HomeMy WebLinkAboutCONSERVATION 07122010
Conservation Minutes
July 12, 2010
Present: Joe Mulkern, Chairman; Paul Boyden, Vice Chairman; Colin Cauldwell; Carole
Matthew; Jack Smith; Michele White; Elizabeth Leidhold, Conservation and Environmental
Planner.
Rick Alves, Interim Town Engineer, was present. The RDA was filed for the reconstruction
of West Street from west of the 1-495 overpass to the intersection of Grove and Tremont
Streets. Construction activities will include grinding the existing pavement, preparing the
base material and repaving the roadway to the same elevation as now exists with minor
adjustments for proper drainage. Construction activities will involve the disturbance of up to
4 ft. of the roadway's shoulders; the sidewalk extended from the 1-495 overpass on the
south side will not be altered to the extend possible. Work is adjacent to wetland areas and
crosses an unnamed stream. Resource areas include wetlands and an unnamed stream.
Construction will start next week and the work is being sub-contracted out from DPW.
Construction will be overseen by DPW and Rick Alves.
Elizabeth has no concerns; Rick will call Elizabeth when the erosion controls are in place for
inspection.
Ron Bokleman, 861 West Street, an abutter, told the board he is concerned about the weir
that provides the drainage out of the wetland area. Mr. Bokleman said he spoke with Rick
this evening about the weir; the situation will be monitored for a year to see what happens
with the drainage before any additional changes are made. He asked how the end of
driveways disturbed by the project will be patched. Will they leave an uneven surface when
they regrind and put new tar down or will they abut right up to the driveway? He was
concerned about the quality of his driveway; will there be problems later? He wanted
assurance that the impacts to the driveways would be minimal.
Paul Boyden asked if berms are being proposed for the project. Rick Alves told him berms
will be placed in front of every driveway on West Street that will be impacted by the
proposed project to prevent water from the roadway from entering private property, with
proper sloping to prevent any uneven surface. Mr. Bokleman said he would prefer the
berms not be used if possible.
Rick Alves invited Mr. Bokleman to his office to view the project on the computer to give him
a better perspective of the project. A meeting will be set up.
Paul Boyden made the motion to accept the plan for the reconstruction of West Street, as
per the plan, dated June 30, 2010, and issue a Negative 3 Determination. Neighbors are to
be notified in advance of the proposed work. The applicant is to work with Elizabeth; hay
bales/silt fence are to be inspected prior to any work being done - Elizabeth will determine if
both hay bales and silt fence are needed; berms are to be installed for driveways impacted
by the proposed project.
Colin Cauldwell seconded.
Motion passed 5-0.
Hearing ended at 7:18 pm.
Scott Rolfe, representing Matt Long, the representative, was present. John DesVergnes the
property owner and contractor for the project was also present.
The applicant is proposing to construct a single-family residence along with a driveway,
utilities, septic system and landscaping. The RDA was filed to confirm all the proposed work
is not within the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Town of
Mansfield Wetland Protection By-law. The applicant is seeking concurrence with the board
that the proposed work is not within the jurisdiction of the Conservation and that the work
will have no adverse effects on the resource areas.
A small portion of wetland areas was not verified by Elizabeth. These wetlands are not
applicable to this project.
The septic system has been approved by Scott Leite, the Board of Health Agent.
All work is outside the 100 ft. buffer of bordering vegetated wetlands and no work will occur
in a flood plain. A siltation/hay bale barrier at the limit of work is depicted on the plan.
Because the work is over 100 ft. away from the wetlands, Mr. Rolfe asked if it is necessary
to have both the silt fence and hay bales.
Mr. Rolfe told the board DEP was notified on May 27, 2010 and the abutters were notified
June 1,2010.
Mr. Rolfe told the board the wetlands were delineated on May 24, 2005 and were approved.
The ANRAD has since expired and the wetlands were re-delineated in March of this year.
Elizabeth met with Matt Long last week. She asked that some of the flag locations be
changed; 13-15A are new flags. There were some changes to the locations on the other
two lots; flag 5A and flags 1 B-9B were removed. She concurs with the location of flags 13-
19. These changes have been made on the revised plan.
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Paul Boyden would like the percentage of upland area versus the wetland areas submitted.
He asked about the water table. Mr. Rolfe said the water table is depicted on the sanitary
plans.
