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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-28 Conservation Commission Minutes Approved 02/11/2026 Albert P. Manzi Jr., Chair Bradley S. Mustain John T. Mabon, Vice Chair Marissa Valentino Sean F. McDonoughMatthew Bohenek David F. White Town of North Andover North Andover Conservation Commission January 28, 2026 Members Present: Matthew Bohenek, Marissa Valentino, Albert P. Manzi Jr., Chairman, John T. Mabon, Vice Chairman, and David F. White Members Absent: Sean F. McDonough and Bradley S. Mustain Staff Members Present: Alexyss Langevin, Conservation Field Inspector/Planner Meeting came to Order at: 7:15 p.m. Quorum Present. Pledge of Allegiance Newly Revised 12th ed., §4:56 Acceptance of Minutes Mr. Mabon noted a correction for the 989 Salem Street vote. The recorded vote of 3-0-2 was a typo and was amended to the correct verbal vote of 3-2-0. A motion to accept the minutes of January 14, 2026, as drafted and amended was made by Mr. White, seconded by Ms. Valentino. Vote 4-0, Unanimous. Certificate of Compliance 242-1672, 492 Sutton Street (Lawrence Municipal Airport) The Field Inspector/Planner stated issuance of the Certificate of Compliance was conditioned on closing all open Orders of Conditions (OOCs) on the property. The final outstanding OOC (242-949, Northeast Storage Corp.) was closed at the January 14th meeting. The Order, issued in March 2016, governed rehabilitation and extension of Runway 05-23. Work included removal of 100 feet of pavement at the Runway 23 end, construction of 100 feet of new pavement at the Runway 05 end, creation of 300-foot by 150-foot safety areas, narrowing the runway by 25 feet along its length, and associated drainage, electrical, and navigational upgrades. The project impacted Bordering Vegetated Wetland (BVW) and a portion of an Intermittent Stream channel, which was relocated. Wetland replication totaling 9,224 square feet was completed at a 2.6:1 ratio. The replication area and relocated stream channel were constructed in Fall 2016 and monitored for five years by Randy Christensen, who reported the replication as very successful. Dominic Zazzaro of Stantec Consulting Service and Francisco Urena of Lawrence Municipal Airport were present. Mr. Manzi confirmed Staff conducted a site inspection and reported no issues or notable concerns. A motion to issue a full and final Certificate of Compliance was made by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Mabon. Vote 3-0-1, (In Favor: Bohenek, Mabon, White, Abstained: Valentino). Documents 242-1672_LMA_RW_5-23_AsBuilt_Stream_Reloc_Plans, Eng. Cert Letter #242-1672, LMA_242- 1672_stormwater_inspection_20241203, LMA_242-1672_wetland_marker_photos Small Project NACC #354, Salem Street ROW & Foster Street ROW (Mass Electric Company) Nate Goshgarian of LEC Environmental Consultants stated the project involves replacement of two existing utility poles and installation of one new midspan pole, as shown on the plans. Standard pole replacement procedures will be used, including precise extraction and installation of circular erosion controls, such as silt sock or fencing, at each pole location. Work will occur along the shoulder of the right-of-way within sidewalk and grassed areas. Mr. White noted the application references selective tree removal or pruning and asked whether tree removal would be necessary. Mr. Goshgarian stated he did not anticipate tree removal and expected work to be limited to pruning within approximately 10 feet of the pole locations. He stated he would confirm and notify the Commission if that changes. pruning only, was made by Mr. Mabon, seconded by Mr. White. Vote 4-0, Unanimous. Documents Small Project Permit Application-Salem Street and Foster Street Request for Determination of Applicability 488 Pleasant Street (Brecher) The Field Inspector/Planner stated the project involves an existing dock and granite steps installed in the summer of 2025. This is an after-the-fact application; therefore, no conditions are recommended. Mr. Brecher and Ms. Borke, the Applicants, were present. Ms. Valentino confirmed with the Applicant that the dock remains in place year-round. Mr. Bohenek asked when the steps were installed. Mr. Brecher stated the steps were installed for safety reasons ahead of a large gathering. A motion to close the hearing and issue a Negative Determination #3 was made by Mr. Mabon, seconded by Mr. White. Vote 4-0, Unanimous. Documents RDA Application with Supporting Materials - 488 Pleasant Street 12 17 25 Enforcement Order/Violation 488 Pleasant Street (Borke/Brecher) (VMP) submitted by the homeowner. Mr. Brecher and Ms. Borke, the homeowners, were present. issues. A motion to amend the Enforcement Order to incorporate the planting plan and Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) was made by Mr. White, seconded by Ms. Valentino. Vote 4-0, Unanimous. Documents 04-23-2025 Meeting Materials, 09-10-2025 Meeting Materials, 10-22-2025 Meeting Materials, 12-10-2025 Meeting Materials, 12-10-25 Veg. Management Plan AM's Comments Request for Determination of