Conservation Commission
Meeting
March 3, 2005
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Stephan Glicken, Katherine Roth, Stephen Cremer, and Peter Holden were the members present.
8:00 p.m., N.O.I. Hearing Continuance - Old Post Road LLC, for the proposed construction of a
residential development with associated roadway, utilities and stormwater management
at 635 Old Post Road. DEP File # SE-280-462:
Abutter, John Lee, was present in the audience.
Property owner, Steve Striar, appeared before the Commission with his Attorney, Gavin Cockfield.
The Applicant presented a letter dated March 3, 2005 along with associated documents to the Commission from Coler & Colantonio regarding revisions to the proposed plan that were made in response to the Commission's comments on January 13, 2005. A copy of The Gale Associates Peer Review Report that was submitted to the ZBA during the proposed 40-B process was also presented to the Commission.
The Applicant reviewed the following changes to the revised plan with the Commission:
The proposed flared end outlet structure has been moved 25' away from the wetland line.
(Sheet C7 of the proposed Grading and Drainage Plan, revised 1/20/05.)
The calculations regarding the percentage of the impervious area of the proposed project site are as follows:
(15.4% impervious for the total proposed site area.)
(50.3% impervious for the upland area of the site, excluding the upland located along Route 1.)
The calculation required time for the infiltration areas of the proposed site to drain after a 100-year storm has been determined. (The proposed Drainage Basin Cross-Section Plan on Sheet 1 of 1 shows that two cross sections have been made (to scale) of the drainage basin.)
To install the proposed haybales 25' away from the wetlands.
The Commission presented the Applicant with a copy of Hank Langstroth's comments to review regarding the initial Peer Review Report.
The Commission stated that the Conservation Administrator previously made a request for the Applicant to submit a Supplemental Peer Review Report so that the issue of a potential perennial stream, referenced on the USGS Map as PEG3, may be resolved.
Abutter, John Lee, 509 Old Post Road- voiced his concern to the Commission regarding the results of the Gale Associates Peer Review Report. John feels that it might not be an accurate in-depth report because he does not believe that Gale Associates ever visited the site. John presented a letter to the Commission
expressing his concerns regarding the wetland protection of the proposed project site.
John also presented a G.I.S. map dated 2004 to the Commission. John feels that the map depicts a designated setback area for the stream in question on the proposed site. John also expressed his concern regarding the glacial geology of the site. He explained to the Commission that he is concerned with the presence of geologic
deposits in the area of the project site. These deposits allow water to drain throughout the area of the site.
John feels that when addressing the issue of a potential perennial stream, it is important to investigate the surface topography area of the site as well as water flowing into the site from different areas.
John stated his concern to the Commission that the Applicant has not addressed the issue regarding endangered species habitat on the proposed site as well as the possible presence of vernal pools in the wetland areas.
The Applicant stated that he has not seen evidence of vernal pools in the upland area of the site.
Peg responded that the presence of vernal pools would become more visible during the next two months.
The Applicant proposes to consult with the engineer for the proposed project to change the design in the back northeast corner of the roadway in an effort to reduce the impact to the stream on the site.
The results of the soil tests on the leaching fields for the proposed septic system indicate a sandy/gravel type of soil.
Page 2 SCC 3/3/5 Meeting Minutes
The Commission to contact for the Applicant, Consultant Mario DiGregorio, to review the wetlands on the site.
Peg called for a motion to continue the Hearing until March 17th at 8:30 p.m.
Peter Holden moved. Katherine Roth seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
8:30 p.m., N.O.I. Hearing Continuance- Mountain Street, LLC. Construction of an access roadway
associated with a proposed Comprehensive Permit at 400, 330, and 334
Mountain Street. DEP File # SE-280-464:
Present before the Commission: Tom French and Rick Albino from Daylor Consultants. Attorney for the Applicant, Gavin Cockfield. (See attached list of abutters/interested persons).
Peg stated that the Commission received a packet of information from Mr. Feldman in response to comments from the Daylor Consultants and Earth Tech review reports.
The Commission is concerned with the possible negative impact to the vernal pool on the proposed site from the volume of groundwater discharge produced by the project and is also concerned that the vernal pool might develop into a pond. Peg inquired if the volume of drainage could be determined for the proposed project to ensure that the vernal pool would remain unchanged.
Tom French stated that the proposed wastewater treatment plant discharge area is going to discharge flow outside of the buffer zone. DEP is supposed to review the Discharge Permit for the project.
Results from a previous peer review of the vernal pool and discharge point indicate that there might be a nominal change in the elevation to the vernal pool. The potential change in the hydrology of the stormwater management system is not expected to negatively impact the function of the vernal pool.
Peg stated that a population of amphibian eggs might be present in the existing vernal pool on the site during the Spring. She expressed her concern that these eggs might be flushed out of the vernal pool by the 85,000 gallons of wastewater discharged per day from the proposed wastewater treatment plant.
The Attorney for the Applicant stated that if eggs were present in the vernal pool during the Spring, it is possible
that the flushing might occur anyway from a heavy rain event entering into the watershed.
It was discussed that water discharged from the detention basins due to transient storm events might also cause a negative impact on the vernal pool.
Peg stated that the proposed wastewater treatment plant has the potential to impact the vernal pool area regardless if it is placed outside the 100' Buffer Line because the surface water drainage from that area is going to impact the volume of the groundwater flowing into the vernal pool.
The Attorney for the Applicant stated that he would re-submit to the Commission, the Peer Review Report from Daylor regarding the hydrology and elevation levels of the vernal pool.
The Commission requested that a double-barreled culvert be installed for the proposed project to address the issue of allowing wildlife passage through the bottom of the roadway crossing and to prevent a permanent disturbance to the actual waterbed.
The Conservation Administrator requested the submittal of a map with The Natural Heritage & Endangered
Species Program data depicted on the proposed development plan.
Peg called for a motion to continue the hearing until April 7, 2005 at 8:00 p.m.
Katherine Roth moved. Peter Holden seconded. Voted. 4-0-0.
9:20 p.m., Signatures:
The Commission signed bills. Certificate of Compliance for Intoccia, Horizons for Youth.
Lot 4 only. DEP File Number SE-280-304.
9:25 p.m. Approve Past Meeting Minutes:
Peg called for a motion to approve the February 17, 2005 Meeting Minutes as amended.
Stephen Cremer moved. Stephan Glicken seconded. Voted. 4-0-1.
9:30 p.m. Adjournment:
Katherine Roth moved to adjourn. Peter Holden seconded. Voted. 4-0-0.
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