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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20180327 - Conservation Commission - Meeting MinutesTOWN OF HOPKINTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION TOWN HALL 18 MAIN STREET HOPKINTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01748 Tel: 508-497-9745 Hopkinton Conservation Commission 27 March 2018 Page 1 of 6 27 March 2018 Called to Order: 7:03 PM Hopkinton Senior Center, 28 Mayhew Street Adjourned: 10:03 PM Members Present: Ted Barker-Hook, Jeffrey Barnes, Jim Ciriello, Ed Harrow, Melissa Recos, Kerry Reed, Jamie Wronka, Don MacAdam: Conservation Administrator, Matt Varrell: Conservation Scientist, Anna Rogers: Inspections Administrative Assistant Members Absent: none 7:30 PM Commission Business  The Commission reviewed the following documents that had signature pages signed at the 27 February 2018 meeting and in between meetings: - Brown, 34 Chamberlain Street – Determination of Applicability (RDA 2017-1) - Prime Properties LP, 45 Stoney Brook Road – Order of Conditions (188-1645) - Prime Properties LP, 51 Stoney Brook Road – Order of Conditions (188-1646) - Heritage Properties, portion of 0 Wilson Street (R8 38 0) – Order of Conditions (188-1649) - Eversource, portions of South Street and West Main Street – Determination of Applicability (2018-2)  Mr. Harrow made a motion to approve the draft minutes of 27 February 2018. The motion was seconded by Mr. Barker-Hook and it passed unanimously.  Mr. Scott Miller, Equestrian Building Co., 5 South Mill Street, Lot 17 (188-1378) appeared before the Commission to review the acceptability of the revised project change plan with a final revision date of 13 December 2017. The Commission determined that the revised site plan was acceptable.  A discussion was held regarding the exemption request from Downing, 11 Teresa Road, to remove trees and replace them with plantings. It was noted that all the replacement plantings should be native species. A discussion was held regarding repaving the driveway, front walkway and landing. The Commission determined the scope of work qualified as a minor project exemption.  A review was held on the insufficient erosion & sedimentation controls at the 203 Pond Street Subdivision, Foxhollow Road, (188-1553) during the 02 March 2018 storm event. The Commission determined to issue a violation letter and require the applicant to attend a violation discussion at the 10 April 2018 public meeting. Jim Ciriello arrived at this time. 7:21 PM Parsons, 19 John Matthew Road DEP File No. 188-1651 Notice of Intent Joseph P. Marquedant, J.D. Marquedant & Associates, Inc.; Kristina-Marie Parsons, owner Hopkinton Conservation Commission 27 March 2018 Page 2 of 6 Mr. Marquedant provided an overview of the Notice of Intent application and site plans dated 13 December 2017. He noted the applicant owns three contiguous parcels on John Matthew Road and is not proposing any further site development. A discussion was held regarding the boulder retaining wall and site disturbance which was an existing condition when the applicants purchased the property in the 1996. It was noted that the site activity was not legally approved by the Commission under the Wetlands Protection Act. Mr. Marquedant noted that the applicant installed plantings and a safety fence after they purchased the property. Mr. Marquedant noted the existing boulders would be utilized for constructing the proposed terraces. He noted they are filing with the Board of Appeals to reduce the front setback and have designed a curved garage to further it away from the wetlands. It was noted that the parcel is a grandfathered lot under the Hopkinton Wetlands Bylaw. Ms. Reed arrived at this time. A discussion was held about alternatives for reducing the scale and scope of the project. A discussion was held regarding the Lucas Environmental review dated 07 March 2018. A discussion was held regarding unauthorized dumping of landscape waste and trash at the end of the cul de sac. A discussion was held about the wetland delineation. A discussion was about infiltrating roof runoff. The Commission requested the applicant to identify the trees which would be removed for the proposed terrace system. The hearing was continued to 10 April 2018. Ms. Wronka recused herself as an abutter to the pending hearing and left the meeting at this time. 7:46 PM Town of Hopkinton, 0 Hayden Rowe (U24 10 0), DEP File No. 188-____ 0 Hayden Rowe (U24 10 A), 192 Hayden Rowe Notice of Intent – recreational trail Peter LaGoy, Clerk of Works for the Town of Hopkinton; Robert Weidknecht, Beals & Thomas, Inc. Mr. LaGoy noted he will be arranging a joint meeting with the Parks & Recreation Department and the neighbors to discuss the proposed trail system and the proposed dog park. Mr. Weidknecht provided an overview of the Notice of Intent application and site plans dated 20 February 2018. A discussion was held regarding three stream crossing for the trail system. A discussion was held regarding the trail system mostly following an existing cart path, consisting of stone dust approximately ten feet wide, and not incorporating a slope of more than 4.5-5% to meet ADA standards. A discussion was held regarding the request to waive the filing fees and the Limit of Work waiver request. A discussion was held about mitigating for the waiver request by removing existing invasive plant species. A discussion was held about