Applicability 687 Massachusetts Avenue (Sordan Construction) The Field Inspector/Planner stated the project consists of constructing a new 14 ft by 14 ft screened porch at the rear of the house. The foundation will consist of four 12-inch-diameter sonotubes extending 4 feet below grade. Footing excavation will be performed by hand, with construction access via the existing driveway. The 2026-01-28 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 2 of 5 proposed porch is located 58 feet from the nearest Bordering Vegetated Wetland (BVW) within a previously disturbed yard with existing pavers. She recommended closing the hearing and issuing a Negative Determination #3 with conditions, including installation of an 8-inch straw wattle between the work area and the wetland as determined by Staff, and pre- and post-construction meetings. Ms. Valentino recommended pitching the roof toward the wetland area, noting that roof runoff is clean and would help replenish water resources. Sorin Farcas of Sordan Construction confirmed this was the original design intent. Mr. Manzi noted that the project narrative stated roof runoff would be directed away from the BVW and allowed to disperse as sheet flow over existing paved and landscaped areas. The Commission agreed to add a condition requiring roof runoff from the new structure to discharge onto a crushed stone drip edge and flow toward the rear lot line, pitched toward the wetland area. No abutters were present. A motion to close the hearing and issue a Negative Determination #3, as recommended and discussed, was made by Mr. Mabon, seconded by Mr. Bohenek. Vote 4-0, Unanimous. Documents RDA Application with Supporting Materials 01 13 26 Request for Determination of Applicability Foster Street ROW, Osgood Street ROW & Turnpike Street ROW (Mass Electric Company) The Field Inspector/Planner presented the project located within the National Grid/MECO right-of-way at 409 Foster Street, 1250 Turnpike Street, and 575 Osgood Street. The scope of work encompasses the installation of two new midspan utility poles (P-3404-25 and P-3933-50) and the replacement of two exempt poles, along with minor vegetation management. All operations will be staged from the paved roadway and the adjacent right-of-way. The new poles are situated within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetland (BVW), with the Turnpike Street pole additionally located within the Riverfront Area and partially within the 100-year floodplain. Both poles are approximately seven feet from the BVW. She noted that permitting is required for the new poles, while the Osgood Street poles are exempt but were included for completeness. She recommended issuing a Negative Determination #3, subject to specific conditions, including the implementation of erosion control measures and both pre- and post-construction inspections. Nate Goshgarian of LEC Environmental Consultants stated vegetation impacts would be minimal, limited to small-caliper trees and shrubs, with hand cutting and root systems left intact. Pruning would be used where feasible. Bob Chase, 31 Vest Way, asked about a stake on his property. Mr. Manzi indicated it was likely a survey stake unrelated to the project. Melinda Perone, 65 Meadowood Road, raised concerns about a blocked culvert on Turnpike Street. Mr. Goshgarian confirmed the project does not involve culvert or hydrologic work. A motion to close the hearing and issue a Negative Determination #3 with conditions as recommended was made by Mr. Mabon, seconded by Mr. White. Vote 4-0, Unanimous. Documents Foster St., Turnpike St., Osgood St._RDA_1.14.26 Notice of Intent (NOI) 242-1924, 1591 Osgood Street (Singh Realty Group LLC) The Field Inspector/Planner stated that at the previous hearing the Commission requested a 20-mil impermeable liner around the subsurface infiltration system and additional snow storage across the access road adjacent to the building, reducing snow storage near the wetland. These revisions have been added to the plan. The Field Inspector/Planner stated that the Administrator recommended that the Commission determine whether the responses and plan revisions are satisfactory and, if so, close the hearing. Houston Hubbart of Jones & Beach were present. 2026-01-28 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 3 of 5 No abutters were present. A motion to close the hearing and issue a decision within 21 days was made by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Mabon. Vote 4-0, Unanimous. Documents 01-14-2026 Meeting Materials, 12-10-2025 Meeting Materials, 24224-Planset (Rev 1-26-26) Notice of Intent (NOI) 242-1923, 520 Great Pond Road (North Andover Country Club) Maureen Herald of Norse Environmental presented the proposed Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) for vegetation management and limited tree removal along the first and ninth fairways near Lake Cochichewick. The plan proposes topping fast-growing shrub vegetation, primarily speckled alder, within the red-shaded area twice annually (March/April and August/September) to maintain sightlines and golfer safety. Vegetation would