7:45 p.m. Hearing Continuance RDA (unsettled) Public Hearing Lot 106, 61 Eisenhower Drive:
Greg presented to the Commission a series of digital photos that Forrest Emery had taken of the site. Greg explained that on the critical flags that were identified for Forrest to work on, they found a 34' shift on one, a 10' shift on the middle, and a 14' shift on the other end. Greg and Forrest have completed 5 test holes and 50 auger points.
Peg called for a motion to continue the hearing until the applicant contacts the Commission.
Hank moved. Janet seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
8:05 p.m. Update of Lot on Massapoag Ave. Robert G. Morse, Jr.:
Peg informed the Commission that Jim Miller is re-surveying the flag lines on the proposed site
and when the plans are completed, the Commission will arrange a site visit to review those plans.
8:10 p.m. Review Past Meeting Minutes:
Peg called for a motion to approve the November 21, 2002 Meeting Minutes.
Hank moved. Mike seconded. Voted 5-0-2.
8:15 p.m. Signatures:
The Commission signed bills and Conservation Restriction on lot 23 & lot 40, Christina Estates, located off Furnace Street.
8:20 p.m. Rattlesnake Hill Update:
Peg advised that the Department of Environmental Management is awaiting information from Striar's people which is necessary to proceed with the land plan and appraisal.
Striar will not allow anyone to perk test the land yet.
8:25 p.m. Long Range Planning Update:
Kathy explained to the Commission what occurred at the Long Range Planning Meeting she
recently attended. Four small groups of people were formed. Kathy and Alice are involved in the Environmental Natural Resource Group. The Town Government Bodies are gathering all their data for accessibility on the Internet. More long range planning is being discussed. Hopefully, a cohesive plan can be made for the Town.
8:30 p.m. Peg Applauds Commission Members Efforts:
Peg expressed her gratitude to the members of the Commission for their efforts in doing a good job. Peg stated that she values the members' time and knowledge they provide working on projects for the Conservation Commission.
Page 2 SCC Minutes 12/19/02
8:35 p.m. Cliff Towner, Updates on Lake Issues:
Cliff advised the Commission that a letter has been sent to the Selectmen explaining that
no longer can clean, healthy water be maintain in the lake while maintaining the water level at the same time. There is not enough water to manage the lake. We don't have the ability to let enough water out of the lake to flush the lake to remove the nutrients. The lake is extremely nutrient rich. We need to flush out more water, however, if we do flush out more water, the water level will be lowered to a point that won't be recoverable.
This Summer, with minimum water flow and above average rain, the lake dropped 22". Boats
couldn't be launched. As a result of the nutrients in the lake, we had algae blooms this year
into the Month of December. In 1992 through 2000 there was 12 to 15" of water flowing
out of the lake each Fall with most of the nutrients being pulled out each year. For the past
three years, it has become very obvious that Greg no longer has the ability to do that.
We have no water coming in on the surface and we have less water every year coming in from
the ground. We have a graph from January of 1998 to the present indicating that each year the water level in the lake drops more rapidly with above average rainfall.
In September 2002, we had 7 ½ " of rainfall on the lake and the lake level dropped with
minimum output because the shoreline serves as a blotter. On the West Side of the lake, the
water table dropped 5'. We are losing all of the wetlands that supply surface water to the lake.
Sucker Brook is going dry half way up the brook.
Cliff advised the Commission that the Lake Management Committee may request the
Conservation Commission to update the present Order of Conditions on the lake and issue
new orders.
8:50 p.m. Adjournment:
Peg called for a motion to adjourn.
Hank moved. Peter seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
