HomeMy Public PortalAbout20180515 - Conservation Commission - Meeting MinutesTOWN OF HOPKINTON
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL 18 MAIN STREET
HOPKINTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01748
Tel: 508-497-9745
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
15 May 2018
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15 May 2018 Called to Order: 7:00 PM
Hopkinton Senior Center, 28 Mayhew Street Adjourned: 9:17 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
7:00 PM Commission Business
Ms. Wronka made a motion to approve the draft minutes of 10 April 2018. The motion was seconded
by Mr. Harrow and it passed unanimously.
The Commission reviewed an exemption request from Chawla, 73 South Mill Street, to remove two
live trees and determined the request qualified as an exempt activity subject to planting two
replacement native trees/shrubs.
An informal discussion was held about potentially creating a liaison to the Parks & Recreation
Commission. The discussion was tabled for a future meeting.
The Commission reviewed an exemption request from Gonzalez, 34 Oakhurst Road, to remove one
structurally unsound tree and one tree subject to work for a pending Request for Determination of
Applicability application. The Commission determined the request qualified as an exempt activity.
The Commission reviewed a project change request from Lui, 109 Winter Street (188-1625) to
replace a failed septic system for the existing single family home. Mr. Ciriello made a motion to
determine the request to be an insignificant project change. The motion was seconded by Mr. Harrow
and it passed unanimously.
A discussion was held regarding the request from the Homeowners Association for the Hopkinton
Meadow Subdivision (188-1073) (HAHMS) to remove trees subject to the Conservation Restriction
that the Commission holds jointly with the Hopkinton Area Land Trust (HALT). It was noted that
HALT meet with HAHMS and the request was withdrawn.
The Commission reviewed the Disclosure of Appearance of Conflict of Interest dated 14 May 2018
from Lucas Environmental.
A discussion was held regarding the exempt minimum risk pesticides identified under the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA 25(b)). A discussion was held about revising the
standard condition for pesticide use as an ongoing condition for wetland permits.
The Commission determined to cancel the meeting scheduled for 10 July 2018 due to the lack of a
quorum.
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
15 May 2018
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7:28 PM Keiger Estate, 0 Wood Street (off Proctor & Walker Streets) DEP File No. 188-1656
Notice of Intent
The applicant requested a continuation to 26 June 2018.
7:28 PM Nation, 0 Whisper Way (R16 26 1), 5 Whisper Way, DEP File No. 188-1647
0 Wood Street (U14 28 0), 0 Wood Street (U14 28 A), 129 Wood Street
Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation - continuation
The applicant requested a continuation to 05 June 2018.
7:30 PM Cummings, 120 Pond Street RDA 2018-3
Request for Determination of Applicability
Mark Cooperman, EcoTerra Design
Mr. Cooperman provided an overview of the Request for Determination of Applicability application and
site plans dated 14 April 2018. He noted the property owner had concerns regarding large trees near the
house and is seeking to clear more area along the backyard. He noted the property owner was not seeking
to perform any site clearing within the buffer zone.
A discussion was held regarding the Lucas Environmental memo dated 14 May 2018. A discussion was
held regarding the wetland delineation. It was determined that Mr. Cooperman and Mr. Varrell would
review the wetland delineation in the field.
Ms. Recos arrived at this time.
Mr. Harrow asked if the concerns were with trees falling on the house. Mr. Cooperman agreed that was a
concern and noted are 90 foot trees approximately 40-75 feet from the house. Mr. Cooperman noted there
are no plans at this time to grub the area, just to remove the trees.
The hearing was continued to 26 June 2018.
7:42 PM Town of Hopkinton, portion of 66 Fruit Street DEP File No. 188-____
Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation
Kyle Cormier, Oxbow Associates
Mr. Cormier provided an overview of the Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation application
and site plans dated 20 April 2018 with a final revision date of 15 May 2018. He noted only a portion of
the site has been delineated due to the scope of the future proposed project area.
A discussion was held regarding the Lucas Environmental memo dated 10 May 2018. The Commission
approved the waiver request regarding the use of the 2006 topographical lines on the current plan. A
discussion was held regarding a second potential vernal pool area not shown on the plans.
Mr. Harrow made a motion to close the hearing and issue an Order of Resource Area Delineation subject
to the submission of a revised plan identifying the location of the second vernal pool and vernal pool
buffer zone as discussed. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ciriello and it passed unanimously.
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
15 May 2018
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***The Commission signed a signature page for the Order of Resource Area Delineation.***
7:56 PM Petrozzi, 0 Leonard Street HCC File No. 33
Notice of Intent
Lou Petrozzi, Wall Street Development Corp.; Robert Truax, GLM Engineering
A discussion was held regarding the bylaw filing fees. Mr. Petrozzi noted he believes the project is not a
subdivision roadway, and only a very small portion of the work is within the buffer zone. The
Commission determined the project does not qualify an accessory residential activity and qualifies as a
subdivision roadway. The Commission noted an estimated project cost and the corresponding consultant
fee has not been submitted by the applicant. The Commission determined that the stormwater
management report, dated 30 March 2018, will need to be peer engineered reviewed by BETA Group as
identified under the scope of services dated 25 April 2018.
