Conservation Commission
Meeting
March 20, 2003
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Mike Cook, Hank Langstroth, and Katherine Roth were the members present. Janet Dunlap arrived at 7:55 p.m.
7:45 p.m. Hearing Continuance -Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation, Proposed 40B, 155 Mansfield Street. Applicant, ERPOL Construction, LLC DEP File # SE-280-437:
Peg opened the hearing continuance for 155 Mansfield Street and Mike Cook recused himself.
Abutter, Michael Levine, 157 Mansfield Street was present.
Dr. John Rockwood, Senior Environmental Scientist from EcoTec, Inc., represented the applicant and informed the Commission that the applicant intends to withdraw the request from the Commission to make a determination on whether the stream located to the northeast of the site is perennial or intermittent.
Peg stated that she and Hank had recently reviewed the site and observed that the topography basically sets the wetland line along the bank.
Peg stated that the wording "intermittent stream" should be removed from the project plan. The Order of Resource Area Delineation is to address only the Bordering Vegetated Wetlands, Bank of the Stream to the North of the Site and the absence of bordering land subject to flooding on the site. The status of the stream to the North of the Site and the presence or absence of Riverfront Area should not be addressed in the Order of Resource Area Delineation.
Peg called for a motion to close the Hearing pending receipt of the revised Plan.
Hank moved. Kathy seconded. Voted. 3-0-1.
7:50 p.m. Discussion of David Klayman's letter:
The Commission reviewed the letter dated 3/18/03 from David Klayman, 61 Eisenhower Drive, regarding the wetland line delineation on Lot # 61 Eisenhower Drive.
Greg informed the Commission that he has scheduled a site visit to delineate the wetlands on March 25th with the Commission's Consultant Forrest Emery, David Klayman, and David Sperduto.
Janet Dunlap arrived.
7:55 p.m. Discussion of Alice Cheyer's Letter:
Alice provided the Commission with a copy of a memo from Horsley and Witten, Inc., dated July 10, 2001, summarizing how to evaluate a Project under G.L. Chapter 40B.
Alice noted in her cover letter to the Commission that the Selectmen have set April 10 as the deadline for receiving comments regarding the Glendale Village "40B" project.
8:05 p.m. Review Past Meeting Minutes:
Peg called for a motion to approve the February 27, 2003 Meeting Minutes as amended.
Hank moved. Kathy seconded. Voted. 4-0-1.
8:10 p.m. Review the Water Department's 5-year Water Plan with WMAC Chairman, Rory McGregor:
Rory announced that 1.6 million dollars in Capital Projects for the Water Department has been approved for next fiscal year's budget.
Rory explained to the Commission that in the event of future catastrophic circumstances to the Water Wells in Town, the WMAC plans to explore and identify additional water sources.
The Commission encouraged the efforts of the WMAC in seeking additional water sources to support the Town's future needs and interests.
Page 2 SCC 3/20/03 Minutes
The Commission and Rory McGregor concurred to meet with the WMAC with regards to the following:
The Commission to review the issue regarding investigating additional water sources with the
WMAC and Eric Hooper.
The Commission and the new WMAC members to meet sometime this Spring for a tour of the
multiple Well sites and Water Towers in Town to review the current water system.
The Commission and the WMAC to meet annually to review topics of mutual interest.
Conservation Commission Administrator, Greg Meister to perform a presentation concerning
the management control to regulate the outflow of water from Lake Massapoag.
A joint meeting between the WMAC and the Commission to review the scheduling
information for the WMAC 5-Year Water Plan, specifically, the water permitting process.
Rory explained to the Commission that money has been allocated for future water source exploration for the duration of the WMAC 5-Year Water Plan. However, it is not known at this time if there is sufficient capacity within DPW to adequately handle the workload.
The Commission inquired if the MWRA is being considered as part of the alternative evaluation of the Well # 8 project.
Rory informed the Commission that Well # 4 is the Town's largest producing Well and summarized the following evaluation alternatives that are being considered:
Connecting up to MWRA
Connecting up to Bluestone
Pumping more water out of some of our existing Wells. (The Wells are not operating at
maximum capacity.)
Consider implementing water conservation measures throughout the Town. (Especially in the
Summer time during the lawn watering season. Throughout the rest of the year we pump down
below approximately 2 million gallons per day. In terms of total system capacity and
consumption, we are permitted for 3.2 million gallons per day. )
The Commission expressed their concern with the impact to the wetland area in which the Wells are located. Cumulative evidence from preceding years indicates that the water table has descended over that land area.
Rory informed the Commission that the Sharon Water Department has been denied access to the properties of Knollwood Cemetery & Sharon Memorial Park, therefore, the continued effort for investigating multiple new Well sites at that location has been delayed.
Rory summarized for the Commission, the Town's pipe replacement schedule for fiscal year 2004:
Winslow Road. (Pressure is unusually high. Old concrete asbestos pipes prone to breakage).
Depot Street to the Center of Town, traveling down to Massapoag Ave.
(Objective - create a larger trunk capacity to allow more water to that side of Town).
Metering System. (Objective - get half of the Town wired for the new metering system).
Old Post Road/South Walpole Street. ( Objective Finish modeling work from Metcalf & Eddy. (Objective - Provide information regarding the
impact of the total water pressure throughout the Town.
Peg inquired as to why the Depot/Billings Street area is being included as part of the HPSD.
Rory said that he would investigate the matter and get back to the Commission with the information
as soon as possible.
Rory explained to the Commission that in his opinion, HPSD is an issue of safety.
He anticipates that when the Rattlesnake Hill Project clears itself of whatever decisions need to be made then the 5-year program to do a HPSD may go forward.
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The WMAC objectives for Sharon Town residents to practice restraint in using excess water are:
Online water meters installation at houses
Monthly billing
The Commission concurred that by allowing consumers to observe their water consumption on a monthly
basis would be a good incentive for them to conserve water.
The Commission supports the WMAC's objectives for implementing the online water meter installation at the houses in Town and also supports the implementation of a monthly billing program.
9:00 p.m. Open Space Master Plan Update:
Peg informed the Commission that Jennifer Soper, from the Division of Conservation Services, is implementing new guidelines for the Open Space Master Plan.
Dave Clifton is planning to coordinate with Greg to incorporate the Commission's updates.
9:05 p.m. Signatures:
The Commission signed bills. Order of Resource Area Delineation for 155 Mansfield Street,
DEP# SE 280-437.
9:10 p.m. The Commission reviewed David Klayman's letter with Janet Dunlap:
The Commission reviewed with Janet the letter from David Klayman to the Commission dated 3/18/03,
regarding the wetland line delineation on Lot 1, 61 Eisenhower Drive.
9:25 p.m. Adjournment:
Peg called for a motion to adjourn.
Hank moved. Mike seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
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