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HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Comm. 02/26/2024Townof Mansfield 6 Park Jow, A4ansfieGl, Afassachusells 02048 RECEIVED Conservation Commiftlg& CI_FRIKS OFFICE Aaron Gallagher, Ms. Kate lyn Gonyer, Conservation and Environmental PYaihii4' sl' I ILO Not Present: Mr. Jonathan Hedlund and Mr. Ryan O'Hara I' l ` I!i 1S). TT r Guests: Mr. Aldan Coleman, Eagle Scout, Ms. Sally Fehervari, Open Space Committee, Ms. Lorrie Renker, Mansfield Historical Society, Mr. Joshua Millonig, Landscape Architect, Weston & Sampson, and Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Edward Donoghue Minutes: Sharon Varricchione 1. Call the Meeting to Order: Mr. Michael Healey, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:32pm. 2. _Eagle Scout: Aldan Coleman Ms. Gonyer introduced Mr. Coleman as the 131h Eagle Scout to do an Eagle Scout project with the Conservation Department. Mr. Coleman gave a brief presentation about his project, including getting approval from the District Committee to do the project and working with Ms. Gonyerto assess the Yellow and Green Trails before the project began, His Troop 51, met two times at Corporal Hardy in November 2023 to clear the overgrowth in the Yellow and Green Trails, they re-blazed/put up trail markers as needed, installed anew waypoint numbering system and located the Yellow Trail waypoints using ArcGIS field maps (GPS). Ms. Gonyer stated they did a great job and said it was a pleasure to work with Mr. Coleman. Mr. Healey thanked Mr. Coleman and his Troop 51 for all their work and especially liked embracing the new GPS technology so you can be easily located if you are out there. Mr. Paten asked how to access Waypoints and Ms. Gonyer stated that it's an app called field maps under an Arc Map license under the Town account and we will incorporate these GIS points into our trail maps so everyone including Police & Fire will have these maps with the points which is a great safety point and also for people who are walking the trails, they can use the points to describe where they are. She then stated that these trail maps would be public this year as it is a spring project for her. 3 The Canoe River Heritage Trail: Ms. Fehervari and Ms. Renker from the Historical Society gave the Commission an update regarding the work completed in researching the Ephraim Leonard Cemetery and the Canoe River Heritage Trail which leads to the cemetery in East Mansfield. They submitted a grant application in 2023 to the Non -Profit Gift Fund (NPGF) for a granite and chained fencing/installation for $28,000. The NPGF asked that they get the Select Board approval first and in order to do that, they are asking for a letter of support from the Conservation Commission. Since 2021 the trail has been cleared with the help of volunteers and the cemetery area has been professionally scanned with a ground penetrating radar and Hutchins -Trowbridge Associates surveyed the Mill Street entrance. Ms. Fehervari and Ms. Renker spoke about the headstones, Ephraim Leonard, Judith Perkins, Melatiah Fisher Ware and Anna Clap Woodworth Ruggles that were protected and located within the current fencing. They believe two others are buried there, Charles Leonard and Johnathan Ware. Based upon their research it's suggested that others are buried there too. The radar testing done in 2021 was inconclusive as the soil was sandy and there probably wasn't a casket. They believe the additional enslaved were buried outside the fence and not protected. They also noted that the current fence is not in good condition. The granite and chain they are suggesting will be larger and should hold up better. They noted that they will be fundraising to cover the cost in addition to the NPGT money. Ms. Gonyer reiterated their request which was to have a letter of support from the Commission to write a recommendation letter in support of the NPGF grant application. She then mentioned the strong granite and chain fencing would be good as they do deal with fallen trees a lot. The color contrast would be more visible for any oncoming traffic including dirt bikes and the area would be well protected. Mr. 'Healey agreed to the project to have the area protected. Ms. Gonyer stated that once they show that this area is protected that they may get approval for the other projects leading to this including parking. Ms. Renker mentioned adding GPS tracking and Ms. Gonyer agreed it would be a good idea. Mr. MacDonald stated the granite and rod iron was an excellent touch and added that the Leonard family comes from a family of iron workers. Mr. Paten asked what the ground penetrating radar show outside the fenced in area? Ms. Renker said the results were inconclusive but there were disturbances outside the fenced in area. Ms. Fehervari stated that the report showed subsurface anomalies and that she would share it with the Commission. Motion: To establish a letter for the Canoe River Heritage Trail as presented by Ms. Fehervari and Ms. Renker Passes: 5:0 (MacDonald /Gallagher) 8:05pm 4 Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA): Town of Mansfield, Mansfield High School, 245 East St (Map 32 Parcel 33) proposes the renovation and resurfacing of an existing rubber surface running track and synthetic turf athletic field with additional improvements within the 100-foot buffer zone of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland. Ms. Gonyer stated that at the last meeting they discussed the replacing of the artificial track and field and that a portion of this work was in our jurisdiction. Questions came up regarding any chemical constituents that could leech into the service waters so the Commission did ask for some additional information. She then stated that she, Mr. Healey and Mr. Millonig, from Weston & Weston had a great meeting and he was able to provide additional industrial testing information and the testing provided of the turf/track they would be using. Mr. Millonig then stated that he shared a memo with