HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Comm 03/30/2026Town of Mansfield
6 Park Baw, Mansfield, Massachuseas 02048 �o,F
RECEIVEn DAB/.O\5
j CLERICS OFFICE
Conservation Commission Meetin Mi utes 3.30.2026
jolt �g -1 A U 1
Present: Mr. Michael Healey, Chair, Mr. Robert Ma q [d rGallagher, Mr. Ryan O'Hara, Ms.
Laura Konick and Ms. Katelyn Gonyer, Consery t' �q`� ,f � on 91 Planner
�� Lr
Guests: Mr. Matt Donovan, from Benesch repr s fe ed "i�eolis Commuter Services, LLC (Keolis), Mr. Craig
Cygawnoski, RIM Engineering Co., Inc., and Mr. Marcus Baptiste, Southbrook Development, Inc.
Minutes: Ms. Sharon Varricchione
1. Call the Meeting to Order: Mr. Michael Healey opened the meeting at 6:06pm.
2. Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA), Ana Rita Pascoal, to review the wetland boundary and
proposed vegetation management activities along the railroad MBTA right-of-way (ROW) operated by
Keolis Commuter Services (Purple Lines) as part of the renewal of the five-year Vegetation Mansfield Plan
(VMP)
Mr. Matt Donovan, from Benesch represented Keolis and explained that the new VMP plan has not
changedmuch since the Commission last review this VMP. This proposed VMP will be effective from
2026-2030. This VMP has been approved by the State and he noted that there are 103 other towns that
the MBTA Commuter Rail runs through. For every applicable city or Town, an RDA has been filed for this
VMP. Once the RDA is approved the Determination of Applicability (DA) will become a part of the actual
plan. He discussed the vegetation management methodology with one chemical treatment per year and
occasionally they need to mechanically cut back overgrowth in order to keep it a safe operation.
Motion: To issue a Negative Determination for Reason #2 (work is within an area subject to the Act but
will not alter the resource area), #3 (work will not impact resource area) and #5 (work will not impact the
resource under the local Bylaw) to Ana Rita Pascoal, to review the wetland boundary and proposed
vegetation management activities along the railroad MBTA right-of-way (ROW) Operated by Keolis
Commuter Services (Purple Lines) as part of the renewal of the five-year Vegetation Mansfield Plan (VMP)
with the following special Conditions #2, 3, 8,10, 13, 24, and 25.
2. PLAN OF RECORD 13. REVISIONS TO BE REVIEWED
3. LIMIT OF WORK 24. DUMPING OF LAWN CLIPPINGS IS PROHIBITED
8. START WORK NOTIFICATION 25. KNOTWEED POST -CONSTRUCTION
10.PERMIT ON -SITE MANAGEMENT PLAN (if applicable)
Additional Special Condition: Issue Determination of Applicability for Vegetation Mansfield Plan (VMP)
for 5 years
Passes: 5:0 (Gallagher/MacDonald)
3. Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA), Marcus Baptiste, Southbrook Development Inc., 43
Cobb St., for the construction of a single-family dwelling and associated utilities and paved driveway
within 100 feet of the inland bank of Back Bay Brook, an intermittent stream previously approved under
GRAD DEP SE 211-1027.
Ms. Gonyer explained this project was for a Single Family Dwelling(SFD), garage and driveway proposed
on Lot 2 and that the majority of the work is outside the resource area. Mr. Cygawnoski, from RIM
Engineering discussed the existing Town sewer infrastructure and the positions of the man holes. He
added that the lot elevation and grading is similar for Lots 1-4 due to the high ground water to allow for
Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes 3.30.2026 Page 1 of 3
walk out basements. Mr. Cygawnoski added that they will have a water infiltration trench in the back of
the house to help infiltrate the roof runoff by leading the water
Motion: To issue a Negative Determination of Applicability for reason #3 (work will not impact the
resource area) to Marcus Baptiste, Southbrook Development Inc., 43 Cobb St., for the construction of a
single-family dwelling and associated utilities and paved driveway within 100 feet of the inland bank of
Back Bay Brook, an intermittent stream previously approved under ORAD DEP SE 211-1027 with the
following special conditions #2-6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 17, 24, 25:
2. PLAN OF RECORD 10. PERMIT ON -SITE
3. LIMIT OF WORK 11. WETLAND FLAGGING
4. ADDITIONAL MITIGATION 13. REVISIONS TO BE REVIEWED
5. STABILIZATION 17. NO SYNTHETIC CHEMICALS
6. ROOF RUNOFF 24. DUMPING OF LAWN CLIPPINGS IS PROHIBITED
8. START WORK NOTIFICATION. 25. KNOTWEED MANAGEMENT PLAN
Passes: 5:0 (O'Hara/Konick)
4. Notice of Intent (NOI), Marcus Baptists, 35 Cobb St., for the construction of a single-family dwelling and
associated utilities and paved driveway within 100 feet of the inland bank of Back Bay Brook, an
intermittent stream previously approved under ORAD DEP SE 211-1027.
