Conservation Commission
Meeting
September 20, 2007
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Stephan Glicken and Hank Langstroth were the members present. Stephen Cremer
arrived at 8:30 p.m.
No Quorum at this time
8:00 p.m. N.O.I. Public Hearing filed by Sharon CF II LP C/O Congress Group, Inc., for the proposed
development of the Sharon Commons Lifestyle Center, Old Post Road, Sharon, MA. A portion of the
proposed construction lies within the 100’ Buffer Zone. DEP File#SE-280-0490:
Present: Ken Caputo, Kelly Killeen, and Hans Van Linzen from Coler and Colantonio. Fred Bottomley from North Attleboro was also present.
He is a licensed agriculturist with the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Ken Caputo submitted the green abutter cards and preliminary site plans to the Commission. He stated that the proposed project design has
avoided direct impacts to the wetland resource areas of the site. The proposed
project complies with the Town’s new Zoning Business District D Regulations. The Applicant is requesting variances from the
Board of Health for the proposed project. The following is the scope of the proposed project:
The proposed Sharon Commons is a Lifestyle Center located west of Old Post Road and designed as an“Open Air Mall”.
The proposed development is located within a Zone II and is comprised of approximately 60 acres with an overall drainage area of 237 acres.
The proposed project consists of approximately 3,500 sq.ft. of improvements to Old Post Road including sidewalks, utilities, and a median strip.
The existing Cranberry Bog area encroaches on the Old Post Road Right of Way.
(The Applicant is proposing to mitigate 17,000-sq. ft. in this area of the proposed project site.)
The proposed commercial site includes the construction of many small retail stores.
The installation of three anchor pods is being proposed for the Lifestyle Center.
Open space areas will be designed for the proposed project that allow public access in accordance with the
Town’s Bylaws.
The Applicant is considering placing a Conservation Restriction on the property.
The Natural Heritage Fish and Wildlife Estimated Habitat boundary is in the northeast corner of the proposed site. Natural Heritage is agreeable
to the Applicant’s proposed mitigation plan for the potential impacts to the wildlife from the proposed development. Upon receiving approval
from the MEPA inspection, the Applicant proposes to establish a Conservation Management Plan with Natural Heritage involving the restriction
of approximately 12.8 acres of the site. The Applicant is willing to make a financial contribution in the amount of $376,000 to the State for habitat mitigation.
The Applicant is recommending to the state that a portion or all of those funds be reserved for habitat mitigation elsewhere in Sharon.
The Applicant is proposing a three-sided configuration for the bog area. This could be accomplished by eliminating the gravel path around the perimeter
of the bogs. (The Applicant is seeking the Commission’s advice whether this would be acceptable in terms of management of the bogs.)
Page 2 SCC 9/20/07 Meeting Minutes
Kelly Killeen explained the scope of the proposed site design, grading, utilities, and stormwater mitigation for
the proposed project:
Approximately 57,000-sq. ft. of flood plain mitigation is being proposed for the proposed project.
(The major stormwater design areas include the bog area, channel flow from Billings Brook, and the
channel flow beneath Rte. 95.)
The proposed installation of retaining walls along Old Post Road for stormwater mitigation.
The proposed stormwater management plan includes the installation of underground infiltration systems.
The 65% impervious areas of the proposed project site include rooftop and paved areas.
Underground cisterns are being proposed to reuse a portion of the clean roof water runoff to irrigate trees and planting beds.
The proposed site consists of approximately 1.6 acres of pervious pavement and 1.7 acres of pervious pavers.
A Low Impact Development (LID) stormwater management concept is being proposed to remove suspended solids and promote infiltration.
The pre- and post- development drainage calculations meets the DEP requirement for the 2 and 10-year storm events. Approximately 90% of the proposed
site meets the 25-year storm event. (The portion of the site that does not meet the 25-year storm event is the tributary to the Rte. 95 culvert.)
The proposed stormwater management plan meets the 100-year storm event, exceeding the DEP standards and the local zoning requirements.
Bioretention pollutant removal systems are proposed to be installed along parking areas and sidewalk landscaping throughout the proposed project site.
Vegetated swales are being proposed within the median of the Old Post Road access road.
The proposed stormwater management plan includes the installation of hooded deep sump catch basins.
Stormceptors devices will be installed to remove any sediments and pollutants caused by any potential stormwater runoff.
Underground infiltration and retention systems consisting of perforated pipe and stone are proposed to
be installed to mitigate any potential stormwater runoff.
Level spreaders are proposed to be installed to capture any potential overflow from the underground infiltration systems.
Drought tolerant plantings are proposed along the median strip. (A private water source would be provided,
if needed, for irrigation purposes.)
The elevation of Rte. 95 is approximately 270’. The elevation throughout the main portion of the proposed site is approximately 280’.
The elevation of South Walpole Street is approximately 300’.
