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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-26 Conservation Commission Minutes Approved 09/09/2026 John T. Mabon, Chair Bradley S. Mustain Marissa Valentino, Vice Chair Matthew Bohenek Albert P. Manzi Jr.David F. White Sean F. McDonough Town of North Andover North Andover Conservation Commission North Andover Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes August 26, 2026 Members Present: Sean F. McDonough, David F. White, John T. Mabon (Chair), and Bradley S. Mustain Members Absent: Marissa Valentino (Vice Chair), Matthew Bohenek, and Albert P. Manzi Staff Members Present: Alexyss Langevin, Conservation Field Inspector/Planner Meeting Called to Order at: 7:05 p.m. Quorum Present. Pledge of Allegiance Acceptance of Minutes A motion to accept the minutes of July 22, 2026, as drafted, was made by Mr. Mabon, seconded by Mr. McDonough. Vote: 301, Motion Passed (In Favor: McDonough, Mabon, Mustain; Abstained: White). The August 12, 2026 meeting minutes were tabled. Modification 242-1925, 83 Academy Road (Stevens) The Field Inspector/Planner presented the modification request. The Order of Conditions, issued in March 2026, governs removal of the existing failed leaching area and septic tank and installation of a new Title 5- compliant Presby subsurface sewage disposal system. The new components are located outside the 50-foot NBZ. The existing components slated for removal are partially within the 25-foot NDZ, and this work was previously approved. The modification follows the final Board of Health review, which required an additional combination septic tank, associated piping, and force main to serve the accessory dwelling building. The additional tank is located outside the 50-foot NBZ within an existing lawn area. The Field Inspector/Planner recommended approval of the modification as requested, with no additional special conditions beyond those prescribed in the existing Order of Conditions. A motion to approve the Modification as presented was made by Mr. Mustain, seconded by Mr. White. Vote: 40, Unanimous. Documents 25.208 83 Academy Road N. Andover - SepticRev2.pdf, 83 Academy_Application Checklist - Modification Request - Final 03 22 22 (002).pdf, 2026-08-13_Academy amendment request.pdf Small Project NACC #379, Jerad Place/Forest Street (Massachusetts Electric Co.) The Field Inspector/Planner presented the proposal to install one new heavy-duty hand hole within the existing roadway as part of a larger exempt utility replacement project. The hand hole will be located within the 100-foot Buffer Zone and outside the 50-foot NBZ. The Field Inspector/Planner recommended approval of the project as a Category "L" Small Project, subject to erosion control, a pre-construction site inspection, and a post-construction inspection by Conservation staff. Sam Kefferstan of BSC Group, representing Massachusetts Electric Company, was present. Mr. Kefferstan stated that excavation associated with the hand hole would be minimal and that the excavated material would ideally be reused on site. Mr. Mabon noted that erosion control needs for the project would likely be minimal and suggested surrounding the excavated spoils with erosion controls, as appropriate. A motion to determine that the project qualifies as a Small Project under Category "L" was made by Mr. McDonough and seconded by Mr. White. Vote: 40, Unanimous. A motion to approve the project subject to the conditions recommended by staff was made by Mr. McDonough and seconded by Mr. Mustain. Vote: 40, Unanimous. Documents CandlestickInstallation_ConCom_20ft_ER_202608021_Final.pdf, CandlestickInstallation_ConCom_100ft_ER_20260821_Final.pdf, Small Project Application Supporting Materials 08 12 26.pdf Notice of Intent (NOI) 242-1929, 520 Great Pond Road - Parking Lot (NA Country Club) The Field Inspector/Planner presented the revised proposal for improvements to the clubhouse parking lot. The original proposal included full-depth reclamation, grading and repaving, permeable pavers, retaining walls, a dumpster enclosure, generator pad and gas connection, and drainage improvements. The revised scope consists of milling approximately 2.5 inches of existing pavement and repaving within the same footprint, cleaning the existing catch basin, repairing the riprap apron, installing the dumpster pad and enclosure, generator pad