HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-05-05 Conservation Commission Minutes Conservation Commission Minutes
DPW Conference Room
May 5, 1999
Members Present Albert Manzi, Jr., Chairman, Joseph Lynch, John Mabon,
Deborah Feltovic and Robert Mansour Beth Wescott and Scott Masse, Vice
Chairman were absent.
Staff Present: Richelle L. Martin, Conservation Agent and Karen A. Fitzgibbons, .
Secretary.
The meeting was called to order at 7 00 p m
Minutes:
March 24, 1999
April 7, 1999
April 21, 1999
No action was taken on the above listed minutes.
General Business:
242-792 Environmental Monitor Report — Woodlea Village (Leah Basbanes)
Leah Basbanes and Carl Kasierski are present this evening and Ms. Basbanes stated
the driveway on lot 6 has been brought down to the proper grade. The restoration
area is all ready to go when the plants come in. The silt fence has been replaced on
lots 7 through 11 and the hay bales are in the proper place. The foundation has
been poured on lots 8 and 10. The replication areas look good, the plants are
thriving. Mr. Kasierski stated that when they were preparing to install the
foundation on lot 8, there was a 2 foot discrepancy therefore, they "chomped off"
A 2 foot section of the house and a 4 foot section of the garage in order to meet the
50'. Mr. Manzi stated we've had discrepancies in the past and wants to know if
there is a problem in the design, a defect in the plan? Mr. Kasierski had a letter
addressing the problems and stating how they have corrected them. Ms. Basbanes
stated they have staked out the plans to be sure and seem to be catching everything.
A foundation as-built will be available tomorrow on lots 8 and 10 and the applicant
will deliver it to the Commission Office The OOC is due to expire on 6/20/99 and
the applicant will be requesting an extension. Ms. Basbanes to appear at the June 2,
1999 meeting for another update.
242-887 COC 369 Salem Street (New England Engineering)
Ben Osgood, Jr is present this evening with a letter requesting to withdraw his
request for a COC and is asking instead for a bond reduction The erosion control is
down and the area needs grass seed and fertilizer. On a motion by Mr Lynch,
seconded by Mr Mabon, the Commission voted unanimously to reduce the bond
by $700 Mr Mansour made an amended motion, seconded by Mr. Lynch, to
release $500 because of dumping in the wetlands. The vote of the Commission was
unanimous
242-863 Bond Reduction 362 Berry Street (New England Engineering)
Ben Osgood, Jr. is present this evening requesting a bond reduction. The project
was constructed last summer, loamed, raked and ready to be hydroseeded. The
applicant is requesting $1,000 back, the erosion control is still in place and
working. The as-built reflects the correct lot lines per Ben. The lot lines on the
design plans were not correct, but they have been corrected on the as-built plans
per Ben, Jr Mr Manzi stated the area hasn't been hydroseeded yet. Mr. Mansour
made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lynch, to deny the bond reduction until the
property has been hydroseeded The vote of the Commission was unanimous.
242-696 COC Great Pond Rd & Marbleridge Rd (Evergreen Management Corp)
Geoff Andrews and Tom Hurley are present this evening Ms. Martin stated she was
waiting for water quality analysis which the applicant has given to her. Mr.
Andrews stated there is no difference in the post construction analysis and the
samples were from three locations The remaining bond is $6,000 On a motion by
Mr Mansour, seconded by Mr Lynch, the Commission voted unanimously to issue
a COC for DEP #242-696
Appropriation of remaining Wetland Filing Fee Funds
Mr. Manzi stated he requested this item be placed on the agenda. The Town
Manager has not signed the Conservation Associate's contract as of this date. Ms.
Martin stated there is currently $4,525 available in the filing fee account and she is
asking the Commission to encumber all of it referencing this breakdown:
• $3,361.78 for the Conservation Associate position
• $1,163.22 for Bylaws to be printed, MACC annual dues and misc. supplies
Mr. Lynch made a motion, seconded by Ms Feltovic, to encumber the funds as
requested The vote of the Commission was unanimous.
Mr. Lynch made a motion, seconded by Mr. Mansour, to recess until 8.00 p.m.
Public Hearings (8:00 p.m.)