An Operation and Maintenance Plan will govern the management of the proposed development facility.
The Applicant proposes to submit a snow removal plan to the ZBA.
A 2 to 1 Wetland Mitigation Replication Plan is being proposed for the project:
The proposed replication plan will include a combination of forested and emergent wetland species.
The entire wetland area be seeded with a New England Wetland Mix, or a similar combination of
seed mix. (Wool grass plugs are proposed for the lower elevation flood plain storage areas.)
A wetland mix is proposed for the Compensatory Storage Area, identified as Area 2, to re-establish more
emergent wetland species of plants.
Page 3 SCC 9/20/07 Meeting Minutes
The proposed replication plan for shrubs and trees shall be similar to existing species such as pepperbush,
arrowhead, winterberry, and highbush blueberry.
Quorum – Stephen Cremer arrived
8:30 p.m. N.O.I. Hearing continuance filed by Sharon CF II LP C/O Congress Group, Inc, for the proposed
roadway improvements within the existing layout of Old Post Road. Said improvements are desired for the
construction of the Sharon Commons Lifestyle Center. DEP File # SE-280-0491:
Persons Present: Ken Caputo, Kelly Killeen, Hans Van Linzen, and Fred Bottomley.
Peg requested that Mr. Bottomley meet with the Commission to express his recommendations for sustaining
the agricultural use of the Cranberry Bogs west of Old Post Road.
Mr. Fred Bottomley stated, for the record, that he was not aware Coler and Colantonio were the engineers
for the proposed project. He has previously employed their services and they are currently providing services
for him. Mr. Bottomley has known Mr. Intoccia and members of his family for over twenty-years.
Mr. Bottomley stated that he has no financial interest with the proposed Sharon Commons project.
He has not previously consulted with Coler and Colantonio or Mr. Intoccia concerning the proposed project.
Based on the results of Mr. Bottomley’s inspection of the site, he expressed his opinion to the Commission
that there is a short window left to preserve the Cranberry Bogs on the proposed project site.
The invasive plant, Loosestrife, is starting to invade the upper bog area. The independent handling plants are due to shut down on
November 15. They have started to harvest their dry products last week. Harvesting the bogs should occur
before a killing frost destroys the cranberries. The vines will not survive another winter without being flooded.
He suggested that the Commission flood the bogs in conjunction with the developer three months from now if
the bogs have not been purchased. The advantage of a corporate effort is that many improvements are exempt under Agway.
He does not know how long it has been since the bogs were sanded. He explained that bogs need
to be sanded every 4-5 years. Mr. Bottomley would rather see an expansion of the bog area as opposed to a typical wetland replication
of the bogs. The easiest way to expand the bogs is to remove the knob section after the bogs are flooded. This method would not alter the
vertical walkway barrier that is alongside the bogs.
Flumes could be installed for controlling the water flow from Billings Brook. Mr. Bottomley stated that he would do the necessary improvements
to sustain the agricultural use of the bogs if he were to purchase the bogs. He feels that it is critical to harvest the cranberries this year to assure
the survival of the bogs. He explained that one way to expand the bogs is from an upland area of the site. He suggested that providing fishing derby
activities for children located at one of the ponds on the site might be an additional community benefit made possible from the proposed development
project. It is possible for this activity to be sponsored by the Sharon Rotary Club.
Hank Langstroth asked Mr. Bottomley what the estimated cost would be to renovate and maintain the bogs.
Mr. Bottomley indicated that it would cost approximately $100,000 to renovate the bogs and approximately $80,000 per year thereafter to maintain them.
The Commission agreed to discuss the following concerns with the Selectmen:
The legalities for changing the development agreement for the proposed project.
The upcoming October 1 deadline for the Applicant to renew the 61A concerning 33 acres of the site.
Peg requested that Mr. Bottomley meet again with the Commission to continue the discussion for sustaining
the agricultural use of the bogs.
Page 4 SCC 9/20/07 Meeting Minutes
Mr. Caputo intends to respond to DEP’s attachment letter concerning the proposed project before the
next Commission Meeting. He proposes to work together with Mr. Bottomley concerning the possibility of expanding the bog area on the site.
The Applicant requested to continue both hearings with the Commission until October 4, 2007.
Hank Langstroth moved. Stephen Cremer seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 4-0-0.
9:45 p.m. Old/ New Business:
The members of the Commission agreed for Peg to draft a letter to the Trustees of Reservations on behalf of the Commission, in support of their
grant request to implement the proposed trail expansions and improvements within the Moose Hill Farm Reservation.
9:50 p.m. Signatures:
The Commission signed bills. Negative Determination for the Trustees of Reservations, 42 Moose Hill Street,
for the proposed removal of Phragmites.
10:00 p.m. Adjournment:
Peg called for a motion to adjourn.
Hank Langstroth moved. Stephen Cremer seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
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