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HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Minutes 8/4/1986MANSFIELD CONSERVATION COMMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 1986 PAGE ONE Members Present: Chairman Sweet, Commissioners Graham, Mandell, O'Neill, Ouellette The meeting was called to order at 7:38. Candidates for the Conservation Agent position were interviewed. All candidates were told that the position would be up to 20 hours per week, including meeting time; that the Commission wanted an agent who would be available to the public and to town officials at regularly scheduled times; that the salary was set by town meeting at $9750; that neither health insurance nor pension plan were available for a half -time position; and that mileage would be reimbursed at $.20 /miles In addition, the Commissioners expressed their hope that the town would soon vote to fund the position full time. Commissioner Ouellette also noted that the joint meeting with the Selectmen, Planning Board, and Board of Health had brought forth a suggestion that the Conservation Agent position might be combined with a zoning inspection position, to create a full time position. TNTERVIEWS Richard Lewis Mr. Lewis was first to be interviewed. He expressed interest in the current relationship between the planning /building /health agents. The Commissioners expressed their hope that having an agent located in Town Hall would promote better coordination among all departments with the Commission. Mr. Lewis has no problems with working into a full time position. He has written grant proposals, and is currently looking at opportunities in consulting and other part time organizations. He has experience working for non - profit organizations. He feels strong in the educational aspects of the position, and doesn't shy away from "battle" either. He feels competent to handle town meeting presentations and has no problem working with cable tv. His experience at reading blueprints and his map skills are limited; he has done some coursework which involved identification of vegetation. Maurice Hall Mr. Hall began by asking whether there was a set protocol for transmitting information between departments. The Commissioner reiterated its position about the value of the liaison role of the Conservation Agent. They explained that they are also eager to fund someone who can search for funds. In answering a question about why Mr. Hall desired this position, he explained that conservation is the direction in which his interests are headed, despite a strong research background and experience with pollution control. Noting the emphasis on marine areas detailed in Mr. Hall's resume, Commissioners wondered why Mansfield interested him. Mr. Hall noted that his concern is for ecosystems, as an ecologist; he also mentioned that he has had hiking and fresh water systems experience. He has had courses in botany, though his familiarity with the wetlands laws is not current. He has no problems with working full time eventually. He likes detail, and considers it important to this position. He has familiarity with maps and surveys, and has experience in writing grant proposals, though he claims no expertise. Writing for the public is acceptable as a minor part of the job, but not as a major component. With regard to cable tv or town meeting presentations, it would be acceptable if he felt that he were the one most qualified to do it. Mr. Hall's questions were on the nature of any water pollution problems in town, landbank programs, inventory of resources, and relationships between developers and the Commission. MANSFIELD CONSERVATION COMUMISSION MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 1986 CORRESPONDENCE MINUTES PAGE TWO The next candidate, Mr. Levenson, call to cancel his interview due to illness; at this point, the Commission went on to review correspondence until the next candidate's appointment. MOTION: To approve payment to secretary for 40 hours from July 7 to August 3. (Grant - Mandell; all in favor) VOTED Mark Audet, Bird Road Mr. Audet, whose hearing continuation had been scheduled for 7 :35, did not show up. Commissioners discussed the best action to take. MOTION: To issue an Enforcement Order including the following stipulations: 1) removal of septic disposal system; 2) removal of fill from wetlands and restoration of wetlands to previous, original condition, and 3) appearance before the Commission to indicate how and when such removal /restoration shall take place and to seek approval for such plans. (MANDELL - O'NEILL; all in favor) VOTED INTERVIEWS Jennifer Graf Ms. Jennifer Graf was the next candidate to be interviewed. She requested additional information about what the job would entail, as well as whether she would have supervision and guidance. She has familiarity with the Wetlands Protection Act, and knows the fine lines about wetlands. She hopes the job will eventually work into full time. She has studied zoning and town planning and finds a zoning inspection position compatible with being Conservation Agent. She has experience from her botany classes in mapping skills; has strong coursework in forestry; has no grant proposal experience; doesn't like writing much but does it well. Joseph Hall Mr. Hall has the advantage of knowing the area well, as a result of his having worked on the forest inventory project for the town. He doesn't feel that he is very familiar with the wetlands laws and regulations, though he has done some mapping of wetlands and has courses about it; he has some experience in reading blueprints. Combining this position with a zoning inspection position would present no problem. He feels that he is "not a strong speaker but could get the message across." He has no grant proposal writing experience. Mr. Richard Phillips, who was to be interviewed this evening, was not available at the time of his interview; he will be contacted at a later date. WETLAND PROTECTION ACT HEARING - File SE211 - 168 Broderick Corporation Plymouth Street and King Arthur Way The hearing re- opened at 10 :27. Mr. Broderick presented additional information on the following points: MANSFIELD CONSERVATION COMMMISSION MINUTES MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 1986 PAGE THREE 1. Contour lines in the sewer area are shown on plans with a revision date of July 28. 2. Flood plain elevations relative to the manhole rim elevations are shown on a map of the plain, with the sewer route scaled on; a second map shows this on a larger scale. 3. The sewer manhole plan shows manholes with a note regarding butyl seals, exterior bituminous coating, and exterior bricking sealing. The unit comes pre -cast; the drawing includes construction details. The whole assembly will be pressure- tested by the town. 4. Hodge's Brook is shown on a revised plan; it was originally shown as a depression, but not as Hodge's Brook. In addition, the detail for its crossing and the order in which the work will be done is shown; it will be pumped during work to prevent any overflow. 