Request for Determination of Applicability
60 Hillside Road, Map 98C, Lot 14, Joel E Hohenberg
Mr. Hohenberg is present this evening to discuss his resolution to the drainage
problems on his property. His proposal is to built a boulder wall along the grass
area in order to retain the soil. The drainage will run behind the wall. By using a
boulder wall no foundation will be necessary. He is trying to eliminate soil erosion
and wants to keep everything looking as is. The work will be done underground,
covered with loam and seeding. Mr Manzi asked if he had a contractor, he does,
and his name if Riefel Trucking who does this kind of work with light weight
equipment. Mr. Manzi stated the Commission is familiar with the house, site and
the soils. They are Paxton soils, very easily moved and eroded. Mr. Hohenberg
stated his proposal is to take the water from the downspouts, sump and direct it
under Hillside Road into the culvert. Mr. Manzi stated the location of the sump is to
keep soils away from your neighbors yard. Mr. Lynch complimented the applicant
on his plan stating that it is very good for a layman, but there is an issue with the
house placement and the land was hotly discussed when the house was built. The
landscaped wall is very close to the no-disturbance zone. Mr. Manzi expressed
concern that the sump has the ability to handle the water the applicant proposes to
put in it. The Commission is very concerned about this, and the grounds ability to
absorb the water Mr Hohenberg stated he has lived in the house for 2 years, the
Town gave an occupancy permit for it. The as-built does not show a foundation
drain Mr Lynch stated he recollects the upper part of the yard is impervious and
he would like to look at the older file to see if the calculations are there Mr
Hohenberg stated with heavy rains the soil will wash away. Steve Jones, 75 Hillside
Road, stated the culvert is behind his property and he does not want Joel's water
problems, he has his owns He has wet land behind his house and water seeping
into his basement. He doesn't feel it's right to give away someone's water problem
to a neighbor! Mr Mabon wants a sketch of the boulder wall. There is no sketch,
but it's in the narrative. Phil Busby, Hillside Road, stated there are 2 watersheds in
the area one to the Shawsheen River and one to the Ipswich River. In his opinion it
would take a hydrolic man to come to a decision regarding this filing Mr Busby
went on to say that in 1953 he built a pond on his property, there were 5 springs
present then and there still are! Mr Busby is a certified arborist and is concerned
about possible contamination of his pond and named the wildlife he sees there on a
daily basis. Mr. Hohenberg stated he planted about 100 trees trying to hold the
water. Mr. Mansour expressed concern about the increase in water into the sump
and where is it going? There is a lot of information here for an RDA and the
Commission stated it may need an engineer or a hydrologist to review the filing.
Mr. Manzi asked the Commission if the applicant were to provide the information
from a hydrologist would the Commission be satisfied with an RDA? Mr. Mansour
questioned whether the Commission could do that? Mr. Lynch stated he thinks the
application is appropriate. The Commission stated they need more information
before going any further and they would like to review the original filing on the
house. Mr. Mabon stated to the applicant he wants the size of the stones in
diameter and a picture would be good also. The Commission wants a signed copy
from Riefel Trucking stating they will be responsible. On a motion by Mr. Mansour,
seconded by Mr. Lynch, the Commission voted unanimously to continue the public
hearing until May 19, 1999.
1160 Great Pond Rd (Brooks School) Rist-Frost-Shumway Engineering
John Scott, Mike Farnola and Bruce Wallin are present this evening Mr. Scott stated
that Brooks School is planning a significant building program over the next few
years They are proposing a campus center project, dining hall, athletic facility,
maintenance facility, manual training building and replacement of electric and
telephone underground. This will all take place in the next five years. The wetland
line has been confirmed and is accurate per Ms. Martin. No work is proposed
within 100"except for electric and telephone to be placed underground. The
utilities lines come from the service road off Great Pond Road and will be placed
underground. The campus drains in three directions. A detention area needs to be
built and the applicant is asking the Commission to allow them to construct a
detention pond later in the construction schedule. Mr Mansour is not quite
convinced about when to construct the detention pond, but will defer to Mr Lynch
Mr. Manzi, Ms. Feltovic and Mr. Mabon stated they have no problem allowing the
detention pond to be built later in the construction sequence and expect the
applicant to be back with a Notice of Intent filing. There are no abutters present this
evening. Ms. Martin stated she wants erosion control information and a pre-
construction meeting with her. On a motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Ms.
