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HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Minutes 3/8/1993MANSFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1993 -- PAGE 1 11n.1 I n Members Present: Chairman Cauldwell, Commissioners Cormier, Forbes, _,. Powers, Owens, Smith 4` lI ,e meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. MINUTES: MOTION: To approve i�urvtes as discussed. (Powers - 89Sea�. ,-; all in favor; Cauldwell abst.) VOTED GREAT WOODS: Great Woods issues will be discussed at the March 29 meeting. Lenny Flynn has offered to bring new commissioners up to speed on land holdings /history etc. [Comm. Forbes arrived.] DISCUSSION WITH H. FULLER, EAST COAST DEVT. Two issues: (1) correspondence received from Mr. Fuller requesting release of lot 26 Austin Farms from overall subdivision order as well as from the individual order. (2) East Coast is approaching the 50% threshold specified by the Orders for completion of drainage etc, before release of additional lots. Mr. Fuller asked what he needs to do to get additional lots released, given that full completion including seeding is impractical at this time of year. Comm. Forbes wants assurances that it looks better than when she saw it last. In response to questioning by Comm. Powers, Mr. Fuller responded that four or five lots will be up for releases before loaming /seeding etc. can be completed in detention area. Comm. Powers looked at the site earlier this evening with Comm. Cormier. They had questions regarding the center section of the project, which is obviously nowhere near grade level. Mr. Fuller responded that the site will be built according to the original plans approved. Comm. Powers called to Mr. Fuller's attention the northerly side of Tracey Circle, between lots 19 and 20, which now has a path - in the wetlands - that wasn't there during site walk and which connects through to the Treetops subdivision. Mr. Fuller answered that East Coast has not done work in the wetlands there, and will have to check it out. It was also noted that washout areas between lots 12 and 13 need checking as they seem to have gotten worse. Comm. Powers has concerns about releasing lots in excess of the 50% threshold without seeing an agreement about what is the next step so everyone clearly understands what will be done if additional lots are released. Comm. Owens reminded the commission that any request to go beyond the threshold is premature; he stated that the Order of Conditions is clear about the desire of the commission to have work done before the second half of the lots are built. Everything possible that can be done must be done before requesting that the commission make exceptions to its conditions. Chairman Cauldwell, in summarizing the commission's concerns, noted potential and actual erosion problems on the site, the need for a plan /timetable for getting work done, including improving the "gullied" area on lot 12, the need for the siltation controls, etc. to be properly in place, and the need for a schedule detailing when loaming and seeding will be done, sideslopes stabilized, etc. MANSFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1993 -- PAGE 2 MOTION: To issue a partial 'release from SE211 -144 for lots 26 and 36. (Powers - Forbes; all in favor; Smith, Cormier abst.) VOTED MOTION: To release lot 26 from SE211 -401. (Powers - Forbes; all in favor, Cormier, Smith, Owens abst. VOTED WETLANDS PROTECTION ACT HEARING - SE211 -415 Whatmough Corp. - -14 Fieldstone Drive, lot 31-- Single family dwelling, utilities, grading within 100 ft. of wetlands Applicant Wayne Whatmough, was present. Plan done by RIM showing perimeter of lot, services, existing and proposed contours, and hay bale line. Commissioners have have seen the lot and have no questions. MOTION: To close the hearing. (Powers - Forbes; all in favor) VOTED WETLANDS PROTECTION ACT HEARING - SE211 -414 Mansfield Little League- -275 Otis St. -- Constriction of gravel parking area and associated grading within 100 feet. of wetlands Brent Bonnyman, President of-the Mansfield Little League, was present, as were many members of the public. Mr. Bonnyman reiterated that the first fields were constructed in 84 or 85, and four of the proposed-fields have been built so far. The Little League is proposing to build a major league field (the fifth) and to formalize the parking area. As originally drawn, 274 parking spaces were proposed; that number was reduced to 229 and then to 176, after the most recent site walk 05 parking spaces closest to pond and another 8 spaces in the back of the property near cart path into the woods were eliminated). Plan revised 1 -18 -93 and marked up by Mr. Bonneyman. A new plan will be submitted. Comm. Forbes was satisfied by the reduction of the parking spaces. Parking surface will be gravel and stone dust. Comm. Powers asked to see on the plan some long parking spaces because of the boat ramp; these will be included on the final plan. Dick Sheehan, 355 Otis St., presented a petition, signed by 40 residents and stating opposition to the proposed 229 -space parking lot configuration within buffer zone. He requested further reduction, to 120 spaces, all outside of the buffer zone. Mr. Bonnyman reviewed the numbers: 11 or 12 to 15 players per team, two teams per field, eventually six fields. Francis Annese, 270 Gilbert, questioned the