Conservation Commission
Meeting
February 3, 2005
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Stephan Glicken, and Janet Dunlap were the members present.
NO QUORUM
7:45 p.m.: Eric Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works, Discuss Well Exploration Guidance:
Persons in attendance in the audience: Paul Lauenstein, Cliff Towner, Fred Martin and David Grasfield.
Eric appeared before the Commission to discuss the installation of a production well in the Canton Street area on property that is currently owned by N STAR. Eric reviewed an aerial map of the proposed site with the Commission. To comply with the 400' radius DEP requirement for the proposed project, Eric proposes to construct a 150' long access roadway within a red maple wetland area of the site. A 20 x 20 building for the well head is also proposed within the wetland area.
Eric explained to the Commission that prior to the draw down impact, the minimum impact to the wetland area is 3,500 sq.ft. of fill material for constructing the proposed roadway and for two buildings within the 100' Buffer Zone.
Peg inquired if testing has been performed on the proposed project site.
Eric stated that results from a previous pump test indicated elevated levels of nitrate.
Eric intends to perform a long-term pump test after flow tests for determining the draw down impact.
Upon the Commission's approval of the site proposed for the well exploration, Eric plans to file a N.O.I. with the Commission for an 8-inch investigative well and a long-term pump test project.
There was a lengthy discussion as to choice of lots, alternative locations, and why this lot was chosen for testing considering the amount of wetland that is present on the site.
The Commission requested the submittal of pertinent information regarding alternative locations for the well exploration. A complete set of well location maps and a copy of the 2004 ESS report are to be included in the information packet.
The Commission agreed to provide Eric with the name of a consultant for the proposed filing.
8:15 p.m., Lev Abidor - Review Preliminary Development Plan on a lot on Edge Hill Road:
Lev Abidor explained to the Commission that he is a potential buyer, contingent on obtaining a building permit for a house lot on Edge Hill Road by Tiot Street and Rose Lane. The total acreage is approximately 4.3 acres.
Lev reviewed preliminary plan entitled, "Plan of Land", dated 12/29/99 with the Commission.
The 100' Buffer Zone Line is omitted from the plan. Lev then presented the three scenarios to the Commission, and most of the discussion concerned a variance request for filling in a 1/3-acre area of wetland for growing raspberries.
The proposed septic system for the new house construction does not meet the Board of Health 125' setback requirement.
Peg explained to Lev that the Commission had denied a previous filing that was submitted in the 1980's due to the significant amount of wetlands and upland area on the site. The Commission had previously contacted the bank about a possible donation.
The Commission explained that their rules and regulations do not allow for a new house construction proposed within the 100' Buffer Zone.
It was the consensus of the members present that the Commission would probably deny the plan as proposed.
Lev to draft a letter to the Commission requesting their position regarding the proposed project.
Page 2 SCC 2/3/05 Meeting Minutes
8:45 p.m., Hunter's Ridge Estates Subdivision Plan. DEP File # SE-280-455.
See attached list of abutters and interested persons in attendance.
Frank Gallagher and Scott Faria from Gallagher Engineering appeared before the Commission
to represent the Applicant. They discussed EarthTech Engineering's recommendations as a result from their site review report.
Frank stated that the scope of the proposed project is for approximately ¾ of an acre of work within the Buffer Zone area. 2,000 ft. of roadway is proposed. 3 wetlands exist on the proposed 20+-acre parcel.
The proposed revised plan:
In the eastern portion of the site, in the vicinity of the vernal pool, the relocation of a detention basin to mitigate the peak rates of water runoff. The installation of a structure to control the flow of water discharge and empty into an under ground 12 inch hard pipe before flowing into a level spreader at the outlets. Buffer Zone impact is 2,100 sq.ft.
The grade work and detention basin is outside of the Buffer Zone.
The discharge area is within the Buffer Zone.
(The detention basin was located at a lower location by the hillside on the previous plan.)
In the middle of the site, the relocation a set of catch basins into the roadway to control the water flow from the hillside and direct it into a level spreader before emptying into the wetlands.
A drainage swale is proposed within the 50' Buffer Zone in the middle of the wetland. This would eliminate potential flooding to the neighboring properties.
Abutters raised concerns regarding the quality of water flowing into the wetlands.
Scott explained the DEP stormwater management guidelines to the abutters.
Scott stated that after completion of the proposed project, The Home Owner's Association is likely to be responsible for the Operational Maintenance Plan that would include the septic system, roadway, snowplowing, and catch basin cleaning.
In response to questions from the abutters, the Commission explained that this session was for information gathering purposes only, and all the preliminary information presented tonight will be presented at the hearing scheduled for the 17th of February.
9:15 p.m., Fred Martin met informally with the Commission to discuss strategies for the King Philip's Rock Estates HAC Hearing continuance to be held in Sharon on June 20, 2005.
Fred Martin to forward a packet of information to the Commission.
9:30 p.m. The meeting ended.
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