Conservation Commission
Meeting
August 20, 2009
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Meredith deCarbonnel, Keevin Geller, Elizabeth McGrath, Hank Langstroth, and Stephen Cremer were the members present.
Peg opened the following hearing and recused herself as she is an abutter to the proposed project.
Hank Langstroth, Acting Chairman, officiated the meeting at this point
7:45 p.m., N.O.I. Public Hearing filed by David Welch of D.K.W. Builders, Inc., for the proposed filling, excavation, and grading associated with the construction of two new dwellings (outside the 100’ Buffer Zone) at 235 Billings Street. In addition, the repair/reconstruction of the existing dwelling, including a driveway and landscaping within the 100’ Buffer Zone at 235 Billings Street, is proposed. DEP File # SE-280-0507:
Present in the audience: Abutter, George Aronson, 239 Billings Street. Interested person,
Stuart Brown, 105 Billings St.
Applicant, David Welch, and Rick Merrikin, from Merrikin Engineering, appeared before the Commission and submitted the green abutter cards and a proposed plan entitled, “235 Billings Street, Development Plan Of Land in Sharon, MA.” 8/17/09 last date revised. The Riverfront Area and proposed septic revisions are outlined on the revised plan. Rick Merrikin explained to the Commission that the Outer Riparian Zone from Massapoag Brook does not extend into the proposed project site. The edge of the riverfront area has been flagged and depicted on the proposed revised plan. Rick Merrikin reviewed the following history of the proposed project for the Commission:
- The Applicant’s previous filing for an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation with the Commission to establish the wetland lines at 235 Billings Street has been approved and issued by the Commission. The property at 235 Billings Street has been divided into 3 Form A Lots for the following proposed project:
- Lot 1, located at the corner of East/Billings Streets; a new house construction is being proposed outside of the 100’ Buffer Zone on the site.
- Lot 2, is being proposed for the reconstruction of an existing house within the 100’ Buffer Zone at 235 Billings Street. (The existing septic system on Lot 2 is proposed to be repaired. The Applicant is requesting a variance with the Board of Health for installing the trenches for the septic system partially within the 125’ requirement. The trenches for the septic system are being proposed outside of the 100’ Buffer Zone.
A portion of the reserve area for the septic system is being proposed within the 100’ Buffer Zone of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland.)
- Lot 3, a new house construction is being proposed outside of the 100’ Buffer Zone at the corner of East Street & Manns Hill Road. Due to the proposed installation of a new septic system, a 3-1 slope is being proposed to re-establish the initial grade along the back portion of the lot. The Applicant agrees to allow the slope to return in its natural vegetated state following the construction of the proposed project.
Rick Merrikin reviewed the following wetland resource areas associated with the proposed project:
-An isolated wetland area located in the vicinity behind Abutter, George Aronson’s property.
-A Bordering Vegetated Wetland area is located between 235 Billings Street & George Aronson’s property.
-A Bordering Vegetated Wetland area is located across Billings Street from the proposed project site. The edge of this wetland continues along the toe of the sloped area on Billings Street.
Rick Merrikin explained to the Commission that the perc tests for the proposed septic systems were performed on the lots with favorable results. He stated that the Applicant is proposing to create a drainage easement/conservation restriction in the area of the culvert below Manns Hill Road and nearby drainage swale. Following the results of the drainage analysis performed on the proposed project site, roof infiltration systems are being proposed to control the excess stormwater runoff from the dwellings on all of the proposed lots as depicted on the revised plan.
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Abutter, George Aronson, 239 Billings Street, stated that he is interested in hearing the Commission’s comments following their review of the proposed drainage calculations. He explained to the Commission that flooding has occurred on his property during major storm events. The excess stormwater runoff from major storm events flows down Billings Street and the sand and water from the roadway spills over the berm area between 235 and 239 Billings Street. He hopes that the proposed infiltration system would be adequate enough to improve the downstream flooding issues along Billings Street. George Aronson also explained to the Commission that during major storm events the stormwater discharge from the existing 8 inch diameter pipe located upstream from the culvert below Billings Street overflows and creates flooding to his property.
