Conservation Commission
Meeting
Sharon Community Center
January 19, 2012
Peg Arguimbau Chairman, Hank Langstroth, Keevin Geller, and Elizabeth McGrath were the members present. Conservation Commission Members, Christine Turnbull and Stephen Cremer were absent from the meeting. The Conservation Administrator, Greg Meister, was also present.
7:45 p.m. An Abbreviated Notice of Intent Public Hearing filed by Steven Benoit for grading within the 100' Wetland Buffer Zone associated with the proposed construction of a single-family home at 2 Michael Lane:
Present: Ken McKenzie, Surveyor from Dunn McKenzie, Inc.
Jonathan Glanz, 13 Magnolia Road, Abutter to the Proposed Project.
Ken McKenzie appeared before the Commission to represent the Applicant and presented a proposed revised plan entitled, "Title 5 Sewage Disposal System for a proposed
3 bedroom dwelling at 2 Michael Lane, Sharon, MA," 1/11/12, Last Date Revised. The DEP has not yet issued a file number for the Applicant’s proposed project.
The certified mailing receipts are still pending regarding the notification to abutters for the Applicant’s proposed project. Ken McKenzie explained the following scope
of the proposed project to the Commission:
- The proposed 40,000 s.f. wooded lot is located at the corner of Michael Lane and Magnolia Road.
- The existing proposed parcel slopes down to a wetland resource area along the back portion of the lot.
- There is an existing wetland resource area along the southeastern portion of the proposed project site.
- These wetland resource areas were originally flagged several years ago.
- The Conservation Administrator, Greg Meister, recently met with Ken McKenzie on the proposed
project site to inspect the soils and to review the original wetland line. The Conservation
Administrator did not revise the originally proposed wetland line. He requested that Ken McKenzie
renew all of the pertinent wetland flags.
- The existing 20 foot drainage easement located beneath the road spur of Michael Lane is defined on the proposed submitted plan.
- The proposed single-family home and driveway are proposed to be constructed outside of the
100’ Buffer Zone of the proposed project site as shown on the proposed submitted plan.
- The proposed septic system for the proposed project lies outside of the 125’ Buffer Zone as required by the regulations of the Board of Health.
- The installation of silt fence for erosion control along the proposed limit of work area during construction of the proposed project is defined on the proposed submitted plan.
- Minimal grading and tree removal is being proposed within the 50 foot and 100 foot Wetland Buffer Zones of the proposed project site. The proposed disturbance to the buffer zones of the wetland resource areas of the proposed project site is approximately 890 s.f.
Abutter, Jonathan Glanz, 13 Magnolia Road, expressed his concern to the Commission regarding the short notice he received from the Applicant concerning the proposed project. Jonathan explained that the information concerning the Applicant’s proposed project was hand delivered to his home yesterday. He expressed his concern for any proposed work within the wetland resource areas of the proposed project site. Jonathan inquired if there is a potential starting date for the Applicant’s proposed project.
Ken McKenzie explained that minimal disturbance is being proposed within the 50’ and 100’ buffer zones of the wetland resource areas of the proposed project site for tree clearing and grading.
Ken McKenzie explained that the Applicant is seeking approval from the Board of Health before starting the proposed project.
The members of the Commission requested the following information from the Applicant:
- For the Applicant to provide feedback to the Commission concerning the proper abutter notification for the proposed project.
- For the Applicant to submit a revised plan to the Commission with additional information concerning the proposed tree clearing work for the proposed project.
Page 2 SCC 1/19/12 Meeting Minutes
Peg called for a motion to continue the hearing until February 2, 2012 at 7:45 p.m.
Keevin Geller moved. Elizabeth McGrath seconded. Voted. Unanimous.
8:00 p.m. Presentation by Eli Blumen concerning his proposed Eagle Scout Project at Mann's Pond:
Eli Blumen appeared before the Commission. Tracy Blumen was also present.
Eli discussed preliminary ideas with the Commission for his proposed Eagle Scout Project that involves combining the historical background and open space features of the
Mann’s Pond area.
Eli explained the following scope of his proposed work to the Commission:
- The installation of stone benches along the Mann’s Pond area by using some of the old stone blocks
leftover from one of the old mills on the site and granite slabs stockpiled at the DPW yard.
- The installation of an informational kiosk to identify the historical aspects of the site.
- To clean-up the trail loop by the old cotton mill area of the site.
- To trim the weeds growing along the top of Mann’s Pond Dam and to install pea stone in that area.
The members of the Commission agreed to support Eli’s rehabilitation project of the Mann’s Pond area and suggested that he formalize a proposed plan to present to the Commission.
The Conservation Administrator, Greg Meister, agreed to meet with Eli at the Mann’s Pond area to discuss bench installation and to discuss some of the proposed work that the Commission can help him accomplish.
8:15 p.m. Cliff Towner- To discuss the Lake Management Study Committee’s Warrant Article for the upcoming Town Meeting.
Due to a meeting conflict, Cliff Towner requested to postpone his meeting with the Commission to a later date.
8:20 p.m. Approve Past Meeting Minutes:
Peg called for a motion to approve the January 5, 2012 Meeting Minutes as presented.
Hank Langstroth moved. Elizabeth McGrath seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 4-0-0.
Peg called for a motion to approve the January 5, 2012 Executive Session Meeting Minutes as presented. Keevin Geller moved. Elizabeth McGrath seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 4-0-0.
8:25 p.m. Signatures:
The Commission signed bills.
8:30 p.m. Old/New Business:
Peg read aloud a letter addressed to the Commission from the Town Engineer, Peter O'Cain. In the letter, Mr. O'Cain expressed his appreciation to the Conservation Administrator, Greg Meister, and to the Commission, for their assistance to the DPW concerning the Billings Street Culvert project as well as for all of the Commission's work for the Town Of Sharon.
(A copy of the letter is filed in the Commission's office.)
Peg asked Isaac Gerofsky from Sharon Community Television if it would be possible to televise a copy of the Fairland Farms informational video that includes a segment of
Mr. Bottomley’s operation of the cranberry bogs adjacent to Old Post Road. She explained that the video would help facilitate information about the bogs to the community.
Isaac agreed to televise the informational video on Sharon Community Television.
Page 3 SCC 1/19/12 Meeting Minutes
Following the business transacted by the Commission, Jonathan Glanz, 13 Magnolia Road, abutter to the proposed project at 2 Michael Lane, continued his conversation with the members of the Commission about the Applicant’s proposed project. He inquired as to why the lot at 2 Michael Lane now has a potential for development when so many past attempts were unsuccessful.
The Commission explained that there may have been compliance issues such as the size of the house, number of bedrooms, or financial reasons.
The Conservation Administrator explained to Jonathan that the Applicant for this proposed project is in compliance with all of the Town’s setback requirements.
Jonathan indicated that, in his opinion, the new house construction would be an improvement to the neighborhood. He does not oppose the proposed project as long as the Applicant complies with all of the Town’s rules and regulations.
8:45 p.m. Adjournment:
Peg called for a motion to adjourn.
Hank Langstroth moved. Keevin Geller seconded. Voted. Unanimous. 4-0-0.
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