Conservation Commission
Meeting
January 17, 2008
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Stephen Cremer, Hank Langstroth, Christine Turnbull, and Janet Dunlap were the members present.
7:35 p.m. Benjamin Mahnke - Camp Gannett Update:
Present: Benjamin Mahnke, Director of Finance and Operations for the Elizabeth Peabody House.
His responsibilities include facilities and property management. James DeMaggio, who assists
with the operation of Camp Gannett, also appeared before the Commission. Benjamin Mahnke
explained to the Commission that the Elizabeth Peabody House is willing to consider a
Conservation Restriction on the property that would allow them to operate Camp Gannett
in perpetuity, or sell it to someone else to operate as a camp. The Elizabeth Peabody House is
130 years old. It is a non-profit organization that operates as a multi service agency for families
and children in need within the Somerville and Medford communities. Most of the programs
offer infant and toddler care and after school programs for children enrolled in elementary
through High School. Historically, Camp Gannett has been operating as a summer camp
since the 1920s. There is a lot of sentimental attachment to the people who operate the camp.
The camp offers valuable programs for the children that the Elizabeth Peabody House services.
Benjamin Mahnke reviewed the financial position of the camp and the need to secure funds
for the continued operation and maintenance of the camp. The Elizabeth Peabody House is also
willing to consider incorporating some conditions in the Conservation Restriction that would allow
the Town to utilize the property for recreational purposes. Benjamin Mahnke explained to the
Commission that the Elizabeth Peabody House is in the process of having an appraisal done on the property.
He presented the Commission with a document outlining strategies for securing CPA Funding to help purchase
a Conservation Restriction on the Camp Gannett property. Peg explained that it might be possible to obtain a
combination of CPA Funds and Town Funds to help purchase the Restriction. She stated that it is a good visible
project for the Town to support. The Lake is important recreational resource to everyone. Peg anticipates a
November 2008 Town Meeting date to secure some community funding for the Camp Gannett Conservation Restriction.
The Conservation Administrator said that some preliminary meetings to discuss the Restriction are being arranged
with the Selectmen and the Capital Outlay Committee.
Jim DeMaggio offered to guide the members of the Commission on a tour of the Camp Gannett property. He stated
that he is committed to being a partner in the land use venture of the Camp Gannett site.
Peg explained that if a Self-Help Grant is obtained to help fund the Restriction, the Commission would also need to secure
an appraisal on the property.
Benjamin Mahnke and Jim DeMaggio agreed to report back to the Commission with more information concerning the property
appraisal.
8:00 p.m.: Rob Maidman met with the Commission to discuss proposed expansion plans for the Dog Park:
Rob Maidman explained to the Commission that the proposed plans to expand the Dog Park are presently in the preliminary phase.
He stated that there has been little use of the small area of the Dog Park since it opened. The Dog Park Committee is considering
options to better utilize that area of the Dog Park. The size of the entire Dog Park is approximately 2/3 acre.
Rob explained the following preliminary plans to the Commission:
- To raise the height of the fence surrounding the small area of the Dog Park 2’ to match
the existing fence in the larger area of the Dog Park.
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-To expand the smaller area of the Dog Park into the abutting woods, for the purpose of incorporating some trees along the
right side.
(The Commission expressed their concerns with this option due to the environmentally sensitive area of a nearby Pond on the site.)
-To consider expanding the Cedar Street side of the Dog Park approximately 30 – 40’, so that the overhanging branches from nearby
trees would provide some shaded areas along this side of the Dog Park.
Stephen Cremer suggested installing some structures such as an agility course, ramps, and tubes, as a viable alternative to expanding
the Dog Park. He also suggested installing some sitting benches along the outside areas of the Dog Park. He explained that he would
not be supportive of any plans that would include tree clearing for the expansion project.
Rob Maidman explained that his reasons for not installing structures in the Dog Park are due to the potential liability issues concerning
children. He stated that preliminary plans include the installation of some sitting benches made from recycled plastics.
Janet Dunlap expressed her opinion that the location of the Dog Park is an under-utilized resource area of the Town, and that the Dog Park
facility has brought a portion of it back to life. She would be supportive of expanding the property away from the adjacent wetland areas.
The members of the Commission agreed that they would be in favor of an expansion plan proposal along the Cedar Street area of the Dog Park.
Rod Maidman will report back to the Dog Park Committee with the Commission’s comments.
8:15 p.m.: ~ Massapoag Sportsmen’s Club – Update:
Peg explained to the Commission that the members of the Massapoag Sportsmen’s Club have not yet held a land group meeting concerning the
proposed land swap. Leo Glover has not completed the land survey at this time. The Club plans on meeting with the Commission sometime in February.
8:30 p.m.: ~ Bill Matt – Variance request continuance for Lot 13 Drake Circle:
The Commission agreed to continue the variance request for Lot 13 Drake Circle, until
further notified by the Applicant.
