Conservation Commission, March 4, 2015

HOLDEN CONSERVATION COMMISSION

1130 MAIN STREET

MARCH 4, 2015

Members Present: Matt Kennedy, Anthony Costello, Kenneth Strom, Mike Krikonis, Michael Scott, Robert Lowell

Members Absent: Luke Boucher

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

Others on Sign in: Mark Popham, Greenstone Realty; Josh Olson, Greenstone Properties; Julian Votruba, New England Environmental Design;  Gary Shephard, Ross Associates.

M. Kennedy called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.  He stated that there was a quorum for the meeting.

NOTICE OF INTENT-Wachusett Valley Estates, Greenstone Properties, LLC- 36 Lot Subdivision

M. Kennedy stated that the applicant had completed everything at the time of the last meeting however the Conservation Commission did not have a quorum needed to approve everything and close the hearing. 

P. Harding told the commission that at the last meeting M. Andrade, Graves Engineering, stated that all issues had been satisfied.  She also told the Commission that P. McManus, EcoTec, Inc. issued a determination that the wetlands were being fed by groundwater and that the design would maintain the hydrology of the property.  She stated that the applicant needed to file separate notice of intents for the single family homes..

M. Kennedy asked where the applicant stood with the Planning Board.  P. Harding replied that they had sto evaluate sewer capacity and they would be addressed at the next Planning Board meeting.

M. Kennedy asked if the outstanding Planning Board issues would need the Commission.  P. Harding replied that they would not.

M. Kennedy opened it up for questions from the public.  No members of the public stepped forward. 

M. Kenney asked if the Commission had any questions or concerns.  No members of the Commission spoke. 

Motion by A. Costello, seconded by K. Strom, it was VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR WACHUSETT VALLEY ESTATES, GREENSTONE PROPERTY LLC 36 LOT SUBDIVIVSION BY A VOTE OF 4-0-2 (Kennedy: yes; Costello: yes; Lowell: yes; Strom: yes; Scott: abstain; Krikonis: abstain). 

M. Kennedy asked the Commission about the Order of Conditions. 

P. Harding stated that there would need to be a separate filing for the house lots.  R. Lowell pointed out the note from P. McManus regarding the utility trench; it stated that the trench does not remove water from the wetlands and a stop damn would be needed.  He stated it was standard practice for wetland sewer construction to reduce the outflow of the utility trench.

Motion by R. Lowell, seconded by K. Strom, it was VOTED TO APPROVE THE STANDARD ORDER OF CONDITIONS IN ADDITION TO NEEDING A SEPARATE FILING FOR THE HOUSE LOTS AND ADDING A STOP DAMN FOR THE UTILTY TRENCH BY A VOTE OF 4-0-2 (Kennedy: yes; Costello: yes; Lowell: yes; Strom: yes; Scott: abstain; Krikonis: yes). 

M. Kennedy told the applicant that they would receive the order of conditions in 21 days.

The applicant thanked the Commission.

NOTICE OF INTENT-  Fisher Terrace Phase II – Fisher Terrace Phase II – Construction of 12 additional condominium units

P. Harding told the Commission that the applicant had requested a continuance.  M. Kennedy stated that the matter would be continued until the April meeting.

NOTICE OF INTENT- DEP File #183-600 Bond Road Lot #3-J. M Soucy Contracting, Inc.  Construction of Single Family Home

Julian Votruba was present representing J.M. Soucy.  He stated that the piece of property was located on Bond Road, which is the furthest point of the Town of Holden, off RT 122A.  He stated that a parcel of the property, about 0.5 acres, was located in Holden and the other 17 acres was in Rutland so the parcel straddles both towns. 

Julian stated that they are proposing a single family home.  He stated that a delineation and ANRAD were both done in Rutland and soil tests and septic had also been approved by the Board of Health.  He stated that the closest part of any grading is 25.86FT from the wetland line.  He stated that the walkout in the back is very flat and the driveway is proposed on the left side. 

K. Strom asked for clarification of the location of the wetlands; Julian showed the Commission the location.

R. Lowell asked what was currently on the site.  Julian stated that it was a hay field.

M. Kennedy asked if the Town of Rutland looked at the Holden wetlands when they did the ANRAD.  Julian confirmed that they did. 

M. Kennedy asked who in the Town of Rutland reviewed the work.  Julian replied that Rutland Conservation Commission did and that they had an Order of Conditions for those lots.

