Conservation Commission, April 6, 2016

HOLDEN CONSERVATION COMMISSION

1130 MAIN STREET

April 6, 2016

Members Present:  Robert Lowell, Anthony Costello, Kenneth Strom, Matt Kennedy

Members Absent:  Mike Scott, Mike Krikonis, Luke Boucher

Others Present: Pam Harding, Conservation Agent, Liz Fotos, Recording Secretary

Others on Sign in:  Chris DeMoranville, DPW, Scott Morrison, EcoTech, Dom Graves, Graves Engineering, Isabel McCauley, DPW, Gary Kaczmarek, Cle Blair, Stoney Brook Estates

M. Kennedy called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.

P. Harding introduced C. DeMoranville, DPW to the Commission.  She told the Commission that he was the new Town Engineer.  The Commission wished him luck.

TOWN OF HOLDEN- Mt. View Middle School- Repair of Level Spreader                 

Don Graves, Graves Engineering was presented at the meeting; he told the Board he was filing in for Mike Andrade.

M. Kennedy asked him what happened and what the proposed solution was.

D. Graves stated that the level spreader was reconstructed about six to eight months ago and the contractor did a nice job.  He stated that he thought it looked good and then there was a large storm.  He stated that after the storm they noticed that there was one lower section that had some wash out/ erosion.  He stated they found one section that had some sediment on it.  He said that when they went to look there were still hay bales and silt fences up.  D. Graves stated that what they think happened was that they had so much rip rap down the slope that the flow did not go over the top of the rip rap, it went through it.  He stated that they thought the boulder ended up acting like a dam and it hit the rip rap, backed it up and wrapped it around the edges and under it (the boulder) and sunk part of the rip rap.

M. Kenney asked if the Town had photos.  P. Harding replied that she did.

D. Graves stated that they tried to figure out the cause of it and this is what they felt happened.  He stated that the then tried to figure out what to do; so they removed the boulder in order to maintain better distribution and then they felt that it may be prudent to put a permanent fabric filter in to stabilize the natural grades below the rip rap.  He stated that they would keep the trees and take the fabric and cover the area and then hydro-seed, do a few more zones to distribute the flow more evenly. 

D. Graves stated that this would require them to go into the buffer zone and they don’t want to do excavation in the buffer zone.  He stated it was on the western slope and there is not a lot of sun over there but they want to stabilize it and minimize any more erosion.  He said they would extend it down to get to a more natural flatter terrain. He stated that he thought it was about 40FT-50FT wide by 80FT in length and with the exception of the repair of the one rip rap section, the rest is working.

M. Kennedy asked how much rain they got that caused this. 

Gary Kaczmarek stated that it was about 2.5” on February 25, 2016.

M. Kennedy asked someone to check the amount of rain that was received.

K. Strom stated that it looked like a steep slope.

D. Graves replied that it was a tough spot to have a discharge.  He showed the Commission the material they were proposing and stated that they want to get it far enough off the steep slopes.

M. Kennedy stated it was TRM and check dams on top of it; he asked how the check dams would be keyed in.  D. Graves replied they would not be keyed in as much as set on the surface. 

M. Kennedy asked the slope.  D. Graves replied he was not sure. 

M. Kennedy asked what size stone and if it would hold it up.  He asked what they were planning on planting; grass.  D. Graves agreed and stated they just want to stabilize the area.

M. Kennedy asked where the settlement area was.  D. Graves showed them the plans.

M. Kennedy asked how much material would be moved out of there.  D. Graves replied about a half a yard.

D. Graves stated this was the best idea they have and are open to any suggestions if the Commission had them.

M. Kennedy stated that over time check dams could push the water to the outside.

K. Strom stated it could ‘v’.

P. Harding stated that it comes out at a good velocity.

M. Kennedy stated that vegetation in there will pond up and find its way around the outside.  He asked if they needed it if they have a permanent TRM. 

D. Graves replied it was a good question and he doesn’t know if it’s needed.

M. Kennedy stated that he doesn’t know what will hold it down; that the stone was not that hard to move.  D. Graves replied they were just trying to take the edge off and slow it down.  He asked how else they could anchor it.

K. Strom stated they could lengthen the channel.

D. Graves stated that they could take the rip rap and curl it up a little at the end.

R. Lowell stated that they just didn’t want it to go around it and have the same problems. 

D. Graves asked for any additional suggestions.

M. Kenney stated they would have to key it in and depress it down.

D. Graves stated that material is porous; he stated that they could also dip the depression in and key it that way too. He stated they just wanted to get good natural soil TRM contact interface. 

