Conservation Commission
Meeting
March 6, 2008
NO QUORUM
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Hank Langstroth, and Stephen Cremer were the members present.
Elizabeth McGrath, a potential candidate to serve on the Conservation Commission, was present in the audience.
8:00 p.m. The Commission to act on Emergency Certification Request from the Town of Stoughton DPW -
Bank of Perennial Stream 50’ S.W. Walters Way, Bay Road, Sharon, MA:
The Conservation Administrator explained to the members of the Commission in attendance that Bay Road is
being undermined by the erosion on the west facing slope of the perennial stream and the deterioration of the
bank of the stream. The proposed project lies within 100’ of Sharon wetland areas. The following is the scope
of the proposed project requested by the Stoughton DPW:
- To remove the sediment erosion from the bed of the stream.
- Excavation of the level shelf on the west facing slope that is beneath the undermined bank.
- The installation of approximately two or three concrete blocks, (2’x 2’x 6’), to make a
temporary retaining wall.
- To backfill the area between the roadway and row of concrete block with four – six inch
Tap Rock, to allow the passage of water, reduce scouring, deposition of sediment into the
stream and prevent the roadway from collapsing.
- The proposed erosion control measures include a double row of haybales and a silt fence
along the limit of work to prevent siltation and sedimentation from discharging into the
stream during construction of the proposed project.
The members of the Commission in attendance agreed to issue the permit requested by the Applicant for the
proposed project.
(At the latter part of the meeting, Peg reviewed the proposed project with Commission member, Janet Dunlap,
and it was unanimously agreed by the Commission to issue the Emergency Permit as requested by the Applicant.)
8:10 p.m. Bill Matt met informally with the Commission concerning his variance request for Lot 13 Drake Circle:
Bill Matt presented the history of the proposed project with the Commission:
- Last year the Commission issued an Order of Conditions to the Applicant, which restricts
the proposed project for Lot 13 Drake Circle to a 3 bedroom house.
- Approximately six months ago, the Board of Health granted a variance to the
Applicant. (The Applicant was required to move the reserve area for the septic system
closer to the primary to keep the reserve area outside of the 125’ Buffer Zone.)
- The Applicant received comment letters from the Conservation Commission and the
Board of Health as requested by the ZBA for the variances requested for the proposed
project.
- The Applicant requested a new comment letter from the Commission to clarify that
an Order of Conditions had been issued by the Commission for the proposed project.
(The Applicant explained to the Commission that his Attorney feels that the ZBA
might not have been aware that an Order of Conditions permit was issued. The Attorney
also indicated that the ZBA might have denied the variances requested by the Applicant
based on the comments contained in the letter from the Conservation Administrator.
A copy of the Attorney’s letter requesting that the Commission submit a new comment
letter to the ZBA is recorded in the office file.)
Page 2 SCC 3/6/08 Meeting Minutes
Bill Matt provided the Commission with a copy of the ZBA’s 11/14/07 meeting minutes as requested.
The meeting minutes reflect the ZBA’s decision in denying the variance requested by the Applicant to
develop an undersized lot for the proposed project.
The Commission Administrator reviewed with the Commission, the ZBA’s 12/14/07 Decision Letter denying
the Applicant’s request for a variance for Lot 13 Drake Circle due to and undersized lot. Mr. Wernick stated in
the letter that he respects Mr. Meister’s judgment and is not inclined to override him.
The members of the Commission in attendance agreed to have the Conservation Administrator draft a memo to
the ZBA stating that the Orders of Conditions was issued to the Applicant, and to attach a copy of the permit
along with the memo.
8:15 p.m. N.O.I. Public Hearing filed by Hanna Fadel, for the proposed construction of a single family home and
associated utilities and site work, a portion of which lies within the outer riparian zone of Traphole Brook. The
property is located at 320 Norwood Street.
DEP File # SE-280-0493:
Bob Murphy from Conservation Consultants (Danena Company) appeared before the
Commission to represent the Applicant. He submitted a copy of a proposed plan to the Commission
entitled, “Proposed Sewage Disposal System, High Plain Street, Sharon, MA” dated 12/5/07. Bob Murphy
also submitted the green abutter cards. The size of the proposed lot is approximately 1.5 acres. Two resource areas
were delineated on the proposed project site in August 2007 by the Danena Company. The first area was an
intermittent stream that bisects the property in a southerly to northerly direction. The second area is the
BVW of the stream, which is located at the toe of a four to six foot slope. The top of the slope consists of
upland vegetation and the toe of the slope is comprised of wetland vegetation. The delineated wetland line was
flagged and numbered 1 – 26. A portion of the proposed site grading lies within the 200’ riparian corridor to
Traphole Brook. The size of the Riverfront Area is 45,208 sq. ft. The total area of River Front Disturbance is
approximately 4,094 sq. ft. (Less than 10% of the total riverfront area on the site is proposed to be
disturbed from the project.) No impervious area is being proposed in the riparian zone. The proposed disturbance
to the outer riparian corridor is approximately 4,451 sq. ft. No alteration of the BVW is proposed for the project.
