Conservation Commission
Meeting
February 2, 2006
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Hank Langstroth, Katherine Roth, Stephen Cremer and Stephan Glicken were the members present.
7:45 p.m. N.O.I. Public Hearing filed by Senior Operations, Inc. for the proposed upgrade of the Stormwater Management System in the parking lot of the existing facility at 1075
General Edwards Highway. DEP File Number SE-280-0473:
Charles Hershman was present in the audience for the Sharon Country Day Camp.
Donald B. Myers, Senior Project Manager from Norwood Engineering, appeared before the Commission to represent the Applicant. He submitted the green abutter cards and
proposed plan entitled, “Existing Conditions Upgrading of Stormwater Management for Lot A-1 Senior Operations, Inc.” Dated 12/29/05. He explained to the Commission that the
present stormwater system for the facility was upgraded in the 1980’s as part of a building addition. It consists of a series of catch basins connecting to leaching basins before
discharging into the wetlands. The roof water runoff discharges onto the pavement and into catch basins where it mixes with the runoff from the parking lot and infiltrates into the groundwater without treatment. School Meadow Brook flows through the property and into a well field in Walpole. A tributary flowing through the property travels downstream
through the Sharon Country Day Camp site. The brook and the tributary are perennial. During the early 1970’s an industrial spill polluted the groundwater on the site and
contaminated a well field in Walpole.The clean up has been addressed under the State's 21-E Contingency Plan. The Town of Walpole also received funds to install a treatment
facility to clean up the well field and the proposed project site. Donald Meyers stated that he consulted with the Conservation Administrator as well as
other town officials from Sharon and Walpole when designing the proposed stormwater management system.
All work for the proposed project would be inside the existing paved parking lot.
The scope of the proposed project is as follows:
To divert 2 roof drains away from the pavement area and into the lawn area to the side of the parking lot to allow infiltration from the stormwater to flow directly into the ground.
For the drainage from the parking lot runoff to flow into 4 hooded catch basins with 4’ deep sumps and then into an oil/sedimentation control structure (Vortech Unit) before
recharging into the ground.
The parcel has been divided into two lots, Lot A-1 & Lot B-1. The property owner obtained a variance from the ZBA to modify the lot line to decrease the percentage of impervious
area for the proposed project. The Planning Board approved a Form A Plan for the new lot line. A Conservation Restriction comprising of approximately 6 acres from the 14-acre
parcel was negotiated with the ZBA. It is possible that a Conservation Restriction may be a condition for the next phase of development of Lot B-1. The Applicant agreed to
upgrade the stormwater management system in the parking lot of this facility as part of the permitting process.
Hank requested that vacuum breakers be installed on top of the proposed hooded catch basins.
Charles Hershman inquired as to how the stream and wetlands will be protected during construction of
the proposed project. Donald Meyers responded that the installation of haybales and siltfence are proposed for mitigation and erosion control.
Hank requested that filter fabric be placed behind the haybales during construction of the proposed project.
Peg requested that the Orders of Conditions reference the following:
Filter fabric haybales staked in place for erosion control.
The installation of vacuum breakers on top of the proposed hooded catch basins.
To notify the Sharon Country Day Camp before the start of construction for the proposed project.
Peg called for a motion to close the hearing and to issue the Orders of Conditions to the Applicant per submitted plan with the conditions discussed by the Commission.
Stephen Cremer moved. Hank Langstroth seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
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8:15 p.m. RDA Public Hearing filed by Matthew and Patricia Keenan for the proposed replacement of the
existing sewage disposal system at 27 Gabriel Road:
Abutter, William Loiselle, was present in the audience. Jim Miller and Mike Campagnone from Miller Engineering appeared before the Commission to represent the Applicants.
Mike Campagnone submitted the green abutter cards and proposed plan entitled, "Proposed Sewage Disposal System Repairs, 27 Gabriel Road.” 1/19/06 last revised date.
He stated that the proposed project is for the replacement of the existing non-conforming single residence at 27 Gabriel Road. The results of the perk tests indicate a
substantial amount of fill in the front portion of the lot. The installation of the septic system is proposed in the back of the property where there is a least amount of fill. Mike Campagnone and Jim Miller delineated the wetlands on the site. Wetland flags numbered one through six were set in the field and represent 150 linear feet of wetlands.
