HomeMy Public PortalAbout20200825 - Conservation Commission - Meeting MinutesTOWN OF HOPKINTON
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL 18 MAIN STREET
HOPKINTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01748
Tel: 508-497-9745
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
25 August 2020
Page 1 of 4
25 August 2020 Called to Order: 6:30 PM
Remote Meeting – Zoom Adjourned: 8:56 PM
Members Present: Ted Barker-Hook, Jeffrey Barnes, Jim Ciriello, Ed Harrow, Janine LeBlanc, Melissa
Recos, Kerry Reed, Matt Varrell: Lucas Environmental, Don MacAdam: Conservation Administrator,
Anna Rogers: Inspections Administrative Assistant
Members Absent: none
6:30 PM Commission Business
• Mr. Barnes noted that the meeting is being conducted remotely consistent with Governor Baker’s
Executive Order of March 12, 2020, due to the current State of Emergency in the Commonwealth due
to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. He noted that in order to mitigate the transmission of the
virus, the Board is complying with the Executive Order that suspends the requirement of the Open
Meeting Law to have all meetings in a publicly accessible physical location. He noted that the
Executive Order allows public bodies to meet entirely remotely as long as the public body makes
provisions through adequate, alternative means to ensure that interested members of the public are
provided reasonable access to the deliberations of the meeting. He noted that for this meeting the
Commission is convening by video conference via Zoom App as posted on the Town’s web meeting
calendar and the Commission’s agenda identifying how the public may join. He noted that the
meeting may also be broadcast by HCAM TV. He noted that the meeting is being recorded and
attendees are participating by video conference.
• A Roll Call was held for members:
Ms. Recos – present, Mr. Ciriello – present, Mr. Barker-Hook – present,
Mr. Harrow – present, Ms. LeBlanc – present, Ms. Reed – present, Mr. Barnes – present
• A Roll Call was held for staff:
Mr. MacAdam – present, Ms. Rogers – present, Mr. Varrell – present
• The Commission signed the Extension Permit for Orders of Conditions (188-1630) for the Town of
Hopkinton, 53 East Main Street.
• A discussion was held about the request for a Certificate of Compliance application for Marathon
Solar, LLC, 67 East Main Street (188-1579). A discussion was held about the Lucas Environmental
memo dated 20 August 2020. The Commission noted the outstanding issues and tabled further
review to a future meeting.
• A discussion was held with Ms. Stacy Minihane, Beals & Thomas, about the request for a Certificate
of Compliance application for Hopkinton MA 1 LLC, 147 Lumber Street (188-1636). A discussion
was held about the Lucas Environmental memo dated 25 August 2020. It was noted that the as-built
plan does not reference the permanent immovable barriers and would need to be revised. Ms.
Minihane noted the as-built plan will be revised as discussed. Mr. Ciriello made a motion to issue a
Certificate of Compliance, subject to the submission of a revised as-built plan. The motion was
seconded by Ms. Reed and a unanimous roll call vote was held.
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
25 August 2020
Page 2 of 4
6:44 PM Morrison, 1 Piazza Lane RDA 2020-5
Request for Determination of Applicability
Brian Waterman, WDA Design; Brian Morrison, applicant
Mr. Morrison provided an overview of the Request for Determination of Applicability application and site
plans dated 16 July 2020. A discussion was held about the Lucas Environmental memo dated 25 August
2020. The Commission requested the applicant to submit DEP field data sheets for the wetland
delineation.
Mr. Morrison provided some historical background on the property and noted that water will flow from
the Town property across Piazza Lane, causing erosion to the roadway, and siltation to the lake.
Mr. Harrow noted, on behalf of the Open Space Preservation Commission, that the invasive species
management project was funded by a grant. A discussion was held about the mechanical clearing that
was performed and whether clearing by hand should have been utilized. Mr. Waterman provided an
overview of the Landscape Analysis Plan dated August 2020 and the Draft Landscape Restoration Plan
dated August 2020. A discussion was held about which method of invasive plant species removal would
be in keeping with the Conservation Restriction.
Mrs. Nancy Peters, 258 Wood Street, noted that vegetation such as, shrubs, brush, vines, were cut to
maintain the area as a meadow, but no trees were removed. Mr. Morrison noted that mature plantings by
the previous owner were removed.
The hearing was continued to 06 October 2020.
7:28 PM Abbott RT, 25 Parcels on Adams Street, Fitch Avenue, Myrtle Avenue HCC-41
Notice of Intent - continuation
The applicant requested a continuation to 06 October 2020.
7:28 PM 20th Century Homes, Inc., 5 Whisper Way DEP File No. 188-1708
Notice of Intent - continuation
7:28 PM 20th Century Homes, Inc., 3 Whisper Way DEP File No. 188-1709
Notice of Intent - continuation
Maryann DiPinto, Three Oak Environmental; Chris Nation, applicant
Ms. DiPinto provided an overview of the buffer zone analysis report dated 12 August 2020. A discussion
was held about proposed restoration on the lots and the open space component of the subdivision as
mitigation for the proposed buffer zone disturbance. A discussion was held about alternative septic
locations and it was noted that they would result in additional buffer zone disturbance.
Mr. Barker-Hook made a motion to close the hearing and issue an Order of Conditions with the standard
and noted special conditions for 5 Whisper Way. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ciriello and a
unanimous roll call vote was held.
Mr. Ciriello made a motion to close the hearing and issue an Order of Conditions with the standard and
noted special conditions for 3 Whisper Way. The motion was seconded by Mr. Barker-Hook and a
unanimous roll call vote was held.
