HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-06-24 Conservation Commission Minutes Approved 0712212026
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
June 24, 2026
Members Present: Matthew Bohenek, John T.Mabon(Vice Chairman),Albert P. Manzi Jr. (Chairman), Sean F.
McDonough, David F. White, and Marissa Valentino
Members Absent: Bradley S. Mustain
Staff Members Present: Amy Maxner, Conservation Administrator and Alexyss Langevin, Conservation Field
Inspector/Planner
Meeting Came to Order at: 7:00 p.m. Quorum Present.
Pledge of Allegiance
Acceptance of Minutes
• A motion to accept the minutes of June 10, 2026, as drafted,was made by Mr.White, seconded by Ms.
Valentino.
• Vote: 5-0,Unanimous.
Certificate of Compliance
242-1842,Lorraine Avenue(Kindred)
• The Administrator presented the request for a Certificate of Compliance for the roadway paving project,
which included grading the existing private gravel roadway, installation of binder and finish pavement
courses, construction of infiltration trenches, and paving of the driveways at 10 and 15 Lorraine Avenue. The
project also included relocating the driveway at 15 Lorraine Avenue outside the 50-foot NBZ.
• The Administrator reported that construction was completed during the summer of 2025 and that erosion
controls were removed following successful site stabilization. She noted that she conducted a site inspection
prior to the meeting and found the project to be fully stabilized,with no outstanding compliance issues. The
Administrator recommended issuance of a full and final Certificate of Compliance, subject to the ongoing
conditions of the Order of Conditions.
• David Kindred, the Applicant,was present.
• Ms. Valentino questioned whether the first annual stormwater operation and maintenance(O&M)report was
required prior to issuance of the Certificate of Compliance. The Administrator explained that the Order of
Conditions requires the first report to be submitted one year after the stormwater management system
becomes operational and that the reporting requirement is an ongoing condition of the Order. Mr. Kindred
agreed to have the project engineer complete the required annual O&M inspection and submit the report later
in the summer. Mr. Mabon and Ms. Valentino discussed the operation and maintenance requirements for the
subsurface infiltration system. The Administrator confirmed that the system was functioning as intended. The
Commission agreed that the annual O&M report remains an ongoing condition of the Order of Conditions and
does not preclude issuance of the Certificate of Compliance.
• 7:05 p.m., Mr. McDonough joined the meeting.
• A motion to issue a full and final Certificate of Compliance, subject to the ongoing conditions of the Order of
Conditions, including submission of the required annual stormwater O&M report,was made by Mr. White,
seconded by Mr. Mabon.
• Vote: 5-0-1 (In Favor: Bohenek,Mabon, Manzi,White, Valentino;Abstained: McDonough).
Documents
5-5-22 Coven Letter and Op. and Main., 242-1842, Lorraine Avenue-Roadway Paving OOC, Approved Site
Plan Rev 5.10.2022, Lorraine Ave- CoC Req 242-1842, Lorraine Ave CCAB-5-11-2026
Certificate of Compliance
242-1479, 15 Lorraine Avenue(Breenmore Realty Trust)
• The Administrator presented the request for a Certificate of Compliance for the completed construction of a
16-foot by 25-foot addition, decks,walkways, driveway reconfiguration, demolition of an outbuilding and
shed, and associated site work within the Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands (BVW). As part of
the project, a portion of the 25-foot NDZ was restored and replanted, a rock wall was installed along the 25-
foot NDZ, and wetland markers were installed.
• The Administrator reported that she conducted a site inspection prior to the meeting and found the project to
be in substantial compliance with the approved plans. She noted that the restoration area was fully vegetated,
the driveway was located outside the 50-foot NBZ,the northerly deck was reduced in size from the approved
plan, and the as-built conditions were substantially consistent with the approved plans.
• David Kindred, the homeowner,was present.
• A motion to issue a full and final Certificate of Compliance was made by Mr. McDonough, seconded by Ms.
Valentino.
• Vote: 6-0,Unanimous.