Paul Boyden made the motion to accept the plan, "Request for Determination of
Applicability - Lot 1, 10 Saddle Ridge Road" as submitted, plan revised July 7,2010 and
issue a Positive 2A Determination - the boundary delineations of the of the following
resource areas described on the referenced plan are confirmed as accurate. Therefore, the
resource area boundaries confirmed in this Determination are binding as to all decisions
rendered pursuant to the Wetland Protection Act and its regulations regarding such
boundaries for as long as this Determination is valid. Silt fence will be placed at the limit of
work; silt fencing does not have to be dug in. Elizabeth is to be called when silt fence is in
place for inspection. The 50 ft. distance is to be observed for any future work; any work
within 100 ft. of the wetland delineation will require the owner to file with Conservation.
Colin Cauldwell seconded.
Motion passed 5-0.
Scott Rolfe told the board Nick Riccio, Inspector of Buildings & Zoning Enforcement Officer,
has requested a Surveyors Certificate be submitted for Lots 1, 2 & 3 on Saddle Ridge Road
in regards to the water table.
Carole Matthew asked about the lots being in a Rare Species Habitat. She asked if a
Conservation Restriction should be placed on the lots. Scott Rolfe said two (2) letters from
Natural Heritage, dated November 14, 2006 and June 4, 2010, state that the project will not
result in a "take" of state-listed species. She said she was concerned that a buyer of the
property will clear the area; there is nothing to stop the owner from doing additional work.
Colin Cauldwell told her the owners of the property would have to come back before the
board for any further work on the property. Joe Mulkern asked her if she would like signage
placed on the property; she said if there is no conservation restriction placed on the lots,
she would like signage at the 50 ft. line.
Elizabeth said the proposed work is not within our jurisdiction but she suggested that a note
be added to the file that if the owner of the property comes back with another filing, signage
will be required.
Mr. Rolfe asked if the Positive 2a Determination would give the applicant 3 years protection.
He was told yes.
Hearing ended at 7:30 pm.
Scott Rolfe, representing Matt Long, the representative, was present. John DesVergnes the
property owner was also present. The applicant is proposing to construct a single-family
residence along with a driveway, utilities, septic system and landscaping.
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There will be an 8 ft. infringement into the 100 ft. buffer. The infringement is caused by the
Board of Health regulation, requiring the septic system be 10 ft. off the property line. The
septic system will be several hundred feet from the house and a force main connection
pipeline from the house to the septic system will be constructed along the edge of the 100 ft.
buffer zone.
The lot is in a priority habitat of state-listed Endangered Species. Carole Matthew asked for
the name of the person who did the Rare Species survey report; the report was done
October 2006. She said there are 3 species on site. Scott Rolfe said he did not know.
Joe Mulkern asked if in the future they have to repair the septic system, what precautions
would be taken to protect the resource areas. Mr. Rolfe said there is room to access the
individual lots without going on the other properties. He said Lot 1 is more than 100 ft. from
any resource areas and silt fence will be placed at the limit of work on Lots 2 & 3.
Mr. Rolfe told the board Lot 3 will be done first; depending on the housing market, Lots 1 &
2 will be done accordingly.
Colin Cauldwell made the motion to accept the plan, "Request for Determination of
Applicability-Lot 2 Wayside Estates", revised June 11, 2010, for Lot 2, 16 Saddle Ridge
Road, as drawn and issue a Negative 3 Determination. Silt fence will be placed at the limit
of work as shown on the plan and hay bales and silt fence will be placed where the force
main connection pipeline encroaches on the buffer zone. Silt fence/hay bales are to be
inspected by Elizabeth before any work starts.
Paul Boyden seconded.
Motion passed 5-0.
Hearing ended at 745 pm.
5. Request for Determination of Applicability: Wayside Estates, LLC, 24 Saddle Ridge
Road, Lot 3, Map 3, Parcel 217.
Scott Rolfe, representing Matt Long, the representative, was present. John DesVergnes the
property owner was also present.
The applicant is proposing to construct a single-family residence along with a driveway,
utilities, septic system and landscaping. The RDA was filed to confirm all proposed work is
not within the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Town of
Mansfield Wetland Protection By-law.
Lot 3, like Lot 1, is outside the 100 ft. buffer of bordering vegetated wetlands.
The septic system has been approved by Scott Leite, Board of Health Agent.
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Colin Cauldwell made the motion to accept the plan, "Request for Determination of
Applicability-Lot 3, Wayside Estates", revised June 11, 2010, for Lot 3, 24 Saddle Ridge
Road, as drawn and issue a Positive 2a Determination- the boundary delineations of the
following resource areas described on the referenced plan are confirmed as accurate.
