Sharon, MA - Conservation Meeting Minutes 5/6/04

Conservation Meeting Minutes 5/6/04


	Conservation Commission Meeting May 6, 2004 Hank Langstroth, Stephan Glicken, Katherine Roth, and Stephen Cremer were the members present. Peg Arguimbau Chairman, arrived at 9:15 p.m. Hank Langstroth - Acting Chairman at this time 8:00 p.m., N.O.I. Hearing Continuance The Applicant David Elman, Forrest Emery wetland consultant, and Lois Eyster registered architect, appeared before the Commission. Forrest presented the following documents to the Commission: Revised drainage plan dated 5/6/04: The roof water runoff for the proposed garage is designed to flow into the recharge area behind the property before discharging into the BVW replication area and emptying into Lake Massapoag. The installation of storm water drainage pipes approximately 4 The total impervious area of the proposed site is 4700 sq.ft. 875 cubic feet of storm water run off is produced during a 1-year storm in the impervious area of the site. (472 cubic feet of storm water flows into the leaching basin in the lawn area by the garage, the remainder of the storm water discharge empties into the BVW replication area). NHESP file number 04-15087: The NHESP- Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, determined that the proposed project would not adversely affect the actual habitat of rare wildlife associated with the site. The proposed list of the native species plantings along the replication area of Lake Massapoag: Inkberry, BayBerry, Highbush Blueberry and Silky Dogwood are the proposed plantings to be arranged in a cluster design along the replication area of the Inland bank of Lake Massapoag for mitigation control. A cluster of native species plantings is proposed around the leaching basin in the lawn area by the garage to provide an aesthetic view for the neighboring property. Revised certified plot plan dated 4/27/04: The proposed garage structure is located outside of the 100' Buffer Zone; however, the grading and infrastructure is within the 100' Buffer Zone. The applicant discussed with the Commission the concept of constructing a 24 x 24 two-car garage versus the submitted plan for a 36 x 24 three-car garage, as the proposed project is in the Groundwater Protection District and is on a non-conforming existing lot. (The 45,600-sq. ft. Lot is located inside the R2 Zone). In accordance with the ZBA Regulations and in consideration of the past interpretations of the site, the Commission agreed to approve the proposed construction of a two-car garage Hank called for a motion to close the hearing pending the revised certified plot plan. Stephen Cremer moved. Katherine Roth seconded. Voted. Unanimous. Hank called for motion to issue the Order of Conditions pending the revised certified plot plan. Katherine Roth moved. Stephan Glicken seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 8:30 p.m., Fred Martin- King Philip's Estates: Fred Martin reviewed with the Commission the concept of King Philip Fred Martin requested that the Commission write a letter to the ZBA regarding the following recommendations: For the Commission to reaffirm their position to the ZBA in support of developing 4 houses versus 12 on the proposed 40-B site. Page 2 SCC 5/6/04 Meeting Minutes For the Commission to recommend to the ZBA that the developer be required to hire an archaeologist to review the significance of the sight line of the hill at the proposed project site. For the Commission to recommend to the ZBA to delay the developer's drainage easement request for controlling the water runoff from a brook located on Conservation property into a detention basin on the proposed site. (Drainage calculations have been submitted to the DPW.) The members from the Historical Commission addressed the Commission relating to the possibility of the Town establishing a precedent to building developers if a drainage easement is allowed for the proposed project. Shirley Schofield expressed the Historical Commission Gordon Hughes stated that it is the opinion of the Historical Commission that the King Philip's Rocks site is worthy of an archaeologist's evaluation. The Commission agreed to have Greg draft a letter to the ZBA incorporating the recommendations made by Mr. Martin and the Historical Commission regarding King Philip's Estates. Peg Arguimbau arrived 9:15 p.m. Dog Park- Diane Malcolmson: Diane Malcolmson Animal Control Officer appeared before the Commission with information pertaining to the proposed Dog Park project. See the attached list