M. Kennedy stated that was just how they prepared and attached it. 

D. Graves stated they could key it in and lay that fabric down and put the 2 fabrics back in and then put the check dams back it.  He stated the check dams would slow velocity and anything they put in there was better than nothing.  He stated he doesn’t have a problem if the Commission thinks they could key them in a little.  He said they could lower the natural dam 6” and then do the rip rap over it.

K. Strom stated it would need to be deeper than 6”.  M. Kennedy agreed.

A Costello asked about lengthening the bottom and then they would have a catch. He said to do it longer than the TRM fabric.  D. Graves replied they could do that.

M. Kennedy replied that would be a temporary measure.  A Costello agreed. 

M. Kennedy stated a better design would be to bring it all the way down to the bottom rather than trying to stabilize it on the slope.  D. Graves replied he could not comment on that again.

M. Kennedy stated it may be something to consider; to bring it down rather than doing it on a manmade slope.  He stated that they had been concerned from the beginning that they would be dealing with these types of issues.   He asked if D. Graves had any calculations.

D. Graves replied that he did not but he would be happy to run the numbers.  He asked how he would do calculations through a rip rap check dam.

K. Strom stated he was concerned this was going to be a reoccurring issue.

I McCauley asked if they were thinking about putting the discharge to the public system.

D. Graves replied that they were not sure that was the way to go; he said there were a lot of options and that the level spreader seems to be working and very stable.

P. Harding asked if they could decrease the outflow a little.

M. Kennedy replied they probably could not.

D. Graves stated that they had looked at that a while ago and the problem was there was not enough land and they do now own the land beyond to make it a secondary point.

M Kennedy asked if the area below was wooded.  P. Harding replied it was.

M. Kennedy asked where the Town owned to.  D. Graves replied to the property line.

M. Kennedy asked how much of the area was mature trees.  G. Kaczmarek replied that there were quite a few large trees there. 

D. Graves replied it was not a thick forest but there were some trees.

K. Strom asked if the bottom of the slope was at the edge of the woods.  D. Graves showed the Commission photographs.

M. Kennedy asked how they can tell the boulder sank.  D. Graves replied you can see it if you look at it.

K. Strom asked how far their proposal extended into the woods.  D. Graves showed the Commission the edge of the woods.

M. Kennedy asked if they would cut trees or leave them.  D. Graves replied that anything under 4” they would remove but leave the rest in place.

M. Kennedy asked how they would get the TRM over the rolls.  D. Graves replied they would cut and notch it.

M. Kennedy asked how it got put back in.  D. Graves replied they would overlap it.

M. Kennedy asked if grass would grow under the canopy of the trees.  D. Graves replied that was why they were using that material.

M. Kennedy replied that he knew that he was just curious if there was enough light in there for vegetation to grow.

M. Kennedy replied that he would like to see something with more detail.  He asked for information on the trees that they would save and detail as to how they would tie that in.  He said that he knows that they think the request is unreasonable but this was a concern before it was built and it has blow out two times and they want to make sure it is done right.  He stated that he doesn’t know if these plans are fully completed in order for them to build it.  He asked the Commission if anyone felt different.

K. Strom asked if it was just going to be on the lay of the land.

D. Graves said that was correct.  He said that there was one spot that is 20FT downstream with a boulder there and they want to remove that.

G. Kaczmarek said that the blow out was where there was fill from years ago.

M. Kennedy replied that he understood but none of where they were proposing was natural ground.

G. Kaczmarek replied that it was natural where the TRM was.  M. Kennedy stated that it was a pretty uniform slope for natural ground.

G. Kaczmarek replied that they want it fixed correctly as soon as possible.

K. Strom asked if they could look at it; he suggested a site meeting.

M. Kennedy suggested moving forward under the direction of the Town Engineer. 

I McCauley stated that she was okay giving her opinion but she had not been there since they started building it.

Motion by R. Lowell, seconded by K. Strom, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE REPAIR OF LEVEL SPREADER TO MT VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL AS PROPOSED PROVIDED IT IS INSPECTED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE TOWN ENGINEER.

ORDER OF CONDITIONS- Review of Drainage- Stoney Brook Estates

Cle Blair was present from Stoney Brook Estates.

C. Blair stated that they had a review done by Graves Engineering on March 15, 2016 and Graves did not like their last design.  He stated they made a few recommendations one of which was to split the outflows in the pond.  He stated they tried to get an easement over other people’s property and run a pipe until it got into the area and while they are still looking at it, it is a very expensive way to get it done and he does not know that it is as effective. 

C. Blair stated that they extended the level spreader and that what the Commission has in front of them is a new design that was dropped off today (April 6, 2016) with Graves Engineering and they are waiting for a response.