potential vernal pools. Ms. Kelly Long, 17 Blackthorne Cirle, noted the area behind her house and on the abutting Town land will have standing water for weeks after a rain storm. Mr. Dave Gamache, 10 Granite Street, asked what would happen if none of the Deer Run/Blackthorne Circle residents want the trail extending to their neighborhood. Mr. LaGoy noted it provides a connection to Granite Street and the Echo Lake Trail. He noted it will also act as an emergency access for the dog park. Mr. Eric Kraieski, 9 Blackthorne Circle, asked if the plan represented the extent of trails proposed in the neighborhood or if there are more plans for the future. Mr. LaGoy noted they are looking for connectivity throughout the whole town. Mr. LaGoy noted he is unaware of plans for the trails club. Mr. Krajeski Hopkinton Conservation Commission 27 March 2018 Page 3 of 6 noted the Upper Charles Trail Committee (UCTC) identified a proposed trail behind Blackthorne Circle and also asked if it is common to connect neighborhoods together with trails. Mr. Doug Nixon, 11 Blackthorne Circle, noted he is concerned with the proposal since there is already lots of vandalism in the area with Echo Lake close by. Mr. Barnes noted he was on the UCTC in the past and noted the UCTC is in the process of identifying proposed trails on both the East & West side of Route 85 and there are multiple reports which identify potential routes. He noted there should be a public hearing process to determine the routes. Ms. Long noted she does not believe the trail needs to come out onto Deer Run. She noted there is no path currently leading to end of Deer Run. Ms. Joan McCowan, 12 Deer Run, noted she was concerned with the proximity of the proposed trail to the leach field of her septic system and any unforeseen detrimental changes which may occur from such site activity. Mr. Ciriello noted he is currently on the UCTC and there are a number of proposed routes the Committee is looking at. He noted that particular matter is outside the Commission’s purview. Mr. LaGoy noted he wants to hold a public forum with dog park people, the trails and the neighbors. He noted he also wants to work with the Police Department and DPW regarding the proposal. He noted they will be adding “No Parking” signs along Granite Street. The Commission asked the Conservation Staff to review the area noted for standing water after rain events. Ms. McCowen submitted a plan identifying her septic system location. Mr. Ciriello made a motion to waive the filing fees but not the consultant fees under the Bylaw. The motion was seconded by Mr. Harrow and it passed unanimously. The hearing was continued to 10 April 2018. 8:20 PM Town of Hopkinton, 0 Hayden Rowe (U24 10 0), DEP File No. 188-____ 0 Hayden Rowe (U24 10 A), 192 Hayden Rowe Notice of Intent – pet park No one attended the meeting. The hearing was opened and immediately continued to 01 May 2018. Ms. Wronka returned to the meeting at this time. 8:22 PM Nation, 0 Whisper Way (R16 26 1), 5 Whisper Way, DEP File No. 188-1647 0 Wood Street (U14 28 0), 0 Wood St (U14 28 A), 129 Wood Street Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation - continuation The applicant requested a continuation to 10 April 2018. 8:24 PM Global Corp., 84, 86, 88, 92 West Main Street DEP File No. 188-1650 Notice of Intent - continuation Jesse Johnson, Bohler Engineering; Tom Danieluk, Global Corp.; Scott Goddard, Goddard Consulting Hopkinton Conservation Commission 27 March 2018 Page 4 of 6 Mr. Johnson provided an overview of the NOI application and the revised plan dated 26 March 2018. He noted the wetland delineation has been revised and the plan identifies the existing stormwater sediment forebay. He noted they will update the application and calculations accordingly. A discussion was held about the rationale for not regulating the sediment forebay as a resource area. A discussion was held regarding existing snow removal and trash accumulation issues in the wetland. Mr. Johnson noted that the proposed pavement would be further away from the wetland than existing conditions. A discussion was held whether an electric vehicle charging station could be considered for installation on the property. The hearing was continued 01 May 2018. 8:36 PM TJA Solar, DEP File No. 188-____ 17 Wilson Street, 0, 0 Wilson Street (U12 2 A) (U11 30 0), 0 Cedar Street (U11 26 B) Notice of Intent Christopher King, Atlantic Design Mr. King provided an overview of the Notice of Intent application and site plans dated 07 March 2018. He noted the site consists of mostly woodlands except for the cleared gas easement running through the site. He noted there is an old cart path on the site from Wilson Street and a part dirt and part gravel access roadway from Cedar Street. He noted the panels are proposed to be located outside the 75-foot buffer zone and most of the fencing would be located outside the 75-foot buffer zone. He noted they are proposing underground utilities, except within the easement where they are required to be overhead. He noted they would place gravel on top of the dirt from Cedar Street for stability. The Commission reviewed the Lucas Environmental memo dated 27 March 2018. The Commission noted their recent approval of a similar solar facility where the applicant reduced the scale and scope of the project by locating all the solar panels outside the 100’ buffer zone. The Commission requested that an alternatives analysis and a wildlife