Conservation Commission, October 4, 2017

Meeting date: 
Wednesday, October 4, 2017

HOLDEN CONSERVATION COMMISSION

1130 MAIN STREET

October 4, 2017

 

Members Present:  Rob Lowell, Mike Scott, Anthony Costello, Ken Strom, Mike Krikonis, Luke Boucher

 

Others Present: Glenda Williamson, Conservation Agent; Pamela Harding, Planning Director.

 

Absent:  Liz Fotos, Recording Secretary

 

Others on Sign In: Scott Morrison, Eco-Tec; Mike Andrade, Graves Eng.; Julian Votruba, NEED; Clea Blair, Blair Builders; Patrick Healy, Thompson-Liston; Carl Hultgren, Quinn Eng.; Heather Malooly, Sharon Leahy-Lind - Greystone Realty; Mark & Rosemary Thomas, 61 Greystone Dr.; Kevin Kerwan, 60 Greystone Dr.; Brian Keevan, MADCR.

 

R. Lowell called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.

 

MT VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL- Discussion - 270 Shrewsbury Street- Review latest report from Eco-Tec dated August 15, 2017 and Level Spreader and Apron Repairs Report by Graves Engineering dated September 29, 2017.

 

Scott Morrison and Mike Andrade were present at the meeting to answer questions pertaining to the clean-up work.  Scott Morrison stated that the sediment removal clean-up has been completed and that the soils were removed from the wetland area with hand-shoveling and the use of a conveyor belt.  He stated that sediments with a depth of up to 14-inches were removed from the area; that the removed soils were relocated up the slope and were placed in a depression located to the southeast of the restoration area.

 

Mike Andrade discussed the repair work that was completed on the level spreader and apron repairs stating that additional rip rap was added to various areas including two linear shaped areas below the level spreader structure.  R. Lowell asked if there were any plans to remove the plug from the outlet, M. Andrade stated that the plug on the level spreader outlet would remain in place until the area had sufficiently stabilized with ground cover; after stabilization, the stop plug would be removed.

 

R. Lowell asked if as-builts would be provided and if they would be requesting a Certificate of Compliance for the site.  M. Andrade stated that they will be working on the as-builts following the stabilization of the site and that the remainder of the site (excluding the stormwater area and slope) has been completed and stabilized for over a year. 

 

M. Andrade stated that they did not expect there to be any more problems with sedimentation into the wetland resource areas.

 

R. Lowell asked M. Andrade to submit as-builts for the site as soon as possible.

 

 

GREENWOOD ESTATES II NOI REVIEW- Carl Hultgren Quinn Engineering, Inc. - review of updated Stormwater Report dated September 28, 2017.

 

Pam Harding and Glenda Williamson distributed handouts to the board including a Draft List of proposed Orders for the project and Carl Hultgren's latest Stormwater Report. 

 

The board took a few minutes to read thru the draft orders.  R. Lowell asked if the Commission would like to see separate erosion control plans for the various phases on the project. The Commission members agreed that there should be separate erosion control plans for each phase.  R. Lowell stated that in addition, the applicant must submit a phasing plan as well.

 

L. Boucher stated that the applicant would be required to submit a separate erosion control plan prior to the start of work on each phase.  L. Boucher stated that the developer should not utilize sediment basins as temporary detention areas during the construction period, that they should consider using temporary holding areas instead.  R. Lowell stated that using sediment basins during construction could cause too much accumulation on the bottom of the basin.  A condition was added to this effect. 

 

L. Boucher said that dewatering activities occurring during construction on the wetland crossings can not occur "during periods of high ground water" as opposed to "during wet conditions".  A condition was added to this effect. P. Harding suggested that the applicant provide the Commission a 72 hour advance notice prior to work on the wetland crossing areas. A condition was added to this effect. P. Harding stated that separate review and permitting would be required for each individual house lot on the subdivision.  A condition was added to this effect.

 

R. Lowell asked how the applicant would go about finding an independent erosion control monitor for the work.  P. Harding stated that she requested C. Blair provide the name and qualifications of some erosion control companies for the boards review and approval.  G. Williamson asked if there were any stream crossing associated with the road work.  C. Blair stated no, that the crossings were within bordering vegetated wetlands and that there were two crossings.

 

The board briefly reviewed the wetland impact areas and G. Williamson stated that they have all of the final numbers in square footage for areas of impact and areas of replacement. R. Lowell asked if the applicant provided enough replication area based on the square footage of impact. C. Blair stated that they are providing more than a 2:1 ratio of replacement to impact.

 

The board reviewed the wetland replication report from Lucas Environmental in part, to look at the species to be planted.  P. Harding stated that certain species (i.e. red maple) listed in the plan could not be used due to the Asian Longhorn Beetle (ALB) regulations. A condition was added that ALB wetland plant host species are not to be used in the replication area.   She asked the applicant to consider other tree species.

