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CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES 2002

The Conservation Committee Members

Conservation Commission Minutes, Meeting of November 12, 2002, 6:30 PM, Planning Board Room

PRESENT:
       K. Pickren
       G. Parent
       H. Wotton
       D. Livengood

1. K. Pickren called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.

2. A motion was made by K. Pickren and seconded by D. Livengood to accept the Minutes of the meeting of September 17, 2002. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

3. Note: K. Pickren informed the Commission that he had spoken with Ed Paquette regarding the hay bales and silt fence on Lot 5, Alpine Drive. They are installed incorrectly and must be fixed.

4. Mr. Randy Iozzo was present and discussed the ongoing clearing of a portion of his land in order to create a larger lawn area. The work is not within the 50 foot buffer zone surrounding Cady Brook. A negative Determination of Applicability was unanimously agreed upon.

5. Public Hearing: Para Land Surveying for Daniel and Tracy Cournoyer, Eastford Road at Pole 89

H. Wotton read the Notice of Public Hearing and K. Pickren opened the Public Hearing at 6:45 PM. Rick Para represented Daniel and Tracy Cournoyer, who were also present along with Clyde Thompson. The plan proposes a single family house with sewer and well. Double hay bales would be placed along the roadway. It was determined that there would be no affect on public water supply.

A motion was made by G. Parent to close the Public Hearing at 6:55 PM and seconded by K. Pickren. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

A motion was made by G. Parent to issue the standard Order of Conditions. The motion was seconded by K. Pickren. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

6. Public Hearing: Para Land Surveying for Chris and Kim Favreau, Eastford Road

D. Livengood read the Notice of Public Hearing and K. Pickren opened the Public Hearing at 7:00 PM. Rick Para represented Chris and Kim Favreau, who were also present. The plan proposes a single family house along with sewer and well. A stone culvert is also to be replaced with a 36" pipe over an intermittent stream. Mr. Para explained that the original retaining walls have fallen in, leaving a 5-6 foot area of stone with no vegetation. K. Pickren asked that the Commission be notified before work begins.

A Motion was made by G. Parent to close the Public Hearing at 7:10 PM. Seconded by D. Livengood. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

A Motion was made by G. Parent to issue the standard Order of Conditions. Seconded by H. Wotton. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

7. Wood Recycling

Present were Pieter Conradie of Lynnfield Engineering, representing Wood Recycling. Also present were Philip Caron, a principal of Wood Recycling, and John Robidoux and Eric Pulsifer of Wood Recycling.

The concern of the Commission was expressed about hay bales and silt fences that were installed improperly around an old sedimentation pond. K. Pickren had informed Wood Recycling that this was in violation, but remediation had not taken place. Concerns were expressed as well about runoff and dust.

Pieter Conradie informed the Commission that the sand had been moved back from the pond and the silt fence had been properly installed, digging in six inches. Regarding the silt runoff from the back area, Mr. Conradie suggested that two detention basins be converted into sedimentation basins, rather than constructing a third detention basin closer to the wetland area. The two basins are already connected by a 24 inch pipe. There is loam around the new construction area. Hydroseed was discussed, but K. Pickren agreed it was really too late to do any good. Alternate methods were discussed, such as chopped hay bales.

An area near Barefoot Road is also of concern. Pieter Conradie had spoken with Hamer Clarke and will be drawing up plans to address those concerns. It was agreed that the Commissioners will meet with Mr. Conradie and Hamer Clarke after the plans have been drawn. It was also agreed that K. Pickren and G. Parent would visit the site on November 13th at 10:00 AM.

8. Anthony Pollone, owner of 54 Maria Avenue had called K. Pickren regarding the filling of wetlands at that address to stave off possible flooding of a future basement. He was told that this was not possible. Mr. Pollone, along with Paul Bellerive attended the meeting to receive advice from the Commission. He was told that there is an Order of Conditions on this parcel and that he needs to obtain that Order of Conditions since he says that it is not attached to his deed. The Commission also informed him that engineering plans would be necessary before any determinations could be made.

