HomeMy Public PortalAbout20180911 - Conservation Commission - Meeting MinutesTOWN OF HOPKINTON
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL 18 MAIN STREET
HOPKINTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01748
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
11 September 2018
Page 1 of 4
11 September 2018 Called to Order: 7:30 PM
Hopkinton Senior Center, 28 Mayhew Street Adjourned: 9:55 PM
Members Present: Jeffrey Barnes, Jim Ciriello, Ed Harrow, Janine LeBlanc, Melissa Recos, Don
MacAdam: Conservation Administrator, Matt Varrell: Conservation Scientist, Anna Rogers: Inspections
Administrative Assistant
Members Absent: Ted Barker-Hook, Kerry Reed
7:30 PM Commission Business
The Commission signed the following documents:
- Prime Homes, Highland Park IV – 5th Extension Permit for Order of Conditions (188-1186)
- Gilson, 22 Hearthstone Road – Certificate of Compliance (188-1603)
A discussion was held with Mr. Michael Connearney regarding the Request for Certificate of
Compliance application for 244 Hayden Rowe, Lot 6, (188-1561). It was noted that the driveway
pavement was only ten feet wide, the limits of the asphalt grindings were not shown on the as-built
plan, and there was construction debris along the driveway and at the culverts. Mr. Connearney noted
the construction debris would be removed and the driveway is grandfathered for width subject to the
Hopkinton Fire Department (HFD) standards. A discussion was held noting the need for more
permanent immovable barrier (PIB) sign medallions at the limit of work. Mr. Harrow arrived at this
time. A discussion was held regarding the wetland replication area and the lack of required survey
information. The Commission reviewed e-mail comments from the Chief of the HFD dated 11
September 2018. The Commission approved the issuance of the Certificate of Compliance pending
the loaming & seeding of the stockpile area, the addition of more PIB signage, and removal of the
construction debris.
A discussion was held with Mr. Paul Mastroianni and Ms. Kathi Sherry, REC Hopkinton, LLC,
regarding proposed site activity for Chamberlain Street/Whalen Road (188-1648). Ms. Sherry noted
they want to perform the following activities within the buffer zone: install a crushed stone BMP
construction entrance pad, remove six (6) trees which were approved to be removed for the widening
of Chamberlain Street, in order to provide access to the wooded areas outside the buffer for tree
cutting and clearing activities. It was noted that the applicant has not obtained all of the required
permits to date and they are asking for a waiver of condition number 61 of the Order of Conditions.
A discussion was held regarding the installation of an erosion control barrier (ECB) along the existing
gravel roadway and at the limits of the proposed site clearing outside the 100-foot buffer zones. The
Commission determined no tree clearing activity could occur until a revised plan for the ECB was
submitted, the location of the ECB was survey located, and the ECB was inspected by the
Conservation Staff before any site clearing could begin. A discussion was held regarding the portion
of the new roadway proposed to be installed on the abutting town land. The applicant was asked if
they have filed the required permit applications with the EPA and U.S. Army Corp to date. The
applicant noted that they have filed the permit applications but have not received a response to date.
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
11 September 2018
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7:58 PM Hopkinton School Department, 90 Hayden Rowe DEP File No. 188-1662
Notice of Intent – continuation
William Mertz, John Gaudette, WorldTech Engineering
Mr. Mertz provided an overview of the site plans dated August 2018 with a final revision date of 24
August 2018. He noted they have increased the size of the detention basin and have reduced the parking
area. A discussion was held regarding the BETA Group memo dated 07 September 2018. It was noted
that BETA has provided the Commission with a verbal update that the revised plans meet the stormwater
standards.
Ms. Recos made a motion to close the hearing and issue an Order of Conditions. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Harrow and it passed unanimously.
***The Commission signed a signature page for the Order of Conditions.***
8:09 PM Keiger Estate, DEP File No. 188-1656
0 Wood Street (Off Proctor Street/Walker Street)
Notice of Intent – continuation
Patrick Garner, Patrick C. Garner Co., Inc.
Mr. Garner provided an overview of the revised plans with a final revision date of 22 August 2018 and
response comments dated 23 August 2018. A discussion was held regarding the mean annual high water
of Indian Brook. Mr. Barnes noted he has concerns with the location of the proposed septic system
within the riverfront area and a shallow aquifer, and the scale of the proposed house/garage. Mr. Ciriello
noted he does not see how the current proposal will prevent significant detrimental effects upon the
resource area values protected by the Bylaw or the Act. A discussion was held regarding the protection of
groundwater and reducing the size and scale of the proposed construction.
The hearing was continued to 02 October 2018.
8:30 PM Eversource Energy, 55 Wilson Street DEP File No. 188-____
Notice of Intent
Denise Bartone, James Blackburn, Eversource Energy; Tracy Adamski, Tighe & Bond
A discussion was held regarding the status of the filing and consultant fees.
