Conservation Commission, January 9, 2018

HOLDEN CONSERVATION COMMISSION

1130 MAIN STREET, HOLDEN SENIOR CENTER

MINUTES

January 9, 2019

Members Present:  Robert Lowell, Kenneth Strom, David Nyman, Cathy Doherty, Luke Boucher, Mike Scott.

Members Not Present:  Anthony Costello

Others Present: Glenda Williamson, Conservation Agent; Melissa Coady, Jeff Faulkner, Tighe & Bond,Inc.; Ryan Mouradian, Holden DPW

R. Lowell called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.  This hearing was rescheduled a week later due to the Christmas and New Year's holidays.  

            REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY - Town of Holden DPW - Water Main Replacement Project.  The replacement of approx. 3,650 linear feet of water main along Laurelwood Rd., Holt Rd., Bancroft Rd. and William St.  The addition of 500 linear ft. of water main within Oak St. (paper road).  Tighe & Bond, Inc.

            Jeff Faulkner and Melissa Coady with Tighe & Bond were in attendance to present the project.  Jeff stated that the project is the Holden Water Department’s annual water main project for 2019.  He showed the Commission a location map of the project area, stating that the replacement water mains are located within Laurelwood Rd., Holt Rd., Bancroft Rd., William St. and Oak St., (a “paper” street).  He stated that the goal of the project is to replace the aged water main along these streets to have better connectivity and flow for the water system and to eliminate water main breaks that have been occurring in this area in recent years.  Jeff stated that the project will replace approx. 4,300 linear feet of water main and includes three connections to Main Street in anticipation of future Mass DOT work.

            Melissa stated that work will occur within buffer zones of resource areas. Work on Bancroft Rd. falls within the 200-foot buffer to a perennial stream and the work at the end of Oak St. is located within the 100-foot buffer of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland (BVW). R. Lowell asked about the construction method for the water main replacement.  Melissa stated they will use open cut trenches to a depth of approx. 6 feet, trenches will be backfilled daily and pavement patching would occur weekly on Fridays.  She indicated the work to be done on the Oak St. “paper” street on the plan.  This section of the water main is located within a forested upland area along an existing footpath.  The replacement work is located more than 50 feet away from the BVW.  She stated that erosion controls will be installed and there will be tree clearing needed for the Oak St. installation. 

            R. Lowell asked if there would be any compaction on the trench along the Oak St. section.  Jeff stated yes, that they would be using typical compaction and for future maintenance, they will install crushed stone over the main and then a layer of loam and seed.  R. Lowell asked if the water main along Oak St. would be returned to pre-construction conditions.  R. Mouradian stated that the new easement would be grassed and not paved to allow for future maintenance.  R. Mouradian stated that they would install chains across both ends of Oak St. to prevent vehicles from entering the easement. 

            Melissa stated that there would not be an increase in impervious area as a result of the project and that grades would be restored resulting in no changes to existing drainage.  R. Lowell asked if temporary water mains would be installed during the work.  Jeff F. stated no.  M. Scott asked if there were any open drains or catch basins near the project area.  Melissa stated not within Oak St., but that there were catch basins in the project limits that would be protected with silt sacks during construction.

            G. Williamson asked why the resource area in the vicinity of Oak St. and Donald Ave. was not flagged in the field.  Melissa stated that it is private property and they did not have permission to enter.  She stated that mapping was reviewed in-house and field work verified the location of the BVW.  She indicated the location of the proposed erosion controls near the Donald St. intersection.  R. Lowell asked if the existing fire hydrants would be replaced as well.  R. Lowell asked if there would be a need for any dewatering.  Melissa stated potentially and indicated the typical filter bag detail on the plans.  R. Lowell asked if the old line would be abandoned in place. Jeff stated yes. 

            R. Lowell asked if there were any additional questions from the Commission and if there were any comments from the public.  No one was present from the public.  G. Williamson stated that the applicant asked for a Negative 3 and a Negative 5 determination in their RDA.  She stated that the work is exempt under the MA WPA for maintenance of existing structures and utilities within roadways. The Negative 3 Determination states that "the work is within the buffer zone, but will not alter an area subject to protection under the act.  Therefore, said work does not require the filing of a Notice of Intent". The Negative 5 determination states that “the area is subject to protection under the Act.  Since the work described meets the requirements for the following exemption, no Notice of Intent is required".  G. Williamson proposed the following conditions for the project; erosion controls must be properly installed, catch basin silt sacks will be used, disturbed ground surfaces must be stabilized in a timely manner, and an erosion control inspection is required prior to the start of work.

Motion by K. Strom, seconded by C. Doherty,  it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE TOWN OF HOLDEN WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT.  MOTION BY K. STROM, SECONDED BY D. NYMAN TO ISSUE A NEGATIVE 3 AND NEGATIVE 5 DETERMINATION FOR THE DETEMINATION OF APPLICABILITY (DOA), TOWN OF HOLDEN WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT.

            REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE - DEP File # 183-0537 - Lot 1, 140 Paxton Road.  Assessing Map 180 Parcel 13. Robert Keeney. Single family home, septic, driveway/crossing.

            G. Williamson stated that she prepared a letter that was sent to the homeowner.  The Commission reviewed the letter; it stated that the applicant has met the requirements under the current Order of Conditions for the disturbance/replication guidelines.  R. Lowell asked if the vegetation was fully established. G. Williamson said yes, that the surrounding natural vegetation had fully established itself on the previously disturbed areas.  L. Boucher asked if the Order of Conditions required a time frame for vegetation to become established.  G. Williamson stated that there is a standard Order for replication areas that require 75 percent vegetative cover at the end of two full growing seasons. 