Therefore, the resource area boundaries confirmed in this Determination are binding as to
all decisions rendered pursuant to the Wetland Protection Act and its regulations regarding
such boundaries for as long as this Determination is valid.
Paul Boyden seconded.
Motion passed 5-0.
Hearing ended at 7:48 pm.
The hearing was continued from the June 28, 2010.
At the meeting, Paul Boyden suggested that the pool be rotated 900, positioning the pool
lengthwise within the yard and Colin Cauldwell asked that the pool be pulled back a couple
of feet to add more distance between the pool and the wetlands. The board asked Mrs.
Morse to submit a plan with the new location.
The pool was approximately 31 ft. from the wetlands in the original filing. Mrs. Morse told
the board if the pool is rotated, the distance from the wetlands would be 20 ft. Paul Boyden
told Mrs. Morse to leave the pool in the original position.
Mrs. Morse was also asked to submit information on the size of the pool and the type of
filtration system to be used; the filtration system will be a Hayward sand filter and the pool is
15 ft.x30 ft. No deck is proposed. Joe Mulkern asked where the filter will be located. Mrs.
Morse told him it would be located toward the stone wall, away from the wetlands. Mrs.
Morse was told not to drain/backwash toward the wetlands.
Colin Cauldwell said the pool location should be staked out and Mrs. Morse should call
Elizabeth to verify the location. Mrs. Morse said the pool is being delivered tomorrow and
asked if she can have the pool installed? The board said she could as long as Elizabeth
verifies that the pool is at least 31 ft. from the wetlands.
Colin Cauldwell made the motion to accept the plan, "Mortgage Inspection Plan", stamped
received by Conservation June 1, 2010, and issue an Order of Conditions. Special
Conditions include the following: the previous pool location will be loamed and seeded;
applicant is to make sure the pool is at least 31 ft. from the wetlands; the distance from the
pool and wetlands is to be verified by Elizabeth before the installation; double-staked hay
bales shall be installed at the limit of work; the hay bales are to be inspected by Elizabeth
prior to the start of any work.
Paul Boyden seconded.
Motion passed 5-0.
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Hearing ended at 7:58 pm.
7. Notice of Intent: Route 140 School Street LLC - S.R. Weiner and Associates, Inc., 280
School StreeUMansfield Crossing, Map 12, Parcel 17 & 19 - DEP #211-0852.
Hearing continued from June 28,2010.
Ann McMenemy of ERM and Mark Hebertl Senior Property Managerl W/S Developmentl Rt.
140 School Streetl LLC were present.
Ann McMenemy told the board the original Order of Conditions, DEP #211-7041 had expired.
The new Notice of Intent is for the construction of buildings "C" and "H". The building size
and impervious areas are identical to what was previously permitted in 2005. Ann said
basically the new filing is a re-permitting of the first filing.
At the June 28th meetingl Paul Boyden asked that the location of the above-ground
electrical equipment box adjacent to Building "C" be added to the plan. Ann said this has
been done.
The board asked Ann to re-submit plans to include the square footage of the buildings that
had been previously permitted. The plans "C-200" and "C-201"
show the building size. "Note 4" has been added to the plan as well regarding the buildings.
Ann told the board all of the concerns of the Town Engineer have been addressed.
The board was concerned about snow storage; Paul Boyden told Ann McMenemy the areas
proposed for buildings "[I' and "H" had been used for snow storage in previous years. He
asked Ann where the snow would be stored once the buildings were done. Ann said there
is a Snow Storage and Removal Plan in the Operation and Maintenance Plan.
At the June 28th meeting, Jack Smith told Ann a large amount of salt was used during the
past winter; salt usage was to be minimal. Colin Cauldwell told Ann the snow and salt was
allowed to leach into the wetlands. Elizabeth spoke to the Operations and Maintenance
person, AI Rocco1 about the amount of salt used. Mr. Rocco assured Elizabeth a limited
amount of salt was used. Joe and Jack said it was heavily salted. Joe told Ann the board
had trouble getting in touch with someone about the salt usage. The board will be.
watching this winter.
Ann asked that if there were any further problemsl she be called. She told the board she
can address any problems or concerns.