9. A motion was made by D. Livengood to adjourn at 8:25 PM until the next meeting, which will be held on December 3, 2002. The motion was seconded by G. Parent. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The motion carried, unanimous in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen A. Loin, clerk

MEETING OF September 17, 2002, 6:30 PM, Planning Board Room

PRESENT:
       K. Pickren
       G. Bonneau
       R. Hanson
       G. Parent
       H. Wotton
       D. Livengood
       L. Caouette

ABSENT/EXCUSED: None

1. K. Pickren called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.

2. Regarding a site visit made by all the Commissioners to Wild Aire Farm, owned by Jay DiGregorio, on 9/4/02, a letter was presented by K. Pickren expressing the entire Commission's concerns regarding manure being dumped into wetlands. A copy of the letter is attached to these minutes. The letter was signed by all the Commissioners after the following motion and vote.

A motion was made by L. Caouette to send the letter as written. Seconded by D. Livengood. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

3. A motion was made by L. Caouette and seconded by R. Hanson to accept the Minutes of the meeting of June 11, 2002. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

4. Continuation of Public Hearing - Rizzo Associates for AO

K. Pickren reopened the Public Hearing at 6:45 PM. Present were Mr. B. Rafferty and Mr. D. Brassard of Rizzo Associates, and Mr. David Butler of American Optical.

A letter from the NHESP, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife was circulated which stated that the NHESP has found that the lagoon areas in question are adjacent to the habitat of the Wood Turtle, a state-protected species of "Special Concern." A 50 foot buffer is required to be seeded with a native seed mix and left as a no disturb zone after the grading is completed. Discussion of how this will be accomplished followed, as well as discussion regarding outlet pipes being filled. The Commissioners requested a site visit when the hay bales were installed, prior to construction. They were asked to call either K. Pickren or George P. It was also requested that the Hay Bale and Silt Fence be left until spring.

A motion was made by L. Caouette at 7:00 PM to close the Public Hearing, and seconded by R. Hanson. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

A motion was made by L. Caouette to issue the Standard Order of Conditions. Seconded by G. Parent. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

5. A discussion regarding issuing a Certificate of Compliance for the work done at Russell Harrington which included hazardous remediation and parking lot resurfacing. A site visit was conducted on 9/04/02.

A Motion was made by G. Parent to issue a Certificate of Compliance. Seconded by L. Caouette. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

6. A discussion of upcoming classes for Commissioners was held and brochures were circulated.

7. A discussion was held concerning the Request for Determination of Applicability filed by the Southbridge Department of Public Works regarding work to be done on Route 198. The following motion and vote are based on a lengthy discussion held on 9/04/02 in the Rice Conference Room between the Commissioners and Hamer Clarke of the Southbridge DPW, following his description of the work to be done.

A motion was made by D. Livengood to issue a Positive Determination of Applicability. The motion was seconded by G. Parent. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

8. A discussion was held concerning the Request for Determination of Applicability filed by the Town of Southbridge through the Department of Public Works regarding the land clearing at the State Pool facility and the construction of a playing field. All of the work will be done in the 200 foot buffer zone of Cady Brook.

A motion was made by D. Livengood to issue a Positive Determination of Applicability. The motion was seconded by G. Bonneau. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

9. A photo was taken of the Commissioners for the Town's website.

10. A Motion was made by G. Parent to adjourn until October 8, 2002 at 6:30PM. Seconded by K. Pickren. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor. The time was approximately 8:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen A. Loin, clerk

Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes
June 11, 2002, 6:30 PM, Planning Board Room

Present:
K. Pickren
G. Bonneau
R. Hanson
G. Parent

Absent:
H. Wotton
D. Livengood
L. Caouette

1. K. Pickren called the meeting to order at 6:45 PM.

2. A Motion was made by G. Parent to accept the Minutes of the meeting held on May 14, 2002 and seconded by G. Bonneau. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

3. A short discussion was held concerning the pending Certificate of Compliance for Mr. Kevin Lombardo. Mr. Lombardo has not returned several calls by K. Pickren regarding a site visit to verify replication. K. Pickren has also tried, unsuccessfully, to reach Mr. Lombardo through his attorney. Consensus among the Commissioners was that no Certificate of Compliance should be issued until the site visit can be arranged.

4. Public Hearing - Jalbert Engineering/Edward Paquette, Alpine Drive, Map 133, Lot 1 DEP #291-239

The Notice of Public Hearing was read by K. Pickren and he then opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Paquette briefed the Commissioners concerning the work to be done at this site and discussion followed.

A Motion was made by G. Parent to close the Public Hearing. Seconded by G. Bonneau. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

A Motion was made by G. Parent to issue the standard Order of Conditions with the following additional Conditions:

a. A deed restriction must be obtained stating that wetlands on this property may not be filled in, with a copy sent to the Conservation Commission.

b. Mr. Paquette must secure the performance of replication with a $1500.00 performance bond or Cashier's Check.

