Conservation Commission
Meeting
Sharon Community Center
November 17, 2011
NO QUORUM
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Keevin Geller, and Elizabeth McGrath were the members present. Conservation Commission Members, Christine Turnbull, Stephen Cremer, and Hank Langstroth
were absent from the meeting. The Conservation Administrator, Greg Meister, was also present.
7:45 p.m., Wayne Beitler, Land Conservation Specialist, from The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR)
at the Moose Hill Farm Property, regarding Moose Hill Street Conservation Restrictions:
Wayne Beitler appeared before the Commission and submitted draft copies of two proposed
Conservation Restrictions concerning Moose Hill Street properties for approximately 11 ½ acres of land
abutting The Trustees of Reservation’s Moose Hill Farm property and the Massachusetts Audubon Society’s Moose Hill Sanctuary property.~ The draft copies of the Conservation Restrictions include comments and revisions by the attorneys for TTOR, Mass Audubon, and the State’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Wayne Beitler presented maps to the Commission identifying the proposed Conservation Restriction areas that are comprised of three parcels along the eastern side of Moose Hill Street between the Moose Hill Parkway and High Plain Street, essentially the wooded area between the Mass Audubon’s headquarters and the large field to the north.~The property includes the red house at 361 Moose Hill Street, a wooded area at 353 Moose Hill Street, and several outbuildings at
345 Moose Hill Street. Wayne Beitler explained to the Commission that TTOR will own the red house and Mass Audubon will own the shed behind it. The current owner, Moose Hill Realty Trust, is donating a Conservation Restriction on the 345 Moose Hill Street property to TTOR and a Conservation Restriction on the 361 and 353 Moose Hill Street properties to Mass Audubon.~ Following that, Moose Hill Realty Trust will donate the 345 Moose Hill Street property to Mass Audubon and donate the 361 and 353 Moose Hill Street properties to TTOR. Mass Audubon will own the land behind its headquarters and TTOR will hold a Conservation Restriction on that land. TTOR will own the land abutting its large field across from its office complex and Mass Audubon will hold the Conservation Restriction on those parcels.
Wayne Beitler explained to the Commission that the Moose Hill site contains approximately 350 acres and is comprised mostly of woods, wetlands, pastures, and meadows. TTOR adopted a management plan several years ago that strongly considers using the property to support animal husbandry. White Park Cattle were on the Moose Hill Farm Property a few years ago but TTOR could no longer support an animal husbandry operation due to budget cuts. TTOR is postponing that operation until the economy improves and they are considering other interesting and engaging activities. The current activities involve mostly passive recreation. TTOR’s trails connect to Mass Audubon Trails.
Wayne Beitler explained to the Commission that the proposed Conservation Restrictions will alleviate the potential development of five new homes on the site.
Wayne Beitler requested that the Commission affirmatively vote to recommend the proposed Conservation Restrictions to the Board of Selectmen for their approval. Wayne Beitler also requested that the Commission sign the Municipal Certification documents for the proposed Conservation Restrictions.
The Commission expressed their appreciation for all the available open space at the Moose Hill site and the valuable work that TTOR does for the Town.
The Conservation members in attendance agreed to sign the Municipal Certification documents and to recommend the proposed Conservation Restrictions to the Board of Selectmen.
8:15 p.m. Old/New Business:
-Violation - 811 Bay Road:
The Conservation Administrator, Greg Meister, discussed a violation issue at 811 Bay Road where the Applicant has encroached beyond the approved limit of work area.
The members of the Commission in attendance agreed to review the site.
Page 2 SCC 11/17/11 Meeting Minutes
-175 Mountain Street:
The members of the Commission in attendance discussed closing the Abbreviated Notice of Intent
filed by Jane Larsson for the proposed work to enclose an existing deck at 175 Mountain Street under DEP File # SE-280-0530:
Jane Larsson appeared before the Commission and submitted a definitive proposed site plan showing the location of the erosion control devices for the proposed project and a copy of the structural engineer’s designs plans as requested by the Commission.
The members of the Commission in attendance agreed to close the hearing and issue the Order of Conditions to the Applicant.
8:20 p.m. Signatures:
The Commission signed bills. The Municipal Certification for the Conservation Restriction on
4.65 acres +/- donated to TTOR, 345 Moose Hill Street. The Municipal Certification for the Conservation Restriction on 6.74 acres +/- donated to the Massachusetts Audubon Society, 353 & 361 Moose Hill St. Order of Conditions for 175 Mountain Street, DEP File # SE-280-0530.
8:30 p.m. The meeting ended.
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