HomeMy Public PortalAbout20201208 - Conservation Commission - Meeting MinutesTOWN OF HOPKINTON
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL 18 MAIN STREET
HOPKINTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01748
Tel: 508-497-9745
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
08 December 2020
Page 1 of 3
08 December 2020 Called to Order: 7:00 PM
Remote Meeting – Zoom Adjourned: 7:40 PM
Members Present: Ted Barker-Hook, Jeffrey Barnes, Ed Harrow, Janine LeBlanc, Melissa Recos, Kerry
Reed, Matt Varrell: Lucas Environmental, Don MacAdam: Conservation Administrator, Anna Rogers:
Inspections Administrative Assistant
Members Absent: James Ciriello
7:00 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 – not 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 approved signing the following document:
- DeWolfe, 28 Lumber Street – Order of Resource Area Delineation (188-1706)
• The Commission noted the new applications received.
• Mr. Barker-Hook made a motion to approve the draft minutes of 06 October 2020. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Harrow and a unanimous roll call vote was held.
• The request for Solan 1993 Trust, 85 West Main Street, to amend ongoing condition number 68 for
the Order of Conditions (188-1563) was withdrawn.
• A discussion was held about the 07 December 2020 extension request for the current extended
drawdown from the Hopkinton DPW, Lake Maspenock (188-1433). Ms. LeBlanc made a motion to
approve the extension request for the extended drawdown. The motion was seconded by Ms. Reed
and a unanimous roll call vote was held.
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
08 December 2020
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7:10 PM Mastroianni, 0 South Street (R29 7 B) DEP File No. 188____
Notice of Intent - continuation
The hearing was continued to 22 December 2020.
7:10 PM Hayes, 16 Downey Street DEP File No. 188-____
Notice of Intent
Dave Marquedant, J.D. Marquedant & Associates; Rens Hayes, applicant/owner
Mr. Marquedant noted that they re-notified abutters in a timely manner and that he has submitted hard
copies of the documentation information and will forward electronic copies.
Mr. Marquedant provided an overview of the Notice of Intent application and site plans dated 30 October
2020. Mr. Marquedant noted a previously existing stone wall was currently in disrepair, the project
would consist of installing a new wall in its place, installing access stairs, and removing existing stumps.
A discussion was held about the Lucas Environmental comments dated 08 December 2020. It was noted
that portions of the Bank is naturalized with vegetation, that the proposed length of the retaining wall
along the Bank of the lake predicated the submission of a wildlife habitat evaluation, per the
Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (Act).
The Commission noted that it is not apparent that the stones located along the Bank were a wall but the
stones naturally help with erosion control. It was noted that a waiver request, alternatives analysis,
erosion and sedimentation control, and cross sectional wall detail information were not submitted for
review. It was noted that the proposed retaining wall would be subject to Chapter 91 review and copies of
the application and Chapter 91 permit for the retaining wall would be required.
Mr. Harrow and Ms. LeBlanc noted concerns that the proposed wall would impact the movement of
wildlife. Mr. Barker-Hook noted the Commission previously determined to have the tree stumps remain
in place per the 08 October 2019 exemption request for tree cutting on the parcel. Ms. Reed noted if the
stumps are proposed to be excavated, the area of temporary disturbance should be submitted for review.
Mr. Mark Campbell, 20 Downey Street, noted that he does not have any information as to the previous
wall but noted that the wall on his property is in disrepair. Mr. Campbell provided comments on the
potential for pollution entering and emanating from the lake.
Mr. Hayes noted he is concerned the decomposing stumps may cause erosion into the lake and wants to
install the wall in order to prevent any sediments entering into the lake. Mr. Hayes noted the Bank to the
north of the dock would be left naturally vegetated. A discussion was held about whether a wildlife
habitat evaluation would be required if the proposed retaining was shortened to less than 50 feet. It was
noted that under the Act if 10% of the property was impacted it would be required and further evaluation
was needed. It was noted that a wildlife habitat evaluation is discretionary under the Hopkinton Wetlands
Protection Bylaw. A discussion was held about the natural transition that occurs as a stump decomposes
and becomes a seed bed for the growth of future stabilizing vegetation.
Mr. Hayes noted that they do not currently have safe access into the lake and that installing the stairs
would allow for recreational access to the lake.
The hearing was continued to 12 January 2020.
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
08 December 2020
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7:37 PM Plankton Energy, 146 East Main Street RDA 2020-13
Request for Determination of Applicability
The hearing was opened and continued to 22 December 2020.
7:38 PM Claro, 0 Hayden Rowe DEP File No. 188-1716
Notice of Intent- continuation
The hearing was continued to 12 January 2021.
7:38 PM Abbott Realty Trust, HCC-41
25 Parcels on Adams Street, Fitch Avenue, Myrtle Avenue
Notice of Intent – continuation
The hearing was continued to 12 January 2021.
Adjourn: 7:40 PM