Conservation Commission
Meeting
Sharon Community Center
January 5, 2012
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Hank Langstroth, Elizabeth McGrath, Keevin Geller, and Stephen Cremer were the members present. Conservation Commission Member, Christine Turnbull was absent from the meeting. The Conservation Administrator, Greg Meister, was also present.
7:45 p.m. Fred Bottomley’s update concerning the Cranberry Bogs adjacent to Old Post Road:
Fred Bottomley, Cranberry Bog Operator, reviewed an informational packet with the Commission
that included USDA Farm Report Maps, insurance policy information, and a pesticide report for the cranberry bogs. Mr. Bottomley presented the following information to the Commission:
- Mr. Bottomley said that the cranberry bogs adjacent to Old Post Road are approximately
150 -160 years old.
- Two cranberry varieties - Howes Cranberries are predominantly growing in the bogs and are primarily dry harvested for fresh fruit consumption during the holiday season.
Paradise Meadow Cranberries grow in a few of the bog areas.
- Decas Products, Inc. - Harvested cranberries are sent to the Decas Processing plant in Carver, MA and marketed under various names such as Paradise Meadow, Shaw’s, Stop & Shop, etc.
- Chemical treatment of the bogs - Mr. Bottomley organically treated a significant amount of
Bull’s Eye Rot with Callisto Herbicide in 2010 and obtained very good results. He said that
the rot was mainly caused by weather conditions. Approximately 380 barrels of cranberries were harvested following treatment. There are not many invasive species of weeds growing
in the bogs. Mr. Bottomley manually controls the woody types of invasive weeds blowing
in from the road.
- Flooding the bogs - The bogs were flooded twice during the 2011 growing season, as opposed to using pesticides for insect and weed control. This management style reduced the amount of rot in the bogs and approximately 1,000 barrels of Howes Cranberries were harvested.
- Mr. Bottomley flooded the bogs last weekend and plans to keep them flooded until the end of February. He hopes to flood the bogs a second time, weather permitting, for insect and weed control. Mr. Bottomley explained that flooding the bogs also loosens up the fruit and flushes out any rotten fruit from the ditches. He recommended that the members of the Commission visit the Fairland Farm’s website at www.fairlandfarm.net for additional bog information. Some of the cranberries harvested from the bogs are sold for fresh fruit consumption at Farmer’s Markets located in Braintree, Providence, and Pawtucket, RI, etc., while others are sold as Premium Dry Cranberries with various infusions such as apple juice, pomegranate, and no sugar added.
- Bog Inspections - The USDA has performed a complete dam safety inspection of the bog area with good results. The USDA has recently determined that a dike is now a dam from an agricultural point of view if the spillway from a dike exceeds 4 feet. The spillway from the reservoir at the existing pump house is approximately 8 ½ feet.
- Bog Activity Reports - Mr. Bottomley provides the DEP with the necessary information concerning the production activities of the bogs. He also submits information concerning the bog activities to the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association and the Cranberry Marketing Committee.
Mr. Bottomley explained that The Congress Group is currently registered with the DEP and
follows the required guidelines concerning the Water Management Act and the
Commission will need to register with the DEP once the bogs are conveyed to the Town.
- Dusty Cranberry Vines -The cranberry vines are covered with dust from sand blowing off
the existing sand piles along the bog area and access roadways. Mr. Bottomley irrigates the
bogs to loosen the dirt before harvesting the cranberries and each cranberry is hand
screened into the receiving bin.
Page 2 SCC 1/5/12 Meeting Minutes
The members of the Commission and Mr. Bottomley discussed ways of informing the community about the bog operation such as the Town’s website or Sharon Cable TV.
Mr. Bottomley offered to provide the Commission with a copy of the Fairland Farms informational video about the bog operation to facilitate information to the Community.
Peg indicated that she would discuss these ideas with the Town and Sharon Cable TV.
The members of the Commission expressed their appreciation to Mr. Bottomley for his thorough presentation and successful operation of the cranberry bogs.
8:15 p.m. RDA Public Hearing filed by the Walpole Country Club for the proposed relocation of a cart path in the fairway contiguous to Hole # 2:
Mark Gagne, Golf Course Superintendent, and Michael Hughes, Assistant Superintendent, appeared before the Commission as representatives of the Walpole Country Club. Mark submitted a proposed plan entitled, “Plan of Walpole Country Club, Proposed Moving of Cart Path by
Hole # 2,” dated 12/19/11.
He explained to the Commission that the Applicant’s initial desire was to move the existing cart path closer to the BVW on the site than what is depicted on the proposed submitted plan. As a result of the Conservation Administrator’s inspection of the proposed project site, the Applicant agreed to relocate the existing cart path a few feet to the right of Hole # 2 and further away from the BVW on the proposed project site. Mark stated that the existing cart path is in rough condition and relocating the cart path would create a better surface to travel on for the golf carts and maintenance vehicles.
Mark explained the scope of the proposed project to the Commission:
- The proposed installation of an 8’ wide cart path. The path bed is proposed to be constructed with an impervious geotextile material with four to six inches of gravel installed on top.
- The contractor hired by the Applicant proposes to use small utility dump trucks to perform
the proposed work for the project.
- The installation of siltation control devices along the limit of work area during construction of the proposed project.
- Three trees are proposed to be removed from the proposed project.
(One of the trees was severely damaged during Hurricane Irene.)
- The proposed project will be completed during the winter months while the ground is frozen.
The members of the Commission agreed to approve the Applicant’s proposed project with the following condition:
- For the Applicant to contact the Conservation Administrator prior to starting the proposed project for inspection of erosion control devices.
Peg called for a motion to close the hearing and to issue a Negative Determination to the Applicant per submitted plan with the stated condition.
Keevin Geller moved. Elizabeth McGrath seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 5-0-0.
8:25 p.m. Signatures:
The Commission signed bills. Certificate of Compliance for the Townsman Square Subdivision,
DEP File #SE-280-217. Negative Determination for the Walpole Country Club.
8:30 p.m. Approve Past Meeting Minutes:
Peg called for a motion to approve the December 15, 2011 Meeting Minutes as amended.
Hank Langstroth moved. Elizabeth McGrath seconded. Voted. 4-0-1.
Page 3 SCC 1/5/12 Meeting Minutes
8:35 p.m. Old/New Business:
- Commission Appointee to the CPC:
Peg announced to the Commission that she would be interested in serving as Meredith deCarbonnel’s replacement on the CPC for a one-year term.
Hank Langstroth called for a motion to appoint Peg Arguimbau to represent the Commission on the
CPC Committee.
Stephen Cremer moved. Keevin Geller seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 5-0-0.
8:40 p.m. Executive Session:
A roll call vote was taken to enter into Executive Session with members of the Technical Team
for a negotiation session to discuss future actions regarding the Cedar Swamp Restoration project.
10:40 p.m. Adjourn from Executive Session:
A roll call vote was taken to adjourn from Executive Session.
10:45 p.m. Adjournment:
Peg called for a motion to adjourn.
Stephen Cremer moved. Hank Langstroth seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 5-0-0.
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