Seconded by G. Bonneau. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

5. Public Hearing - Jalbert Engineering/Reardon Builders, Dennison Drive, Map 71, Lot 71D DEP #291-238

R. Hanson read the Notice of Public Hearing and K. Pickren opened the Public Hearing. Present were Mr. Steve Bressette of Jalbert Engineering, and Timothy Reardon of Reardon Builders. Mr. Bressette submitted a revised plan, which was accepted. Discussion of the site followed.

A Motion was made by G. Parent to close the Public Hearing. Seconded by R. Hanson. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

A Motion was made by G. Bonneau to issue the standard Order of Conditions. Seconded by R. Hanson. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

Mr. Manuel Gonzalez of 614 Dennison Drive arrived late to the Public Hearing but did not make his presence clearly known until after the Pubic Hearing was closed.

K. Pickren reviewed the proposed site work with Mr. Gonzalez and referred him to Jalbert Engineering as his concerns were not within the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission.

6. Public Hearing - Para Land Surveying /XTABI Ashland Avenue

G. Parent read the Notice of Public Hearing and K. Pickren then opened the Public Hearing. Present were Mr. Rick Para of Para Land Surveying and Mr. Larry LeBoeuf of XTABI. Mr. Para briefed the Commission on the work to be done which consists of installing a culvert to discharge stormwater from a proposed building site. Discussion of the site followed. The Commissioners were concerned about leakage from full dumpsters on the property as well as the possibility of spillover from a current holding basin. Mr. Para outlined the manner in which such spillover would run should it occur.

A Motion was made by R. Hanson to close the Public Hearing. Seconded by G. Parent. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

A Motion was made by R. Hanson to issue the standard Order of Conditions. Seconded by G. Parent. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

7. A Motion was made by G. Parent to adjourn until July 2, 2002 at 6:30PM. Seconded by K. Pickren. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor. The time was approximately 8:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen A. Loin, clerk

CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES

MEETING OF April 9, 2002, 6:30 PM, Planning Board Room

PRESENT:
       G. Bonneau
       L. Caouette
       R. Hanson
       G. Parent
       K. Pickren
       H. Wotton (during Item 3.)

ABSENT/EXCUSED: D. Livengood

1. K. Pickren called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.

2. MOTION: by L. Caouette to accept the minutes of the March 14, 2002 meeting with the following additions:

Item 2., Paragraph 1, Line 7, add:

The proposed new work includes the addition of footings in McKinstry Brook for a temporary gas line. The Commissioners were shown on the plan where the footings are to be located.

Item 2., add new Paragraph 3:

The plans were then initialed. Seconded by R. Hanson. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

3. Town of Southbridge Industrial Park Access Road Changes

Present were Gene Crouch of VHB and Hamer Clarke, DPW Director to describe proposed changes to the industrial park access road and to determine if the proposed design changes would qualify as 1) a modification, or 2) an amendment requiring an additional public hearing.

Gene Crouch explained that the in coordinating the proposed project with the Evironmental Protection Agency, the Army Corps of Engineers required changes in the roadway design. Specifically, the Corps wanted to follow the present alignment of the road near the landfill as much as possible in order to avoid Wetland B, a valuable wetland. Crouch noted that this would create an "S" curve and is not good road design, but as it is what is required to be approved by the Army Corps the Town will agree to the design changes. He also noted that the mitigation for Wetland A will now be adjacent to the Wetland A itself.

H. Clarke noted that the Town and VHB have kept the Natural Heritage program apprised of all potential design changes, adding that the final design for the salamander crossing will not be given until all permits have been received.

In response to a question by K. Pickren regarding the number of feet of proposed replication, Crouch provided the number 20,000 feet. The Commission and Crouch discussed possible areas for increased additional replications. G. Crouch agreed to look into another area, though the proposed ratio of disturbed wetlands to replicated wetlands is still more than one to one.

MOTION: by G. Parent to approve the design change proposed as a reaction to the environmental permitting process as a modification, or field change, not requiring a public hearing. Seconded by R. Hanson. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

4. 6:45 PM - Public Hearing - Bertin Engineering for Joseph Marinelli, 59 Beecher Street

Present were Mike Loin of Bertin Engineering and Joseph Marinelli.

Commissioner H. Wotton enters.

