 |
SOUTH HADLEY CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
April 28, 2008
Approved at 5/19/08 meeting.
PRESENT: Jack Fleming, Chair, Jim Canning, Brad Allen and Art Jackson. Dennis Swartwout, Vice Chair was excused. Janice Stone, Conservation Administrator.
1. 7:00 PM OPEN FORUM Opportunity for the public to come in and ask questions, discuss wetland concerns with the Conservation Commission. No one present.
2. 7:15 PM DISCUSSION AND VOTE George Boyle was scheduled to come in to discuss with the Commission a donation of land or acceptance of holding a conservation restriction for a parcel abutting the Black Stevens Conservation Area behind 161 Granby Road (new condominium project). The area is about 2.5 acres that abuts the conservation area, and is required to remain undeveloped by NHESP for rare species habitat protection. The Commission discussed the pros and cons of ownership and CR, but did not make a decision since George did not come in.
3. 7:20 PM OLD & NEW BUSINESS See attached discussion items. The Commission discussed the status of the fence and shrub plantings at the Ledges Clubhouse. They are having difficulty installing the split rail fence next to the cart path because of ledge. Would the Commission consider planting the shrubs higher and the fence lower down the slope? Or use a line of rocks/boulders instead of the fence? The Commission agreed to consider an alternative to the split rail fence location, but the shrubs must be planted as a permanent barrier. Janice told the Commission about an upcoming DPW project for sewer pipe replacement in the Hawkins Bird Sanctuary off Silver Street. It will be a major disruption of the plant community there, and will require
restoration. Are there alternative methods? They want to do the project soon (early June). Landfill expansion. See attached discussion items. Stonegate subdivision. Gerry Coderre is going to start on a new lot on Sans Souci and Sunrise. He asked DEP for permission to add a deck on the back of the house in the 50’ buffer zone. They have approved one next door already, even though it is outside the approved footprint under the Superseding Orders. The Commission agreed he needs to file under the bylaw for both.
4. 8:00 PM DISCUSSION AND VOTE Request for an Amendment to Order of Conditions 288-363 by Paul Dineen for expanded driveway in Riverfront Area, 81 River Rd. Paul, Carol and Todd Dineen present to answer questions. They explained that they needed the space to park safely off the street. Todd mentioned that he had spoken with Tony Zaharias from DEP a while ago, and he said it seemed okay to do this as an Amendment, even though it was additional impact in the Riverfront Area. Brad made a motion to approve review of this project as an Amendment rather than new Notice of Intent. Jim seconded it, and all voted affirmative. Janice told the Dineens that they need to do the legal notice and abutter notification now for the hearing on May 19th at 8:15 PM.
5. 8:10 PM OLD & NEW BUSINESS, continued. Jim reviewed the bills, and made a motion to approve them. Brad seconded, and all voted in favor. The Commission asked Janice to get in touch with Jacob and see how he is doing, since he has not been present for awhile. Is he still interested in being an Associate Commissioner? Signs. Janice has another sign for Bynan conservation area that can be installed off Bartlett St. The Commission is concerned that the Water District’s sign on the gate will lead people to think that no one can go into the conservation area that way. Janice will talk to Jeff Cyr. What is happening with the replacement trees at the Orchards? Janice has not heard from them in awhile, will get
in touch. There was a complaint about aggressive cutting of trees near wetlands at the Ledges. Janice will contact Mike Fontaine and ask him about it. New trail proposal (extending Robert Frost trail down Bare Mtn) from DCR needs to go through Forestry Committee, since it goes through Judd Park land. Discussion about what is allowed at Judd Park and the other properties on the Mount Holyoke Range- camping? hunting? motorized vehicles? What about other conservation areas? Janice should ask for input from Chief LaBrie, especially about hunting at Black Stevens and Bynan. Tree cutting at 5 Valley View. Several trees in back in buffer zone of certified vernal pool have been recently cut down. Commission policy is replant with more trees or shrubs if cut without permission. They need to come to a Commission meeting and discuss this.
6. 8:30 PM DISCUSSION AND VOTE Request for an Amendment to Order of Conditions 288-359 by Scott Nielsen for a change in erosion control monitoring at the Mountainbrook subdivision. Scott told the Commission he is implementing an educational component to the development this spring, by distributing new copies of the Orders and approved plans to the contractors. He told the Commission that the detention basins are vegetated and working and the landscaping of park areas has been done. He was originally requesting a change from once a week plus any storm event of half and inch or more (and other times as deemed necessary by the Commission) to only after storm events of half an inch or more. Janice explained that this would require a full legal notice, hearing, abutter
notification etc. as an Amendment to the Orders. Under the existing amendment to the monitoring schedule, the Commission can vote at a regular meeting to change to at least once weekly without an Amendment. The Commission discussed whether it was important to have someone visiting the site at least once a week to make sure the erosion control barriers are in working order, before a storm event occurs. Brad mentioned several areas in the development where some attention needs to be paid to the existing erosion control. Scott asked for more information on these sites, and said he would check on them. The Commission agreed to allow a storm event during the week count as the minimum once a week visit by the monitor. Brad made the motion, seconded by Art, to allow the change of the monitoring schedule to the more frequent of every storm of a half-inch or more of rainfall or once a week. All voted in favor.
7. 8:55 PM ADJOURNMENT. Brad made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Art, and all voted unanimously in favor. Next regular Conservation Commission meeting May 19, 2008 at 7:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Stone,
Conservation Administrator
| |
