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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin of conservation com 06/23/2003 r- Conservation Commission Meeting June 23, 2003 I' ....: r, 1 Present: Paul Boyden, Chair; Christine Flass, Carole Matthew, Diane Ready Richard Lewis, Conservation and Environmental Planner ~~: 35 Mr. Andrews explained there have been problems with ATVs in the woods and presented the commission with photographs. Colin Caul dwell said he had taken the photos last week on the "red trail," from Oak St to Great Brook; he said this trail has always been wet, but this year much more so, and is being made worse by the ATVs. He said the "green trail" which goes from the Codding Farm to the railroad tracks, has been seriously degraded by ATVuse. Ms. Flass asked about the ownership; Mr. Cauldwell said the trails are the responsibility of the commission, with portions of some running through land owned by the NRT. Mr. Cauldwell said he has spoken with ATV users about their use of the trails, and has spoken with the police about patrolling the areas. He presented four proposals: r 1. Increased signage. The only sign is at the Oak Street lot. He suggested installing signs at Great Brook, at the railroad tracks, and at the junction of the trails, and making them specific. 2. Publicity. 3. By-Law(s). This would empower the police to be more proactive. 4. More conservation constables, appointed by the Selectmen. Leonard Flynn said other towns have passed bylaws limiting vehicles to certain areas, but said many of the Great Woods parcels are wet. He suggested a fine, followed by confiscation of the vehicle. He said the constables should be able to communicate with the police when there is a problem. Mr. Boyden said constables have arrest powers. Mr. Cauldwell said dirt bikes have been using the trails for years, causing minimal damage, but the ATVs are much more destructive. Mr. Boyden suggested asking town counsel for advice on this matter. Mr. Lewis said a bylaw could be authorized through town meeting. ~ Mr. Cauldwell said the signs should be installed immediately; Mr. Boyden said they should be photographed as soon as they are up because they could be removed. Ms. Ready asked if there is anywhere ArVs are allowed; Mr. Cauldwell said there is not. Mr. Flynn said some towns allow ATVs in well-established, bony gravel areas. T T r- Mr. Lewis said there are some trails in the Foxboro State Forest where ATVs are allowed. Mr. Boyden said the Board of Selectmen and Chief of Police should be apprised of this situation. Mr. Cauldwell said the problem with installing gates is that the vehicles simply drive around the fencing; he suggested adding large boulders or other impediments that couldn't be moved. Ms. Ready suggested getting some flyers into the schools next year. Mr. Boyden said he would speak with Mr. Ahem and/or Mr. Cook and have them get in touch with Mr. Cauldwell, Mr. Andrews, or Mr. Flynn about the work. Mr. Lewis suggested the signs read ''No ATVs, motorbikes or other motorized vehicles per order of the Mansfield Conservation Commission and the Natural Resource Trust." He said he would check with town counsel and other towns for standardized language. Mr. Andrews asked about appointing another constable; Mr. Cauldwell said he would be willing to serve. Mr. Lewis said he would look into getting on the selectmen's agenda as soon as possible. r- Motion: To have Mr. Lewis request DPW to install additional signage and to move rocks at the Oak Street access (plass-Ready) All in favor. PASSES Motion: Mr. Lewis will contact the selectmen about appointing additional conservation constables and town counsel; Mr. Boyden will contact the Chief of Police and continue this discussion to the next meeting (plass-Ready) All in favor. PASSES Mr. Andrews asked what can be done about fixing the existing trails. Mr. Flynn said the last time damage was done, a local builder volunteered to provide the material and equipment. Regarding land acquisitions, Mr. Flynn said there will be Self Help funding available in August. He said he has spoken to a landowner who is preparing a plan, after which the appraiser will be able to look at the property. The chair read the public hearing notice for the upgrade to the septic system with grading and associated work within 100 feet of a wetland resource area. Ralph Maloon, RIM Engineering, explained the house is existing, with a wetland at the ,-.. rear. There is an existing cesspool directly behind the house, and a new leaching field is r- required and proposed under the driveway. There is also a 1,500-gallon septic tank in the back of the house. The applicant is also requesting several variances from the Board of Health. The comer of the leaching field is 50 feet from the wetland line, with siltation control around the back of the house. He said the silt fence extends so far around the back because state law requires the cesspool to be pumped, crushed and filled, so the equipment will need to be able to get around the back of the house. Ms. Matthew asked if there is a Board of Health regulation is for grading; Mr. Maloon said after 15 feet, a 3-1 slope is required. Mr. Maloon said the area is sandy, with a perc rate of about two minutes per inch. Ms. Flass asked what kind of wetland this is. Mr. Maloon said there is a shallow body of water there. He said when the sewer plant was on Fruit Street, the outflow went through this valley to the Norton Reservoir, and the valley receives the Back Bay Brook. Ms. Flass said this appears to be an improvement to the system, and the new system will be up gradient and further from the wetland. Mr. Lewis said he visited the site, and this is an improvement. He said he has not received a DEP file number, and proposed voting on the application and issuing the order after the file number is received, assuming there are not comments, and including the usual conditions. Motion: To approve the application pending issuance of a DEP file number and assuming there are no comments, with all the standard conditions r (Ready-Flass) All in favor. PASSES Motion: To close the public hearing (Flass-Ready) All in favor. PASSES Order of Conditions - Mansfield Public Schools - East Street Playing Fields Mr. Lewis explained the draft order includes the usual conditions, such as notice to the commission when the siltation fence is installed, organic fertilizers to be used, and a list of proposed materials be submitted. Ms. Matthew said she liked this Order of Conditions because it includes a section on Findings. Motion: To accept the Order of Conditions as drafted (Flass-Matthew) All in favor. PASSES Motion: To go into executive session and to adjourn from executive session to adjourn the meeting (Ready-Matthew) All in favor. PASSES r- To adjourn at 9:00 p.m. (Ready-Flass) All in favor. PASSES ext Meeting: ly 14, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. ~- 'J)J~/o3 Date of APproval T ~