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At the June 28th meeting, Elizabeth asked that a note be added to the plan saying there is
no increase to the impermeable surfaces which could mean changes to the stormwater
calculation
Ann asked if a pre-construction meeting could be set up. She felt the meeting was
important so that Conservation and the applicant were in agreement.
The board asked that the memo from Rick Alves, Interim Town Engineer, dated July 12,
2010, be included as a special condition. A letter from Jeff Stearns of Woodard & Curran,
Inc., dated June 28, 2010, a letter from Mark Hebert, Senior Property Manager, WjS
Development Associates, LLC, dated July 1, 2010 and the original Order of Conditions,
#211-704 are to be attached to the new Order of Conditions. They would also like a list of
all the plans from the first filing. Ann McMenemy said she would send a PDF of the Record
Drawing List. The list will also be attached to the new Order of Conditions.
Ann told the board she will be filing in September for a Certificate of Compliance for the
work completed on the shopping center.
Paul Boyden made the motion to accept the plans, dated June 14, 2010, revision date July
1, 2010, for Mansfield Crossing. When the hay bale line has been established, Elizabeth is
to be called to inspect. The memo from Rick Alves, dated July 12, 2010, the letter from Jeff
Stearns of Woodard & Curran, Inc., dated June 28, 2010, the letter from Mark Hebert,
Senior Property Manager, dated July 1, 2010, and the original Order of Conditions, #211-
704, are to be attached to the new Order of Conditions. The Record Drawing List is to be
attached also.
Colin Cauldwell seconded.
Motion passed 5-0.
Hearing ended at 8:09 pm.
Lisa Conant was present.
The RDA was filed for a 12'x24' above-ground pool within thel00 ft. buffer of bordering
vegetated wetlands. The pool will be over 50 ft, from the wetlands and on the lawn behind
the garage,
Lisa told the board any soil removed during the excavation for the pool will be immediately
moved to the front of the house, to the left of the driveway - an upland portion of the lot.
Elizabeth asked that a notation be included with the Determination of Applicability stating
the wetland delineation was not verified under this filing.
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Mrs. Conant told the board the filtration system will be a sand filter.
Colin Cauldwell made the motion to issued a Negative 3 Determination for 455 Ware Street,
as depicted on the submitted plan, "Ware Street, Lot 1", stamped received by the
Conservation Commission June 29, 2010. All soil removed during excavation is to be moved
to an upland portion of the lot. It will be noted in the Determination that the wetland
delineation was not verified under this filing.
Paul seconded.
Motion passed 5-0.
Hearing ended at 8:15 pm.
9. Request for Determination of Applicability: Mark and Wendy Hachey, 428 Ware Street,
Map 35, Parcel 57.
Mark Hachey was present.
The RDA was filed for the repair of an existing septic system within the 100 ft. buffer of
bordering vegetated wetlands.
Elizabeth said an existing fence will not be removed during the septic replacement and no
shrubs will be removed. She noted that the delineation was not approved under the filing.
She told the board the work will improve existing conditions.
Because of a swale on the other side of the fence, Paul Boyden asked that erosion controls
be installed. Double-staked hay bales will be installed along the south side of the property
along the fence.
Colin Cauldwell made the motion to approve the drawing, "Repair - Sewage Disposal
System, 428 Ware Street", dated June 20, 2010 and a Negative 3, Determination be issued.
Double-staked hay bales are to be installed along the south side of the property along the
fence; it should be noted in the Determination that the wetland delineation was not
approved under the filing.
Carole Matthew seconded.
Motion passed 5-0.
Hearing ended at 8:22 pm.
10. Request for Determination of Applicability: Walter Parker,Mansfield Public School,
Jordan Jackson, 250 East Street.
A resource area violation occurred at the Jordan Jackson School - a trench was being dug
within six feet of a perennial stream. Paul Boyden asked Walter Parker, Director of
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Buildings and Grounds, to install a silt fence/hay bale barrier immediately and to stop all
work. The barrier was installed the next morning.
The RDA was filed for the excavation of 11 pre-fab light pole bases, 18-inches by 4 ft. deep,
along the driveway to the baseball fields. No representative was present.
Colin Cauldwell said a Notice of Intent should have been filed because the work is so close
to a resource area.
Mr. Parker will be called and asked to file a Notice of Intent for the work at the Jordan
Jackson School.
Hearing ended at 8:30 pm.
11. Request for Determination of Applicability: Donna Fitzgerald,
Parcel 412.
