HomeMy WebLinkAboutCONSERVATIONminutes08272007-20071023132603
Conservation Meeting
August 27,2007
Present: Colin Cauldwell, Chair; Paul Boyden, Vice Chair; Carole Matthew; Jack
Smith; Ben Monachino; Cindy Ostrowski;
Mr. Lester Epstein, James Epstein's father was present.
The property at 900 Maple Street (Parcel 39-11) is owner by Lester S. and James M.
Epstein. The property across the street, known as Parcel 40-92, is owned by Lester S.
Epstein.
As a special condition to the Order of Conditions issued to Mr. Epstein on May 17, 1973,
a 25 ft. no disturb area was to be maintained around the wetlands and vernal pool.
The Enforcement Order asks that Mr. Epstein remove all equipment and debris out of this
area.
Cindy wanted to know if the Enforcement Order should list the property across the street
from 900 Maple Street. This is the area where the certified vernal pool is located. Paul
feels both addresses should be on the Enforcement Order. Michele will add the Parcel
40-92 to the Enforcement Order. Colin asked that Michele also add "and the Town of
Mansfield Wetland Protection By-Law Chapter 15" to the Enforcement Order.
Michele thinks the Commission members should look at both sites. Monday September
10,2007 at 4:30 the Commission will meet with James Epstein to walk the site and
determine what he needs to do to be in compliance with the Order of Conditions.
Michele will confirm the date and time with James.
Hearing ended at 7:15 pm.
Hearing started at 7: 1 7 pm.
Josh Swerling of Bohler Engineering, Charles Mulcahy ofWinn & Winn and Ken Hecht
of Hecht Development were present.
The Notice ofIntent was filed on July 5,2007. Project involves the construction of an
8,000 sq. ft. building and a 16,560 sq. ft. building to consist of retail and restaurant
tenants with associated parking. Other site improvements include various storm water,
utility, lighting and landscaping improvements. The proposed work will be within the
100 ft. buffer of wetlands. The distance between the closest project disturbance and the
associated resource is 25 +/- ft.
The wetlands were delineated by Mason & Associates on September 28, 2006. Michele
has reviewed and confirmed the flagged wetland boundaries.
Charlie Mulcahy told the Commission they have been meeting with various town boards.
The objective is to build a small mall across from the Mansfield Crossing Mall and make
it compatible with the neighborhood. He told the Commission anything disturbed during
construction would be replaced or restored with the appropriate conservation mix.
Josh gave a summary of the existing conditions on this site and gave a brief description of
the proposed project.
An intermittent stream is located along the eastern extent ofthe wetland/property
boundary. The stream flows through a culvert beneath the railroad_tracks,Jlows_oll-site
in a southerly direction and off site through a culvert beneath School Street. An open
field to the west, School Street to the south, the railroad tracks-to-the-north-and-a
residential home to the east surround the wetland. This area contains the larger of the
wetlands on the property.
There is an isolated wetland located on the northerly side of Old School Street at the
. junction of School Street. This is the smaller of the two wetlands on the property. This
area has very little vegetation. The wetland was dry during site visits in April and
September 2006. Any water accumulating in this wetland discharges through the culvert
beneath School Street.
Josh told the Commission the proposed project has been designed to eliminate any impact
to the bordering vegetated wetlands. The buildings and parking areas are out of the 50 ft.
buffer zone. Proposed drainage structures are out of the 25 ft. buffer zone. Site is not
located within a 100-year flood plain and is not located within an Estimated Habitat of
Rare Wetlands Wildlife or a High Priority Site of Rare Species Habitat.
Josh said the project is comprised of four parcels ofland, Lot 54 and 279,287 and 295
School Street. There are bordering vegetated wetlands on the northeasterly and
southwesterly sides of the project area. The entire property consists of approximately 6.3
acres of land. All four properties slope towards the two wetland areas. The properties,
279, 287 & 295 currently have houses and associated outbuildings, driveways and
grassed, landscaped and wooded areas. The 4th parcel is vacant. The existing utilities
include overhead electric and telephone services along with underground water services
and existing subsurface sewage disposal systems.
The stormwater management system was designed to maintain overall site drainage
patterns, mitigate for peak flows and protect water quality in the existing wetland areas.
