Conservation Commission
Meeting
August 16, 2007
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Hank Langstroth, and Stephen Cremer were the members present.
Janet Dunlap arrived at 8:00 p.m.
No quorum at this time
7:45 p.m. Eagle Scout Project – Beaver Brook Foot Bridge Update:
Kurt Buerman appeared before the Commission and stated that the boardwalk has been installed
along the swamp area of the railroad embankment. He explained that Boy Scout T.J. Gillen is proposing to cleanup the Beaver Brook Trail, which is approximately 1.5 miles long. The entrance to the trail begins at the Moose Hill Parkway and continues along Farnhum Road to Sandy Ridge Circle. The proposed work includes trail markings and sign installations. Boy Scout Henry Horne is proposing to construct a bridge over the Beaver Brook Dam, which is located near the tennis courts by the railroad station.
Peg requested that the Boy Scouts submit a proposal to the Commission for all of their proposed work.
Kurt agreed to contact the Boy Scouts to arrange a meeting with the Commission.
Quorum – Janet Dunlap arrived
8:00 p.m. N.O.I. Public Hearing filed by Peter Savage, for the proposed installation of an in-ground swimming pool and driveway associated with the construction of a single-family home on Lot 4, Eisenhower Drive Extension. DEP File #SE-280-0489:
Paul Brodmerkle, from Site Design Professionals, appeared before the Commission. The Applicant, Peter Savage, was also present. Paul Brodmerkle submitted a proposed plan entitled, “Notice of Intent/Building Permit Plan, Lot 4, Eisenhower Drive Extension, in Sharon, MA” revised date, 8/1/07, and the green abutter cards to the Commission. He explained to the Commission that the resource areas of the proposed project site include Dry Pond to the north and Little Dry Pond to the east. The previous Order of Conditions issued by the Commission only allowed the Applicant to perform tree clearing south and west of the proposed site. However, the contractor for the previous project removed some trees north of the proposed site for the installation of a drainage swale. The Applicant proposes to restore this area of the
proposed site to its natural state by planting a cluster of highbush blueberry shrubs, five oak trees, and mulch, as opposed to a lawn area. The installation of a swimming pool is being proposed 25’ within the 100’ Buffer Zone. The encroachment to the 100’ Buffer Zone from the proposed driveway is approximately 5’. The Applicant plans to create a 2 to 1 slope, as opposed to a 6’ retaining wall, at the end of the driveway, and return this area to its original state by implementing a similar planting plan as noted above. In addition, the Applicant proposes to plant some oak trees between several large existing trees in this area.
The Commission agreed to accept the proposed planting plan as defined on the submitted plan.
The Commission determined to allow the Applicant to place a portion of the excavated gravel along the perimeter of the proposed swimming pool.
The Commission requested the following from the Applicant:
· To move the remaining excavated gravel material off site from the proposed project.
· To submit a new plan delineating the dry well and pump house for the proposed
swimming pool outside of the 100’ Buffer Zone.
Peg called for a motion to close the hearing, and to issue the Order of Conditions to the Applicant upon receipt of the revised plan. Stephen Cremer moved. Hank Langstroth seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 4-0-0.
Page 2 SCC 8/16/07 Meeting Minutes
8:15 p.m. Abbreviated Notice of Intent Hearing continuance for Drake Realty Trust, for the proposed site preparation and grading associated with construction of a single family house, Lot 138 Drake Circle, DEP File #SE-280-0479:
Present: The Applicant, Bill Matt; the Applicant’s Attorney, Chip Nylen; Consultant, Pat Garner.
The Applicant’s Attorney reviewed a revised plan entitled,” On Site Septic Disposal System,
Lot 138 Drake Circle, 9/15/06 with the Commission. The wetlands reflected on the proposed plan were delineated by a consultant previously hired by the Commission. The review from the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program indicated that there are no endangered or rare species on the site. A portion of the proposed project encroaches on a small IVW. The Applicant is seeking a variance from the Commission for the 25’ setback requirement for the isolated wetland area. The Applicant has also requested a variance from the Board of Health for the proposed septic system. The Applicant discussed the possibility of reducing the number of bedrooms to three, as opposed to four for the proposed project. This would result in a smaller septic system installation and locating the house further away from the
small IVW. The Applicant also discussed the possibility of placing a deed restriction on the remainder of the property.
Peg stated that she recently visited the site to review the proposed project. As a result of the inspection, the Commission made the following recommendations to the Applicant:
To reduce the size of the footprint for the proposed house, or design the house further away from the isolated vegetated wetland area.