            Motion by M. SCOTT, seconded by L. BOUCHER, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ISSUE A FINAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR ROBERT AND KIM KEENEY, DEP FILE # 183-0537, 140 PAXTON ROAD.

            REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE - DEP File # 183-0634 - Lot 2, 91 Fisher Rd. Assessing Map 243 Map 34 and Lot 3, 87 Fisher Road. Assessing Map 243 Map 35. Single family homes and driveways. Wingspan Properties/William George.

            G. Williamson suggested requesting final as-builts for both lots that depict structures, homes, driveways, grassed areas, wooded areas and utility locations, etc.  She stated that there was still a lot of construction debris; piles of asphalt and downed trees and shrubs, that needed to be removed in the wooded areas at the front of the lots and along Fisher Road and the front of the lots.  Both lots have boulders (permanent demarcations) as indicated on the final plans.  A large oak tree was removed from the edge of the wetland area on Lot 2.  G. Williamson stated that she asked Bill George why the oak tree was removed.  He stated that it was a dead tree and posed a safety hazard.  M. Scott asked if the erosion controls were still present, G. Williamson stated yes and that she would follow up with the developer to request clean-up of the debris at the front of the lots.  The developer stated that she would contact G. Williamson for another site inspection once the front of the lots have been clean up.  The developer stated that she would send the final as-builts for the lots as soon as possible.  These Certificates of Compliance will be added to a future agenda upon notification from the applicant.

            GREENWOOD ESTATES II - Jackson Woods Investments- Union Street

            G. Williamson stated that there was a buffer zone violation in the vicinity of flag numbers A2 thru A6.  The skidder cleared the trees and rutted soils in an approximately 2,400 square foot area.  She stated that the area has been surrounded with entrenched siltation fencing and staked straw bales.  Craig Bacon told her that they would grade the ruts out of this area and leave it alone to re-vegetate.  G. Williamson stated that four of the 25-foot no disturb zone stakes (in the vicinity of wetland flags V-1 thru V-9) were on the wetland boundary.  She had Craig Bacon move the stakes 25 feet uphill in this area.  D. Nyman suggested that all of the wetland flags be re-established on the site since the delineation was done a long time ago and the original flags are no longer visible in most areas.

            PROJECT UPDATES

            84-88 Bailey Road

            The Commission reviewed the revised final plan to check that the changes agreed upon at the previous meeting were indicated.  All of the requested changes were made to the final plan. G. Williamson will follow up with the applicant to ensure that all the conditions of the approval are implemented.

            109 Arizona Ave

            G. Williamson stated that the property owner has stabilized the streams by adding additional straw bales and rock on the downstream sides.  The owner is still waiting on the 401 Water Quality Certification from Mass DEP. No work, except for stabilization, is to occur on the site until they receive the certification.

            Lot 3 Chapin Road

            The applicant’s engineer called G. Williamson to inform her that they would need to install the water well as soon as possible in order to secure a loan from the bank.  The bank would not give a loan until the water on the lot was tested.  G. Williamson stated that the new well was installed approximately 30 feet in from the street and it was shifted approx. 10 feet to the north to avoid cutting a large tree.

            196 Chapel Street

            G. Williamson stated that the site is stabilized with straw mulch but that in her opinion, it is too early to sign off on the site since the grass is not yet established.  The Commission agreed that the owner should request a final sign-off once there is at least 75 percent vegetative cover across the previously disturbed area.

            Quinapoxet Transfer Pipeline- Worcester DPW

            G. Williamson stated that she attended the on-site MEPA meeting.  A. Costello was present at the meeting as well.  He stated that the most difficult part of Contract I was the Quinapoxet River crossing.  The Worcester DPW was not clear on the method they would be using to cross the river with the new pipeline.  R. Lowell stated that there were two certified vernal pools along the Contract I work area.  A. Costello said that the project impacts would be fairly minimal in these areas since the work is strictly a replacement of an existing utility.  G. Williamson and other members of the Commission agreed that the Contract I work is exempt from the MA WPA only if the work is located within existing roadways.  The Commission stated that if there is work outside of the existing roadway, then a Notice of Intent should be filled or that the applicant must provide information on why the activities are specifically exempt.  In addition, K. Strom stated that we should take a closer look at the work that will be performed under Contract II.

            FOREST CUTTING PLAN - CH. 132 - 52 Acres. Wachusett Street (Holden/Princeton Line) Assessing Map 21, Parcel 5. Private property owned by Denise Dourdeville and Holly Carnright.  Start Date: January 2019.

            G. Williamson stated that she walked the site on December 19th with Mike Downey, the service forester for this region.  Mike Downey flagged the edge of the resource area on the site, looked at the marked trees to be cut and at the proposed wetland crossing areas.  She stated that the owner was allowed to cut 50 percent if the existing basal area from the wetlands and that best management practices must be applied.

            FOREST CUTTING PLAN - CH. 132 - 18 Acres. Whitney Street. City of Worcester DPW&P. Kevin Scherer. Assessing Map 57, Parcel 9. Start Date: February 2019.

            G. Williamson stated that she walked the site with Mike Downey on December 19th. The City of Worcester is attempting to remove many of the older non-native red pine stands that are dying as a result of a fungus.  A. Costello stated that he believes the cutting work will begin in mid-February 2019.

            MINUTES

            G. Williamson stated that the December minutes were not ready for review at this time.

G. Williamson reported that the next public hearing for the Commission would be on Wednesday, February 6th.

Motion by L. BOUCHER, seconded by C. DOHERTY, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE JANUARY 9TH HOLDEN CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING AT 9:19 PM.

APPROVED: __________________