M. Kennedy stated that the Commission needed to wait for that review.  P. Harding agreed.

C. Blair stated that he was open to any other suggestions; he stated that what they had originally built was designed and approved but did not work and they were just trying to come up with the right fix.

M. Kennedy asked if the swale was new.  P. Harding stated that it drops off after the rip rap ends and eroded a channel out to the drainage to the low point.

M. Kennedy asked where the level spreader is.  C.  Blair replied it was at a low point and once you get in there it flattens pretty good.

M. Kennedy stated that it looked pretty reasonable to him.  C. Blair stated that they think it will work.

M. Kennedy asked if there were any public comments or questions. 

An unnamed resident stepped forward; he stated he owned half the detention pond and he lived in lot 30.  He asked about the plans.

C. Blair showed him where the stone was and stated that they were going to construct something to widen the rip rap so when water comes out it will spread out and flow evenly rather than channelize.  He showed him where they were going to add an outlet at the other corner away from his house. 

K. Strom asked if the Commission could walk by his house.  The resident replied they could but to please knock on the door first.

P. Harding stated it was good to see after a rain event.

M. Kennedy asked if there were additional comments from the public; no members of the public stepped forward.

M. Kennedy asked if the Commission had anything to add; the Commission did not. 

Order of Conditions; Review of Drainage for Stoney Brook Estates was continued to the May 4, 2016 Conservation Commission to allow for time for the peer review.

NOTICE OF INTENT- Greenwood Estates-Jackson Woods Investments, LLC Union Street- Assessing Map and Parcels 132-95, 132-80 and 148-47

Cle Blair was present for Greedwood Estates.  He stated that there was an extensive review done by Quinn Engineering and they had received it last week.  He stated there were 100 items that needed to be addressed and they were not anywhere close to completing that tonight.

Carl from Quinn Engineering was present at the meeting.  He took the Commission through some of the outstanding items.

Number 3: Submit alternative analysis of the crossing

Number 4: Width of the crossing and see if they can narrow it down.

Number 5: has to do with the bank in the stream.

C. Blair interrupted to say that the area is wetlands, not streams and there were no stream crossing guidelines that they would need to adhere to. 

Quinn Engineering stated that he was not a wetlands expert but that he looked at it a week ago and there was water flowing throughout the wetlands. 

M. Kennedy asked if this was done with an ANRAD. P. Harding stated it was and there was also a wetlands review.

Carl stated that with that information; number 5 would go away. 

Carl stated that they have replication proposed but they should show design. 

Number 9: Something changed from the NOI to this plan and there is difference of square footage from 2,300 to 4,700 SQ FT.

Number 16: the infiltration areas on the individual lots so stormwater calls for accounting for lots and nothing on the plan says that is done.

Number 21: the property line taken from the existing plan and deed sounds like it is not the one that the ground survey showed; he stated they need accurate depiction on the plans.

Number 21: the area under the box culvert needs to be addressed.

Number 37: Some of the post development of impervious areas is not going to drain to BMPS  he stated they either needed to be directed correctly or they needed to make a new one.

Number 50:  In the Stormwater Report they used the USDA Survey books which is different from the web soil with regards to ratings.  He stated that they should comment on the number of test pits on site stating soil type, test pits, and location of test pits.

Number 51:  He stated they used infiltration rates in the model but it is not consistent.  He stated they should use the rate that is on the field and make sure that it is consistent throughout.

Number 79: He stated there were a lot of catch basins that are expected to handle big flow.  He stated they needed to evaluate that and see if additional basins were needed on the roadway.

Number 82: He stated this would go away if there was no bank.

Number 83: He stated that the Commission may want the slopes to be redesigned by a Geo Tech Engineer.

Number 98:  He stated the plans were submitted with lot development not part of an NOI; he stated at some point there will be an NOI with the lots and when that comes they will have to work within a 25FT buffer.

He stated those were the highlights on what was outstanding.

P. Harding stated that I McCauley reviewed it as well.

I McCauley stated that she had similar comments to Quinn Engineering. 

M. Kennedy stated that they had some work to do.  He asked if any members of the public wished to speak on the matter; no members of the public wished to speak. 

The matter was continued to the next meeting.

NOTICE OF INTENT- 139 FISHER ROAD- Kosta Realty, Inc.   Construction of Two Single Family homes and Septic Systems

P. Harding read the public hearing notice into the record.

Scott Morrison from EcoTech was present along with the applicants.

S. Morrison stated that he had contacted MA DEP and had a site walk and got the Zone A removed from the central portion of the site.  He stated that the area is bordering vegetative wetland and before it reaches the tributary stream it hits better silt and infiltration that is related to stormwater.

S. Morrison stated that the existing house was used by the fire department for training.  S. Morrison stated that the applicant proposed a single driveway to limit the disturbances.  He stated there was a boulder along the edge that they left to limit encroachment. 