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
25 August 2020
Page 3 of 4
7:36 PM DeWolfe, 28 Lumber Street DEP File No. 188-1706
Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation
The applicant requested a continuation to 15 September 2020.
7:36 PM Magunco RT, 97 Frankland Road DEP File No. 188-1711
Notice of Intent - continuation
Joyce Hastings, GLM Engineering
Ms. Hastings provided an overview of the revised site plan dated 14 May 2020 with a final revision date
of 11 August 2020. A discussion was held about the revisions to the proposed driveway.
Ms. Recos made a motion to close the hearing and issue an Order of Conditions, with the standard and
noted special conditions. The motion was seconded by Ms. Reed and a unanimous roll call vote was held.
7:43 PM Commission Business - continued
• A discussion was held about the request for a Certificate of Compliance application for Hopkinton
Public Schools, 129 Hayden Rowe, Marathon School (188-1607). A discussion was held about the
Lucas Environmental memo dated 25 August 2020. It was noted that the as-built plan does not
reference the permanent immovable barriers and would need to be revised. Ms. LeBlanc made a
motion to issue a Certificate of Compliance subject to the submittal of a revised as-built plan and
confirmation of the submission of annual stormwater operation and maintenance reports. The motion
was seconded by Mr. Ciriello and a unanimous roll call vote was held.
• Ms. LeBlanc made a motion to approve the draft minutes of 23 June 2020 as amended. The motion
was seconded by Mr. Barker-Hook and all members voted in favor except Mr. Ciriello who abstained
in a roll call vote.
• A discussion was held about the project change request for Coletti, 31 Stoney Brook Road (188-1619)
to remove some unsound trees and three live trees. A discussion was held about pruning the live
trees or cutting them down and having the downed timber remain in the buffer zone. The Commission
determined the proposed tree work qualified as an insignificant project change.
• A discussion was held about the request for the issuance of a 6th Extension Permit for Orders of
Conditions for Prime Properties, Highland Park IV (188-1186). A discussion was held about the
information the applicant submitted and the outstanding information that the applicant noted they
would submit later. Ms. LeBlanc made a motion to approve the issuance of a 2 year Extension Permit
for Orders of Conditions. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ciriello and a unanimous roll call vote
was held.
• A discussion was held about the Emergency Certification, RTN 2-21301, 5 Woody Island Road that
was issued on 12 August 2020 by the Conservation Administrator. Mr. Barker-Hook made a motion
to ratify the Emergency Certification issued for 5 Woody Island Road. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Harrow and a unanimous roll call vote was held.
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
25 August 2020
Page 4 of 4
• A discussion was held about the exemption request for Estella, 95 Saddle Hill Road to remove and
replace live trees. The Commission determined the proposed activity qualified as an exempt activity.
• A discussion was held about the exemption request for Manchester, 210 West Main Street to remove
a live tree with 4 split trunks. The Commission determined the proposed activity qualified as an
exempt activity.
• A discussion was held about the exemption request for Camacho, 9 Stagecoach Way to cut and
remove live, diseased, and unsound trees. The Commission determined the cutting and removal of
the noted diseased trees and the trees growing on exposed ledge qualified as an exempt activity. The
Commission determined that pruning the two noted large trees would qualify as an exempt activity.
The Commission determined that cutting down and removing the two noted large trees would not
qualify as an exempt activity and would require the filing of a wetland permit application for review
of the proposed activity.
• A discussion was held regarding the property owner’s request to donate 0 Lumber Street (R34 5 0) to
the Town. Mr. Barker-Hook made a motion to accept the deed. The motion was seconded by Ms.
LeBlanc and a unanimous roll call vote was held.
• A discussion was held regarding the Town Counsel’s opinion on authorizing a delegation of signature
authority and authorizing electronic signatures. Mr. Harrow made a motion that the Hopkinton
Conservation Commission authorize Conservation Administrator Donald MacAdam to physically
sign, on behalf of the Commission when so directed by vote of the Commission, documents issued by
the Committee under the Wetlands Protection Act, G.L. c.131, §40, or the Hopkinton Wetlands
Protection Bylaw, including (but not limited to) orders of conditions and certificates of compliance.
The motion as seconded by Mr. Barker-Hook and a unanimous roll call vote was held. Ms. LeBlanc
made a motion that the Hopkinton Conservation Commission recognizes and accepts the provisions
of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 110G regarding electronic signatures for permitting and
compliance documents, and that its members will henceforth execute such documents either with
electronic signatures or with wet ink signatures and that both will carry the same legal weight and
effect. This statement applies to permitting and compliance documents issued by the Commission
under the Wetlands Protection Act, G.L. c.131, §40, or the Hopkinton Wetlands Protection Bylaw,
including (but not limited to) orders of conditions and certificates of compliance. The motion was
seconded by Ms. Reed and a unanimous roll call vote was held.
• A discussion was held regarding the Town Counsel Opinion for the Forest Cutting Plan, 147 Lumber
Street. The Commission determined to notify the property owner that they should file a Request for
Determination of Applicability to appropriately review the matter.
• A discussion was held about recommending a candidate to represent the Commission on the Trail
Coordination & Management Committee (TCMC). Mr. Ciriello made a motion to recommend that
Ms. Jamie Wronka act as the Commission’s representative on the TCMC. The motion was seconded
by Mr. Harrow and a unanimous roll call vote was held.
Adjourn: 8:56 PM