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Conservation Meeting Minutes 6/5/03
Conservation Commission
Meeting
June 5, 2003

Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Mike Cook, Stephan Glicken, Katherine Roth, Hank Langstroth, and Janet Dunlap were the members present. Peter Holden arrived at 7:53 p.m.

7:45 p.m. Cliff Towner, Lake Management Committee Update:
Cliff discussed the following issues with the Commission:
Cliff speculates that a warm weather trend will produce algae blooms in the lake due to the inability to flush the lake last Fall. This inability was due to the water level in the lake being too low. Flushing the lake removes nutrients that were trapped under the thermocline and the phosphorus that was released during the Summer months.
      The regulation for the minimum outflow of the lake is 1 ½ CFS. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife stipulates that it is necessary to have ½ CFS for each square mile of watershed.
1 ½ CFS is not an adequate amount to flush the lake. This policy's requirement is to be at 10.5' on May 15. That number was not attainable until May 27.
     Through the end of May this year, there has been 25" of rainfall. Although that is a substantial amount, there is not enough available groundwater to recharge the lake.
      The lake and the springs in the lake are totally dependent on rainfall during the Summer. The amount of rainfall is historically not plentiful in June, July, and August.
     Cliff speculates that an offensive odor may be present in the lake this Summer for which Greg will probably be held responsible for by some of our Town residents. There are a few residents who complain that the lake is not being properly managed. The policy for managing the lake in previous years has been to flush the lake and keep the lake cool so algae won't grow, however, there is not enough water in the lake to flush it now.
    Annually, the Town receives approximately $100,000.00 in revenue from the various programs at the lake. This year, if we are to continue to maintain the same levels in the lake as in previous years to accommodate the yacht club as well as other people, the lake water will not be usable. In an effort to keep the beach open, it may be necessary to frequently flush the lake this Summer.
      In the daytime during the Summer when the water temperature in the lake is above 80 degrees, it is necessary to keep the water flowing and 1 ½ CFS is not enough.
     It may become necessary for the Commission to provide support for Greg this summer if residents raise some issues regarding the management of the lake. There may be some people who will go to the flume house to inspect the water levels/flows and perhaps criticize Greg for releasing too much water from the lake.
      The Chairman of the Board of Health, as well as Dave Clifton, have indicated that it is more important to have clean, healthy water than it is to be concerned with lake levels.
    Cliff considers the Lake Management Plan implemented by the SCC to be an excellent policy.
    Cliff informed the Commission that the Suckers in Sucker Brook could not spawn, once again, this Spring due to lack of water in the brook. The water from the center of Town is being discharged and pumped to other areas around Town and is not returning.
     Peg concluded that the Commission might consider making changes to the Lake Management       Plan this year in order to alleviate prospective problems at the lake.

8:00 p.m. Abbreviated Notice of Intent
Paul Shaffer appeared before the Commission and presented the green abutter cards and a plot plan for the proposed project.  The Zoning Board has approved the proposed Plan.  
Traditionally the house is a split-level style. Paul proposes to add a family room to the back of the house and extend the master bedroom approximately 8'. The proposed family room would be located where the existing deck is and the deck would be relocated behind the master bedroom.
All of the proposed construction will be done in the existing lawn area and will not affect the BVW.


Page 2 SCC 6/5/03 Minutes:
Hank inquired about the proposed tree planting outlined on the plan.
Paul explained to the Commission that he proposes to replace many of the dead trees that were previously removed from his property.
Peg concluded that the Order of Conditions would state the following:
The re-planting of trees would be included as part of the proposed project.
Greg will inspect the Haybales before the start of the work.
Peg called for a motion to close the Hearing pending receipt of the DEP Number.
Mike moved. Hank seconded. Voted. Unanimous.

8:20 p.m. Signatures:
The Commission signed bills, and Order of Conditions for A.G. M., Gridley Pond Estates, 158 Wolomolopoag Street. DEP File # SE-280-436.

8:25 p.m. Rattlesnake Hill Update:

Peg informed the Commission the State is requesting that the Commission make an effort to spearhead the development of a partnership conglomerate for raising funds for the purchase of Rattlesnake Hill.
John Haederle, Vice President of Hiller Associates, is meeting with the Commission to submit a proposal for developing a plan to help raise funds for the Rattlesnake Hill purchase.
The Commission has mailed a letter to Audubon requesting that they retain in their account, on behalf of the Town, the funds received for the purchase of Rattlesnake Hill. There is not enough time for the SCC to establish another 501(c)3 entity to accept these funds.

8:30 p.m. Meeting with John Haederle:

John Haederle explained to the Commission that Hiller Associates, Inc., has an extensive and highly successful track record in helping clients achieve their land acquisition and land protection goals.
John told the Commission that the State does not want to be the only funding partner for the acquisition of Rattlesnake Hill. The State would likely participate if this purchase were part of a public/private partnership.
John discussed with the Commission his proposal for a feasibility study to determine expected levels of campaign support to fund the purchase.  He explained some of the strategies for mobilizing support from the private sector and said that this would primarily be a volunteer-based campaign. The result of the feasibility study will yield a clear view on what the city and local economic climate will bear.
Peg called for a motion to pay $7,500 to initiate the feasibility study for a capital campaign support to fund the purchase of Rattlesnake Hill with the goal of raising the remainder of the money for the other half of the total payment.
Mike moved. Stephan seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
At this point, Mike stepped out of the meeting.
9:00 p.m. Other Issues:

Peg asked the Commission to consider discussing updates for the Open Space Plan at the next meeting.
Peg informed the Commission that The Planning Board is considering re-zoning the following areas to commercial/ industrial: Cobbs Corner, Bay Road (the side that has the Tavern on it), to North Main Street up to the apartments. South Main Street across from Shaw's down through the cranberry bogs, up through Old Post Road to South Walpole Street.
Well testing was recently performed within the roadway layout of Old Post Road.
9:25 p.m.  Mike Cook returned to the meeting.
Mike Cook submitted his letter of resignation from the SCC effective Sept. 2003.
Peg thanked Mike for his time served on the Commission. Peg and all the Members of the Commission wished him the best of luck for the future.

9:30 p.m. Adjournment:
Peg called for a motion to adjourn. Hank moved. Janet seconded. Voted. Unanimous