be maintained at approximately cattail height (4.55 feet).The proposal includes removal of 31 trees within the yellow-shaded area, including a declining weeping willow. No stumping is proposed. Ms. Herald stated the trees are stressed or dying due to prolonged flooding. Replacement planting would include approximately 50 native, wildlife-friendly shrubs, such as highbush blueberry and winterberry, along with seeding. A file number has been issued, and no DEP comments have been received. She noted that an emergency permit request for winter work was denied by the Planning Board. The project requires a Watershed Special Permit, and no work may proceed without Planning Board approval. Boyd Holk, representing the North Andover Country Club, explained that siltation has caused historically wet areas to be overtaken by dense speckled alder growth over the last five to seven years. This tall vegetation now creates a safety hazard by obstructing visibility between golfers on the first and ninth fairways. The club proposes maintaining lower vegetation to restore the necessary sightlines. Ms. Herald stated that, in her opinion, the weeping willow is dying and should be removed before it collapses. Mr. White asked whether a certified arborist was consulted. Ms. Herald responded that the Administrator indicated the Commission may request an arborist review, and they are awaiting Commission direction. Mr. Mabon questioned how the vegetation creates a safety hazard. Mr. Holk explained that shots from the first tee often land short of the stream and that tall vegetation near the stream and cart bridges obstructs sightlines, making it difficult to safely take second shots or see players ahead. Mr. Manzi stated the hazard is evident on site and recommended a site walk when conditions allow. Mr. Mabon noted that the VMP should clearly identify a target vegetation height. Ms. Herald confirmed the proposal is limited to topping vegetation and debris removal. Ms. Valentino expressed concern with the yellow-shaded area due to its location in the flood zone and requested greater consideration of water management, nutrient runoff, and planting design. on replacing non-native or non-thriving species with appropriate alternatives. Ms. Herald noted that options such as a berm or compensatory storage have been discussed and will be reviewed with the project engineer. She added that winter work would utilize a crane staged on the course to minimize impacts, with January and February being the only feasible work window due to irrigation infrastructure. Ms. Valentino stated that this is not possible, as a berm could limit the flood storage capacity of that area. Mr. White requested additional detail on the planting plan, including whether tree replacement is feasible in addition to shrubs, and suggested consulting a certified arborist. Mr. Manzi referenced the Vegetation Management Plan at Lawrence Municipal Airport as a successful long- term approach to maintaining low-growing vegetation. Melinda Perone, 65 Meadowood Road expressed several concerns. She was worried about the potential removal of healthy trees, particularly the shagbark hickory, which is a valuable bat habitat. She suggested that 2026-01-28 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 4 of 5 the recent flooding might have been caused by a single, isolated storm event. Ms. Perone also noted the lack of replacement trees in the current plan and advocated for the planting of new trees if any are removed from the area. The Commission requested an independent third-party certified arborist report to justify the proposed tree removals and additional detail on the replacement planting plan, including a formalized layout and consideration of replacement trees. The project remains contingent upon filing for a watershed Special Permit with the Planning Board. A motion to continue to February 25, 2026, was made by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Mabon. Vote 4-0, Unanimous. Documents 03-12-25 Site Plan - NA Country Club, CorrespondenceLetter_MelindaPerrone 01 16 26, NOI 520 Great Pond Road North Andover Country Club Wetland Protection Bylaw Amendments General/New/Old Business The Commission agreed to continue the discussion to allow for receipt of all comments and, if necessary, schedule a special meeting for approval prior to the town meeting, subject to coordination with the Administrator. No action taken. Decision 242-1924, 1591 Osgood Street (Singh Realty Group LLC) The Commission reviewed the draft Order of Conditions, focusing on two necessary corrections: adjusting the liner specification to 20 mil and fixing a boilerplate date error. The bond amount was set at $10,000. To allow time for these corrections, the Commission agreed to continue this item to the next meeting. A motion to continue to February 11, 2026, was made by Mr. White, seconded by Ms. Valentino. Vote 4-0, Unanimous. Adjournment A motion to adjourn at 8:48 p.m. was made by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Mabon. Vote 4-0, Unanimous. 2026-01-28 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 5 of 5