Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes, June 20, 2013
Conservation Commission Meeting
Sharon Community Center
June 20, 2013
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Hank Langstroth, Keevin Geller, Elizabeth McGrath, and Stephen Cremer, were the members present. Conservation Commission Members, Linda Orel and Christine Turnbull were absent from the meeting. The Conservation Administrator, Greg Meister, was also present.
7:45 p.m.: Wiu Huang of 11 Deerfield Road and Marta Nover of Nover-Armstrong Associates regarding violation/enforcement action.
Peg Argimbau officially opened the meeting by reading the Notice of Intent (NOI) public notice as was published in the Sharon Advocate. Ms. Nova explained that they had decided to withdraw the NOI after a site visit showed that there was no room for improvements. The project would now only be restoration of the disturbed wetland area and upland buffer zone.
Ms. Argimbau agreed that no NOI was needed, but instead requested that an Abbreviated Notice of Intent should be filed.
Ms. Nova met with Greg Meister, the Conservation Administrator at 11 Deerfield Road to look over the site. A Site Restoration plan for the site was then prepared by Nover-Armstong. Ms. Nova stated that it was a pretty general plan, serving primarily as a guidance document showing the planned restoration of the vegetated wetland and upland buffer zone, which had been cleared. A more formal report would be prepared and submitted in the fall.
Ms. Nova briefly explained that red maples, highbush blueberry, spice-bush, and buckthorn would be planted to replace those species which had been cleared. Within the upland buffer zone, Eastern white pine and red maples would likely be planted. Due to the recent rains, they would wait for the area to dry out a bit before beginning work to bring the site back into compliance. The Commission agreed that work should begin as soon as possible and that the paperwork would be addressed at the next Commission meeting on July 11th.
Betsy McGrath suggested that a phone call be made to Mr. Meister if it looks good, so that they could proceed. All members agreed.
Ms. Argimbau made a motion to continue this hearing to July 11, 2013. Hank Langstroth moved, Stephen Cremer seconded. Motion passed 5-0-0.
Approval of Meeting Minutes dated May 2, 2013. Ms. Argimbau made a motion to accept the minutes. Stephen Cremer Moved, Hank Langstroth seconded. Acceptance of minutes passed 4-0-1
8:00 p.m. Jimmy Townsend – Proposed Eagle Scout project, Massapoag Trail Renovation. Judy and Paul Townsend.
Peg Argimbau recused herself from the meeting as trail passes through her property. Hank Langstroth took over this portion of the meeting.
Jimmy Townsend explained to the committee his proposal for renovating a portion of the Massapoag Trail. The low route of the trail had been abandoned years ago due to wet areas and several streams running through it. The trail was then cut into a sloping road embankment, bringing the trail closer to traffic. Mr. Townsend, with the help of Kurt Buermann and the Friends of Conservation, would like to construct 2 sets of stairs to help facilitate access to the trail, as well as build a boardwalk, widen the path near the embankment, and construct one bridge over a stream. He has fundraised and to date has raised approximately $1000. Mr. Townsend feels that should cover the cost of the project, however if the Conservation would like to make a donation, he would gladly accept.
Mr. Townsend plans to build as much as possible off-site. He will be using landscape timber for the stairs and 6X6 pressure treated lumber for the bridge. He estimated the length of the trail to be approximately ¼ mile of trail. There is a second part of the trail which another scout will most likely work on. Mr. Geller explained to Mr. Townsend, that when pressure treated lumber was cut, often times the pressure treatment does not go to the middle of the wood. He recommended that a preservative be used to put in holes made for rebar and at on the ends of the cut wood. Mr. Geller has preservative he will donate.
Proposed start date of the project: early July with completion prior to the end of the summer. If funds run low, the Conservation Commission as well as the Friends of Conservation stated they would help out with funds.
A good future scout project would be organizing the trail maps and documenting trails in town. Kurt Buermann of the Friends of Conservation would be a good resource for this.
8:15 p.m.: Signatures: The Commission signed bills.
Old/New Business: Summer meeting schedule – Next meeting July 11th. No
date has been set for August
8:30 p.m. Peg called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Hank Langstroth moved, Keevin Geller seconded. Voted. 5-0-0. Unanimous vote
8:30 p.m.: Adjournment