habitat evaluation be submitted for review. The Commission noted that a peer engineering review by BETA Group is pending. Mr. Tom Shambo, 15 Wilson Street, noted this is the third proposal for this property within the past few years. He noted the wetland is a complex system that connects across Route 85. He noted he would like the functioning of the entire wetland system, not just the portion on this site, to be considered. Mr. Ed Cutter, 21 Wilson Street, noted the peer engineering review is not available for public review yet and questioned how the wetland delineation confirmation process would proceed. It was noted that the Conservation Scientist would review the accuracy of the applicant’s wetland delineation and the Commission would review to confirm the wetland delineation in due course. Mr. Matt Zetteck, 16 Wilson Street, asked if the Commission will be performing a site walk. The Commission noted that a site walk has not been scheduled at this time and they will reserve their right to schedule a site walk. Mr. Keefe Murray, 12 Wilson Street, noted he has concerns with amount of construction activity which is occurring around his property. The hearing was continued to 01 May 2018. Hopkinton Conservation Commission 27 March 2018 Page 5 of 6 8:58 PM REC Hopkinton, LLC, 0 Chamberlain Street (R24 1 0), DEP File No. 188-1648 0 Whalen Road (R23 83 0), western portion of Chamberlain Street roadway Notice of Intent - continuation Scott Goddard, Goddard Consulting; Kathi Sherry, REC Hopkinton The Commission noted the public hearing held on 22 January 2018 has been voided due to an incomplete notification of abutters process. Mr. Goddard provided an overview of the Notice of Intent application, cumulative buffer zone impact plan dated 20 March 2018, and site plans dated 11 December 2017 and 06 March 2018. He noted future plans will identify the portion of the emergency access proposed to cross the wetland will be reduced to a width of 16 feet of pavement. He noted future plans will identify two large box culverts for the emergency access wetland crossing. He noted future plans will identify a box culvert at the second wetland crossing at Whalen Road. Ms. Sherry noted 32 single family lots are proposed for the subdivision; 12 lots accessed from Whalen Road and 20 lots from Chamberlain Street. She noted even though it is a conventional subdivision application, they are proposing a 45 acre open space parcel as mitigation for the wetland resource area disturbance. Mr. Goddard provided an overview of the proposed modifications to the existing roadways. A discussion was held regarding the required cumulative buffer zone impact plan. A discussion was held regarding the emergency access stream crossing. Mr. Goddard noted the crossing area location has been shifted and revised plans would be forthcoming. A discussion was held regarding the proposed box culvert adjacent to the Whalen Road wetland crossing. Ms. Amanda Faucher, 39 Chamberlain Street, asked if the culverts could be reduced in size. It was noted that wider culverts would allow more area for the braided stream channels to flow underneath. Mr. Gary Trendel, 31 Chamberlain Street, asked how wide the culverts would be. It was noted that it would be 16- wide on top at pavement level and wider at the base. Ms. Ann Rocheleau, 16 Whalen Road, asked for an explanation regarding the cumulative impact review. Section 6.4 of the Hopkinton Bylaw Regulations was reviewed. Mr. John Fitzgerald, 46 Chamberlain Street, asked if the open space parcel would be publically accessible and what benefits it provides. Ms. Sherry noted there are adjacent Town owned properties and the applicant will be restoring the existing trail system through the proposed open space parcel. Mr. Fitzgerald asks if there will be any impact from the development of the 32 homes including, driveways, septic systems, etc. It was noted that only site activities associated with the construction of the roadway and emergency access would be subject to approval and not the development of any of the 32 lots. It was noted that subsequent applications would need to filed for any site activity proposed within the Commission’s jurisdiction on any of the individual lots. Mr. Fitzgerald asked about impacts from site clearing. It was noted that such changes would be reviewed in part under the stormwater review and be subject to further Federal review. The hearing was continued to 10 April 2018. 9:39 PM Executive Session Mr. Barker-Hook made a motion to enter into Executive Session in order to discuss strategy with respect to litigation subject to DEP File Number: 188-1597 since an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the Commission. The motion was seconded by Mr. Harrow. A roll call vote was taken as follows: Mr. Barker-Hook – yes Mr. Barnes – yes Mr. Harrow – yes Ms. Reed - yes Mr. Ciriello – yes Ms. Recos – yes Ms. Wronka – yes Hopkinton Conservation Commission 27 March 2018 Page 6 of 6 9:55 PM Executive Session Mr. Barker-Hook made a motion to have the Commission adjourn Executive Session. Mr. Ciriello seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 9:55 PM Commission Business – continued  A discussion was held regarding a minor project exemption request from Jachowicz, 43 Oakhurst Road to cut down and remove a tree which is growing over the home. The Commission determined the removal of the tree qualified as an exempt activity. Minutes Approved: 01 May 2018