 

Motion by L. Boucher, seconded by K. Strom, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR GREENWOOD ESTATES II NOI, JACKSON WOODS INVESTMENTS, LLC.

 

 

NOTICE OF INTENT- HOLDEN YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE- 183-643.

351 Bullard Street, Assessing Maps 164, 150 Parcels 16 and 43.  Patrick Healy, Thompson-Liston Assoc., Construction of two new soccer fields, access driveways, parking, stormwater management facilities and grading within the buffer zone.  Cont. from September 6th, 2017

 

M. Scott and K. Strom recused from this hearing.

 

Patrick Healy with Thompson-Liston Associates, the project engineer, was present to present the project.

 

P. Healy stated that after the June 28th hearing, they made revisions to the plans and calculations. P. Healy stated that they had addressed comments outlined in their August 2nd letter to the Commission.  He stated that one of the project abutters mentioned that there was a vernal pool located near the west side of the site. P. Healy stated that Scott Morrison with Eco-Tec verified that it is a vernal pool.  R. Lowell asked if it was a potential vernal pool or a certified vernal pool. P. Healy responded that is was neither, that the neighbor had just brought it to his attention. P. Healy stated that they added a 100-foot primary zone and 200-foot secondary zone around the pool on the plans and that no disturbance would occur in these zones.

 

R. Lowell asked if there was a chain link fence proposed around the fields. P. Healy responded yes, that it is going to be a 5-foot tall, black vinyl chain-link fence.  M. Krikonis stated that he had seen another fence around a soccer field in the area and that the fence was much higher. P. Healy stated that the person who proposed the fencing was experienced with the design of soccer fields.  P. Healy stated that the fence was set back 25 feet from the edge of the field and that there is a 16 foot drop off at the edge of the field. R. Lowell stated that they may want to consider using a higher fencing to surround the field.

 

R. Lowell asked if they have addressed the DPW comments; P. Healy stated that they still needed to do so.

 

R. Lowell asked if they added additional parking for the soccer fields. P. Harding indicated the location of the new parking areas on the plans. R. Lowell asked where the stormwater runoff from the new parking area was being directed. P. Healy stated that all of the runoff from this area was designed to flow to the eastern sediment basin.  L. Boucher questioned if there was enough recharge volume designed within this basin.  P. Healy responded that the Simple Dynamic Method was used to determine the recharge volume and that it accounts for infiltration during a 2-year storm event.

 

R. Lowell asked if the fields were designed with underdrains. P. Healy responded yes and explained how the underdrains would work.  M. Krikonis asked what type of material was being used for the turf on the fields. P. Healy stated that artificial/synthetic turf would be used.

 

P. Healy stated that he would have a report for the Commission addressing DPW comments prior to the November 1st public hearing.

 

R. Lowell asked if there was anyone present from the public for this matter, no comments from the public.

 

R.Lowell continued this matter to the Commission's November 1st hearing date to allow the applicant to provide additional information on the project.

 

 

NOTICE OF INTENT- LOT 1 NEWELL ROAD - 183-644. Assessing Map 223 Parcel 39.  Newell Road Realty, LLC.  Construction of a community meeting facility with paved access, parking, grading, and utilities in the 100-foot buffer.  Guerriere & Halnon, Inc.

 

G. Williamson stated that this Notice of Intent application was withdrawn via an e-mail from Brian Hassett with Guerriere & Halnon received on September 27, 2017.

 

ABBREVIATED NOTICE OF RESOURCE AREA DELINATED (ANRAD)-Greystone Drive & Reservoir Street.  Assessing Map 171, Parcels 52 and 40.  Edward Jardus, Greenstone Realty. Representative Glenn Krevosky.

 

Sharon Leahy-Lind with Greystone Realty was present at the hearing as a representative for Edward Jardus. S. Leahy-Lind provided a hard copy of the certificate of mailing for the abutter notifications.

 

The board reviewed the wetland delineation plan prepared by Quinn Engineering. R. Lowell requested that the applicant add some additional items to the plan, stating that

1). the date of the delineation should be shown on the plan, 2). the plan should be titled as an ANRAD delineation and 3) a surveyor needs to certify that the wetland line is accurately represented on the plan and should stamp and sign the plan. 

 

G. Williamson stated that she went out to the site and walked the wetland line and that the flagging was accurate. 

 

R. Lowell asked if there were any comments from the public.  Kevin Kerwin and Sandy Sklarz were abutters to the property present at the meeting.  They explained that there was an additional drainage easement on the property that was not shown on the plan.  They stated that the easement began on their property and continued onto the upland along the northern property boundary of the Jardus property. K. Kerwin asked where the upland areas were located on the property. G. Williamson stated that there were only two upland areas on the site.  That one is located along the northern property boundary and the other is located along the western property boundary adjacent to Greystone Drive.

