the current parking area is undersized. The applicant is looking to create a formal parking lot by expanding the area and repaving if funding is available. The parking expansion with the exception of the handicap spot and walkway is outside the 100-foot Buffer Zone. They offer to provide enhancement plantings within the 25-foot NDZ towards the rear of the building near the proposed patio location.  Mr. Manzi states he is in favor of enhancement plantings and maintaining the integrity of the 25-foot NDZ.  Mr. Napoli would like to know if a stockpile location has been identified on the plan. He expresses concerns that the dumpsters will collect water that may spill onto the roadway when they are removed from the site.  Mr. Sullivan states there will be no stockpiling, all excavated material will be removed from the site. The wells were relocated outside of the 100-foot NBZ and watertight dumpsters were chosen over the use of frac tanks due to associated costs.  James D'Angelo, a member of the project team, explains the process of how water will be removed from the dumpsters before leaving the site. The patio area is intended to be used as a contemplative spot to view the wetland.  James Worden, the applicant states it will take 1 ½-days to complete the drilling required for each well location. Drilling should take approximately 1 to 1 ½ weeks to complete.  The Commission discusses the need for a stockpile location and agrees it should be depicted on the plan.  Mr. Lynch would like more information as to how slurry will physically be transported to the dumpsters, as the application is not clear on this point.  Mr. D’Angelo states that the driller will have a pump on standby to handle this.  Mr. Lynch states more information on that front will be required.  Brian Howard, Director of the North Andover Historical Society states the building is owned by the Historical Society and will be used for Historical Society operations and public activities.  The Commission discusses the proposed patio and prior uses of the property.  Mr. McDonough expresses concerns they are currently mowing into the 25-foot NDZ. He proposes a barrier be installed at the 25-foot NDZ to protect the Resource Area.  Mr. Worden states they have been mowing around the building for years and would like to continue mowing to maintain a buffer to preserve the building.  Mr. Mabon suggests a reduced NDZ, perhaps 10 feet, with enhancement plantings and a barrier such as a split rail fence.  The Commission agrees the patio should be moved back, a barrier with markers should be required at the 25-foot NDZ along with enhancement plantings. Commissioner’s Mabon, Manzi and Feltovic are not opposed to mowing once per year to prevent woody vegetation. A stockpile location and information as to slurry containment is required to be added to the plan.  A motion to continue to April 22, 2020 is made by Mrs. Feltovic, seconded by Mr. Mabon  Vote 6-0, Unanimous. Documents 03-11-2020 Meeting Materials, 100-NDZ-Waiver-Request-Worksheet, 800 Mass Ave_NOI Plan_04012020 Modification Request 242-1773, 60 Leanne Drive (Bresnahan) Conservation Commission Minutes 08-04-2020 Page 3 of 4 Approved 04/22/2020  The Administrator states the applicant is looking for a Minor Modification to the OOC governing the reconstruction of an existing boulder retaining wall. The plan has been revised using a Recon block wall as opposed to using boulders in the original proposal.  Chairman Napoli provides the NACC background information on the project.  Greg Hochmutch, Williams & Sparages presents on behalf of the applicant. The retaining wall will be constructed out of Recon blocks with a 6” minimum compacted processed gravel base. The existing boulder wall is proposed to stay in place, with the exception of the first 1-2-feet of boulders on top of the existing wall, which will be removed from the property. The areas between the two walls will be backfilled and all disturbed areas will be loomed and seeded after construction is complete. The new retaining wall will retain both the soil in the yard and existing boulder retaining wall. They request the dewatering location outlined in the OOC not be required to be constructed prior to construction but on an as needed basis.  Mr. Mabon expresses concerns that the Recon wall may fail if the boulder wall fails.  Mr. Hochmutch states the Recon wall was engineered to hold the entire backyard and the existing wall will aid in bearing some of the load as well.  Mr. Lynch would like to know the size of the Recon blocks and if they require tiebacks. He would like to know if there was any evidence of modeling when test pits were done.  Mr. Hochmutch describes the size of Recon blocks that will be used; the wall height will not require the use of tiebacks. The thin layer of fill at the base of the existing wall as well as the “A” & “B” layer will be removed down to the “C” layer, which is approximately two feet down. Test pits were dug approximately three feet down with no signs of modeling.  A motion to approve the Minor Modification and update the record with the revised plan is made by Mr. Lynch seconded by Mrs. Feltovic.  Vote 6-0, Unanimous. Documents Minor Modification Request - 60 Leanne Drive, Revised Narrative_2-60 Leanne Drive Enforcement Order/Violation 410 Summer Street (Loughran)  The Administrator states the applicant is ready to submit an NOI application for a pool rehab project.  The Commission discusses how to proceed with incoming applications. They agree to accept applications on a case-by-case basis. The Abutter Notification language will be revised to accommodate abutters without access to a computer or the internet.  A motion to continue to April 22, 2020 is made by Mr. Manzi, seconded by Mr. Lynch.  Vote 6-0, Unanimous. Documents 12-11-2019 Meeting Materials 1806 Salem Street (Diamond)  The Administrator states she has been unable to visit the site to determine if the existing driveway can be reconstructed within the same dimensions outside the 50-foot NBZ under Small Project permit.  The Commission discusses the EO and agrees more information is required and that the Administrator will visit the site when COVID-19 conditions allow.  A motion to continue to April 22, 2020 is made by Mr. Manzi, seconded by Mrs. Feltovic.  Vote 6-0, Unanimous. Documents 03-11-2020 Meeting Materials Adjournment  A motion to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. is made by Mr. Manzi, seconded by Mr. Lynch. Conservation Commission Minutes 08-04-2020 Page 4 of 4 Approved 04/22/2020  Vote 6-0 Unanimous.