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Conservation Meeting Minutes 10/13/2011
 Conservation Commission
  Meeting
Sharon Community Center
    October 13, 2011

Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Stephen Cremer, Hank Langstroth, and Elizabeth McGrath were the members present. Conservation Commission Members, Christine Turnbull and Keevin Geller were absent
from the meeting. The Conservation Administrator, Greg Meister, was also present.

7:45 p.m.  RDA Public Hearing filed by the Sharon DPW for the proposed installation of approximately 4,000 feet of watermain and appurtenant work within the right-of-way along Massapoag Avenue from Arboro Drive to Capen Hill Road:

Richard Johnson, Project Manager from Amory Engineers, appeared before the Commission to represent the Applicant. He submitted a proposed plan entitled, “DPW, Sharon, MA, Construction of Massapoag Avenue Watermain and Appurtenant work, Contract No. 2011 - XX, Sheet #1 Plans1 - Massapoag Avenue, Plans 2- Massapoag Avenue, Plans 3 - Construction Details,” August 29, 2011, last date revised.
Richard Johnson explained to the Commission that funding for the proposed project will be provided by a grant obtained by the DPW. The Applicant plans to start the proposed project in the spring of 2012. Richard Johnson explained the following scope of the proposed project to the Commission:
  • The proposed installation of approximately 4,000 feet of watermain and appurtenant work adjacent to Lake Massapoag and within the paved surface of the right-of-way along Massapoag Avenue. The watermain is proposed to be installed within the quarter point of the northbound travel lane along Massapoag Avenue. The new watermain is proposed to replace the existing Cast Iron Pipe that will remain in place to provide temporary water service to adjacent properties during construction of the proposed project.
  •   Armory Engineers is currently performing a similar project along Pond Street /Massapoag Ave.,
and similar erosion/sedimentation control measures are being proposed for this project. The Applicant is proposing to install a Siltation Fence staked in place for erosion control along Massapoag Avenue and the installation of a silt sock sediment control device for the catch basins and drop inlets during construction of the proposed project.
  • The construction of the proposed project will start by Community Center Drive. Some of the excavation work for the proposed project will be performed beneath a pair of double barrel culverts by the entrance of Community Center Drive to avoid disrupting the flow of the nearby stream. This area of the proposed project site would be backfilled with a controlled density fill known as flowable fill, plated overnight, and immediately restored.
  • A full-time clerk of the works shall be on the proposed project site during construction of the proposed project.
It was the consensus of the Commission to approve the Applicant’s proposed project.
Peg called for a motion to close the hearing and to issue a Negative Determination to the Applicant per submitted plans with the condition that the Applicant contact the Conservation Administrator prior to
starting the proposed project.
Stephen Cremer moved. Hank Langstroth seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 4-0-0.        

8:00 p.m. RDA Public Hearing filed by Senior Operations LLC for the proposed 2,500 s.f. addition
on the front of an existing building at 1075 General Edwards Highway:
Donald Myers from Norwood Engineering appeared before the Commission to represent the Applicant.
He submitted a color coded proposed plan entitled, “Proposed Addition (Lot A-1) Senior Operations, Inc.,
1075 General Edwards Highway, Sharon, MA” dated September 7, 2011, and notification to abutters.
Donald Myers explained the past history of the proposed project site to the Commission:
  • An Order of Conditions was issued under DEP File # SE-280-0473 to the Applicant for a previous filing with the Commission on February 17, 2006 concerning an upgraded stormwater management system with treatment units and recharge charges for the existing facility on Lot A-1.
  •   A Conservation Restriction comprised of 6.192 acres has been recorded on Lot A-1.
  • A Certificate of Compliance was issued by the Commission in 2007 for DEP File # SE-280-0473.

Page 2 SCC 10/13/11 Meeting Minutes

Donald Myers explained the scope of the proposed project to the Commission:
  • The proposed 2,500 s.f. addition of an existing building to house updated water recycling equipment for an automated closed loop recycling system.
  • A groundwater discharge permit is not required for the proposed project.
  • The installation of a short paved driveway is being proposed for fire protection access.
  • Roof drainage is proposed to be directed to a leaching pit for groundwater recharge and for controlling the rate and volume of potential stormwater runoff. Two proposed leaching basins are being proposed within the 100’ Buffer Zone of the proposed project site. The installation of siltation erosion control devices are being proposed around the two basins during construction of the proposed project.
  • The Applicant is meeting with the ZBA in November for variances and permits for treatment structures and the expansion of an existing facility.
The Commission agreed to approve the proposed project with the following conditions:
  • That the Applicant contact the Conservation Administrator prior to starting the proposed project for inspection of erosion control measures.
  • For the Applicant to submit feedback to the Commission and Town Engineer concerning periodic stormwater monitoring reports for the proposed project.
Peg called for a motion to close the hearing and issue a Negative Determination to the Applicant per submitted plan with the conditions as discussed.
Hank Langstroth moved. Stephen Cremer seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 4-0-0.

