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SOUTH HADLEY CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
May 19, 2008
Approved at 6/9/08 meeting.
PRESENT: Jack Fleming, Chair, Jim Canning, Brad Allen. Janice Stone, Conservation Administrator. Dennis Swartwout at 7:30 PM. Arthur Jackson excused.
1. 6:15 PM PUBLIC HEARING on a Notice of Intent filed by South Hadley DPW for replacement of existing sewer line in the Hawkins Bird Sanctuary off Silver Street (Map 51 Parcel 90). Yem Lip was present to discuss the project. Before the hearing Yem had submitted a request for an Emergency Certification (EC) to cover this project, so the hearing became one about the EC. The reason given for the EC was that a sewer manhole had overflowed a couple weeks ago near the tennis courts and Upper Lake at Mount Holyoke College. The Health Director had written an email last Friday stating that the Board of Health considered this an emergency condition to fix the sewer line in question. Yem stated that this section of sewer line has been determined to receive much more flow after a heavy rain when
there are high groundwater conditions because of inflow and infiltration. Another overflow could occur if there is another heavy rain. The Commission discussed with Yem why the emergency work was proposed for an area 2000 feet away from the overflow, and whether this has happened at this spot before. The excavation and replacement of same size pipe will be within a 20 foot sewer easement across the wetland at Hawkins. It will alter 13,000 square feet of bordering vegetated wooded wetland. The Commission asked whether the perpendicular stretch extending to Chapel Hill was included in this work, and Yem responded that that would be looked at later, after this work was done, to determine if it was necessary or not. The Commission discussed what conditions might be necessary to protect the wetland outside the 20 foot easement. Yem said that any conditions the Commission wanted to add was okay, regarding silt fence, dewatering, stream crossing
etc. The Chair gave Yem a draft copy of Special Conditions that Janice had drafted for review and comment. The Commission went over these with Yem. Yem stated that he did not think the first two, to contact the US Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and MEPA, were “do-able” or necessary. The Commission told him that for this amount of wetland alteration, and a stream crossing outside the ACOE recommended time period, it was necessary. The Commission asked how the work would be done. All work would stay within the 20’ easement, and excavation would be limited to 20’ length at a time. The pipe is only 4-8 feet deep. The Commission reiterated its concern that the area be restored after the work is done. The Commission discussed the draft special conditions with Yem, agreed to not require 1 & 2 before issuance of the EC. They will require the dewatering, stream crossing and restoration plan before the EC
will be issued. Brad made a motion to approve the issuance of an Emergency Certification for the sewer replacement work off Silver St, with the requirement that the additional critical information as described in the Special Conditions and discussed above, be submitted and approved before issuance of the EC. Jim seconded it, and all (Brad, Jack and Jim) voted in favor. A pre-construction meeting will be added, and conditions 1&2 are advisory only, not required for issuance.
2. 7:00 PM OPEN FORUM Opportunity for the public to come in and ask questions, discuss wetland concerns with the Conservation Commission. Gerry Coderre came in to request a waiver from the South Hadley wetlands bylaw for a deck in the 50 foot buffer zone at lot 22 Sans Souci Drive. The deck is within the work area limit approved under the DEP Superceding Order of Conditions (288-306), and has been approved by DEP under the Wetlands Protection Act. The proposed deck is 40 feet from the wetland at its closest point, and will have only 3 sonotubes in the ground. The Commission agreed this could qualify as a waiver under condition 1 (will not have a significant detrimental impact to the resource area values). Jim made a motion to allow the waiver for the deck at lot
22 Sans Souci, Brad seconded it, and all (Brad, Jim and Jack) voted in favor.
3. 7:15 PM PUBLIC MEETING on a Request for Determination filed by Herman and Jennifer Picard for installation of an above-ground swimming pool in the buffer zone at 5 Crystal Lane. The Commission discussed with the Picards the placement of the pool in the lawn area of their back yard, and the need to maintain the 20’ no-disturb zone in back. The pool is as far away from the wetland as it can be in back. The Commission noticed some stockpiling of leaves, sand and other materials in or close to the 20’ zone, and garden tire tracks in the 20’ zone, creating ruts and limiting vegetation. They need to keep vehicles out of the 20’ no-disturb zone, and move the other stockpiled materials to the compost bin or elsewhere further from the 20’ zone and wetland. The Commission suggested planting the edge of the 20’ zone with some native shrubs, such as blueberry. The Picards agreed to the conditions, and were interested in the shrub planting idea. Brad made a motion to approve the
project, with a negative determination #3 (work within a buffer zone but will not alter wetland), with special conditions as discussed. Jim seconded, and all (Brad, Jim and Jack) voted in favor.