M. Kennedy asked why they had not previously filed in Holden.  Julian replied that they did not initially know if they were going to fit on the parcel.

M. Kennedy stated that because of the weather and conditions, they would not be able to review the wetlands for some time.

K. Strom asked when they had the testing in Rutland.  Julian replied last fall. 

M. Kennedy suggested continuing this matter until the Town of Holden had the opportunity to review the wetlands. 

R. Lowell asked what the nature of the wetlands were; Julian replied a BVW and a brook. 

M. Kennedy asked if the home was going to be rectangular in shape.  Julian replied that it most likely was.

M. Kennedy asked if the Commission had any questions or concerns.

Motion by R. Lowell, seconded by M. Scott, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CONTINUE THIS MATTER UNTIL THE WEATHER IMPROVED AND THE TOWN COULD REVIEW THE PARCEL. 

NOTICE OF INTENT-  624 Bullard Street- Septic System Holly Tomkinson Dennis

The applicant waived the reading of the public hearing notice.

Gary Shepherd was present on this matter.  He showed the Commission the lot and stated that there is a brook that crosses the street and goes into the reservoir.   He stated that there were fingers of wetlands that go off the brook and a few other pieces of wetland in other locations.  He showed the 100FT zone and the 200FT buffer zone that they needed to stay out of.  He finally showed the Commission where the system ended up being located.  He stated that the closest point to the BVW is 60FT and 69 to septic.  He stated that it would be possible to slide the system slightly over however he wanted the system to be pushed as far uphill as possible so as to use the downhill flow and avoid pump stations. 

M. Krikonis asked if a pump chamber needed to be used how it would be handed.  G. Shepherd replied that it would be on the home electricity.  He stated if there was a short term power outage there should be no issue however a longer term power outage could be problematic.  He stated in addition, it would add an increase of about $8000 to the system and maintenance.  He recommended using the gravity system as it was a more successful way to move forward.  He stated that if they did go with a pump station, they would only be able to slide the unit 20/25FT so all the negatives would not compensate for the positives of moving the unit slightly.

M. Scott asked if they had approached the neighbors.  G. Shepherd replied that they did not and that they generally don’t.

M. Kennedy asked who delineated it.  G. Shepherd replied Steven Sears from his office. 

R. Lowell asked about the water.  G. Shepherd replied that it was private. 

R. Lowell asked if there were any changes to proposed grading or lawn.  G. Shepherd replied that they would be taking down some trees but that it would be planted with grass or vegetation after and there would be no increase in impervious areas.

Motion by R. Lowell, seconded by M. Krikonis, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR 624 BULLARD STREET-SEPTIC SYSTEM HOLLY TOMKINSON DENNIS.

Motion by M. Krikonis, seconded by K. Strom, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ISSUE THE STANDARD ORDER OF CONDITIONS FOR 624 BULLARD STREET-SEPTIC SYSTEM; HOLLY TOMKINSON DENNIS.

CHAPTER 61A- REQUEST FOR RELEASE- River Street, River Street LLC

P. Harding told the Commission that they were carving out a 1.39 acre parcel to sell for $85,000.

M. Kennedy asked if there would be any value from a conservation standpoint.  The Commission did not believe there was, it did not abut any protected open space and provided no particularly valuable wildlife habitat.

R. Lowell asked if it was being looked at from a development standpoint. 

M. Krikonis asked if it was close enough to the rails. P. Harding replied that she did not think so.

Motion by K. Strom, seconded by M. Krikonis, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO RECOMMNED TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN THAT THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION WAS NOT INTERESTED IN RIVER STREET, RIVER STREET LLC IN A CONSERVATION CAPACITY.

OTHER BUSINESS

M. Kennedy asked what was happening with Fisher Terrace.  P. Harding told the Commission that the ZBA had denied the applicant because they still had not received the Mass Housing approval they had been waiting on. 

M. Kennedy asked when the other order was extended to.  P. Harding replied September  She told the Commission that she had called the DEP about the additional wetlands that was identified by P. McManus, Ecotec Inc. and they were going to add it to the plans.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion by A. Costello, seconded by K. Strom, it was VOTED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 4, 2015 CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING MINTUES AS CORRECTED BY A VOTE OF 5-0-1.  (R. Lowell: abstain).

Motion by R. Lowell, seconded by M. Scott, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MARCH 4, 2014 CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING AT 7:39PM. 

APPROVED: ________________