8:15 p.m. N.O.I. Public Hearing filed by Norman and Kathryn Boucher/Sky-Peck for the proposed
front addition of an existing dwelling at 15 Samoset Lane, DEP File #SE-280-0527:

Henry Bobek, Architect from Signature Designs, appeared before the Commission to represent the Applicant. He submitted a proposed plan entitled, “Proposed Plot Plan, 15 Samoset Lane, Sharon, MA,” dated September 19, 2011 and the green abutter cards. He explained to the Commission that the proposed
project site was part of the Foxfire Estates Subdivision that was developed in 1974.
Henry Bobek explained to the Commission that the scope of the proposed work has been reduced since
the Applicant’s previous filing with the Commission. He explained the scope of the proposed project:
  • The Applicant has omitted the previously proposed rear addition from his proposed new plan.
  • The Applicant has omitted the previously proposed driveway from his proposed new plan.
  • The Applicant proposes to remove the existing shed in the back portion of the proposed project site that is located between wetland flag numbers 4 & 5.
  • The proposed project includes relocating an existing shed from the adjacent Conservation Area to a location on the Applicant’s property
  • The Applicant is awaiting approval from the Board of Health concerning the proposed relocation of the septic tank further toward the existing driveway and away from the proposed foundation.
It was the consensus of the Commission to approve the proposed project with the following conditions:
  • For the Applicant to contact the Conservation Administrator before starting the proposed project
for inspection of erosion control measures.
  • The Applicant shall notify the Conservation Administrator when relocating the existing shed from the adjacent Conservation Area to a location on the Applicant’s property.
Peg called for a motion to close the hearing and to issue the Order of Conditions to the Applicant with the conditions as discussed.
Elizabeth McGrath moved. Stephen Cremer seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 4-0-0.
  

Page 3 SCC 10/13/11 Meeting Minutes

8:30 p.m. Paul Vitali meeting with the Commission to discuss the petition article for the
Fall Town Meeting to transfer the Oakland Road gravel site to the control of the Commission:

Paul Vitali from 8 Valley Road appeared before the Commission and presented aerial photos showing the surrounding streets of the Oakland Road gravel site area, a photo of the Zone II Aquifer Recharge Area that corresponds to the Oakland Road area, transparencies of the two photos, and a copy of a Title Exam completed by Mr. Webster of the Oakland Road gravel site. Mr. Vitali indicated that he is presenting the Commission with a copy of Mr. Webster’s Title Exam because it defines the parcels on the Oakland Road gravel site as 1, 2, 3 & 4. The petition article for the Fall Town Meeting refers to Parcel 3. Mr. Vitali said that he has always been concerned about this area being used as a dump site for construction materials and stockpiling road salt laden snow. He said that the Town by-laws prohibit the stockpiling of salt laden snow. Mr. Vitali indicated that the Town has temporarily made arrangements with NSTAR for stockpiling snow at their Canton Street property as opposed to the Oakland Road site. Mr. Vitali expressed the importance of protecting the Town’s water supply. He is concerned with the casual access to such an environmentally sensitive area of Oakland Road. It is Mr. Vitali’s opinion that the protection of the Oakland Road gravel site is more in line with the Conservation Commission’s priorities rather than the Selectmen’s Office.  
The members of the Commission expressed their appreciation to Mr. Vitali for his presentation.
Peg explained that she recently attended a Finance Committee Meeting along with the Conservation Administrator, Greg Meister. Some questions were raised by the Finance Commission and Eric Hooper.
Eric asked whether water quality concerns apply to all of the Town’s Zone II Areas. He was concerned as to who was going to control the use of the Oakland Road gravel site.
Mr. Vitali feels that the Oakland Road gravel site is not being properly controlled. He presented the Commission with a copy of Article 33 of the Town’s General By-Laws - Groundwater Protection Regulations.
The Commission reviewed some of the following regulations defined in Article 33 of the Town’s
General By-Laws:
  • Section II. Scope of Authority.
  • Section III Definitions.
     Interim Wellhead Protection Areas (IWPA ) - Interim wellhead protection areas shall be
      one-half mile radius measured from the well or wellfield for sources whose approved
      pumping rate is 100,000 gpd or greater.  
  • Section IV. Prohibitions. - (A) Notwithstanding any land uses which are otherwise permitted by local, state and/or other federal laws, any of the following is prohibited in the Zone II or IWPA:  
     -Item # 4.) Stockpiles (disposal) of chemically treated snow and ice that have been removed from  
      highways and roadways outside the Zone II areas.
Peg indicated that it would help matters to keep the gate to the Oakland Road gravel site locked. She recalled that Mr. Vitali’s son previously met with the Commission concerning the environmentally sensitive area of the Oakland gravel site and he suggested that the Town should keep the property locked.
Peg recalled that the Recreation Department met with the Commission many years ago with some interest in constructing a new ballfield on the Oakland Road site that never materialized.
Peg mentioned that she presented the Finance Commission with information about the requirements of Article 97.

9:00 p.m., Old/New Business:

Discuss closing the N.O.I. hearing for the DPW’s Proposed Culvert Lining Project at Billings/Deborah Sampson Streets:

Peg called for a motion to close the hearing for the DPW’s Proposed Culvert Lining Project at
Billings/Deborah Sampson Streets due to receipt of the DEP File Number SE-280-0529, and to issue
the Order of Conditions to the Applicant with the conditions discussed at the previous meeting.
Hank Langstroth moved. Elizabeth McGrath seconded. Voted. 3-0-1.

Page 4 SCC 10/13/11 Meeting Minutes

CPC Appointment:

Peg explained that the Commission needs to think about appointing another member from the
Commission to serve as Meredith’s replacement on the CPC.~~~~~

9:15 p.m. Approve Past Meeting Minutes:

Peg called for a motion to approve the September 15, 2011 Meeting Minutes as presented.
Hank Langstroth moved. Elizabeth McGrath seconded. Voted. 3-0-1.

9:20 p.m. Signatures:

The Commission signed Order of Conditions for 15 Samoset Lane, DEP File Number SE-280-0527.
Negative Determination of Applicability for 1075 General Edwards Highway, Senior Operations LLC.
Negative Determination of Applicability for the DPW’s watermain project along Massapoag Ave.

9:25 p.m. Adjournment:

Peg called for a motion to adjourn.
Stephen Cremer moved. Elizabeth McGrath seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 4-0-0.