Mr. Petrozzi noted he believes a peer engineering review by BETA Group is excessive for the project and
that he could chose to move the project outside the Commission’s jurisdiction. He noted the proposal is
for a pre-existing way, known as Bucklin Street, but has not been constructed. He noted he is in
disagreement with the Hopkinton Planning Board (HPB) opinion that a subdivision application is
required. He noted he will provide alternative access plans subject to Leonard Street at a future hearing.
He noted that if access is provided from Leonard Street he would be able locate the single family homes
in the area of Bucklin Street and outside the buffer zone.
Mr. Truax provided an overview of the Notice of Intent application and site plans dated 29 March 2018.
He provided an overview of the proposed stormwater management system, noted there is a high water
table in the area, and that water and sewer utility lines will be extended down Bucklin Street from
Pleasant Street.
Mr. Truax noted the stormwater basins will be sized to accommodate runoff from the driveways, but
infiltration for the single family homes will be separate. Mr. Petrozzi noted there will be a homeowners
association responsible for the maintenance of the roadway and stormwater best management practices.
He noted he will be presenting alternative designs at the next meeting.
Mr. Barnes noted that the stormwater bylaw site plans indicate that a majority of the subdivision lots are
within the 100 foot buffer zone and work will be proposed within the No Disturbance Zone. He noted the
Wetland Bylaw Regulations require adequate mitigation measures to be implemented to offset impacts to
wetland resource areas. He noted the applicant has the burden of proof to demonstrate to the
Commission’s satisfaction that the proposed site activities are necessary and that reasonable alternatives,
including reducing the scale and scope of the project, do not exist. He noted site disturbance within the
50-100 foot buffer zone is at the discretion of the Commission.
Mr. Petrozzi noted the Town is illegally draining stormwater onto his property from Leonard Street. He
noted his property has been damaged by the creation of wetlands. He noted he wants to have a discussion
with the Commission regarding alternatives before agreeing to submit any consultant fees to pay for peer
reviews.
Ms. Linda Connelly, 56 Pleasant Street, provided an overview of the site photos she emailed to the
Commission. She noted the property is extremely wet. She noted it would need to be developed very
carefully since there are already flooding issues to the neighboring properties located down gradient from
the site.
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
15 May 2018
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Mr. Michael Graham, 3 Maple Street Extension, provided an overview of the site photos he emailed to the
Commission. He noted he has had past flooding issues on his property as well.
The hearing was continued to 26 June 2018.
8:38 PM Takacs, 9 Cedar Street Extension DEP File No. 188-1657
Notice of Intent - continuation
The applicant requested a continuation to 05 June 2018.
8:38 PM Takacs, 15 Cedar Street Extension DEP File No. 188-1658
Notice of Intent - continuation
The applicant requested a continuation to 05 June 2018.
8:38 PM TJA Solar, DEP File No. 188-1654
0 Cedar St (U11 26 B), 0, 0 Wilson Street (U12 2 A)(U11 30 0), 17 Wilson Street,
Notice of Intent - continuation
Scott Goddard, Goddard Consulting
Mr. Goddard noted he has been retained by the applicant and that he is working with the project engineer.
He noted they will be submitting revised plans and will be responding to the Lucas Environmental review
letter in due course.
The hearing was continued to 26 June 2018.
8:40 PM REC Hopkinton, LLC, DEP File No. 188-1648
0 Chamberlain Street (R24 1 0), 0 Whalen Road (R23 83 0),
western portion of Chamberlain Street roadway
Notice of Intent – continuation
Scott Goddard, Goddard Consulting; Kathi Sherry, REC Hopkinton, LLC
The Commission noted the current and previous hearing held on 01 May 2018 will be voided due to an
incomplete notification of abutters process subject to the Whalen Road right-of-way. Mr. Goddard noted
that he will submit a certified abutters list subject to the entire proposed work area. Mr. Goddard
provided an overview of the revised site plans with a final revision date of 07 May 2018. A discussion
was held regarding the Lucas Environmental memo dated 10 May 2018.
Mr. Goddard noted they are proposing to daylight a portion of the culverted stream at the end of Whalen
Road. He noted they are not completely meeting the stream crossing standards, but they would be
improving the existing conditions there. The Commission noted all the calculations will need to be
reviewed. The Commission asked whether the applicant has reviewed reducing the scale of the existing
Whalen Road cul de sac. Mr. Goddard noted that reducing the scale of the cul de sac could be
considered.
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
15 May 2018
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Mr. Goddard noted the wetland replication area has been removed from the emergency access area and
relocated to the end of the Whalen Road area. A discussion was held about crossing the multiple streams
in the emergency access area. Mr. Goddard provided an overview for proposing to redirect one of the
stream channels into one of the proposed box culverts.
The Commission noted concerns about altering the existing stream channel and the potential for future
impacts such as wetland loss. A discussion was held regarding the installation of another culvert at the
emergency access area. The Commission noted more details are required about the crossings, including
the footings, and that the critical habitat area needs to be identified to determine the best places to locate
the culverts.
Mr. Barker-Hook expressed concerns regarding salt contaminating the wetlands and waterways subject to
winter roadway maintenance. A discussion was held regarding the extent of the Indian Brook watershed.
Mr. Barker-Hook noted he spoke to the Fire Department and they noted an expectation that the roadway
would be plowed and salted regularly. He noted the Hopkinton DPW has not yet responded to his inquiry
about winter roadway maintenance.
The hearing was continued to 26 June 2018.
Minutes Approved: 26 June 2018