(The wetland area is highlighted in blue on the proposed plan). The delineated resource area is located on the side of the lot and the abutting property. The proposed septic
system is designed for a three-bedroom type home. The proposed septic system has a leaching bed of gravel with 4” pipe on top and maintains a 25' setback to the wetland line.
Mike Campagnone explained the scope of the proposed project to the Commission:
The installation of haybales/siltfence around the limit of work before the start of construction.
The removal of the existing cesspool from the back section of the property.
The installation of the proposed new septic system.
Peg requested the installation of filter fabric behind the haybales for erosion control.
Peg called for a motion to close the hearing and to issue a Negative Determination to the Applicant.
Stephan Glicken moved. Stephen Cremer seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
Jim Miller stated that there is a culvert underneath Bay Road north of Castle Drive that has been in a partial
state of collapse for many years. The roadway is starting to deteriorate in the vicinity of the culvert. There is a Warrant Article for the May Town Meeting to appropriate
funding for replacing the culvert. This project would require a filing with the Commission upon Town Meeting
approval. Obtaining an easement for this project was discussed with the abutting homeowner.
8:35 p.m. N.O.I. filed by Joanne Craig for the proposed demolition and reconstruction of an existing dwelling
and the installation of an on-site septic treatment system at 32 Beach Road:
The Applicant was present. David Oberlander, P.E. from BDO Engineering appeared before the Commission to
represent the Applicant. David Oberlander submitted the green abutter cards and proposed plan entitled,
“Reconstruction of Existing House and Subsurface Disposal System at 32 Beach Road, Sharon, MA.” 12/22/05,
last revised date. The proposed plan has been approved by the Board of Health and ZBA.
David Oberlander explained the scope of the proposed project to the Commission:
The demolition of existing house.
A new house construction, garage and conventional septic system with a 5' depth to groundwater separation
and associated grading.
The installation of siltfence/haybales around the limit of work for erosion control.
Hank recommended the installation of a two-compartment septic tank for the proposed project.
Peg requested that the Order of Conditions reference the following:
The installation of a two-compartment septic tank.
The installation of haybales and siltfence for erosion control with filter fabric placed behind the haybales.
Peg called for a motion to close the hearing upon receipt of the DEP file number and revised plan.
Hank Langstroth moved. Katherine Roth seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 5-0-0.
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8:47 p.m. N.O.I. filed by Irving Weiner for the proposed additions to the existing dwelling and the replacement
of the cesspool with a new Title V System at 24 Laurel Road:
Present: Applicant, Irving David Weiner. Architect, Irving Weiner and David Oberlander, P.E. from BDO Engineering appeared before the Commission to represent the Applicant.
David Oberlander submitted the green abutter cards and proposed plan entitled, “Reconstruction of existing subsurface disposal system, 24 Laurel
Road. Dated 1/17/06.” David Oberlander stated that there is a 39' setback from the wetland line to the existing house on a non-conforming lot. The entire project site is within
the 100' Buffer Line. The size of the proposed new garage is 24'x 24', slightly larger than the existing garage. The size of the proposed addition to the existing dwelling is 28'x 28'.
A new conventional Title V septic system with a 5' depth to groundwater separation is proposed for the project. The Applicant is meeting with the Board of Health on
February 6 and March 8 with the ZBA.
David Oberlander and the Architect explained the scope of the proposed project to the Commission:
The removal of the existing two car 18' garage.
To raise the elevation of the new proposed garage higher than existing to reduce the number of steps entering the house.
To crush and fill in the existing cesspool located in the front yard.
The proposed new half bathroom addition.
The foundation for the new 28' x 28' addition is proposed 4' below the frost line.
Hank requested the installation of a two-compartment septic tank.
Stephen Cremer requested that a dry well be installed for the proposed project to contain the drainage from the roof runoff.
Peg requested the submittal of a revised plan for the proposed project to address the following concerns of the Commission:
The installation of haybales and siltfence for erosion control with filter fabric placed behind the haybales.