The RDA was filed for the removal of an existing 10'xl0'deck and construction of a
lO'x20'deck within the 100 ft. buffer of bordering vegetated wetlands. New footings will be
place in line with existing footings. The new deck will not encroach further on the wetlands.
No representative was present.
Colin Cauldwell made the motion to continue the hearing to July 26, 2010.
Hearing ended at 8:32 pm.
Peter Smith, President of Mansfield Youth Baseball.
The board asked Mr. Smith to the meeting to discuss problems at the Otis Street ball fields
and the contract for the use of the fields.
Paul Boyden told Mr. Smith about illegally parked cars at a tournament this past Saturday.
Cars should not be parked to the left of the driveway. Mr. Smith told Paul the cars normally
are parked on the right side.
A well was dug on the property in April without the board being informed. Mr. Smith said
the town notified Mansfield Youth Baseball (MYB) they did not have a water meter at the
fields - Mr. Smith told the board they have never had one in the past 30 years. He said
they complied with the town's request to install the meter but when they were told the
approximate amount it would cost to water the fields, etc., they decided it would be better
to have an irrigation well put it. He told the board the Board of Health required a permit
and engineering plans needed to be submitted; state regulations required the well be 100 ft.
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from any septic systems and 100 ft. from the pond. Mr. Smith told the board the well is
more than 100 ft. from any septic systems and 300 ft. from the pond. The well will be dug
by a volunteer. Colin asked that the well company submit the data for the pump. He
would like the rate of withdrawal, how many gallons per minute, as well as the well log and
any other technical data regarding the well. Jack Smith asked what the depth of the well
was. Mr. Smith said it was down 15 ft.
As the property owner, Colin Cauldwell said the board should be notified when any work is
being done; any major changes need to be brought before the board - more impervious
material, irrigation systems, etc. Elizabeth asked if this was in the contract; if not, the
contract should be modified.
Paul Boyden asked if Conservation had keys to the gates at the fields. He said Conservation
is responsible for the fields, especially in the off season and the board should have access
to the fields. Mr. Smith said he would make sure the board had keys. He said he has
considered changing the locks when the season ends because of the number of keys
already given out. He said people are dumping trash over the winter months; this year
someone left a large pile of automotive parts. He said it is pretty costly to MYB to go in and
clean up and dispose of the dumped material.
Joe Mulkern suggested Mr. Smith ask for all the keys back and should install a lock box at
the fields. Mr. Smith said to change the locks would cost several thousand dollars, money
needed to maintain equipment, purchase balls, etc. Elizabeth said Conservation should
have the most current key.
In an addendum to the contract, MYB was asked to place boulders to prevent unauthorized
vehicles on the paths and put "Environmentally Sensitive Area" signage on the paths. Paul
Boyden said the boulders are in place but the signage has not been installed. Mr. Smith
said he ordered the signs and they have been installed on the pathway along the pond and
to the right in the back of the complex, following the electrical lines. He put the signs on
trees, 15 ft. above the ground so they would not be vandalized.
Mr. Smith told the board that the sign in the front of the fields was vandalized; it was spray
painted with vulgar drawings and wording. He said the sign has been repainted by his wife,
Julie Smith with the help of volunteers from the Department of Corrections. He said the
volunteers put in over 500 hours painting the sign and landscaping the area around the sign.
He said the volunteers are part of a very successful program and asked if the Commission
would like the contact person at the Department of Corrections.
Paul asked Mr. Smith if the organization is known as Mansfield Youth Baseball or Mansfield
Little League. Mr. Smith said it goes by both names but Mansfield Youth Baseball it the
official name. Paul asked that #20 of the contract state that "Mansfield Youth Baseball is
also known as Mansfield Little League". He also asked that #18 be revised to read "for off
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season inspections". #19 should be revised to read "A Conservation Commission member
will be assigned the responsibility for opening and closing the fields each year.
Mr. Smith told the board that each spring MYB has a "Field Day" to clean up the fields for
the season and a "Field Clean up Day" in the fall to close the fields for the winter. The
board asked that he contact Elizabeth with these dates.
Colin Cauldwell asked that the names of at least two (2) contact people from MYB be
included in the contract. He said it is very hard to get in touch with anyone, either through
telephone numbers or e-mail. This information should be updated on a yearly basis.
Mr. Smith was reminded that the contract will have to be signed by MYB and the Recreation
Department.
The changes will be made to the contract from tonight's meeting and as soon as the board
approves the contract, it will go to Bob Mangiaratti, Town Council.