The Commission agreed for Hank Langstroth to review the proposed drainage calculations for compliance with the Commission’s stormwater standards and DEP’s stormwater regulations.
Hank Langstroth requested that the Applicant stake the boundary lines of the proposed foundations for each of the proposed houses.
The Applicant agreed to notify the Commission when the area is staked so that a site visit can be arranged.
Hank Langstroth called for a motion to continue the hearing until September 10, 2009 at 7:45 p.m.
Stephen Cremer moved. Elizabeth McGrath seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
Peg returned to the meeting at this point and officiated the meeting
8:15 p.m., N.O.I. Public Hearing filed by Thomas Altieri for the proposed construction of a single family dwelling and associated grading and utilities within the 100’ Buffer Zone of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland on Lot 106 Eisenhower Drive, DEP File # SE-280-508:
Peg opened the hearing in the absence of Thomas Altieri. Peg called for a motion to continue the
hearing, as requested by the Applicant, until further notified by the Applicant.
Hank Langstroth moved. Elizabeth McGrath seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
8:20 p.m., Will and Matt Ostrow, Proposed Eagle Scout Project – Trowel Shop Pond:
Will and Matt Ostrow of Boy Scout Troop 95 appeared before the Commission.
Will Ostrow explained the following scope of his proposed project to the Commission:
-To clean up the vacant lot on North Main Street near the banks of Trowel Shop Pond (Car Shop Pond) for the purpose of creating a park area in the small parking lot at Car Shop Pond. This vacant lot area leads to Massapoag Trail.
- To trim any trees/shrubs blocking the view to the pond area.
- To install a picnic table and a bench for public use in the vacant lot area.
- To install signage explaining the history of the pond, vacant lot, and his Eagle Scout Project.
Will proposes to start his proposed project sometime during this Fall.
Peg expressed the Commission’s appreciation for the many projects accomplished by the Boy Scouts from Troop 95. She explained that the Commission especially appreciates this proposed project because the site is owned by the Commission. She requested that Will contact the Conservation Administrator before planning any vegetation trimming/clearing work, especially in the area between the edge of the pond and parking lot.
Matt Ostrow’s proposed project is to clean-up a trail 1/10 mile long, south of the vacant lot at 279 North Main Street, which would connect to the Massapoag Trail.
Matt explained the following scope of his proposed project to the Commission:
-To clear away trash from the trail along the edge of the water adjacent to the Trowel Shop Pond area for environment and safety reasons.
-To install some permanent items that will provide assistance to the variety of groups of people utilizing the trail.
-To trim the variety of tree branches and shrubs along the trail to allow the public to safely access the trail.
-To remove the existing loose fencing along the neighboring property.
-To install 50’ of wood fencing along the Conservation property line.
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- To clear 35 feet in between the two brooks where the Friends of Conservation are planning to build two bridges. This will result in connecting the trail to the back of the Massapoag Trail.
- One trash barrel is proposed to be installed at the beginning of the trail.
- The installation of a “No Littering” sign along the trail.
- A kiosk and (mailbox dispenser) will be installed at the beginning of the trail that will include maps and other relevant information about the area.
- Signage will be installed at the end of the trail to mark the continuation to the Massapoag Trail.
Peg requested that the Boy Scouts make sure that all of the proposed clearing activity for the trail takes place on Town owned land.
Peg requested that Matt contact the Conservation Administrator before starting the proposed project.
Peg mentioned that maybe a trail walk can be planned for the 45th Anniversary of the Massapoag Trail coming up in 2010, provided that the project is completed by then.
8:40 p.m., RDA Public Hearing filed by Matthew and Dawn Baker for the proposed installation of an
in-ground swimming pool at 68 Eisenhower Drive:
Kristine Uhlman from Aquaknot Pools, Inc., appeared before the Commission to represent the Applicants.
