Conservation Commission
Meeting
June 19, 2003
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Stephan Glicken, Peter Holden, and Hank Langstroth were the members present. Janet Dunlap arrived at 8:15 p.m.
7:45 p.m. Signatures:The Commission signed:
Bills.
$7,500 contract agreement, Hiller Associates, to initiate the feasibility study for the capital campaign support to fund the purchase of Rattlesnake Hill.
Order of Conditions, DEP File # SE-280-439, Shaffer, addition and deck, 234 Hampton Road.
7:50 p.m. Approve Past Meeting Minutes:
Peg called for a motion to approve the May 1, 2003, Meeting Minutes. Hank moved. Peter seconded. Voted. 3-0-1.
Peg called for a motion to approve the May 15, 2003, Meeting Minutes. Hank moved. Peter seconded.Voted. 2-0-2.
Peg called for a motion to approve the June 5, 2003, Meeting Minutes as amended. Stephan moved.Hank seconded. Voted. 4-0-0.
8:00 p.m. Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation, Glendale Village Realty Trust, under MGL 131, S. 40, for the proposed review of the wetland resources flagged and surveyed in the vicinity of 154A Billings Street, 9 Glenview Road and 2 Rob's Lane:
Peg opened the hearing and explained to the audience (see list of abutters attached) that Mr. John Rockwood, representing Glendale Village Realty Trust, will deliver a presentation to delineate the line of the resource area on the 12 acre parcel. It is necessary to have a wetland line indicated on the proposed plan that the Commission will determine reflects the resource areas on the property.
Mr. John Rockwood, Senior Environmental Scientist, EcoTec, Inc., represented the applicant and presented the green abutter cards and Concept Site Plan "Glendale Village" dated February 3, 2003, to the Commission.
Mr. Rockwood explained that there are two areas of BVW on the property. "Wetland A", consists of a forested swamp that is associated with Massapoag Brook and "Wetland B", consists of a forested swamp that borders a couple of small intermittent streams. With regard to other resources on or near the property, Massapoag Brook is presented as perennial on the U.S.G.S. Map, and is presumed to have a 20' Riverfront Area that is located well within the BVW. The other resource area shown on the proposed plan is the approximate 100-year Floodplain that is located entirely within the wetland area on the site, for which there is no BVW subject to flooding.
Mr. Rockwood requested that the Commission approve the BVW boundaries as shown on the proposed plan and approve the approximate limit of the Riverfront Area.
Greg explained to the Commission that he reviewed the flagged delineated wetland line on the site and determined that it is an acceptable line with regard to soils and vegetation. The wetland line does not compromise the Town's By-law.
Mr. Rockwood and the Commission addressed the differences of how wetlands are delineated and reviewed the following concerns from the audience:
Jane Hyman, 3 Rob's Lane, inquired as to when the wetland line on the site was flagged. She expressed concern that flooding might occur on her property due to the floodplain area of the parcel if construction of the project is permitted.
Mr. Rockwood stated that the wetland line was flagged on 4/24/03. There are 4 pink and black flags and approximately 6 red flags scattered throughout the site.
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Paul Skolnik, 174 Billings Street, inquired if any vernal pools were found on the property or if there might be any potential vernal pools based on the subsequent observation time of year.
Mr. Rockwood stated that on April 24, 2003, there were no vernal pools found in "Wetland A" or Wetland B". They netted species in 4 areas of "Wetland A" and in 2 areas of "Wetland B" and they did not find obligate species or facultative vernal pool species in sufficient quantities to certify a vernal pool.
Mr. Rockwood specified the various locations of the site where vernal pools were investigated.
He stated that the investigation of vernal pools was performed during an appropriate time of the year, but no larvae were found.
Rose Perrizo, 99 Glendale Road, referred to the site review report from Amy Ball, Wetland Ecologist from Horsley and Witten, Inc. The review was requested by a group of abutters to the proposed project site. Amy reviewed site conditions on May 28, 2003, and observed several amphibious air-breathing snails, facultative vernal pool species, in the eastern and western wetland areas of the property. Amy noted in her review that neighboring abutters have reported hearing spring peeper vocalizations within the two BVW areas of the parcel. Spring peepers are also a facultative vernal pool species. Rose told the Commission that these findings indicate that there may be vernal pools at the center of the site.
Stephan told the audience that the By-laws of the Town are more stringent than the State Regulations.
He explained that Conservation Restrictions recommended by the Commission regarding specific parcels can be based on Town By-laws versus the State Regulations.
Peg concluded that the Commission would contact Amy Ball to collect the data from the areas of the site where the vernal pools were sampled to verify their findings. It would be necessary for the Commission to accumulate all available information so that definitive information may be submitted to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Peg called for a motion to continue the Hearing until July 10th at 8:00 p.m.
Hank moved. Stephan seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
9:05 p.m. Other Business:
The Commission reviewed Katherine Roth's written comments regarding updating the Open Space Survey Analysis document.
The Commission agreed with the spelling corrections that Kathy recommended as well as adding another question on the document regarding additional comments or ideas about open space in Sharon.
The Commission concurred to notify Mr. Joe Kacevich, Jr., of the proposed revisions to the document.
Alice Cheyer and Peggy Greenfield appeared before the Commission and presented copies of a book entitled, "Sharon, Massachusetts Open Spaces, Special Places ". Illustrated by Sharon Elementary and High School Students. Design and Art Editing by Peggy Greenfield. Text Editing by Alice Cheyer.
The book has been dedicated to Dan and Peg Arguimbau, and Greg Meister.
Alice told the Commission that 1,000 copies of the book were published. After the private loan
has been paid in full, the remainder of the money from the book sales will be donated to the Conservation Land Account.
9:30 p.m. Adjournment:
Peg called for a motion to adjourn.
Hank moved. Peter seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
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