Mr. Cygawnoski stated this Lot 1 is near the Inland Bank of a stream resource area but they were able to
stay out of the 25-foot No Disturb Zone (NDZ) The proposed 10-foot-wide driveway is off of Cobb St to
the east of the stream and to the west of an existing drainage basin. The driveway is located 28 feet from
the closest bank flag. The west side of the driveway will be graded so it slopes towards the existing
drainage easement and not towards the brook.. A berm will be installed on the west side to prevent
runoff from sheet flowing to the stream. To reduce the grading and assist with safety, a retaining wall will
be installed further along the driveway towards the house. Ms. Gonyer recommended adding some sort
of demarcation along the driveway. Mr. Gallagher inquired about the possibility of ashared driveway with
Lot 2 and Mr. Baptiste from Southbrook Development, wanted this Lot to have its own driveway. Mr.
Gallagher suggested a share driveway with Lot 2 so there would be less disturbance near the resource
area. Mr. Baptiste was concerned about limiting parking and the cul-de-sac. Mr. Baptiste suggested to
bump it the driveway a little further to assist with additional parking. Ms. Gallagher suggested adding a
split rail fence to assist with the splitting of the driveway between Lot 1 & 2. Mr. MacDonald offered that
they had a similar situation off of Maple Streetand he nquired about using stones in lieu of a split rail
fence however, Ms. Gonyer stated the size needed would be hard to move and the fence is a nice
aesthetic with less material and animals can still go through the fence. Mr. Gallagher stated that as long as
the driveway was moved, he would be fine. Ms. Gonyer suggested to continue this hearing to the next
meeting so they could view the revised plans.
Motion: To move the hearing for 35 Cobb St., Marcus Baptist to April 271h, 2026.
Passes: 5:0 (MacDonald/Gallagher)
5. New/Old Business
• Enforcement Order Ratification:
120 Forbes Blvd., 130 Forbes Blvd., 505 West Street, 509 West Street, 493 West Street, and
O'Reilly's Tree Experts discussion of new enforcement order regarding unauthorized filling of
Intermittent Stream and disturbance of wetlands resource area and buffer zone.
Ms. Gonyer explained that enforcement orders for these properties were sent on February 17,
2026. She noted that a response was requested of the each of the owners for our April meeting
regarding the ongoing wetland violation. She recommended that the Commissioners reach out to
Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes 3.30.2026 Page 2 of 3
her directly if they had any questions regarding the enforcements and added that this has been
going on since 2022.
Mr. MacDonald had driven by the properties and inquired if the wood chips that located in the
resource area was the main disturbance. Ms. Gonyer explained that the disturbance started with
the filling of an Intermittent Stream, a paved basketball court, a landscaping company and then
the disturbance just continued even though a Stop Work Order was issued. She noted that
additional disturbance continued into the corporation's properties located at 120 and 130 Forbes
Blvd too. She informed the Commissioners that we are working closely with Town Counsel on all
the enforcements regarding how to get these properties restored. Ms. Gonyer added that the 120
and 130 Forbes Blvd corporations were very cooperative and working with the Town. She could
not discuss in more details as the other parties were not present.
Motion: To ratify the Enforcement Orders issued under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection
Act, M.G.L. Chapter 131, Section 40, and the Town of Mansfield Wetlands Bylaw, Chapter 220, for
the property located at 120 Forbes Blvd., 130 Forbes Blvd., 505 West Street, 509 West Street, 493
West Street, and to O'Reilly's Tree Experts for the unauthorized filling of intermittent stream and
disturbance of wetlands resource area and buffer zone, based on the violations documented and
discussed.
Passes: 5/0 (MacDonald/O'Hara)
• November 24, 2025 minutes for review and approval
Motion: To approve the November 24, 2025 minutes.
Passes: 5:0 (O'Hara/MacDonald)
• December 17, 2025 minutes for review and approval
Motion: To approve the December 17, 2025 minutes.
Passes: 5:0 (Gallagher/O'Hara)
• January 30, 2023 Executive Session Meeting Minutes for review and approval
Motion: To approve the January 30, 2023 minutes.
Passes: 3:0:2 (Gallagher/MacDonald)
• February 27, 2023 Executive Session Meeting Minutes for review and approval
Motion: To approve the February 27, 2023 minutes.
Passes: 3:0:2 (Gallagher/MacDonald)
• Fees: Ms. Gonyer will keep this on the agenda. She is working on Fee edits and will give an update
at the next meeting.
• 2026 OSRP Draft Update: was submitted to the state for review. Ms. Gonyer will send the draft to
the Commission once we have addressed the states comments.
• Next Meeting Date: 4/27/26 at 6pm.
• New Town Manager: Mallory Aronstein started on 3/23/26 and Ms. Gonyer will be meeting with
her to discuss the Conservation Department. She stated that it's been a wonderful experience and
she is excited about some of the projects that the Town Manager has recommended.
6. Adjournment:
Motion: To make a motion to adjourn 7:05pm.
Passes: Passes: 5/0 (Gallagher/MacDonald)
Name Date
Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes 3.30.2026 Page 3 of 3