Conservation Commission
Meeting
October 20, 2005
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Stephan Glicken, Katherine Roth and Hank Langstroth were the members present.
7:45 p.m., Community Center Reconstruction Presentation:
Present: Chairman Gordon Gladstone, Sharon Standing Building Committee. Maureen Doherty,
Project Manager, representing the Town of Sharon. Tom Scarlata, representing the Town’s consulting firm of Bargmann, Hendrie, and Archetype.
Tom Scarlata reviewed plans with the Commission presenting the three levels of the existing Community Building. The proposed project is to renovate the Community Center into a 34,000 sq.ft. facility to house the Recreation Department, Council on Aging, Municipal Departments and members of the Sharon Community.
He explained to the Commission that the building had suffered some structural damage during the past year.
No work for the project is proposed within the first 25' of the wetlands. The site is contained by the
Estimated Habitat of rare/threatened species. The Conservation Administrator visited the site to inspect the proposed flagged wetland line and recommended that some of the flags be revised before the Applicant files a Notice of Intent with the Commission.
Tom stated that the total disturbed area for the plantings proposed for the Community Center will be inside the parking lot away from the 100' Buffer Line. Hay bales are proposed around the limit of work for erosion control. The following is the scope of the proposed project:
To realign the existing parking area without changing the outline of the roadway.
To reline the existing-water main pipe.
To install a new septic system with a reserve area for the reconstruction project and to use the existing septic system for the kitchen area of the building.
To design a drainage plan for recharging the roof water runoff into an infiltration system inside the parking lot area away from the 100' Buffer Line in accordance to the State’s Storm Water Management Regulations.
A reconfiguration plan for the existing rooms of the main level of the building.
To construct an elevator tower and fire stairs on the backside of the building for emergency access to all three levels of the building.
To construct a multipurpose room and Senior Center on the backside lower level of the building with an outdoor garden area. (The Senior Center can also be accessed from the main level of the building).
The installation of native shade trees on the backside of the building.
The installation of a pervious grass-crete type surface-driving lane extending from the backside of the building to Massapoag Avenue for emergency vehicle access.
To maintain the configuration of the upper level of the building and to designate areas for municipal offices, hearing rooms and multi-purpose rooms.
The installation of new windows on the upper level of the building.
To install a new roof for the proposed project.
The repair of the structural damage.
The installation of a concrete pad to support a new storage shed at the lower end of the parking lot.
Peg requested that the Applicant select native and non-invasive type species of plantings for the proposed project.
Peg recommended that the Applicant keep the proposed planting plan simple, i.e. drought resistant and low maintenance.
The proposed project will be presented to the residents of Sharon at the upcoming November 14, 2005 Town Meeting for approval. A two-thirds Town Meeting vote is required and a majority vote at Town election 90 days following the Town Meeting. Peg stated that depending upon the Town Meeting vote, the filing of a Notice of Intent would be required by the Applicant.
Page 2 SCC 10/20/05 Meeting Minutes
8:15 p.m.: Violation Hearing – Hussein Akar, 125 Furnace Street:
Greg explained to the Commission that he visited the site two days after the trees and shrubs were cleared away from the wetland areas of Mr. Akar’s property. The contractor for Mr. Akar drove over an easement and utility line adjacent to the lot to unload a pile of wood. Greg met with Mr. Akar and requested that he stop the work in the wetland areas of his property and to arrange a meeting with the Commission to discuss a restoration project.
Mr. Akar explained to the Commission that he has lived in the house for three years and he decided to clear the trees, shrubs and vegetation from the wetlands on his property due to the concerns he had with his children regarding the presence of snakes and mosquitoes.
Peg explained to Mr. Akar that it is the concern of the Commission to protect the wetlands on the site and that the Commission is sympathetic to his concerns regarding the issues he stated pertaining to the snakes and mosquitoes on his property.
Stephan Glicken explained that he is a physician and discussed the reality of Mr. Akar’s concerns:
The issue of mosquitoes and children’s health
The risk of a young child catching the West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Virus is
extremely low.
The following is a list of things you could do to protect your children to reduce their
chances of being bitten by the wrong types of mosquitoes:
The use of protective clothing.
Mosquito repellent.
Mosquito netting in the bedroom.
To be aware of the hours during the day when mosquitoes are not active.
The issue concerning wildlife
The reptiles in your backyard are not dangerous. There is no substantial risk for your children.
It was the consensus of the Commission for Mr. Akar to meet with Greg on the site to review the 50' No Disturb wetland line and to discuss a restoration project to present to the Commission.
Hank requested that Mr. Akar submit a plot plan of his property when meeting again with the Commission.
8:30 p.m.: N.O.I. Public Hearing filed by Thomas Altieri for the proposed construction of a single family house, driveway and retaining walls on land identified as Map 118 /Lot 4, Assessors Plat Book, Norwood Street, opposite Cobbler Lane.
