Conservation Commission
Meeting
July 10, 2003
Hank Langstroth Acting Chairman, Katherine Roth, Stephan Glicken, and Janet Dunlap were the members present.
7:45 p.m.: Hearing Continuance - Klayman, Lot #106 Eisenhower Drive. Final Acceptance of
Wetlands Delineation:
David Klayman appeared before the Commission and presented a wetlands delineation plan by Miller Engineering entitled, "Plan of Wetlands, 106 Eisenhower Drive," dated 6/16/03.
The Historic Line delineated on the proposed plan did not correspond with the previously submitted delineation, therefore, the Commission requested that the Historic Line be removed from the plan.
The Commission agreed that the wetland line Greg flagged at the site, as defined on the proposed plan, be the accepted wetland line.
Hank called for a motion to close the Hearing.
Janet moved. Stephan seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
Hank called for a motion to accept the Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation Application for lot 106 Eisenhower Drive based on the approved wetland line delineated on the submitted plan dated June 16, 2003.
Stephan moved. Janet seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
8:00 p.m. Hearing Continuation, Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation, Glendale Village 40-B:
At the request of the Applicant, the Commission agreed to continue the hearing until 7:45 p.m. on August 7, 2003. Janet moved. Kathy seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
8:05 p.m. Dr. Fred Martin, presentation on Indian History in connection with the 40-B King Philip Estates:
Dr. Fred Martin stated to the Commission that he has been studying King Philip's Rock for approximately 20 years. It was once a meeting place for a Wompanoag Indian Chief known as King Philip.
Dr. Martin believes that King Philip's Rock is an ancient site and has astronomical significance.
He reviewed a map of King Philip's Rock with the Commission that was created when the Town purchased the 100-acre parcel.
West of the proposed 40-B development site is the 50 acre-parcel that Mr. Perkins previously donated to the Town as conservation land.
East of the site is the 100 acre parcel that the Town had purchased for conservation purposes.
The 10.5 acre parcel on Mansfield Street proposed for a 12-house subdivision and is located on a hill approximately 70' above the surrounding conservation land.
The proposed project site juts out between the land Mr. Perkins donated to the Town and the land that the Town purchased for conservation purposes.
Dr. Martin speculates that there is a connection between King Philip's Rock and King Philip's Cave.
King Philip's Cave is V shaped. (A large glacial cluster and associated rocks called King Philip's Rocks
and/or King Philip's Cave). It is located 200 yards from the top of the hill of the proposed development site. A glacial geologist investigated the site and discovered that there is a rock in the passageway of the cave that is a "worked stone." (The fluted edge of the stone has been hammered, chipped away.) This would indicate that stone-age people observed the midsummer's sun. Dr. Martin reviewed, with the Commission, two sets of photographs showing a sunbeam projecting into the center of the cave. One set of photos was taken at a midsummer's sunset; the other set of photos was taken at a midwinter's sunset.
Page 2 SCC 7/10/03 Minutes
A geologist from BU examined the site and found evidence of an artificial horizon consisting of little boulders that were created by humans. He determined that this site has archaeological significance.
Stephan inquired if the hill on the proposed development site, has archaeological and/or astronomical significance.Dr. Martin replied, "yes".
He explained to the Commission that there is a row of stones along the skyline that connects to East Hill.
There is an important section of East Hill that the Town currently owns.
The sightline travels in relation to the rocks labeled on the map as: KPR, FT, LR1, LR2, and LR3.
Dr. Martin previously surveyed the direction of the rocks on Town Conservation Land: LR1, LR 2, and LR3. He discovered that those rocks are in a precise straight line and are placed in the direction of the furthest southern moonrise. (Major lunar standstill)
The rock labeled SH on the map is located on the proposed 40-B parcel. It is in the precise location to mark the minor lunar standstill.
Dr. Martin expressed to the Commission that it is important to preserve the scenic qualities of the hill.
Dr. Martin presented a letter to the Commission requesting their presence to attend the ZBA Hearing scheduled for Sept. 3, 2003, regarding a special permit for a 40-B subdivision known as, "King Philip Estates", filed by Mr. Wluka.
8:45 p.m. Hearing Continuance N.O.I. Peter Dangela, Construction of a single family home 140
Maskwonicut Street, DEP SE-280-431:
Due to the absence of the Applicant, the Commission agreed to continue the hearing until notified bythe Applicant.
8:45 p.m. The SCC continued their meeting to the adjacent meeting room to attend the WMAC Hearing:
George Bailey, Walter Newman and Fred Clay's Water Resource Report to the Committee:
Held meetings with the Selectmen to discuss water resource issues regarding the lake
andtheTown's water supply.
George Bailey has been entering information regarding water consumption and water resource
data into the computer.
Approximately 24 sheets of data have been assembled in a spreadsheet format identifying all the
different players in terms of information received from various Town Departments and the Neponset River Watershed Association. Also, the Information identified from DEM, and The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, regarding streamflow requirements, rainfall data, etc.
Summary of Collected Data:
The lake water quality data that is occasionally recorded by the Department of Fisheries and
Wildlife.
The lake water quality data that is reported on a regular basis by the Lake
ManagementCommittee and the Conservation Commission.
The water levels of the lake and pumped waterflow data recorded by the Conservation
Commission and the Lake Management Committee. (Efforts are being made to locate records of
the lake's water levels and pump flow rates that were documented in 2000-2002.)
Proposed Goals:
To determine if there is a connection between Town wells and the Lake.
Establish an appropriate water level for the lake and find a way to secure it.
Investigate the availability of new technology for subsurface sewage disposal, which would allow
higher density development where it 's appropriate.
Determine the potential impact from "buildout"
The Commission Returned to the ConCom Meeting Room
9:05 p.m. Signatures:
The Commission signed bills.
9:10 p.m. Adjournment:
Hank called for a motion to adjourn. Janet moved. Kathy seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
| 