of interested persons present. The proposed Dog Park is pending the final approval by the Board of Selectmen. The location of the proposed Dog Park is the area of the old horse corral between Gunhouse and Cedar Streets. Amanda Sloan is working on a design for the Dog Park. No water or electricity will be available at the proposed site. Dog owners will be required to provide their own water at the park. The installation of a 6' high black vinyl chain link fence is proposed to enclose the area of the Dog Park with 2 or 3 entrance gates. A 10' entrance gate will be installed to accommodate truckload deliveries of wood chips into the park. The proposed size of the Dog Park is approximately 240' x 240'. A separate section within the park is proposed to accommodate smaller dogs. Dog owners will be required to be present while their dogs are in the park. An education program and a rules and regulations booklet will be available to persons utilizing the park. Parking spaces will be available at the former Sacred Heart School parking lot. The financial funding for the proposed development of the park will be provided for by a group of residents planning to utilize the park. No clearing of the site is proposed. Wetlands are not located near the proposed park. A self-policing maintenance plan is proposed for the park. A subcommittee is also planned for maintaining the park. The official opening of the Dog Park is anticipated sometime in the fall during Sharon Family Week. Stephen Cremer informed Diane of a depression in the ground nearby that should be repaired. 9:30 p.m. Cliff Towner- Water Issues: The Fanwort Issue at Lake Massapoag: Lycott Environmental, Inc. is the new company selected for managing the fanwort in Lake Massapoag. The total cost of the two-year program is $27,750.00. Hand harvesting or benthic barriers is proposed to manage the fanwort in Fletcher's Cove; if this cannot be achieved, the area will be treated with the hebicide Sonar A S. The fanwort in the Southern Cove area will be treated with the herbicide Sonar Q. . Page 3 SCC 5/6/04 Meeting Minutes The Commission agreed to amend the original Order of Conditions, DEP # SE-280-425, for the aquatic vegetation management at Lake Massapoag as proposed by Lycott Environmental. Cliff reviewed the Town Last year the total amount of rainfall in Sharon was 59". In March 2004 the groundwater level was at a July level. In April we received a sufficient amount of rainfall in Sharon, 9 ½". The biggest problem for the Town is that we are at the highest point of all the surrounding towns and we have approximately 40 production wells nearby. We are drawing water out from under the ground and we are also draining water off the surface. In the past, Norfolk County Mosquito Control has been trenching, dredging and hand cleaning our streams. The result of that has been that when we do get rainfall we loose a lot of wetlands due to the wetlands draining into streams and discharging out of town. Sucker Brook and Billings Brook run dry every year due to the dredging. Norfolk County Mosquito Control has agreed to stop dredging the streams. Cliff recommended a project proposal to the Commission for retaining water longer in various streams under the influence of Town wells by utilizing natural vegetation. In the past, nine different streams fed Lake Massapoag, now there are only two streams feeding the Lake. We need to retain the water longer in Sharon so that the water can recharge back into the ground. The dam at Beaver Brook has recently been repaired and the water is being successfully retained. The Commission agreed to meet with Cliff in June to discuss the various streams in Town proposed for the project. 9:45 p.m. General Business: Peg called for a motion to continue the Avalon Bay Hearing until further notified by the Applicant. Hank Langstroth moved. Stephen Cremer seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 9:50 p.m. Approve Past Meeting Minutes: Peg called for a motion to approve the April 8, 2004 Meeting Minutes as amended. Hank Langstroth moved. Stephen Cremer seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 5-0-0. Peg called for a motion to approve the April 29, 2004 Meeting Minutes as amended. Stephan Glicken moved. Hank Langstroth seconded. Voted. 4-0-1. 10:00 p.m. Signatures: The Commission signed bills. Order of Conditions for the herbicide treatment at Lake Massapoag, DEP # SE-280-425. 10:10 p.m. Adjournment: Peg called for a motion to adjourn. Hank Langstroth moved. Stephen Cremer seconded. Voted. Unanimous.