The drainage improvements include routing stormwater from the site into a proposed
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drainage system that would include a series of deep-sump hooded catch basins, drainage
manholes, water quality inlets, an underground infiltration system and a water quality
swale. The infiltration basin is designed to meet and exceed the required recharge
volume for the entire site.
An underground infiltration system, a water quality swale and a detention basin are
proposed to eliminate increases in storm water runoff. The post-development runoff rates
will not exceed pre-development rates. Water quality treatment will meet or exceed the
State's standards by the use of Best Management Practices (BMP's). These treatments
will remove at least 80% of all total suspended solids (TSS).
Two above ground detention facilities would be in place to accept roof drainage.
Construction of detention basins/water quality swales, installation of stormwater outfalls
and grading for parking areas will be done within the 100 ft. buffer zone ofBVW but not
within the 25 ft. No Disturbance Zone. No buildings or pavement are proposed within
the 50 ft. buffer zone. Stormwater runoff from all paved surfaces will be collected and
treated for water quality prior to discharging to the wetlands.
Silt fencing/hay bales are to be installed according to the plan, prior to any construction,
clearing or excavation. The siltlhay bales are to be certified by the project engineer. As
soon as the siltlhay bale line has been certified, a construction site meeting will be held,
to include Michele Grenier, Conservation Agent, the project engineer and the
construction manager. Colin asked that they make sure the silt fencing and hay bales are
properly installed.
The Conservation Commission is to be notified 48 hrs prior to the-start-of-work.---
Michele told the Commission the Engineering Department has reviewed the plan and
requested some changes be made. Engineering has now approved the plan.
Michele discussed with BoWer Engineering the fact this is a disturbed area but because
they are putting in a detention area with a wetland basin and saving most of the space as
green space, Conservation would allow the 25 ft.
Cindy asked Michele to explain what is meant by green space. Michele told her the
applicant is saving most of the 50 ft. space with a wetland basin. They are maintaining
the 25 ft but are creating a wetland basin within the 25 ft. Essentially all the paved areas
are out of the 25 ft. even though they are working within the 50 ft. It minimizes the
impact to the area. The area becomes a wet meadow. Colin told Cindy "we are
approaching this as a disturb site, requiring the 25 ft. setback but are appealing to the
applicant to minimize the impact with further setbacks."
Paul asked about snow removal on the property. Josh said there is a space designated in
the rear of the property and on the sides for the storage of snow. If there is a significant
snowfall, it will be truck off site.
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Cindy asked Josh to clarify the drainage system. He told her the water settles in the basins,
and then goes out to the wetland; the flow needs to be maintained to the wetland so it does
not dry out. He told her the flow is monitored so it does not flow all at once.
Cindy wanted to know why the drawing says Preliminary-not to be used for construction.
Josh Swerling told her this is done because they have to go before all the town boards for
comments, changes and recommendations. He told her when all boards have signed off
on the filing and all the revisions are set; a final construction plan will be submitted.
Charlie told tlle Commission the applicant will go before the Planning Board in 2 weeks
and they need to go back to the Zoning Board for a variance for the signage.
Michele complimented Josh and Bohler Engineering on their Notice of Intent submittal
and the presentation. She told him the package was well put together.
Paul made the motion to accept the revised plan, dated August 3,2007, for Mansfield
Marketplace and to issue an Order of Conditions to include the following special
conditions: silt fencing/hay bales to be installed on the 25 ft. line. Silt/hay bales to be
certified by project manager. Silt fencing can be removed when the area has been re-
vegetated; signage to be installed on the 25 ft. hay bale line, to read "Environmentally
Sensitive Area-Do Not Disturb" on 50 ft. centers; after the applicant has gone back to the
Planning Board for their fmal comments and to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a
variance for the signs, a final plan will be submitted to Conservation.
Jack seconded.
Passed 6-0.
Hearing ended at 7:45 pm.
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Ben made the motion to accept the minutes with the addition to paragraph 2 on page six
to read: The work described in the Notice of Intent will be allowed because of the
emergency nature of the situation.
Paul seconded.
Passed 5-0. Ben did not attend the meeting of August 13,2007.
li5...Adj()urnlD~nt:
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Motion to adjourn at 8:00 pm. (Ben/Paul-6-0).
Next meeting will be September 10,2007 at 7:00 pm.
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Colin Cauldwell, Chair
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