 

R. Lowell continued this matter to the Commission's November 1st hearing date requesting that the applicant provide additional information on the ANRAD plan.

 

 

BRIAN KEEVAN - MA DCR - DISCUSSION

Brian Keevan with MADCR attended the meeting to inform the board about various populations of Mile-a-Minute (MAM) vine located off areas of High Street.  Brian provided the board with several handouts.  Included was a copy of an aerial photograph indicating the locations of the MAM populations.  He stated that the majority of the plants were located along High Street, hedgerows and field edges on the Lilac Hedge Farm property. 

 

Brian stated that the DCR was concerned about the possibility of this invasive becoming established on DCR's state property located to the east of farm property.

 

Brian explained that the removal of the MAM populations would be a 6 or 7 year commitment and that he would like to begin the work in June of 2018.  He stated that eradication would be done by hand-pulling, preferably before the plants seeded.

 

Brian stated that he would be contacting Wachusett High School student to request volunteers to help with the work.  M. Krikonis asked if he had contacted the local boyscout troops as possible volunteers. B. Keevan replied that he was considering doing this and that he had used boy scouts in the past. 

 

Brian stated that he would contact the Commission in the early Spring of 2018 to discuss this subject again.

 

 

REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE – STONEY BROOK ESTATES - 183-493.  Assessing Map 184/171, Parcel 5/18&22, 290 Reservoir Street, Clea Blair.  Continued from September 6, 2017.

 

Clea Blair and Julian Votruba were present to discuss this subject.  C. Blair stated that the sedimentation basin on the site was acting as a constructed wetland and that he would like to leave it as is. 

 

C. Blair explained that the basin was properly designed as an infiltration basin, that the basin should be dry or have no water after a period of three days following a major storm event. He stated that the basin is holding water and they are not sure why. 

 

L. Boucher stated that he would like Clea to provide more information on the design of the basin.  P. Harding stated that the applicant needs to prove that it is a dry basin and that the design meets the stormwater management standards.

 

L. Boucher asked who did the original design calculations for the basin. C. Blair responded Dan Hazen with Land Planning, Inc.

 

J. Votruba said that he would review the drainage calculations and try to come up with a solution.

 

R. Lowell continued this matter to the Commission's November 1st public hearing. 

 

 

REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE – 183-484.  45 Autumn Circle.  Joseph & Cheryl Finnegan.  Assessing Map 90, Parcel 21.  Pool Construction (July 2006)

 

G. Williamson stated that the request was for the construction of an in - ground pool.  She said that the land surrounding the pool was stabilized and that it was constructed in the Summer of 2006.  G. Williamson said that there were recorded Orders for this project.

 

Motion by K. Strom, seconded by L. Boucher, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR 45 AUTUMN CIRCLE AS PRESENTED.

 

 

REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE – 183-1.  24 Fox Hill Drive.   Assessing Map 209, Parcel 33.  Single Family Home Construction (July 1975).

 

G. Williamson stated that she conducted a site visit and that the area is stabilized.  She said that the home and driveway were constructed in 1975.  R. Lowell asked if the DEP File Number was for the entire subdivision. P. Harding stated yes.  G. Williamson stated that a recorded Order of Conditions could not be found and that knowing the lot number might be helpful in finding the Orders.

 

K. Strom stated that he had all of the information for Fox Hill Subdivision and that he would forward it to G. Williamson.

 

R. Lowell recommended issuing a partial release on this lot and asked how soon the applicant needed the Certificate.  G. Williamson stated as soon as possible as they would like to close on the house.

 

Motion by M. Krikonis, seconded by L. Boucher, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE PARTIAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR 24 FOX HILL DRIVE.

 

 

EAGLE LAKE 183-642 White Oak Land Conservation-Superseding Orders-

On-Site meeting with DEP is scheduled for September 13th.

 

L. Boucher asked what the status of the appeal was on this matter.  G. Williamson stated that she had received a copy of an e-mail from Brian Vitalis.  The e-mail was a request from the abutters to MADEP to reconsider the denial of the Appeal. 

 

G. Williamson stated that she would forward the e-mail to the board for their review.

 

 

ELECTION OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS

P. Harding stated that the board should elect a new Chairman and Vice Chairman as Matt Kennedy, the previous Chairman had resigned.

 

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY VOTED ROBERT LOWELL AS CHAIRMAN AND KENNETH STROM AS VICE CHAIRMAN.

 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

September 6, 2017 Meeting Minutes were held.

 

 

Motion by M. Krikonis, seconded by M. Scott, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE OCTOBER 4, 2017 CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING AT 9:26 PM.

 

 

 

APPROVED: ________________