Hearing ended at 8:53 pm.
National Grid: Christina Hoffman, Project Manager, CPESC, ERM, Tim Smith, Massachusetts
Electric Company (MECO) Senior Environmental Specialist for National Grid, were present.
Lou Andrews, President of NRT, was also present because NRT owns several parcels of land
in the areas the poles are to be replaced.
Elizabeth met with Christina a couple of weeks ago. Elizabeth expressed concerns the
board might have about the project; she thought National Grid should submit a Notice of
Intent because of the work to be done in resource areas. National Grid submitted a letter
dated July 7, 2010 describing the project and how the resource areas would be protected.
Christina told the board National Grid plans to replace the existing poles and wires of
transmission lines 2288 and 2278. New poles will be placed in the same location as the old
poles or the poles will be cut and a new hole dug beside the old location for the new poles.
In areas where there are wetlands, National Grid proposed to use swamp mats. The mats
will be laid on top of the wetlands to gain access to each pole.
The southern portion of the project will be accessed from Oak Street and run to Route 495.
Work in this area will be within the buffer zone and/or wetlands along 3.6 miles of an
existing right-of-way. The wetlands south of Route 495 are mostly located within Great
Woods Conservation Area.
From Route 495, the project will circle around to Mansfield Crossing - no poles will be
modified in this area - to Day Avenue. This section is transmission line 2278.
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A small section of transmission line 2288 runs from Highiand Avenue, thru down town
Mansfield to the Foxborough/Mansfield town line. This small section of the right-of-way
crosses wetlands associated with the Rumford River.
An ERM wetland scientist delineated and flagged the wetlands in November 2009 and in
March 2010. Several large wetland areas, perennial and intermittent streams were flagged
along the right-of-way where work is proposed.
In the file package, figures 2-6 "Wetland Access Areas" show pole locations and where
swamp mats will be installed. Some of the pole locations in the southern portion will be
accessed through the Beagle Club property. Other access points are via upland by Route
495, Day Avenue and Highland Avenue.
Joe Mulkern asked Christina if the project is an upgrade or are the poles being updated; are
they bigger poles to hold more wires or heavier wires or just replacing poles after so many
years. Christina told him the replacement poles and wires will be the same size and height.
Joe asked when the work would be done; what season? Christina said it varies and is
energy driven and dependent upon the allowable outages. She said they do not like to do
the work in peak season - summer or winter time because of the need to shut down the
power. Joe told her spring would not be a good time to do the work. She said the work
would probably begin in late 2010 through 2011.
Colin Cauldwell expressed his concern about the wood preservative used for the poles -
pentachlorophenol, a highly toxic wood preservative. Because the location of the poles is
so close to the wetlands, he was concerned about the chemical migrating off the poles into
the wetlands. It is considered environmentally hazardous. The board would like to know if
the poles are treated with creosote or the pentachlorophenol. Christina said she would
check, but she believes the poles are treated with pentachlorophenol.
Colin asked if the poles would be stock-piled on the National Grid right-of-way or on
Conservation land and asked about erosion controls at the pole sites. Christina said the
poles, new and old, would be stock-piled in the area (in a lay-down area) and the old poles
would be removed as soon as possible. She said hay bales would be place around each
pole to prevent sediment from entering the resource areas. The controls will be removed
when installation is completed and the areas returned to pre-installation conditions.
Colin asked Christina if the right-of-way would be clear-cut as a prelude to the project.
Christina said it has not been decided. She told the board National Grid has an arborist who
will walk the route and decide what needs to come out or what can stay. Colin told her the
last time the trail was cut, the cutting was done in a very wet season and equipment got
stuck. The company doing the clearing looked for an alternative access to the site. They
went on Conservation land and destroyed trails, cut trees and left the downed trees on the
trails, blocking access. He said they had no regard for public land and did a lot of damage.
Tim Smith said the Conservation Commission and/or the agent can go out with the arborist
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and decide what should be cut or remain and how the site will be accessed. Colin said it is
an important piece of property and asked that National Grid do the project in the most
environmentally sensitive way possible.
Christina told the board that the work will be done by excavators or augers. The wires will
probably be done by hand. Tim Smith told the board the poles can be removed two ways;
the poles can be cut off at the base and a hole for the new pole augured beside the old
pole or a machine will go in and remove and old pole, replace it with the new pole in the
same location. He said most commissions prefer the old poles be cut in place and new
poles put beside the old pole. This is the least destructive method. Joe said he preferred
they pull out the old pole and place the new pole in the same location. Jack Smith asked
how many poles would be replaced. Christina said approximately 100 poles will be replaced
from Oak Street to the Foxborough town line.