She submitted the green abutter cards and a proposed plan entitled, “Landscape Plan, Baker Residence, Sharon, MA” dated 6/17/09. Kristine explained to the Commission that the majority of the proposed work is located within the existing lawn area of the project site. A small section of trees located in an upland area behind the pool are proposed to be removed for the project. The trees are located on the edge of the 100’ Buffer Zone of the proposed project site.
The Commission requested that the Applicant consult an arborist for any proposed tree branch trimming as opposed to removing any trees on the property for the proposed project.
Peg called for a motion to close the hearing and issue a Negative Determination to the Applicant with the following conditions:
- For the Applicant to contact the Conservation Administrator before starting the proposed project for inspection of erosion control devices.
- For the Applicant to install siltfence along the approved limit of work for erosion control.
- For the Applicant to consult an arborist for any proposed tree branch trimming up to 11' beyond where the proposed pool area ends.
Keevin Geller moved. Elizabeth McGrath seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
8:50 p.m., Alice Cheyer met informally with the Commission to meet the new Commission members.
She explained that she is a member of the Friends of Conservation. Alice presented a brief history of the Billings Street land acquisition that was purchased by the Town back in 2007. She provided the Commission with information about the upcoming October 18, 2009 Massapoag/Billings Trail walk.
9:00 p.m., Old/New Business:
Update - Massapoag Sportsmen’s Club land swap with the Commission:
Peg explained to the Commission that the action is no longer valid from the December 1999 Town Meeting vote granting permission to the Selectmen to meet with the State Legislature for approval to release the parcel abutting the Club’s property. The project is proposed to be re-presented at the upcoming November Town Meeting. Bob Ford, from Mass Audubon, is working on the three Conservation Restrictions concerning the land swap for the State to review.
The Commission agreed to file a CPC Application for the May 2010 Town Meeting to obtain funds for the stewardship fee involved for Mass Audubon to hold the Conservation Restrictions.
Update - Manns Pond Dam:
Peg explained to the Commission that the water level in Manns Pond was lowered this week so that potential bidders would be able to review the proposed restoration project. The proposed project is permitted per plan as previously presented a year ago.
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Peg explained to the Commission that a Draft Charter will be inserted into the September 4th and 11th editions of the Sharon Advocate. One of the items proposed in the Charter is a Long Range Planning and Policy Committee. The powers and duties of this Committee shall have all of the powers of a Planning Board with respect to the creation and updating of a so-called master of a comprehensive plan as provided in M.G.L. Chapter 41, Section 81d.
The Conservation Administrator explained to the Commission that he purchased mowing equipment, a chainsaw, a brush cutter, and a used storage trailer to house the equipment, for the purpose of maintaining the Town’s Open Space parcels.
Peg called for a motion for the Commission to approve the equipment expenditures as presented on the Commission’s August 20, 2009 Bills Payable Voucher.
Stephen Cremer moved. Keevin Geller seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
Peg called for a motion for the Commission to require anyone else interested in using the equipment, other than the Commission, submit a formal request to the Commission.
Meredith deCarbonnel moved. Stephen Cremer seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
9:30 p.m., Signatures:
The Commission signed bills. Order of Conditions for Manns Pond Repair, DEP File # SE-280-0498.
Negative Determination for Matthew and Dawn Baker, 68 Eisenhower Drive. Amended Order of Conditions for Old Post Road Improvements, DEP File # SE-280-0491.
9:40 p.m., Approve Past Meeting Minutes:
Peg called for a motion to approve the May 21, 2009 meeting minutes as presented.
Elizabeth McGrath moved. Meredith deCarbonnel seconded. Voted. 4-0-2.
Peg called for a motion to approve the June 18, 2009 meeting minutes as presented.
Hank Langstroth moved. Stephen Cremer seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
Peg called for a motion to approve the July 16, 2009 meeting minutes as presented.
Stephen Cremer moved. Elizabeth McGrath seconded. Voted. 4-0-2.
9:55 p.m., Adjournment:
Peg called for a motion to adjourn.
Stephen Cremer moved. Elizabeth McGrath seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
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