the Commission that discussed Weston & Sampson's back research and that the PFAS compounds that they have tested showed no significant health risks to field users or the environment. He then stated that the materials they use are frequently updated to stay current with the best available technology and PFAS science. He gave a quick summary of the project and mentioned that they will use the current drainage system that leads to the wetlands and that they are also improving the habitat and vegetation by replacing gravel located by the entrance that now will be outside the gate with seed mix and 3 maple trees. Ms. Gonyer recommended that the slope mowing be discontinued and to add additional planting and said she would help with that. Mr. Donoghue agreed to her recommendation. Mr. Healey talked about the sample results and that they were pretty good as PFAS was really undetected. Mr. MacDonald thanked Mr. Millonig for the reporting. Ms. Gonyer asked that Mr. Millonig share the turf testing results of the actual turf they use and he agreed that that was part of the process. Motion: To issue a negative determination to the Town of Mansfield, Mansfield High School, 245 East St (Map 32 Parcel 33) proposes the renovation and resurfacing of an existing rubber surface running track and synthetic turf athletic field with additional improvements within the 100-foot buffer zone of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland with the following conditions: • Inspection of erosion control • Agent notification of start and completion of project • All additional documents regarding industry standards and test protocols are to be included with the record • Submission of any testing results of the turf samples • Addition of conservation seed mix around the detention base for the purpose of minimizing mowing • Conservation agent to review onsite Passes: 5:0 (Roth/Paten) 8:30pm Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA): MASSDOT/Town of Mansfield/VHB- Proposing roadway reconstruction along School Street from Spring Street to West Street with portions of work within the 100-foot buffer zone of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland and 100-foot buffer of inland bank. Ms. Gonyer recommended to continue this hearing as they did not have a 100% plan from MASSDOT. She also said she will be meeting with DPW to see if they should keep on continuing the meeting or if they should table for a while. Motion: To issue a continuance for the Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA): MASSDOT/Town of Mansfield to our next meeting. Passes: 5:0 (MacDonald/Paten) 8:34pm 6 Notice of Intent (N01): AJ, Vertical Bridge Development LLC, 300 Branch Street, Map 32 Parcel 9, proposes the construction of a telecommunications facility, associated utilities and stormwater management features within Bordering Vegetated Wetlands (BVW) Inland Bank of an Intermittent Stream, and the 100 ft buffer zone. Ms. Gonyer stated that she was not able to get onsite, Mr. Alves our Town Engineer was not able to review the stormwater and in speaking with the consultant they had decided to continue the meeting to the next hearing. This way they can have time to review and share their findings with the Commission. Mr. MacDonald asked if this has come up before and she said it did. He then asked what the process was and would it need to be seen by planning first. She said it depends and it usually goes through the most constraining process first. In this case we are the most constraining part and they need to get our approval first before they move forward. Mr. Healey mentioned that they are scheduling a site visit next week and the rest of the Commission can attend, she will invite them. Ms. Gonyer also stated that if they come they can not deliberate on site as that would be against open meeting law and that they can only ask questions to the consultant. Motion: to issue a continuance for AJ, Vertical Bridge Development LLC, 300 Branch Street, Map 32 Parcel 9 to our next scheduled hearing. Passes: 5:0 (Gallagher/Roth) 8:39pm 7 Administrative items: January 2024 minutes Motion: To accept the meeting minutes 1.29.2024 Passes: 4:0:1 (Gallagher/Paten) 8:40pm Conservation Updates • Revised Meeting Schedule: we will be removing the 5/20/24 and 6/24/24 meeting will be putting in a 6/10/24 meeting due to a few things including the Open Space Steering Committee Public Meeting and she will be away for part of June. • MACC Conference at Holy Cross: Ms. Gonyer mentioned that she would be going to the MACC conference where she will be networking and she will give the Commission a review of the conference. • Next meeting: 3/25/24 at 6pm • 300 Branch Street, Onsite visit: she will inform the Commission when this is schedule • Open Space Plan: Mr. MacDonald asked if they will have an opportunity as a Commission to add their input. Ms. Gonyer said the Open Space Committee is an advisory committee to the Conservation Commission and they are currently working with a technical two-year assistance grant with SRPEDD. They will also be getting all new maps and community input. It will be reviewed and approved by the Conservation Commission and the Select Board and then if the State accepts it then we have an active open space plan which will put us in a pool for many grant opportunities. Mr. MacDonald inquired when the Committee met. Ms. Gonyer stated they have a steering committee meeting every other month and will also have two public workshops that she will let the Commission know about. Mr. MacDonald was not opposed to being a Conservation Commission representative on the Open Space Committee as he does have some ideas but would need the dates and time. Ms. Gonyer stated the public meeting will be held on 5/13/24 in the library. • 1/29/24 Permits: Ms. Gonyer mentioned that Ms. Varricchione was able to get all the permits out from the last meeting and that we are doing them electronically through eDEP. 4. Adjournment: Motion: To close the meeting at 8:47pm. Passes: 5:0 (Paten/MacDonald) Date