To design a smaller septic system for the proposed project.
To pursue further mitigation measures for stormwater prevention at the end of Drake Circle.
To place a deed restriction on the remaining property.
The Applicant expressed a willingness to amend the proposed plan to reflect the concerns of the Commission.
Peg called for a motion to continue the hearing until September 6, 2007 at 8: 30 p.m.
Janet Dunlap moved. Hank Langstroth seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 4-0-0.
8:45 p.m. Overview/Sharon Commons- Submittal of Notice of Intent Applications:
Present: Ken Caputo from Coler and Colantonio, Inc. Michael Intoccia, Developer of the proposed projects.
Documents Submitted to the Commission: N.O.I. for the proposed Sharon Commons Lifestyle Center. The proposed project includes approximately 498,000 square feet of new commercial retail and office space on the 59.81-acre parcel. The construction of associated utilities and appurtenances including a stormwater management system. A portion of the proposed project will occur within the 100’ Buffer Zone to a BVW and Bordering Land Subject to Flooding. A Stormwater Drainage Analysis & Design for Sharon Commons was submitted to the Commission. The Town of Sharon is the owner of Old Post Road. The N.O.I. for the proposed Roadway Improvements on Old Post Road will be submitted as a separate filing with the developer as the Applicant. A portion of the construction is being proposed with a BVW, Riverfront Area, Bordering
Land Subject to Flooding, Inland Bank, and Land under Waterways. Wetland replication will be mitigated in areas adjacent to the wetland crossing. The Applicant submitted a proposed plan to the Commission entitled, “Old Post Road, Roadway Plans,” 8/16/07. Sheet CS-1, RK- Sheet 2, TS- Sheet 3, RP-1 Sheet 4, RP-2 Sheet 5, RP-3 Sheet 6,
WI-1 Sheet 7, RI-1 Sheet 8, FI-1 Sheet 9, WR-1 Sheet 10, CF-1 Sheet 11, DT-1 Sheet 15, DT-2 Sheet 16.
Page 3 SCC 8 /16/07 Meeting Minutes
Ken Caputo identified some of the wetland resource areas of the proposed project site for the Commission:
BVWs delineated by wetland series A, K, M, Q.
IVWs were identified within and adjacent to the proposed project area are wetland series
B,D,E,F,G,H,I,L,N,O,P.
Cranberry Bogs and source ponds/reservoirs exist within the western boundary of the proposed site.
An intermittent stream exists within Wetland A located at the northwest corner of the site and
man-made canals connect the source ponds/reservoirs to the Cranberry Bogs.
Ken Caputo described for the Commission the sections of the proposed project that lie within the
50’ and 100’ Buffer Zones:
A portion of the expansion for the Open Space Pedestrian Zone.
Areas of the parking lot are being proposed within the 50’ Buffer Zone to isolated vegetated bordering wetland areas.
A portion of the patio and open space areas for the Lifestyle Center are also being proposed within the 50’ Buffer Zones.
The Cranberry Bogs encroach on the right-of-way of Old Post Road. Approximately 17,000 square feet of wetland mitigation as well as some grade work for the replication is being proposed in this area of the roadway. Floodplain and Riverfront mitigation work is also being proposed. A portion of the roadway has been re-designed to minimize the floodplain impact from the proposed project. The installation of retaining walls are proposed in along areas of the roadway.
The proposed installation of a flat style boardwalk connecting to the Lifestyle Center from the wetland areas of the project site.
On July 31, 2007, the Applicant submitted a filing with MEPA for the proposed project. MEPA is inspecting the proposed project site on August 23, 2007.
Peg inquired as to when the Town of Sharon would obtain ownership of the Cranberry Bog area on the proposed project site.
Michael Intoccia responded that he currently owns the property and is willing to give the Commission access to the Cranberry Bog area upon request. Mr. Intoccia anticipates that the Cranberry Bog area would be gifted to the Town by the end of January 2008.
The Commission agreed to schedule public hearings for the proposed projects on September 6, 2007.
9:15 p.m. Alice Cheyer met informally with the Commission:
Alice Cheyer expressed her gratitude to the members of the Commission for all of their efforts and continued support concerning land negotiations.
9:20 p.m. Signatures:
The Commission signed bills.
9:25 p.m. Adjournment:
Peg called for a motion to adjourn. Hank Langstroth moved. Janet Dunlap seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 4-0-0.
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