Conservation Commission
Meeting
July 7, 2005
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Hank Langstroth and Peter Holden were the members present.
No Quorum
7:45 p.m., RDA Public Hearing continuance filed by TEC Associates for the approval of the Resource Area Delineation and the vegetation control program proposed for the Amtrak Railway Right-of-Way:
Kyle Fair from TEC Associates appeared before the Commission.
Peg presented an overview from the Commission's previous meeting held on June 30:
The Commission determined that the delineation of the wetlands and boundaries for the
resource areas were not depicted on a map for the proposed treatment areas.
It was the consensus of the Commission to continue the hearing until Greg notified the
Applicant to submit a map accurately depicting the wetlands and boundaries of the
resource areas for the proposed project.
Kyle reviewed the Amtrak Northeast Corridor Track Chart dated May 25, 2005 with the Commission.
Kyle explained that the chart reflects the delineated wetland revisions that were surveyed by Wayne Duffett, Amtrak Engineer, on May 15, 2005. The revised chart includes the latest Zone I and Zone II mapping of the town that was provided by the DPW. Wayne used Amtrak's catenary poles that are spaced every 100' and identified by mileage markers to locate the no-spray zones for the proposed project.
Kyle stated that Amtrak’s vegetation control program proposal is part of a statewide regulatory process.
The Massachusetts Rights-of-Way Management Regulations prohibit the application of herbicides within 10' of wetlands or surface water. The herbicides are applied in a 20' wide pattern, 10' on each side of the track centerline.
Peg explained that due to the sensitive areas of the town's well fields, wetlands and boundaries for the resource areas of Zone II along the Amtrak railway tracks, the Commission limited treatment to the following two areas of Amtrak's 1992-vegetation control program:
A limited spray area in Sharon located a short distance away from the railway tracks in Foxboro.
A limited spray area in Sharon located a short distance away from the railway tracks in Canton.
Peg stated that the public drinking wells are the town's only water source and it is the Commission's primary concern to protect the town's groundwater supply.
Kyle explained that Roundup would be applied for vegetation control in the town's sensitive areas.
Roundup breaks down within the soil and applied when the weather is dry because it evaporates quickly.
The Commission members in attendance agreed to issue a Negative Determination provided that the Applicant works with the Town of Sharon's G.I.S. Department to layout the proposed treatment areas on a plan that delineates the well fields, wetlands, and the boundaries for the resource areas.
8:30 p.m., Signatures:
The Commission members in attendance signed bills. Encumbrance request voucher. Negative
Determination for TEC Associates.
8:45 p.m., The meeting adjourned.
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