Documents
COC Request SOOC-MassDEP, 15 Lorraine Ave—CoC Req 242-1479, Approved Amended Plan - 15
Lorraine, CCAB 15 Lorraine Ave 2026 05-08
Small Project
NACC #374,50 Sutton Hill Road(Zimmerman)
• The Administrator presented the proposal to replace an existing 8-foot wood stockade fence along the
northerly and easterly property lines,which are located outside the Buffer Zone. The rear section of fencing at
the edge of the lawn will receive a 6-foot chain link fence. The closest portion of the proposed work is located
approximately 78 feet from the wetland. All work will be completed by hand,with excess soils disposed of
outside the Buffer Zone.
• The Administrator recommended approval of the project as a Category"H" Small Project, subject to a pre-
construction meeting with the fence contractor and a post-construction inspection by Conservation staff.
• Earl Zimmerman,the Applicant,was present.
• A motion to approve the project as a Small Project under Category"H", subject to the conditions
recommended by staff,was made by Mr. McDonough and seconded by Mr. White.
• Vote: 6-0,Unanimous.
Documents
50 Sutton Hill Rd. -Small Project Application Materials,Aerial-Fence Project Wetland Measurement
Request for Determination of Applicability
136 Carlton Lane(Duffy)
• The Field Inspector/Planner presented the proposal to rehabilitate the existing driveway through full-depth
reclamation and repaving within the existing footprint. The closest point of the driveway is located
approximately 10 feet from an intermittent stream. A waiver request was submitted to allow the in-kind work
within the Buffer Zone. The Field Inspector/Planner recommended approval of the waiver,noting that
relocating the driveway would result in greater disturbance within the Buffer Zone and that maintenance of
the legally existing driveway in its current location was reasonable.
• The Commission discussed the waiver request and the alternatives analysis submitted with the application.
Members noted that while the proposed work appeared appropriate,the alternatives analysis should clearly
document the need for the waiver and why no practical alternative exists.
2026-06-24 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 2 of 4
• Howard Cooper, of Cooper Brothers Paving,was present on behalf of the Applicant and explained that the
driveway is more than 20 years old and has significantly deteriorated. He confirmed that relocating or
narrowing the driveway was not a practical alternative and that all work would remain within the existing
footprint.
• A motion to grant the waiver was made by Mr. White, seconded by Ms. Valentino.
• Vote: 6-0,Unanimous.
• The Commission discussed the proposed erosion control measures and agreed that an 8-inch mulch sock
should be installed along the entire length of the driveway prior to construction. The Commission also
required pre- and post-construction inspections with the contractor,homeowner, and Conservation staff,with
erosion controls to remain in place until approved for removal by Conservation staff.
• No abutters were present.
• A motion to close the public hearing and issue a Negative Determination#3 was made by Mr. White,
seconded by Mr. McDonough.
• Vote: 6-0,Unanimous.
Documents
Aerial-wetland distance from driveway, IMG-4865, RDA Application with Supporting Materials 05 28 26
Notice of Intent(NOI)
242-1928,400 Foster Street(Colomba)
• The Applicant requested a continuance.
• A motion to continue to the July 8, 2026 meeting was made by Mr. White, seconded by Ms. Valentino.
• Vote: 6-0,Unanimous.
Documents
Email from r'es e&c c st®net requesting a continuance until 07108126
Enforcement Order/Violation
11 Woodlea Road(Anil 0. Minocha& Parveen A.Minocha Living Trust)
• The Administrator presented a draft Enforcement Order,prepared at the Commission's request following the
June 10, 2026 meeting. She summarized the proposed corrective actions,which include removing shredded
woody debris and wood chips from the 25-foot NDZ and forested area beyond the maintained lawn by hand,
disposing of the material off-site, restoring the disturbed area with a native shade-tolerant seed mix, and
installing eight permanent wetland markers along the edge of the lawn. The proposed compliance deadline is
September 25, 2026.
• Mr. Mabon inquired whether replacement tree plantings should be required to mitigate the removal of several
mature pine trees. The Administrator explained that the trees appeared to have been hazardous and likely
would have been approved for removal if requested. She further noted that the shaded site and long-term
survivability of replacement trees made natural regeneration, combined with seeding and installation of
permanent wetland markers, the preferred restoration approach.