Elizabeth asked Christina if they have done this work in any other towns. Tim Smith will
get her a list of towns where National Grid has done work. Elizabeth feels these towns
should be contacted to see what their experience has been.
Elizabeth asked if there is a difference in the size of machinery used; is it the same
machinery to pull out and replace the pole or cut off and place the pole in a new hole. Tim
Smith said it is the same. Elizabeth agreed with Joe; the poles should be pulled out and the
new poles put back in the same hole.
Michele White asked about erosion control. Christina said typically it is hay bales and/or silt
fencing. An Environmental Engineer/Inspector is assigned to each job to decide which is
most appropriate for the site. She said usually the hay bales are left in place to degrade.
She asked if the board had a preference. Elizabeth said sometimes hay bale are made with
invasive species. She suggested wattles/socks might be a better way to go. They degrade
very nicely and would not introduce invasive species to the area. Tim Smith agreed. He
said it is better if they are allowed to degrade in place - the swamp mats will be removed
and if hay bales are used and have to be removed, the equipment would have to go back in
for the hay bales.
Christina had a question about the southern portion of the project on Oak Street. She
asked if they could use Conservation land instead of the easement as an access point to
avoid having to remove vegetation/trees in the area. Colin will look at the area in question.
Lou Andrews said the ground is very soft in this area so National Grid would have to be
careful not to damage the area or restore after the project is done. Tim Smith said National
Grid would use plastic swamp mats to distribute the weight of the machinery to minimize
any damage to sensitive areas. Lou asked about the stone walls in the area; they would
have to be restored if damaged. Tim said mats would be placed over the walls. He said
National Grid would take photos before the project started, documenting everything and
restore afterwards if necessary. The board decided the access area on Conservation land
will be considered after Colin has looked at the area.
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Paul Boyden: "Where practical and possible, the poles should be removed completely and
the new pole inserted in the vacant hole." Tim Smith said notes can be put on the plans
that the contractor will have to comply with as to which poles can be pulled out and which
can't.
Colin asked about contact information. Both Tim and Christina can be reached at anytime.
Business cards were given to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was given a copy of the 5-year Vegetation Management Plant - 2009-2013
Hearing ended at 9:30 pm.
Board took a short recess. Meeting continued at 9:36 pm.
Steve McGovern and his son Christopher McGovern of 11 Wayside Drive came to the
meeting to discuss the vernal pools on the Wayside Estates property. Mr. McGovern told
the board his son is very interested in the area. Christopher told the board he has found 2
potential vernal pools on the site. He has taken pictures of the potential vernal pools and
told the board of the many species he has seen in the area.
The board told Christopher to make copies of the pictures and data and send it to Natural
Heritage. He was told to make an appointment with Elizabeth; she can help him file the
necessary paperwork to get the vernal pools certified.
Discussion ended at 9:45 pm.
Elizabeth received an e-mail, July 8th, from Mike Ahern (Lee Anzinheira was cc'd) regarding
the abandoned well in the Great Woods Conservation Area on the Codding property off Oak
Street. He will install heavy-duty fence over the well and will place large boulders on the
edges of the fence to hold it in place. This will address Lenny Flynn's concerns for safety.
He said he will have to access the area with a bob-cat machine with forks to move the
boulders in place and get the fence material on site. He asked if Conservation would
require any special permits or a filing. Elizabeth will ask Mike Ahern to call Colin about the
best way to access the area.
At 9:50, Colin made the motion to go into executive session to discuss legal ramifications
for 23 Lakeview Avenue and to return to Open Session for the sole purpose to adjourn.
Jack Smith seconded. Motion passed 5-0.
ROLL CALL: Joe Mulkern, Chairman, aye; Paul Boyden, Vice Chairman, aye; Jack Smith,
aye; Carole Matthew, aye; Colin Cauldwell, aye; Michele White, aye.
The board returned to regular session at 10: 10 pm.
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Colin Cauldwell made the motion to adjourn at 10:05 pm.
Paul Boyden seconded.
Motion passed 5-0.
NEXT MEETING WILL BE JULY 26, 2010.
CI/l^- ~
Joseph Mulkern, Chairman
/u- I [,-,,]0 If)
Date
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