location of permanent structures on the property and believes this was not the intent of the town when the original vote was taken regarding the use of this land. Joe McCarthy, 18 Plantingfield Road, wished to remind the commission and the townspeople that the Mansfield Little League fully funds itself, maintains fields itself, and is attempting to provide opportunities to an ever - growing population of young people. Jane Sheehan, 600 S. Main, was on the commission when the first lease agreement was drawn up and recalled that the Commission felt it MANSFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1993 -- PAGE 3 was okay to put up the structure, though with reservations about vandalism. Her only reservation about creating a parking area is that once an area is gravel, there's no use for it except for parking. She indicated a preference for keeping anything alongside of the pond and cart path as natural as possible; according to the newest plan, it will be. Carl Unit, 280 Otis St., expressed his concerns about traffic and was told that the traffic issue did not fall within the confines of the present Wetlands Protection Act hearing. Iris Unit also expressed concerns about dust and traffic on weekends. John Anderson, 270 Otis, asked about where the gate would be moved (further back towards the boat ramp). Keith MacPherson, 239 Otis St., asked why the gate is being relocated; Mr. Bonnyman responded that it was because of the Sheehans' and others' concerns about access. The gate is under LL control during the season, and in off- season is under commission control. Paull O'Neill, 294 Gilbert St., asked that parking areas be reduced further and commented that he has never seen over 100 cars there. He asked that the 100 ft. buffer be kept clear because of potential leakage from cars, and reminded the commisison of potential and actual wells in the area. He reminded the commission that it controls this property and has responsibilities outside the Wetlands Act. Dr. Risa Sheehan, Otis St., cited community responses from Open Space Plan of 1988, expressing concerns about lack of passive recreation space; she felt it is inappropriate for the Conservation Commission to designate an area for a gravel parking area. The residents present were invited to reviewed the plan. Sue McMann, 399 Gilbert St., rides horses; only access is across baseball fields; she was concerned about access over gravel. Mr. Annese was also concerned about potential town well. Impact of parking areas should be considered. Comm. Powers noted that these plans have been seen by the water dept. as part of the site review process. John O'Leary, 291 Gilbert St. stated that one gallon of oil will pollute almost 2 112 million gallons of water. Mr. O'Leary asked who will ultimately be responsible or dealing with leakage of oil, gas, etc. from cars through the gravel. John Anderson asked whether the number of bathrooms will be increased (currently no plans to do so ). Dr. (Mr.) Sheehan. Currently people are parking where the proposed field is. If parking is not allowed within buffer zone, the only parking may be where the last field is proposed. He asked why that area could be used for parking now, since last field isn't proposed to be built yet. Mr. Ronnyman answered that the Little League would like to do site work for practice field in that area. Drina Annese, Gilbert St. urged the Commission to keep the area in as natural a state as possible. Dr. Risa Sheehan stated that if there are permanent structures, the area should be turned over to the recreation dept. Dick conveyed Comm. Sadowski's concerns: (1) parking; (2) runoff from field into pond; these concerns were expressed before the last MANSFIELD CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1993 -- PAGE 4 revision of the plans. Rose Bryant, 170 Otis St., asked whom she should address about traffic concerns and was referred to the Board of Selectmen (as 'road commissioners). MOTION: To continue the hearing to 8:45 on 3- 22 -93. (Owen - Cormier; all in favor) VOTED . [Comm. Cormier left the meeting.3 DISCUSSION WITH D. MANOOGIAN RE MANSFIELD OIL David Manoogian and Tom MacDonald present (re SE211- 335A). There have been extensive conversations with town officials. Mr. Manoogian wished to ascertain the Commission's procedures and requirements, so a site plan can be approved for conservation purposes, before zoning /planning approvals are sought. Town Counsel Mangiarotti agreed with this procedure. Mr. Manoogian would like to handle the changes necessary in the Orders through correspondence. The concern is that the commission's paperwork (O'rde'rs) should be changed to reflect what is in the ground as a result of DEP jurisdiction. New as- builts, description of protective devices, manufacturer's documentation, etc. will be submitted by correspondence, and the commission will then decide what administrative procedures to follow. [Comm. Owens left.] SCHOOL ST. Dick spoke with Carl Nelson and proposes to schedule time on the 3 -22. He suggested meet at 7:00, with Mr. Nelson scheduled at 7:15. SE211 -415. MOTION: To issue the Orders as written. (Powers - Forbes; all in favor) VOTED Dick Lewis will be meeting on Thursday with Lenny Flynn and Norton land people re land acquisition plans in Great Woods. Land Management site walk: 3 -20, Maple Park 7:30 a.m. The meeting adjourned at 11:00. 1pf