8:35 p.m.: Signatures:
The Commission signed bills. A voucher for $75,000 in land acquisition donations for the Glenview property. A Deed in the amount of $250,000
for the acquisition of 9 Glenview Rd. A Deed in the amount of $770,000 for the acquisition of Lot 1, 154A Billings Street, Sharon. Peg signed the
promissory note for the Billings Street Deed in the amount of $95,000. A voucher for $50,000 to authorize a Restriction comprised of ½ acre on
the Alison property located at 154A Billings Street, Sharon. The Commission also signed Tax Abatement documents requested by the
Town Assessor for parcels 49-8 and 49-8,000 located within the Cedar Swamp area.
8:40 p.m. Approve Past Meeting Minutes:
Peg called for a motion to approve the January 3, 2008 meeting minutes as amended.
Stephen Cremer moved. Christine Turnbull seconded. Voted. 4-0-1.
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The Chairman was unable to open the following public hearing because the legal notice was inadvertently omitted from the local newspaper.
8:45 p.m. N.O.I. Public Hearing filed by Sharon-Walpole LLC for the proposed~construction of 9 apartment buildings and a clubhouse
with associated site improvements at 0 and 225 General Edwards Highway. A portion of the proposed work lies within the 100’ Buffer Zone
to a BVW on the proposed project site.
DEP File # SE-280-0492:
Present: Patrick McMahon, Spencer Welton, and Carolyn Taylor from Simpson Housing; Roy Cramer, Attorney for the Applicant; Heather
Vaillant and Brian Yergatian from BSC Group.
Patrick McMahon reviewed an aerial location Plan with the Commission. He explained to the Commission that the design changes made to
the revised comprehensive permit reflects the comments made by the ZBA, the ZBA’s Peer Review Engineer, Eric Hooper, Peter O’Cain,
and the Conservation Administrator. The following is a brief overview of the proposed new comprehensive site plan:
-The Applicant reduced the number of buildings from 15 to 9.
-The number of units was increased from 180 to 204, (However, the number of
bedrooms were decreased by 4.) All units would be counted toward the Town’s
Affordable Housing quota.
- The Applicant eliminated the roadway behind all of the proposed buildings. (This
would reduce the amount of impervious area on the site by approximately 1 acre.)
-Re-designed the site access and club house.
-Sidewalks and pathways have been added to the proposed design plan.
-The Applicant is willing to place a Conservation Restriction comprised of approximately
8 acres.
-The Applicant acquired a triangular shaped parcel on the back portion of the proposed
project site that would provide an easement for vehicle access to the proposed
wastewater treatment facility.
-The Applicant proposes to connect to the Sharon Water supply at the intersection of
Rte.1/Old Post Road for the proposed project.
- A large portion of the proposed site is comprised of steep slopes, ranging from 15 to 30
percent. The Applicant proposes to install erosion control measures to stabilize the 2:1
sloped areas of the site during construction of the project. A wildflower seed mixture
is proposed for restoration of the sloped areas upon completion of the project.
-The Applicant has eliminated two parking spaces from the parking area. (399 parking
spaces are now proposed.) The Applicant proposes to move the parking area closer to
the roadway to minimize the impact to the wetlands on the site.
-The Applicant is interested in creating a deceleration lane on Rte. 1 for access to the
proposed project site that is subject to Mass Highway’s approval.
-A pedestrian bridge and some nature trails are being proposed for public access to the
stream on the site.
- The Applicant plans to reduce the size of a proposed retaining wall from 15’ to
approximately 6 ½’.
- Proposed Buildings 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9 are being moved closer to the roadway to
minimize the impact to the 100’ Buffer Zone.
- No buildings are being proposed within the 50’ No Build Zone.
- Each of the detention basins has an outflow control structure with an emergency
spillway attached for controlling any potential stormwater runoff up to a 100-year
storm event.
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The Applicant explained that he is in compliance with the DEP’s Storm water Management Policy for the proposed project.
He plans to install ten groundwater recharge chambers below grade throughout the site. Any potential roof water runoff will
be piped directly into the infiltration units on the site. The capacity of the proposed wastewater treatment facility is
approximately 34,650 gallons per day.
Peg explained to the Applicant that Hank Langstroth would review the calculations for the proposed drainage design plans,
including a review of the outflow for the proposed detention basins.
The Conservation Administrator requested that the Applicant outline the proposed conceptual Conservation Restriction Line
and the proposed Gutierrez development project on a new plan.
The Applicant requested to discuss some of the Commission’s concerns relating to the wetlands on the proposed project site
during their next meeting.
The following is a list of the Commission’s concerns that they would like to be addressed by the Applicant:
- To keep the closest point of the outfall from the detention basins 25’ away from the
wetlands on the site.
- To provide a design plan of the proposed pedestrian bridge.
- To provide a general concept plan of the proposed trail installations on the site.
- To further discuss the steepness of the slopes between Buildings 3 and 4.
- To identify the contour lines for the proposed wastewater treatment facility on a new
Plan.
- To submit a proposed planting plan along the Buffer Line of the proposed wastewater
treatment facility.
The Applicant explained to the Commission that the designated storage areas for any snow removal on the site are proposed
outside of the 100’ Buffer Zones.
The Applicant agreed to arrange another meeting with the Commission in February.
9:30 p.m. Adjournment:
Peg called for a motion to adjourn.
Stephen Cremer moved. Hank Langstroth seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
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