• A motion to issue an Enforcement Order as drafted was made by Mr. McDonough, seconded by Mr.
Bohenek.
• Vote: 6-0,Unanimous.
Documents
06-10-2026 Meeting Materials, EO COver Letter Tree Removal, Wood Chips in 25'
Enforcement Order/Violation
40 Flagship Drive—GTA Company,Inc./Gregory T.Antonelli
• Mr. White requested an update regarding the Enforcement Order for Flagship Drive,noting that
approximately one year had passed since the Commission last discussed the matter in Executive Session.
• A motion to request an update from Town staff regarding the status of the Enforcement Order for Flagship
Drive was made by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. McDonough.
• Vote: 6-0,Unanimous.
2026-06-24 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 3 of 4
General/New/Old Business
North Andover Wetland Protection Regulations Revisions
• The Commission discussed the process for reviewing and revising the local Wetlands Protection Regulations.
The Administrator recommended temporarily modifying the previously established bylaw/regulations
subcommittee process with a recurring agenda item to allow the Commission to review draft revisions to the
regulations, section by section, during regular meetings. She noted that some proposed revisions are
administrative in nature, such as updating citations and addresses,while others involve substantive policy
changes, including revisions related to fences and vernal pool criteria.
• Commission members discussed the relationship between the Bylaw and the Regulations and agreed that
certain administrative amendments to the Regulations could move forward independently,while more
substantive regulatory revisions should follow completion of the Bylaw review. Members also discussed
zoning-related issues concerning resource area definitions vs. contiguous buildable area and agreed that those
concerns appear to be a zoning matter rather than an issue with the Wetlands Protection Bylaw.
• The Commission reached a consensus to proceed with a public hearing on administrative updates and other
straightforward regulatory amendments, including revisions to the fence provisions,before continuing with
the broader bylaw review via the subcommittee recommending revisions to the Commission at large. Bylaw
revision timeline was discussed with the Administrator noting that the Town Meeting Warrant typically closes
mid-March, and Town Counsel time to review proposed revisions should be factored in.
• The Administrator will prepare a redlined version of the proposed administrative and fence-related regulatory
amendments for a future public hearing and will determine whether the hearing can be scheduled for the July
8, 2026 meeting based on publication deadlines. The Commission discussed a goal of completing the draft
Bylaw revisions by Thanksgiving to allow sufficient time for review by Town Counsel and the Select Board
in advance of the Annual Town Meeting.
• Mr. Bohenek requested that staff obtain and distribute available guidance regarding the Commonwealth's new
clean energy permitting requirements to ensure the Commission considers any impacts to the Wetlands
Protection Bylaw or Regulations during the revision process. The Administrator noted that the Staff Planner is
preparing a draft bylaw addressing the new requirements and will reach out to her for more information for
the Commission.
Documents
Master MEMO for Revisions 06-23-26, N.Andover Ephemeral Pool Criteria Analysis FINAL, NA Wetlands
Protection Regulations 06-23-26 REVISIONS
General/New/Old Business
Election of Conservation Commission Officers
• A motion to nominate John Mabon as Chair was made by Mr. Manzi, seconded by Mr. McDonough.
• Vote: 5-0-1 (In Favor: Bohenek,Manzi,McDonough,White,Valentino;Abstained: Mabon).
• A motion to nominate Marissa Valentino as Vice Chair was made by Mr. Mabon, seconded by Mr.
McDonough.
• Vote: 5-0-1 (In Favor: Bohenek,Mabon, Manzi, McDonough, White;Abstained: Valentino).
• The Commission thanked Mr. Manzi for his years of service as Chair. Mr. Manzi noted that he and Mr.
Bohenek had recently been reappointed by the Select Board to three-year terms on the Commission.
Adjournment
• A motion to adjourn at 7:58 p.m. was made by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Manzi.
• Vote: 6-0,Unanimous.
2026-06-24 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 4 of 4