K. Pickren read the Notice of Public Hearing and declared the public hearing open. J. Marinelli will bring the green return receipt cards to the Clerk at Town Hall. A check for advertising will follow. K. Pickren invited the Petitioners to step forward to describe their plan.

M. Loin stepped forward and presented a plan to repair damages from Cohasse Brook flooding to the back section of a barn on his property at 59 Beecher Street. The Town has worked on a sluiceway to correct some flooding problems, and Mr. Marinelli wants to raise the building to prevent any further flooding. Mr. Loin and the Commission discussed the unique, proposed stormwater measures the plan includes, including raising of grade, and strapping silt fencing to a fence stretched across the building. It was noted there is no place to put haybales. A suggestion was made to place tubes of sand along the bottom of the bridge to hold the silt fence to bridge. Mr. Marinelli agreed to pave the area between the building and the bridge. Mr. Loin noted this on the plan.

MOTION: by G. Parent to close the Public Hearing. Seconded by R. Hanson. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

MOTION: by G. Parent to issue the standard order of conditions with an additional condition #39: The catch basin between the building and Cohasse Brook will be inspected two times per year and cleaned if needed.

Seconded by L. Caouette. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor. The Commissioners signed the Order of Conditions.

5. 7:15 PM - Public Hearing - Paquette Builders

Present was Ed Paquette of Paquette Builders. He surrendered the green return receipt cards and will bring a check for advertising to the Clerk.

H. Wotton read the Notice of Public Hearing and K. Pickren declared the Public Hearing open. He invited the Petitioner to step forward to describe his plan.

E. Paquette stepped forward and presented a plan for a single family house on Alpine Drive. The proposed house is about fifteen feet from wetlands, and a roadway over the wetlands will be required to place a driveway and access to the house. The displacement is 1,075 square feet and the proposed replication is 1,350 square feet.

K. Pickren asked how salt and oil from the driveway would be prevented from seeping into the wetlands. Mr. Paquette responded that geo-textile fabric is proposed to be wrapped around boulders which will hold the roadway in place. The drive will be gravel rather than blacktop. The proposed driveway was discussed at length.

Lauren Gatzke, Alpine Drive, noted that the lot abuts her property. She expressed concern that the wetland already gets high and flushes into her property. She is concerned about the impact additional construction will have upon the wetland levels, adding that it will probably flood her driveway as well as disturb the wildlife there.

Matt, Alpine Drive, asked who will be responsible if water comes over the road. E. Paquette noted that Ms. Gatzke and Mr. have already interfered with the normal flow into the culvert when they built their septic system.

K. Pickren noted that the Commission will be unable to close the Public Hearing because input from the Department of Public Works is wanted. The roadway and proposed wetland crossway are juxtaposed to the road. He also noted he will ask Town Manager Mike Coughlin if a bond for the replication can be required.

The Public Hearing was continued to Tuesday, May 14, 2002 at 6:45 PM.

6. 7:30 PM - Public Hearing -

7. Request for Determination of Applicability - St. George�s Church

8. Para Land Surveying - Hunters� Ridge Subdivision changes

9. Request for Determination of Applicability - McKinstry Wildlife Area

10. MOTION: by B. Bonneau to adjourn to Tuesday, May 14, 2002 at 6:30 PM. Seconded by L. Caouette. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor. The time was 8:40 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Cassandra M. Acly, Clerk

CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES MEETING OF March 14, 2002, 6:00 PM, Planning Board Room

PRESENT:
       G. Bonneau
       L. Caouette
       G. Parent
       K. Pickren
       H. Wotton

ABSENT/EXCUSED: R. Hanson, D. Livengood

1. K. Pickren called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.

2. MA Highway - Route 131 Improvements

Present was Ben Tully of Tully Construction to describe work on the Pleasant Street Bridge he has been contracted to perform as part of the MA Highway Improvements project. He described the process of demolishing the existing bridge and rebuilding, the stream conditions he has noted, precautions he will take to prevent damage to McKinstry Brook, traffic plan while the bridge is being re-built, and the time frame. A target date of March 25 has been set to begin the work. A site visit has taken place.

MOTION: by G. Parent to approve the demolition and rebuilding of the Pleasant Street Bridge. Seconded by H. Wotton. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor.

3. MOTION: by G. Parent to adjourn to Tuesday, April 9, 2002 at 6:30 PM. Seconded by L. Caouette. A vote was taken by a show of hands. The Motion carried, unanimous in favor. The time was 6:50 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Cassandra M. Acly, Clerk

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