Haybales staked in place are proposed to be installed along the limit of work line prior to construction for
erosion control. The proposed clearing for the project involves the back portion of the property along the limit
of work line. All of the proposed work is outside of the 100’ Buffer Zone. The septic system for the proposed project
meets with the Board of Health regulations. A portion of reserve area for the proposed septic system is being
installed under the driveway. The sloped areas of the site range from 4:1 to 3:1. The Applicant proposes to plant
a grass seed mix to restore the sloped areas of the site upon completion of the proposed project.
The Commission requested that Mr. Murphy meet again with the Commission on March 20 at 8:15 p.m. for a
brief overview of the proposed project.
8:40 p.m. The Commission reviewed a memo dated 2/20/08 from Superintendent of Public Works, Eric R. Hooper:
The Commission received their own copy of Eric Hooper’s February 20, 2008 memo
relating to temperature and flow readings of Lake Massapoag, Summer 2007 Conditions.
Page 3 SCC 3/6/08 Meeting Minutes
8:45 p.m. RDA filed by Anthony Arrott for the proposed construction of an addition to an existing residence
at 11 Manomet Road:
The Applicants for the proposed project appeared before the Commission.
The Conservation Administrator explained to the members of the Commission that the
Applicants have been very cooperative throughout the application filing, including the ZBA process.
The proposed work lies within the existing developed lawn area with minor wetland impacts.
The Applicants presented the Commission with a copy of a wetland delineation plan dated 12/11/01.
The Applicant, Anthony Arrott explained the following scope of the proposed project to the Commission:
- The proposed construction of a 13’ x 12 ½’ sun room addition to replace an existing deck
on the same residential footprint.
- The Applicant proposes to extend the existing foundation walls (13’ x 6’10”) with an
enclosed stairwell around the existing doorway. (The Applicant is proposing this option
as opposed to installing a bulkhead.)
The Commission members in attendance agreed to issue the Negative Determination Permit for the proposed project.
Peg explained to the Applicants that she would explain to the fourth Commission member that although the
proposed project lies within a wetland area, the wetland areas on the site would not be altered from the proposed project.
9:00 p.m. Elizabeth McGrath informally met with the Commission:
The members of the Commission were introduced to Dr. Elizabeth McGrath.
Elizabeth stated that she is a geologist and is married to a hydrologist. Elizabeth received her Doctorate from the
University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her background includes research work in the Artic Ocean while living in Alaska.
Peg suggested that Elizabeth forward her letter of interest to the Commission along with a copy to the Selectmen.
Peg stated that she would notify the Selectmen of Dr. McGrath’s interest in serving on the Conservation Commission.
9:10 p.m. Signatures:
The members of the Commission in attendance signed bills. Emergency Certificate request permit for Bay Road.
Extension Permit for Lot 4, Eisenhower Drive. Negative Determination for 11 Manomet Road. Tax Abatement
document requested by the Town Assessor for Parcel 112-169, R Hunters Ridge Rd., Plan Parcel B2.
9:15 P.M. Old/New Business:
The Commission received Lealdon Langley’s thank you note for their generous donation to Hospice in memory
of his wife, Diane.
9:20 P.M. Updates:
Peg mentioned that the consultants for the Cedar Swamp are presenting their report to the Finance Committee
on March 17.
The Conservation Administrator said that the Lake Management Committee is absorbing the cost for the printing
of the reports.
Page 4 SCC 3/6/08 Meeting Minutes
Peg is planning to attend an upcoming meeting with the Horizons for Youth Reuse Committee. The Committee
will be seeking feedback from the Commission concerning their plans on the back portion of their property that
abuts the existing school property. Peg believes that it would be advantageous to preserve that area for
school activities.
Peg updated the Commission on the proposed acquisition of the Piona parcels, contiguous to the Cedar Swamp.
The Capital Outlay Committee is meeting to discuss the following options:
- For the Town to secure a promissory note with Mrs. Piona to acquire all of the parcels simultaneously.
- To first purchase the larger acreage in the middle of the swamp, and then acquire the
smaller parcels the following year.
Peg mentioned to the Commission that Mr. Bottomley is in the process of signing the
Lease Agreement for the Cranberry Bogs with Mr. Intoccia.
9:30 p.m. The meeting ended.
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