Present: The Applicant, Thomas Altieri. Bill Buckley, Project Manager, from Bay Colony Group. Joel Fishman, Attorney for the Applicant.
Bill Buckley presented Sewage System Design Plan dated September 12, 2005 and the green abutter cards to the Commission. He explained that the proposed project is located on a hillside of a 6.3-acre parcel on the southwesterly side of Norwood Street adjacent to the Edison power lines. Duke Energy gas lines are located approximately 750' south of the intersection of Cobbler Lane and Norwood Street. A BVW is located on the southeasterly side of the property. The wetlands on the site were flagged by Phoenix Environmental Group in the spring and the flags and borings were located by Bay Colony Group when the topographic survey was conducted in June. Approximately 2,100 sq.ft. of wetland replication is proposed adjacent to the existing driveway and proposed wetlands crossing. A wetland replication design to replace
approximately 1,005 sq.ft. of altered wetlands is outlined on the submitted plan. A 2' high culvert is proposed under the driveway in the area of the intermittent streambed. A potential vernal pool by the gas company easement has not been certified at this time.
The proposed single family house is located approximately 110' from a BVW. The proposed septic system is approximately 125' from the BVW.
Page 3 SCC 10/20/05 Meeting Minutes
The Buffer Zone to the BVW contains a slope greater than 15%, therefore, a 75' No Disturb Setback is proposed between a retaining wall and the BVW. Approximately 3.7 aces of upland areas are located to the west of the site.
The installation of hay bales/silt fence is proposed for erosion control by the intermittent stream and along the proposed replication area during construction of the project.
Peg stated that it is the concern of the Commission to protect as much of the 100' Buffer Line as possible.
The Commission requested that the Applicant mark the corners of the proposed house, septic systems, center of the driveway and the limit of clearing.
The Commission requested that the Applicant submit the following information on the revised plan:
· To delineate all four lots on the revised plan so that the Commission can determine the total project impact.
· To install a 4' high open bottom arched culvert to comply with the State’s stream crossing standards.
· The installation of an erosion control barrier by the 75' Buffer Line further up the hill on both sides of the proposed driveway.
· To define the limit of clearing to the revised plan so that the Commission can determine an erosion control plan.
The Applicant agreed to submit a revised plan as requested by the Commission.
Attorney Joel Fishman stated that there is a deed restriction limiting the total number of lots in the entire 11 acre parcel to 4.
Peg called for a motion to continue the hearing until November 3, 2005 at 8:15 p.m.
Katherine Roth moved. Hank Langstroth seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 4-0-0.
9:00 p.m.: Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation filed by Jonathan Goldberg for the proposed approval of wetland resource delineation at 190 Pond Street:
Peg opened the meeting in the absence of the Applicant.
Peg called for a motion to continue the hearing until further notified by the Applicant.
Hank Langstroth moved. Stephan Glicken seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 4-0-0.
9:05 p.m.: Old/New Business:
Greg informed the Commission about a Riverways Project for monitoring the flow of water in the State’s small streams and rivers.
Greg suggested to the members of the Commission that arrangements could be made for monitoring the water flow in Beaver Brook. The Commission expressed their interest in the project.
Peg presented an e-mail from Selectman David Grasfield regarding the Avalon Bay meeting with Norwood Staff and MWRA Officials pertaining to Avalon Bay’s proposal for a water/sewer connection with the Town of Norwood. Some Town of Norwood Officials did not express an interest in providing water; they are only interested in providing Avalon Bay with a sewage connection.
The Commission discussed the concept of the Town of Sharon providing water for the Avalon Bay Project and was opposed to this option. The Commission expressed their concern about water from the aquifers being lost more quickly to Boston Harbor.
Peg proposes to forward the Commission’s comments to Selectman Grasfield.
Peg suggested that the members of the Commission attend the Selectmen’s meeting on November 1.
Peg Arguimbau Chairman and Commission Members Janet Dunlap, Stephan Glicken and Katherine Roth were re-appointed by the Selectmen to serve a three-year term on the Sharon Conservation Commission.
Page 4 SCC 10/20/05 Meeting Minutes
9:15 p.m. Signatures:
The Commission signed bills. Enforcement Order for Hussein Akar, 125 Furnace Street.
9:20 p.m. Approve Past Meeting Minutes:
Peg called for a motion to accept the September 8, 2005 Meeting Minutes as amended.
Katherine Roth moved. Hank Langstroth seconded. Voted. 3-0-1.
Peg called for a motion to accept the September 8, 2005 Executive Session Meeting Minutes as presented.
Hank Langstroth moved. Katherine Roth seconded. Voted. 3-0-1.
Peg called for a motion to accept the September 22, 2005 Meeting Minutes as presented.
Hank Langstroth moved. Stephan Glicken seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
9:35 p.m. Adjournment:
Peg called for a motion to adjourn.
Hank Langstroth moved. Stephan Glicken seconded. Voted. 3-0-1.
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