5. With regard to access for maintenance, Mr. Broderick has requested permission to place funds in a gift account (per the letter sent by Mr. Broderick to the town engineer, a copy of which has been received by the Commission) to rent equipment sensitive to wetlands, rather than build an access road, in the event of a maintenance condition. The Town Engineer has written a letter to the Town Manager regarding permission for this fund; no copy was sent to the Commission, but Mr. Broderick will forward a copy to the Commssion. It was noted that a copy of this letter should also be forwarded to DEQE. Mr. Broderick's revised plans have been submitted to DEQE. Commissioner Ouellette asked Mr. Broderick whether upland routes which would have avoided going through wetlands had been explored. Mr. Broderick responded that this was the only gravity route possible; any other route would have necessitated a series of pumping stations, which the Town doesn't want. The only other alternative would be the Wading River interceptor, which is many dollars and years away from completion. The owners of Cabot, Cabot and Forbes have given verbal permission for the project. This easement does not restrict use to Camelot Estates, but their condition is that it be used for only 33 homes. The trenching will be variable, from three to nine feet. Material will be replaced in the same order as it was removed. Commissioner Sweet noted that some indication of that should be made on the plan so the contractor does in fact do that. Questions were raised regarding movement of the groundwater flowing through the washed stone on which the pipe will be laid. Clay barriers would be possible, Mr. Broderick indicated, at every manhole (every 300 -330 feet). This would diffuse water and minimize transport. The Army Corpos of Engineers have no problem with the plan; this project comes under one of the 26 nationwide permits. Mr. Wieczorek expressed concern with drainage all along the pipe, not just in the area covered by this project. Mr. Broderick mentioned that additional barriers could be installed. Commissioner Ouellette continued to have some questions regarding some of the wetlands included in this project being used as compensation area for Camelot Estates, These concerns, as well as re- vegetation of the area, will be discussed during an on -site inspection by the Commissioners, to be held on Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. on August 6, beginning at Plymouth St. The hearing was closed at 11 :30 p.m. MANSFIELD CONSERVATION COMM14ISSION MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 1986 MINUTES PAGE FOUR REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF CONDITION NO. 5, FILE SE211 -138 Mr. Broderick submitted a letter requesting release from Condition No. 5 of the Order of Conditions for Camelot Estates, stating that no houses can be built until the specified work was done. The system has now been completed. I5V"-W;.�J -4rkFD l Mr. Franey came before the Commission in an attempt to resolve the problem of water draining onto his land, before going to court. Commissioners noted that the culvert in question has been there for approximately 50 years, and was placed there to handle road water. An enforcement order was issued to Mr. Franey in response to his having dammed the culvert and thus affecting wetlands without coming before the Commission. Mr. Franey was asked if he had a suitable resolution to propose. Mr. Franey's proposed solution of a ditch on the other side of the road from his property does not fall within the Conservation Commission's jurisdiction. Commissioner Ouellette reiterated her belief that as soon as the town had unblocked the culvert, which it has the right to do, water would have flowed onto Mr. Franey's land even if the Church had done no construction at all. Chairman Sweet halted discussion at 11 :52. NOTION: To approve the Enforcement Order issued by individual Con ervation Commissioners to M. Franey. (ODKLETTE - O'NEILL; Sweet abstaining) VOTED ORDER OF CONDITIONS - File SE211 - 167 John Moynihan and Louis Zuliani, Forbes Boulevard - sewer project 1. Work shall be done per plan with revision date of June 27, 1986, 2. The sign required by General Condition 9 shall be visible from and next to the road. No work shall be done until the sign is posted. ERICK ROAD - File SE211 -158 The Crow Pond meeting held on July 21, as well as a site walk with DEQE officials (Joel Hartley) resulted in evidence of the existence of a pond of approximately 44,000 square feet. Ms. Pietrafetta produced an aerial photograph dated 1980, from Cartographic Services Research Institute of University of Massachusetts which has been given to Gary Nakuch of DEQE. People who gave evidence of the pond's existence have been asked to submit affadavits. Mr. Makuch's advice was to, at minimum, issue an Enforcement Order to remove fill from the left corner of the property and also to the right of the retaining wall, where a stream has been filled without filing with the Commission or the Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. Nakuch indicated that the 146 foot contour lines probably represent the original contours of the pond. Commissioners noted that the Lot 3 leach field has been connected since the Enforcement Order dated June 3, 1986 was issued. It was noted that discussion between Mr. Hartley and Mr. Post was directed toward filing a revised plan on the drainage system by August 11. MANSFIELD CONSERVATION COMMMISSION MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 1986 MINUTES PAGE FIVE MOTION: To issue an Enforcement Order to return Lot 3 wetlands to their original condition or to come before the Commission with a compensation plan pending additional information from DEQE. (MANDELL; no second) NO VOTE Commissioners discussed the necessity of notifying the Town Manager and Selectment of the potential legal difficulties with regard to this file. MOTION: To agree that a pond /wetland existed as of May 4, 1980 on the northerly side in the complex known as Bristol Arms; that it has been filled; that it must be compensated for or replaced; that the Commission will seek legal counsel /advice necessary to pursue having the owners return the area to wetland condition or provide adequate compensation area. (Mandell - O'Neill) NO VOTE Commissioner Mandell will call DEQE to request help /advice. MOTION: To issue an enforcment order to restore to its original condition the northwest corner of Lot 3, Erick Road, where filling of wetlands has taken place in violation of an Enforcement Order and where sewer pipes have been connected to septic tank in violation of an Enforcement Order; and to replicate the area to the right of the wall. (OUELLETTE - MANDELL; all in favor) VOTED MOTION: To agree that a body of water existed as of May 4, 1980 on the northerly side in the complex known as Bristol Arms; that it has been filled and built upon. (Mandell - O'Neill; all in favor) VOTED The meeting adjourned at 12 :48 a.m. Approved by � �_ _ % (22t , 7l(,; Date to Town Clerk: / P /pkf