and gas line, and raised concrete berms around landscaped areas. The Field Inspector/Planner noted that the wetland consultant and project engineer had discussed the reduced scope with DEP and reported that the revised project would not trigger the Massachusetts Stormwater Management Standards. An O&M Plan for the catch basin and a waiver request for the pavement replacement and dumpster pad and enclosure were also provided. Maureen Herald of Norse Environmental stated that she and the project engineer reviewed the revised plan with DEP and that DEP was comfortable that the reduced scope did not require compliance with the Massachusetts Stormwater Management Standards. John Benvenuto, General Manager of the North Andover Country Club, was also present. Mr. Benvenuto stated that the proposed retaining walls had been removed from the project due to cost and because they were primarily cosmetic improvements. Mr. Mustain stated that he had driven by the site and was comfortable with the revised proposal. He noted that the dumpster enclosure would improve the existing condition by helping contain trash and preventing debris from blowing into the wetland. The Commission discussed the location of the dumpster near the Intermittent Stream. Mr. Mabon requested that the O&M Plan address cleaning of the curbed dumpster area and require that wash water and leaked fluids be contained within the paved parking area and prevented from entering the Intermittent Stream. The Commission agreed that the area should be cleaned at least annually. The Commission also discussed the removal of the two proposed retaining walls along Great Pond Road. Ms. Herald stated that the walls had been removed from the revised plan. Mr. Mabon and Mr. Mustain noted existing drainage and erosion concerns along Great Pond Road, and Ms. Herald stated that the area would need to be monitored and any sediment entering the property from the roadway cleaned up as needed. No abutters were present. A motion to grant the waivers as requested for work within the 25-foot NDZ and 50-foot NBZ was made by Mr. White and seconded by Mr. Mustain. Vote: 40, Unanimous. A motion to close the hearing and issue a decision within 21 days was made by Mr. White and seconded by Mr. McDonough. 2026-08-26 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 2 of 4 Vote: 40, Unanimous. Documents 05-13-2026 Meeting Materials, 05-13-26 Mtg. Minutes - First Hearing #242-1929.pdf, 520 Great Pond CSP.pdf, 520 Great Pond Rd O&M Schedule.pdf, 520 Great Pond Revised Plan.pdf, EDC Plan 10-13-93.pdf, Norse 8-6-26 plan change memo.pdf, Revised NOI Report 8-6-26.pdf, Site Development Plan 7-14-26.pdf Notice of Intent (NOI) 242-1932, 384 Osgood Street (North Andover DPW) Hailey Page, Environmental Scientist, and Joe Fitzpatrick, Project Manager, of Weston & Sampson presented the proposal for replacement of the existing underground fuel and waste oil systems at the DPW facility. The existing tanks were installed in the early 1990s and are beyond their useful service life. Resource areas on site include Inland Bank, perennial and intermittent streams, RFA, BVW, BLSF, the 100- foot BZ, 50-foot NBZ, and 25-foot NDZ. A non-jurisdictional stormwater channel was also identified. The project includes replacement of the existing 20,000-gallon diesel and gasoline tanks, fuel island, dispensers, piping and monitoring system with new double-wall tanks, piping and continuous leak monitoring. The concrete pad will be slightly expanded within the existing developed DPW yard, and a new fuel island canopy will be installed. The two existing waste oil tanks will also be replaced with one double- wall underground storage tank with leak monitoring and a high-level alarm. The proposal also includes cleaning sediment and woody debris from the existing drainage culvert using hand tools. Temporary impacts to BVW, BLSF and the 25-foot NDZ are associated with this work and will be restored to pre-construction conditions. Temporary and permanent impacts are also proposed within the RFA and 50-foot NBZ. Erosion controls consisting primarily of compost filter tubes or similar controls will be installed and maintained until disturbed areas are stabilized. Roof runoff from the new canopy will be directed by pipe to the existing stormwater treatment system. The Commission discussed management of soil excavated during removal of the existing