The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2026-02-11 Conservation Commission Minutes Approved 0311112026 Albert P.Manzi Jr., Chair Bradley S.Mustain John T. Mabon Vice Chair `, %" ;��101% ,,,�j,�� Marissa Valentino Sean F. McDonough Matthew Bohenek David F. White i l Town of North Andover North Andover Conservation Commission February 11, 2026 Members Present: Matthew Bohenek, Bradley S. Mustain, Albert P. Manzi Jr., Chairman, John T. Mabon,Vice Chairman, and David F. White Members Absent: Sean F. McDonough and Marissa Valentino Staff Members Present: Amy Maxner, Conservation Administrator Meeting came to order at: 7:02 p.m. Quorum Present. Pledge of Allegiance Chair Albert Manzi Jr. will only cast a vote in the event of a tie, in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised 12th ed.,§4:56 Acceptance of Minutes • A motion to accept the minutes of January 28, 2026, as drafted was made by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Mabon. • Vote 3-0-1, (In Favor: Bohenek, Mabon,White Abstained: Mustain). Modification 242-1919, Stonecleave Road(LRC Builders) • The Administrator stated the Order was issued in November 2025 for three single-family homes under the Planning Board's PRD provisions. The project includes a 20-foot private roadway with cul-de-sac, septic systems, wells, and stormwater features. Work within jurisdiction is limited to a portion of the access road, grading, and stormwater components. The Applicant is seeking modifications prior to starting work. • Mr. Mabon asked that the dumping area referenced in the Modification be shown on the plan. The Administrator identified the area along the wetland edge near a potential vernal pool. The Applicant requested to delay cleanup until snowmelt and to use a mini excavator. • The Administrator recommended deferring cleanup until mid-to-late July to avoid potential impacts during vernal pool season. • Mr. Osgood stated the pool is not certified. Site visits by Norse Environmental and Ranger Engineering found standing water but no evidence of vernal pool species. He noted setbacks will be maintained as if certified. • Mr. Manzi questioned whether to wait to determine the pool's status. • Mr. Mabon noted cleanup is typically required before project start,but the delay is requested due to sensitivity concerns. • Mr. Osgood stated debris consists of brush and trash along the wetland edge. Snow conditions make removal difficult and could increase disturbance. He stated the project will take approximately two years and the Commission retains enforcement authority if cleanup is not completed. • Mr. Mustain confirmed limits of work will be surveyed and marked with caution tape in the same area as future erosion controls. • Mr. White raised questions regarding timing of landscaping plans and tree removal prior to permit sign-off. • The Administrator noted per the Planning Board building permits cannot be issued until the roadway is constructed and bonded. She suggested landscaping plans could be submitted once foundations are poured. • Mr. Osgood stated the Planning Board did not require a landscaping plan for this residential project and landscaping will be finalized closer to construction completion. Mr. Osgood outlined the sequence: survey and mark limits with caution tape,remove trees within limits, install erosion controls,then proceed with addressing the remaining pre-construction conditions and then start site work. No stump removal will occur before erosion controls are installed. • Mr. Mabon confirmed limits of work apply to Conditions 40D and 40G. • The Administrator stated surveyed field limits will ensure compliance. • Mr. Osgood acknowledged the site is steep but confirmed erosion controls will be installed prior to grading beyond access and staging. • The Commission agreed to defer cleanup until mid-to-late July,maintain setbacks as if the pool were certified, require surveyed limits of work, and install erosion controls before further disturbance. • A motion to approve the Modification as requested, discussed and recommended by staff was made by Mr. Mustain, seconded by Mr. Bohenek. • Vote 4-0, Unanimous. Documents 242-1919, Stonecleave Road OOC, 2026-02-02 Con Com modification request, 2026-02-02 modification checklist Enforcement Order/Violation 488 Pleasant Street(Borke/Brecher) • The Administrator stated that at the previous meeting the Commission approved the planting plan; however, it did not include standard conditions such as execution deadlines, survivorship requirements, or monitoring provisions. She recommended amending the Enforcement Order to include: a May 31 planting deadline,two years of monitoring, a 75%overall survivorship requirement, and a three-year invasive Vegetation Management Plan(VMP). The Enforcement Order will be placed on a future agenda for review and may be considered for lifting upon successful establishment of plantings and completion of invasive management. • A motion to amend the Enforcement Order as recommended was made by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Mabon. • Vote 4-0, Unanimous. Documents 01-28-2026 Meeting Materials, 04-23-2025 Meeting Materials, 09-10-2025 Meeting Materials, 10-22-2025 Meeting Materials, 12-10-2025 Meeting Materials, 12-10-25 Brecher Planting Plan General/New/Old Business NACC #354, Salem Street ROW& Foster Street ROW(Mass Electric Company) • The Administrator stated that the Commission previously approved a Small Project for installation of one new midspan pole and two pole replacements. Tree removal was not included at that time, and the Applicant was directed to return if removal became necessary. • Nate Goshgarian of LEC Environmental Consultants reported that a cluster of saplings along Salem Street conflicts with the wires and requires removal. The area is outside the 50-foot Buffer Zone,with trees located approximately 85-90 feet from the nearest Resource Area. • The Commission discussed whether the Modification remained within the approved Small Project category (Category L). • The Administrator advised that tree removal associated with the utility work could be included under the existing Category L approval, and no waiver was required. • Mr. Goshgarian stated he spoke with forestry and they will perform a combination of pruning and selective cutting rather than clear cutting,reducing the scope from six trees to approximately three. • A motion to grant the Modification as requested was made by Mr. Mabon, seconded by Mr. Mustain. • Vote 4-0, Unanimous. Documents 01-28-2026 Meeting Materials, IMG-0326, Town of North Andover Mail-National Grid tree work 2026-02-11 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 2 of 3 General/New/Old Business Wetland Protection Bylaw Amendments • The Commission discussed the upcoming March 9 warrant deadline and the limited time remaining to advance proposed bylaw amendments. • The Administrator recommended continuing the subcommittee's work rather than rushing to meet the deadline, noting the importance of allowing further discussion to avoid unintended issues. • The Commission agreed the draft is not yet ready for a vote and supported continuing the bylaw review process to prepare for a future Town Meeting. In the interim,the Commission will consider pursuing targeted updates to the local regulations, including clarification on items such as whether a fence constitutes a structure. Regulation changes require a posted public hearing but do not require Select Board or Town Meeting approval. • The Commission agreed to continue subcommittee work and to schedule regulatory amendments for discussion as soon as practical. • No action taken. Documents RED LINE AMENDMENTS Wetlands Protection Bylaw 01-12-26 Revisions Decision 242-1924, 1591 Osgood Street(Singh Realty Group LLQ • The Commission reviewed the draft Order of Conditions and updated the decision to reference the revised plans showing the impervious barrier and modified snow storage areas. Due to site conditions and tight setbacks, the Commission amended Condition#39 to increase the performance bond to $25,000 and noted that pre-construction coordination and field verification of erosion controls will be required. • A motion to approve the Order of Conditions as drafted and amended was made by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Mabon. • Vote 4-0, Unanimous. Adjournment • A motion to adjourn at 7:37 p.m. was made by Mr. Mustain, seconded by Mr. Bohenek. • Vote 4-0, Unanimous. 2026-02-11 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 3 of 3