Feltovic, the Commission voted unanimously to issue a Negative Determination of
Applicability for the purpose of installing the underground utilities and the applicant
is to.
1 Submit revised plan with wetland flags depicted.
2 Erosion control (trenched silt fence and double staked haybales) to be
installed at Conservation Administrator's direction.
3 Schedule a pre-construction inspection with the Conservation Administrator.
On a motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Ms Feltovic, the Commission voted
unanimously to issue a Positive Determination of Applicability for the constructton
of a detention pond, re-direct water from the campus center and all wetland areas
indicated on plans dated April 1, 1999 to be revised with flag numbers.
Notice of Intent(s)
242-945 Salem St, Map 65, Lot 14 (The Sanctuary) Merr►mack Eng cont fr 4121199
John Soucy is present this evening requesting a continuance due to the fact that John
Chessia has not had time to review the revised plans yet. There are no abutters
present. The Commission discussed whether they will continue or close and stated
to the applicant that if they continue it will be the last continuance! On a motion by
Mr. Lynch, seconded by Ms. Feltovic, the Commission voted unanimously to
continue the public hearing until the May 19, 1999 meeting
242-954 Lot D Mill Road (J T. & C. Const. Corp) New England Eng cont fr 4121199
Ben Osgood, Jr. and Joe Contralto are present this evening and Mr. Osgood gave
out revised plans depicting the mitigation of the runoff of sand and salt. They have
adjusted the lineup of the driveway to install three catch basins along the side of the
driveway and a 10' x 18' grass Swale also to slowdown the water flow. Mr. Manzi
inquired if cascade basins would be appropriate. Mr Osgood stated he did think of
that, but went no further with the idea Mr. Manzi expressed concern about
protecting the property across the street during heavy, gully washing rains. Mr.
Lynch stated we probably can't and Mr Manzi stated in heavy rain the driveway
will act as a funnel. Mr Mansour stated the Commission needs calculations to back
this up Mr Osgood stated that typically we don't do calculations on a single home
lot. Mr. Mansour stated this is a non-typical lot. The Commission pointed out the
revised plans are dated today and no one has had a chance to review them. The
Commission stated that third party review is needed. Mr. Osgood will provide the
Commission with zero post runoff and attenuate pollution On a motion by Ms.
Feltovic, seconded by Mr. Mabon, the Commission voted unanimously to establish
an escrow account, for third party review, in the amount of $1,000. The
Commission stated to the applicant they are looking for zero post runoff and
pollution attenuation is to be achieved. Also, the applicant was told the sooner the
escrow is established the sooner the review can begin Helen Kellner, an abutter, is
present and stated she is concerned about runoff and water ending up on her
property. The Commission assured her they were concerned also, that's why a third
party review is necessary. The applicant is requesting a continuance until the June
2, 1999 meeting. On a motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Ms. Feltovic, the
Commission voted unanimously to grant the continuance until the June 2, 1999
meeting
242-952 240 Charles St, Map 75 Parcel 1 (GLSD) CDM cont from 4121199
Richard Hogan is present this evening and Ms. Martin read a letter from CDM
requesting a continuance until the May 19, 1999 meeting On a motion by Mr.
Mabon, seconded by Ms. Feltovic, the Commission voted unanimously to grant the
request for a continuance until the May 19, 1999 meeting.
242-956 Campbell Rd (West Env) Webster Wds Ln (aka Joanne Dr) cont fr 4121199
Mark West is present this evening and stated that revised plans were given to the
Commission Office on Monday They have relocated the silt fence on the down
side of the stone wall and flags UU16 to 11 have been shown on the plans. Test
pits and a detail of the stone wall are also depicted. Decks have been added on lots
8A and 9 Foundation drains are on the plans. Ms Martin has no further issues.
On a motion by Mr Lynch, seconded by Ms. Feltovic, the Commission voted
unanimously to close the public hearing and issue a decision within 21 days.
242-958 10 Campbell Rd (MPG Realty Corp) West Environmental cont fr 4121199
Mark West is present and requesting a continuance until the May 19, 1999 meeting.
There are no abutters present Mr Manzi stated he understands there is some back
and forth going on with the engineers, but the Commission will not be a part of it!
Mr. Lynch made a motion, seconded by Mr. Mabon, to close the public hearing and
issue a decision within 21 days The vote of the Commission was unanimous.