The installation of a two-compartment septic tank.
The installation of a dry well for the proposed project.
Peg called for a motion to continue the hearing upon receipt of the DEP File Number, revised plan and until
all information is received from the Applicant's meetings with the ZBA and the Board of Health.
Stephen Cremer moved. Hank Langstoth seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
9:15 p.m. Cliff Towner, Commission Appointee to Lake Massapoag, Update.
Cliff Towner expressed his opinion to the members of the Commission that soon they will be making a very important decision. He explained to the Commission that there is a
very serious water problem in Sharon. Lake Massapoag completely froze over from shore to shore this winter. In the past when the water in the lake would freeze over, the springs underneath the lake would still be active. There have been winters when there was over 18” of ice on the lake and there would be areas of open water due to the springs. A few
weeks ago during a cold snap the lake froze over from shore to shore and the springs were not active in the lake after 62” of rainfall within the previous12 months.
There was 8” of rainfall during the month of January, for a total of 70” of rainfall within the last thirteen months. Cliff presented a map to the Commission identifying Well #6, Cedar Swamp, Wolomolopoag Pond, Beaver Brook Valley, etc. He stated that all of the Town’s water supply comes from the center of Town as well as all of the water for
Wells Numbered 2 through 7 and there is virtually no recharge in that area except for rainfall. To compound that problem, when the Heights was developed, catch basins
and water pipes were installed in all of the streets and a ditch was built on the side of Cedar Swamp to manage all of the stormwater runoff. As a result of this, there is
no recharge coming from Cedar Swamp.
Cliff explained to the Commission that David Grasfield and Greg Meister have been working with the cemetery officials in Sharon for an alternative well site.
Page 4 SCC 2/2/06 Meeting Minutes
Another alternative for a well site is the NSTAR site. Although nitrates have been found in the water after
two 8 hour per day pump tests, it is possible that the nitrates might be eliminated after an extended pump test.
Cliff stated that the Town is lucky because of a pure pile of sand that is located underneath Cedar Swamp. The Town’s water is pure because of Cedar Swamp and the
6' of “Freetown Muck” found underneath Cedar Swamp. It is the best purifying agent in nature.
It is necessary to protect Cedar Swamp due to the six hundred acres of “Freetown Muck”. Cedar Swamp is the headwaters of the Canoe River Aquifer, Billings Brook Aquifer and the Beaver Brook Aquifer. Cliff said that all of the aquifers in Town went dry last year. All of the water leaving the Town is like a hub with spokes on wheels. It is going in every direction with no recharge. We are losing Cedar Swamp due to the lowering of the groundwater table in that area. Cliff stated that Eric Hooper mentioned at a previously held Water
Management Meeting the possibility of installing another well near Cedar Swamp and connecting it to Well #6. However, there are iron and manganese problems
in Well #6. Eric has the option to install an infiltration system on Well #6. All of the water that drains off of Moose Hill is intercepted by Beaver Brook or Billings Brook and
does not reach Cedar Swamp. All of the water that drains from Rattlesnake Hill is intercepted by Lake Massapoag and does not recharge. Sucker Brook
is going dry every summer. Cliff stated that he has photographs and reports to support his findings. Cliff expressed his opinion that the Conservation Commission is the last line
of defense for the citizens of this Town for protecting the environment.
9:35 p.m. Signatures:
The Commission signed bills. Order of Conditions for Senior Operations, Inc. DEP File #SE-280-0473.
Negative Determination for Matthew and Patricia Keenan, 27 Gabriel Road. Order of Conditions for
Joanne Craig, 32 Beach Road. The Commission also signed letters to the Board of Assessors requesting the
abatement of outstanding taxes on the following parcels: 76-10, 32 Commercial Street. 76-12, 11 Commercial Street. 76-14, 17 Commercial Street. 14-2, 169 R Mansfield Street.
57-19, 000 S. Walpole Street. 60-8, 000RR R/W.
9:40 p.m. Adjournment:
Peg called for a motion to adjourn.
Stephan Glicken moved. Hank Langstroth seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
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