S. Morrison stated that it would be two single family homes with septic systems outside the buffer zone.  He stated there was a proposed culvert to take stormwater across the driveway and discharge it.

S. Morrison stated that it was septic because although there was sewer not far away there was an issue with the street regarding connecting to the Town sewer.  S. Morrison stated that there would be hay bales and silt fence to protect the wetlands during construction.

M. Kennedy asked if there was sewer on Fisher Road.

S. Morrison stated it was farther down. 

Carl from Quinn Engineering stated it was another 500FT-600FT.

P. Harding stated there was a request to extend the sewer but it will be another four years; she stated there is a portion of Fisher Road that can’t be dug until 2019.

M. Kennedy asked if it was two separate properties. 

S. Morrison showed the Commission the proposed lot line; he stated it has not been recorded yet and they were working with the Planning Board as well.

M. Kennedy asked where the buffer zone was. 

S. Morrison replied it was what was highlighted; that was the work in the buffer zone. 

M. Kennedy asked if there were any wetland impacts.

S. Morrison replied there was not.

R. Lowell asked about the existing wells.

Carl from Quinn Engineering stated it was a residential well.

M. Kennedy asked the Commission for any questions or comments.

K. Strom asked how much flow was coming from the basin on the bottom of the swale.

Carl, Quinn Engineering stated it was not a lot.  He stated it was a two lot subdivision so they needed to meet stormwater in general.  He showed the Commission where everything they were proposing would be.

M. Kennedy asked if there were any public questions or concerns.  No members of the public stepped forward.

Motion by R. Lowell, seconded by K. Strom, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR 139 FISHER ROAD; KOSTA REALTY, INC. CONSTRUCTION OF TWO SINGLE FAMILY HOMES AND SEPTIC SYSTEM.

Motion by K. Strom, seconded by R. Lowell, it was UNANIMOSLY VOTED TO ISSUE THE STANDARD ORDER OF CONDITIONS PLUS SOME SORT OF BARRIER FROM FLAG C2-C6 FOR 139 FISHER ROAD; KOSTA REALTY INC.

NOTICE OF INTENT-JORDAN ROAD Lot 43, 44, and 45 and 45 Oak Hill Open Space and Residential Design Subdivision Kendall Homes- Grading within the Buffer Zone.

P. Harding read the public hearing notice into record.

S. Morrison showed the Commission where the applicant was proposing houses.  He stated it is outside the 1000FT buffer zone and his clients wanted as large a backyard as possible.  He stated there was minimal grading to be done, just enough to clear and install the lawn.

M. Kennedy asked if all the work was to be done outside the 25FT zone.

S. Morrison stated they would be maintaining the 10FT no disturb buffer.

P. Harding asked how they were going to make the 10FT buffer.

S. Morrison replied they were going to make the concern bound and then put up White Oak Notices.  He stated that the intent was to allow for 10FT of lawn and then give 10FT for leaves or brush.  He stated that Chuck Black will mark the corners and then markers can be put up.  S. Morrison stated they proposed doing it like this because White Oak would not be doing yearly inspections to say that there were leaves or clippings on their property and this ten foot strip will give them the space to dispose of them.

Motion by K. Strom, seconded by R. Lowell, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARIN FOR JORDAN ROAD LOTS 43, 44, AND 45 AND 45 OAK HILL OPEN SPACE AND RESIDENTIAL DESIGN SUBDIVISION KENDALL HOMES; GRADING WITHIN THE BUFFER ZONE.

P. Harding stated that DCR had been in contact and asked for a swip for the lot construction.

S. Morrison stated that there were two currently swips.  He stated he would like Chuck Black know. 

Motion by K. Strom, seconded by R. Lowell, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ISSUE THE STANDARD ORDER CONDITIONS FOR JORDAN ROAD LOTS 43, 44, and 45. 

OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLANS

P. Harding stated that the Town needed to reconvene the Committee and she needed someone from Conservation to sit on the committee. 

K. Strom and A. Costello volunteered to be on the committee

M. Kennedy asked if this was a mulit-board committee.

P. Harding stated it was comprised on the Conservation Committee, the Planning Board, The Financial Committee and they wanted to do a few public meetings.  She stated that the Town has a grant pending review but they were concerned about the public participation and outreach and required the Town to do more public outreach before the grant is approved.  She stated she is going to see if she can work with CMRPC to use planning hours to do this.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Approval of minutes was postponed until the Conservation Commission had a quorum.

Motion by K. Strom, seconded by R. Lowell it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE APRIL 6, 2016 CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING AT 8:25PM.

APPROVED____________________