Conservation Commission
Meeting
Sharon Community Center
January 20, 2011
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Hank Langstroth, Keevin Geller, Meredith deCarbonnel, and
Elizabeth McGrath were the members present. Commission Member, Stephen Cremer, arrived at
7:50 p.m. Commission Member, Christine Turnbull, was absent from the meeting.
The Conservation Administrator, Greg Meister, was also present.
Editor Michael Gelbwasser, of sharonpatch.com, was present in the audience.
7:45 p.m., Approve Past Meeting Minutes:
Peg called for a motion to approve the January 6, 2011 Meeting Minutes as presented.
Hank Langstroth moved. Elizabeth McGrath seconded. Voted. 3-0-2.
Stephen Cremer arrived at this time
7:50 p.m., Correspondence:
- Memo from Roni Thaler concerning changes to the Open Meeting Law and Conflict of Interest Law:
Peg presented a memo to the Commission from Roni Thaler requesting that All Town Boards/Committees and Town Employees attend an informational session regarding changes to the Open Meeting Law and Conflict of Interest Law. The meeting is scheduled for January 27, 2011 at 6:30 p.m., at the Community Center. The speaker is Attorney Brandon Moss of Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, the Town’s Labor Counsel.
-Memo from Town Counsel concerning Parcel N and F of the former Sacred Heart Parcel:
The Conservation Administrator presented the Commission with a November 29, 2010 memo from Town Counsel explaining that a residential housing component concerning Parcel N and F of the former Sacred Heart Parcel is not an authorized use at this time.
7:55 p.m., Old/New Business:
-Composting Program:
Peg said that the Boy Scouts might be ready to present their proposed composting project to the Commission on February 3, 2011.
-Land Fill Parcel:
The Commission agreed to discuss and/or vote, on February 3, 2011, regarding the change in use for solar panels concerning the Land Fill Parcel.
8:00 p.m., David Nelson – Informal guidance from the Commission regarding the development potential at 18 Deborah Sampson Street, Single Residence District B:
Real Estate Agent, David Nelson, appeared before the Commission to represent Bill and Mary Grant of
18 Deborah Sampson Street. He presented a copy of a Town of Sharon GIS Map of 18 Deborah Street, dated January, 2011. David Nelson explained to the Commission that the Grants also own a two acre wooded parcel across from their home. The Town’s assessment of the Grant’s property is $530,000 for a three lot parcel and considers the property to be subdividable land. The Grants have requested a Real Estate Tax Abatement from the Board of Assessors because the Massachusetts River Protection Act has
an impact on their property. In the meantime, they are considering selling the two acre parcel, but are undecided if they want to sell the property as one lot. A portion of the parcel slopes down toward Massapoag Brook.
Page 2 SCC 1/20/11 Meeting Minutes
The Conservation Administrator explained to the Commission that he inspected the site with David Nelson. It is the Conservation Administrator’s opinion that the boundary of the 200 foot Riverfront Area is located where the river ponds out at the bottom of the sloped area of the parcel. This would affect any potential development of the site under the Massachusetts Rivers Protection Act and any future development would probably be limited to one lot. He suggested that the members of the Commission perform a site inspection because it is a complicated issue.
David Nelson expressed a willingness to meet on-site with the members of the Commission. He feels that the property is a two lot parcel, as opposed to three, as indicated by the Board of Assessors. He would like the Commission’s opinion as to whether the property has the potential to be subdivided into two lots.
Peg explained to David Nelson that the Commission would contact him following their inspection of the site.
8:15 p.m., Signatures:
The Commission signed a Certificate of Compliance for 30 Howard Farm Rd., DEP File # SE-280-34.
The Commission also signed bills.
8:20 p.m., Updates:
-Cedar Swamp Restoration Project:
The Conservation Administrator presented the Commission with a copy of Horsley Witten’s Meeting Minutes of 12/16/10 concerning the Cedar Swamp Restoration Project. Horsley Witten is preparing a scope of work for the State to perform a topographic survey of monitoring well elevations and the drainage ditch.
- Stewardship RE: Horizons for Youth and Billings Street Parcels:
The Conservation Administrator is planning to meet with Mass Audubon next week to discuss the Stewardship concerning the Conservation Restrictions for the Horizons for Youth and Billings Street Parcels.
-CPC Funding:
Meredith deCarbonnel agreed to notify Corey Snow of the Commission’s interest in securing CPC
funds to replenish the Conservation Land Account and to apply for a placeholder regarding the Conservation Restriction for the Billings Street Parcel.
-Open Space and Recreation Planning Committee:
Peg mentioned that the Open Space and Recreation Planning Committee are meeting sometime in February and she would e-mail the Commission when a date has been set. She suggested that the Commission review their goals for the coming year.
8:40 p.m., Adjournment:
Peg called for a motion to adjourn.
Hank Langstroth moved. Keevin Geller seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 6-0-0.
*Please Note: The times shown are estimated.
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