242-961 326 Candlestick Road (Scott & Marlene Bowman) Scott Giles
Scott Giles and Scott Bowman are present this evening. Proof of mailings were
submitted to the Commission Office previously. The application is for a 17' x 37'
inground pool with a concrete apron within the limits of the backyard. Mr. Giles
stated the house was built around 1996 and Julie Parrino did the delineation. Ms.
Martin is in agreement with the flag line. Mr Manzi stated this is substantially in
the no-build zone and the Commission agreed. Mr. Mabon stated we have to stand
firm on this! Mr Mansour stated we don't allow decks in the 50' The septic
system is in the front of the house Mr. Manzi stated the problem is precedent
setting, the Commission just does not approve these filings and expressed concern
that Mr. Giles would bring it forward. Mr Giles stated that in the NOI application
there is a waiver request form) Mr Bowman stated he is willing to let the concrete
apron go on one side. The Commission discussed and reviewed the plan for a few
minutes and Mr. Mansour suggested the applicant look at a different shape pool.
The applicant requested a continuance until the May 19, 1999 meeting. On a
motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Ms Feltovic, the Commission voted
unanimously to continue the public hearing until May 19, 1999
242-960 1270 Turnpike St (Mark Walter dba Greener Pastures) Neve Associates
Jim Bourgeois is present this evening and proof of mailings were given to the
Commission. Mr Bourgeois stated that Mr. Walter will lease the land from Mr.
Dunn of Boston Hill and they will sell nursery plants, small sheds and gazebos.
Also, they are proposing a small structure to be used as a business office. The site is
open and wooded around the perimeter. There will be minimal disturbance to the
site and the proposed business office will have sewer service. There are no waiver
requests. Mr. Bourgeois mentioned the fact that the sewer station will be moved
and Mr. Manzi stated that the Commission has not seen the modification plan to
move the sewer station The stockpiling area is at the 25' no-disturbance zone. Mr.
Lynch stated he would want the products to be cribbed'with a concrete pad and
walls to prevent them from "leaching" into the no-disturbance zone Mr. Mansour
stated that is a good idea, but there are no structures allowed in the 50' Mr. Manzi
suggested that maybe concrete barrier blocks is the answer. Mr. Mansour stated that
along the 25' no disturbance zone there should be a barrier so no encroachment is
possible Ms. Martin told the applicant with the isolated wetland you need to show
the 25', 50' and 100' buffer zone. The dumpster must stay 100' from the wetland
lien. Henry Fink is present and stated he is a direct abutter, was in the Commission
office today for 1 1/2 hours reviewing the plan and there is a discrepancy of where
the pump station should go! Henry stated he called some attorneys and there
should be a copy of the lease agreement in the filing The Commission stated that
that has nothing to do with this filing and the the Commission has no jurisdiction.
Mr Lynch stated to the applicant they need screening and fencing around the area,
a line with the isolated wetland is needed, jersey baracades and a new dumpster
location. On a motion by Mr Lynch, seconded by Ms. Feltovic, the Commission
voted unanimously to continue the public hearing until May 19, 1999.
242-2?? Lot 4N Rte 114, east of Berry St, (P Hingoran►) Patrick Garner Co, Inc
Peter Hingorani and Patrick Garner are present and proof of mailings were given to
the Commission Mr Garner stated the proposal is for 7 building, 14 duplex units.
The impervious area has been cut down by 30% and there will be two infiltration
areas. Mr. Garner stated that John Chessia is very familiar with the area since an
OOC was previously issued on the property No waivers are being requested and
the property will be on Town water and sewer. Subsurface infiltrators are proposed.
Mr. Lynch stated the Commission needs to know who will maintain the infiltrators.
Mr. Garner stated they anticipate the homes being sold as condos. On a motion by
Mr. Lynch, seconded by Ms Feltovic, the Commission voted unanimously to
establish an escrow account in the amount of $1,000. On a motion by Ms. Feltovic,
seconded by Mr Mabon, the Commission voted unanimously to continue the
public hearing at the June 2, 1999 meeting.
Decisions:
There are no decisions due this evening
Adjournment:
On a motion by Mr Lynch, seconded by Ms Feltovic, the Commission voted
unanimously to adjourn the meeting