tanks. Mr. Fitzpatrick stated that the soil would be tested and either reused or removed from the site as necessary. The plans identify a temporary soil stockpile/staging area near the salt shed with compost filter tubes. Mr. Mabon requested that the stockpile also be covered. Mr. Mabon also asked about runoff from the proposed fuel island canopy. Mr. Fitzpatrick confirmed that roof runoff will be conveyed through underground piping directly to the existing stormwater system rather than discharged across the ground surface. No abutters were present. A motion to approve the waiver requests for temporary and permanent alterations within the 25-foot NDZ and 50-foot NBZ was made by Mr. Mustain and seconded by Mr. White. Vote: 40, Unanimous. A motion to close the hearing and issue a decision within 21 days was made by Mr. McDonough and seconded by Mr. White. Vote: 40, Unanimous. Documents N. Andover DPW Fuel System Replacement NOI.pdf, North Andover Fuel System Replacement NOI Presentation (1).pptx, Plans.pdf, Project Narrative.pdf, Stormwater Report.pdf, Waiver Req. Alt. Analysis.pdf, Wetland Report.pdf Enforcement Order/Violation 197 Hickory Hill Road (King/Bowe/Rackleff) The Field Inspector/Planner stated that the property owners are waiting to speak with their consultant to better understand the available options before deciding how to proceed. The property owners requested that the matter be continued to the September 9, 2026 meeting. A motion to continue to the September 9, 2026 meeting was made by Mr. White and seconded by Mr. Mustain. 2026-08-26 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 3 of 4 Vote: 40, Unanimous. Documents Email from chris@doublediamondne.com requesting a continuance until 09/09/2026 General/New/Old Business 242-1814, Request for Extension, 3 Great Pond Road (Finbury) The Field Inspector/Planner stated that the Order of Conditions, issued in September 2021, governs conversion of the existing building into a three-unit condominium with associated parking, retaining wall, stormwater management improvements, landscaping, and removal of existing pavement. The Order of Conditions received a two-year automatic extension under the Mass Leads Act and is currently set to expire in September 2026. The project was delayed due to historic permitting taking longer than expected. Construction began in March 2026, and the project is currently in progress and in compliance with the Order of Conditions. A motion to grant the one-year extension was made by Mr. Mustain and seconded by Mr. McDonough. Vote: 40, Unanimous. Documents Extension Request - 3 Great Pond Road 08 12 26.pdf General/New/Old Business North Andover Wetland Protection Regulations Revisions The Commission discussed scheduling a Special Meeting to continue review of the proposed revisions to the Wetland Protection Regulations. September 1, 2026 was identified as the preferred date based on member availability. The Commission discussed meeting and posting requirements, room availability, and the need for the meeting to be recorded. It was noted that the required legal notice had already been published and that an agenda would need to be posted for the Special Meeting. The Commission agreed to schedule the Special Meeting for September 1, 2026 at 7:00 p.m., subject to room availability, with September 29, 2026 identified as an alternate date. A motion to schedule a Special Meeting for the Regulations review on September 1, 2026 at 7:00 p.m., with September 29, 2026 as an alternate date, was made by Mr. Mustain and seconded by Mr. White. Vote: 40, Unanimous. Documents 07-08-2026 Meeting Materials Decision 242-1931, 1101 Turnpike Street (Massachusetts Electric Co.) The Commission reviewed the draft Order of Conditions. Mr. Mabon and Mr. White, who were not present for the prior hearing, confirmed that they had watched the meeting video. The Commission discussed the missed-meeting certification requirement for members who were not present at the prior hearing. The Commission reviewed the draft conditions and had no substantive changes. A motion to approve the Order of Conditions as drafted was made by Mr. McDonough, seconded by Mr. Mustain. Vote: 40, Unanimous. Adjournment A motion to adjourn at 8:17 p.m. was made by Mr. McDonough, seconded by Mr. Mustain. Vote: 40, Unanimous. 2026-08-26 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 4 of 4