4. 7:30 PM PRESENTATION & DISCUSSION by Amherst Conservation Department staff about conservation land management. Dave Ziomek and Doug Hutcheson from Amherst Conservation showed a powerpoint presentation, handed out town conservation land maps and various other materials, and discussed conservation land management. Amherst has about 2,000 acres of protected land. The conservation department files RFDs and NOIs for work in wetlands and buffer zones on conservation land property. Dave spoke about funding for maps and brochures by working with other groups, such as Kestrel Trust, the library, banks, and the Chamber of Commerce. WMECO supplies funds for staff time on their energy committee. They always have an intern or two from the colleges working in the
office. They maintain their fields with delayed mowing after August 1. The AMC helps with trail work, and W.D. Cowls donates wood for projects such as bird boxes, constructed by local people. Their goals include enhancing corridors, promoting biodiversity, enhancing wildlife habitat, and protecting ecological and cultural features. They manage about 3000 acres of watershed land, and have about 80 miles of trail. They constructed a bog bridge with donations and effort from neighbors, and a handicapped accessible trail with a DCR Greenways grant. The Commission asked a number of questions related to their land and concerns. The Amherst staff said they were happy to take phone calls if there are further questions.
5. 8:15 PM PUBLIC HEARING on a Request for an Amendment to an Order of Conditions (288-363) by Paul Dineen, 81 River Road, for expansion of a driveway in Riverfront Area. The major questions were covered during the last meeting discussing the approval for the work to be considered an Amendment to the Orders rather than a new Notice of Intent. The Commission considered the concerns for safety and reducing sediment runoff from the site. Brad made a motion to approve the expanded driveway as an Amendment to the Order of Conditions. Dennis seconded it, and all voted in favor. Dennis made a motion to close the hearing, which was seconded by Jim, and all voted in favor.
6. 8:20 PM OLD & NEW BUSINESS Jim reviewed the bills including office supplies, a nifty grabber for litter pickup, and $100 for Virtual Town Hall website creation. He made a motion to approve them. Brad seconded, and all voted in favor. Janice and Janice summarized the items discussed at the MEPA meeting about the SHELD utility line expansion in South Hadley last Friday. The certificate, describing the scope of work, will be issued May 30.
7. 8:30 PM PUBLIC MEETING on a Request for Determination filed by Frederick and Patricia Osetek for cleanup work in a wetland area at 40 Ashton Lane. Mr. Osetek was present to discuss his proposal to remove some trees and large root wads in the wetland and buffer zone with the Commission. Jack, Brad and Janice had visited the site with Mr. Osetek and had discussed the trees and roots with him. The Commission discussed the plans, and agreed to the suggestions from Jack and Brad, that he be allowed to remove the small birch bending low near his house on the left side and the small pine next to the large oak in the wetland in the middle. The large white pine on the right bank near the property line and house can only be removed if the tree warden agrees it is a safety hazard.
The Commission did not approve of installing a retaining wall at the bank of the house and wetland edge, but suggested native plantings to hold the slope instead. They discussed the large root wads of downed trees in the wetland, near the stream and very visible from the house. They felt attempts to remove the roots would require heavy equipment in the wetland, which would adversely impact the wetland. If Mr. Osetek wanted to reduce the size of them by cutting them by hand and removing section without vehicles in the wetland, he could try it in the winter with frozen ground. It would still be a difficult project because the root wads are very large and would weigh a good deal. They could not be easily moved. Brad made a motion to approve the removal of the birch and small pine, and removal of the large white pine (with replacement planting of native tree or shrub) if the tree warden agrees. Jim seconded, all voted in favor.
6. 8:20 PM OLD & NEW BUSINESS Request for an Extension on General Maintenance Order of Conditions 288-208 by Mount Holyoke College (MHC). MHC is preparing a new maintenance plan to update the very old one they have been working under. They are almost done, but need a little more time to complete the plan. They are asking for an extension to September 2008. Brad made the motion, seconded by Dennis, to approve an extension to September 30, 2008. All voted in favor. Janice mentioned a violation letter she sent to a resident on Plainville Circle about the clearing of trees near the wetland and stream, and leaving significant woody debris on town property beside the stream. If he does not respond soon, send a second harsher letter and Commission will
consider fines. The Commission discussed changing the next meeting date from June 2 to June 9 if there is no hearing planned for that night. SHELD had been told that would be the next meeting, and was planning on coming then, but if they need to postpone because of the MEPA review, we could change the meeting date. Janice will find out SHELD’s plans, and let the Commission know. If that is not the meeting night, perhaps the Commission could meet then to review bylaw regs instead (at town hall, or the Ledges clubhouse). Dennis made a motion to accept the minutes from 3/31/08 and 4/28/08. Brad seconded, and all voted in favor.
7. 9:10 PM ADJOURNMENT. Jim made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Brad, and all voted unanimously in favor. Next regular Conservation Commission meeting will be June 2, 2008 at 7:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Stone,
Conservation Administrator
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