Ms. Adamski provided an overview of the Notice of Intent application dated August 2018 and site plans
dated 14 August 2018. She noted the Hopkinton Fire Department requested a secondary access road to
access the site from Legacy Farms Road North (formerly Rafferty Road). She noted that they are trying
to meet the stormwater standards to the maximum extent practical. She noted the proposed culvert does
not meet the openness ratio for the Stream Crossing Standards.
It was noted that peer engineering review comments have not been received from BETA Group to date.
A discussion was held regarding the Lucas Environmental comments dated 10 September 2018. A
discussion was held regarding the past practice of pumping water from the impoundment area into the
wetlands. Mr. Blackburn noted the pumping procedure is performed manually and only after an operator
has visually inspected the impoundment area and deemed it appropriate to proceed.
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
11 September 2018
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An Appendix C. Waiver Request Form waiver request form was submitted for review.
A discussion was held regarding email comments from Ms. Kathleen Towner, dated 10 September 2018,
subject to the potential for any sediments and any further discharge of firefighting foam, from any future
firefighting drills, to the existing outfall and entering into the stream channel. It was noted that the email
comments were forwarded to BETA for their review. Mr. Blackburn noted the applicant stopped using
firefighting foam 2 years ago.
The hearing was continued to 02 October 2018.
8:50 PM Eversource Energy, 52 and 55 Wilson Street HCC -34
Notice of Intent - continuation
Denise Bartone, James Blackburn, Eversource Energy; Tracy Adamski, Tighe & Bond
A discussion was held regarding the BETA Group comments dated 31 August 2018. It was noted that the
applicant is working through the comments and anticipates further revisions to the plans. A discussion
was held regarding the existing facility at 52 Wilson Street. Ms. Bartone noted parts of it will be
dismantled and other parts will continue to be used. A discussion was held regarding the need for a
planting plan.
The hearing was continued to 02 October 2018.
8:55 PM Nation, 1, 3, 5 Whisper Way, 0, 0, 0, 129 Wood Street DEP File No. 188-____
Notice of Intent
Scott Goddard, Goddard Consulting; Chris Nation, Craig Nation, Rebecca Nation, Ron Nation
A discussion was held regarding the identification of a parcel and the property owner signatures
submitted.
Mr. Goddard provided an overview of the Notice of Intent application dated 22 August 2018 and site
plans dated 24 May 2018 with a final revision date of 18 June 2018. A discussion was held regarding the
proposed site activities for the construction of a subdivision roadway to access the parcels. The applicant
noted that a small portion of the existing gravel roadway is located on town land and that the town land is
subject to a Conservation Restriction. A discussion was held about the proposed amount of wetland
alteration. A discussion was held about the existing culvert to the rear (south) of the house at 129 Wood
Street which acts to impound the bordering vegetated wetland and the vernal pool. A discussion was held
regarding the proposed wetland replication area. The applicant noted they anticipate having to file eight
(8) Notices of Intent for developing individual lots. A discussion was held about the proposed shared
septic system.
The hearing was continued to 02 October 2018.
9:24 PM Commission Business - continued
A discussion was held with Ms. Michelle Buonara, 6 Peter Porcaro Drive, regarding the status of the
enforcement and restoration order. Ms. Buonara noted she is working on submitting a planting plan
and an elevation plan for review. She noted they will be proposing multiple plantings in the fall and
the following spring.
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
11 September 2018
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A discussion was held with Mr. Vin Gately, Heritage Properties, and Mr. Peter Bemis, Engineering
Design Consultants, regarding erosion control site management for the subject portion of 0 Wilson
Street (R8 38 0) (188-1649). Mr. Bemis noted there have been two areas of concerns where the
erosion control barrier (ECB) was breached. He noted the applicant is working with the contractor to
make further improvements. He noted the contractor’s site inspector needs some extra supervision.
A discussion was held regarding the amount of sediment located against the ECB, that silty water was
being discharging through the ECB, that the temporary basins do not appear to be adequately
engineered for the size necessary, and the check dams & swales need to be cleaned and reviewed by
an engineer to confirm they are adequately sized.
A discussion was held regarding the status of the expired Order of Conditions for Lussier, 4 Valentine
Circle (188-1530). It was noted that HALT has submitted comments about the CR not being finalized
by the property owner as required. The Commission determined to invite the applicant to attend a
future meeting to discuss the submission of a Request for Certificate of Compliance application.
A discussion was held regarding the exemption request from Benning, 14 Downey Street, for the
proposed removal of one tree and the pruning of a second tree. The Commission determined the
pruning of both trees, but not the removal of the trees, qualified as an exempt activity.
A discussion was held regarding the email response dated 05 September 2018 from Lui, 109 Winter
Street (188-1625) subject to the project change request. The Commission determined to issue
response comments to the applicant.
The Commission tabled the review of the 28 August 2018 draft minutes to the next meeting.