HomeMy Public PortalAbout20210223 - Conservation Commission - Meeting MinutesTOWN OF HOPKINTON
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TOWN HALL 18 MAIN STREET
HOPKINTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01748
Tel: 508-497-9745
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
23 February 2021
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23 February 2021 Called to Order: 7:00 PM
Remote Meeting – Zoom Adjourned: 8:55 PM
Members Present: Ted Barker-Hook, Jeffrey Barnes, James Ciriello, Ed Harrow, Janine LeBlanc,
Melissa Recos, Kerry Reed, Matt Varrell: Lucas Environmental, Don MacAdam: Conservation
Administrator, Anna Rogers: Inspections Administrative Assistant
Members Absent:
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 – 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
• Documents to sign/be reviewed:
- Mastroianni, 0 South Street (R29 7 B) – Order of Conditions (188-1719)
• The Commission noted new applications received for future meetings.
• A discussion was held with Mr. Chris King, Atlantic Design, Mr. Nick Facendola, Level Design
Group, and Mr. Ahmed Hafez, Grasshopper Energy, about the project change request for Grasshopper
Energy, 0 Cedar Street, 0, 0, 17 Wilson Street (188-1654) and a request to perform some tree clearing
within the buffer zone to access areas outside the buffer zone for tree cutting. A discussion was held
about the BETA Group review dated 15 February 2021, the Atlantic Design response dated 18
February 2021, the Project Change Plans dated 07 March 2018 with a final revision date of 18
February 2021. A discussion was held about the noted reduction of buffer zone disturbance and
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
23 February 2021
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whether vegetation would receive enough sunlight to grow under the solar panels that have been
reconfigured closer together. The Commission asked whether examples of other similar projects
could be provided. A discussion was held about the certification for the pollinator process criteria.
The Commission noted they should get copied on any reports that get submitted to the state regarding
the pollinator certification. Mr. King noted the reports would be provided. A discussion was held
about site limitations due to the ceremonial landscape monuments on the property. It was noted that
BETA Group has not completed their peer review of the proposed changes. The review of the project
change request was tabled to a future meeting.
Mr. King noted they are seeking approval to have limited tree clearing in the buffer zone in order to
access areas outside the buffer zone for tree clearing. A discussion was held about the site visit that
was held with Mr. Facendola and Mr. Varrell. Mr. Facendola noted they will mark all the trees and
coordinate with Mr. Varrell for an additional site visit as discussed.
7:58 PM Nation, 0, 0, 0 Wood Street (U14 28 A; U14 28 1; U14 28 0) DEP File No. 188-1718
Notice of Intent - continuation
The hearing was continued to 09 March 2021.
7:59 PM Claro, 0 Hayden Rowe (U25 16 A) DEP File No. 188-1716
Notice of Intent - continuation
Bob Poxon, Guerriere & Halnon, Inc; Dan Wells, Goddard Consulting; David Claro, applicant/owner
Mr. Poxon provided an overview of the Notice of Intent application documents and the site plan dated 22
October 2020 and with a final revision date of 17 February 2021. Mr. Poxon noted the proposed changes
to the plan amount to a reduction of 2,940 square feet of proposed disturbance to the buffer zone. The
Commission noted concerns with how much of the house and garage still remain within the buffer zone.
Mr. Claro provided an overview of the reasons he believes the project has less impact than other projects
the Commission has approved in the past. A discussion was held about the similarities and the
differences between the subject project and a previous project located further down the street, at 292
Hayden Rowe (188-1516).
Mr. Claro provided an overview on the financial limitations subject to the sizing of a house in regards to
profitability. The Commission noted their purview is limited to the regulations of the state and town
wetland protection laws. Mr. Wells provided an overview of the reasons why he believes the project
meets the tenets of the state and town wetland protection laws. It was noted that no response has been
provided from the previous meeting about whether relief has been sought from the Board of Appeals
regarding setbacks. It was noted that under the town wetland bylaw the Commission must take into
consideration cumulative impacts and that any proposed alteration of the buffer zone is discretionary.
A discussion was held about the plan not showing the extent of wetland resource area completely to the
western boundary of the parcel and whether there would be any alternatives for site development outside
of jurisdictional areas. It was noted that the cumulative review identifies two wetland crossings
previously approved by the Commission for two of the previous houses and such an alternative would
require a third crossing to an area that the consultants believe is completely covered by wetlands and
devoid of any buffer zone area.
Mr. Claro noted he has designed the best project that he can, is unable to move the house any further east
or south, is unable to minimize the yard and garage any further, and believes he cannot make any less
Hopkinton Conservation Commission
23 February 2021
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impacts than are proposed to make it a feasible project. A discussion was held about alternatives to the
proposed garage. The Commission asked if Mr. Claro would like to continue the hearing to allow for
further time. Mr. Claro requested that the Commission take a vote on the application.
Mr. Barker-Hook made a motion to close the hearing and issue an Order of Conditions with the standard
and any noted special conditions. The motion was seconded by Ms. Recos. A roll call vote was held to
issue an Order of Conditions as follows: Ms. Recos – yes, Ms. Reed – no, Ms. LeBlanc – no, Mr. Barker-
Hook – no, Mr. Harrow – no, Mr. Ciriello – abstained, Mr. Barnes – yes. By a 4-2-1 majority decision,
the motion to issue an Order of Conditions did not pass. Therefore, an Order of Conditions - Denial will
need to be issued.
8:22 PM Commission Business – continued
• Mr. Ciriello provided an overview of a trail being considered by the Upper Charles Trail Committee
(UCTC) to be installed on 0 McDermott Lane (U22 5 A), 89 Hayden Rowe, and 90 Hayden Rowe.
Mr. Ciriello noted that a Notice of Intent (NOI) application is being considered for the proposed trail.
Mr. Ciriello noted that the UCTC is considering a series of connector trails between Ashland and
Milford. Mr. Chuck Dauchy, Hopkinton Area Land Trust (HALT), noted that HALT holds the
Conservation Restriction (CR) on the Hayden Rowe parcels and that HALT has met with UCTC on
the alternatives for the proposed trail. Mr. Dauchy noted the CR prohibits additional pavement within
the CR area. It was noted that there have been multiple crossings on the school parcels so a
cumulative analysis should be included with any application.
• Mr. Ciriello provided a status update of the Parks & Recreation Department (P&R), 4 Lake Shore
Drive (188-1512), Sandy Beach improvement project. Mr. Ciriello noted that the P&R is considering
the submission of an NOI application to install a seasonal boat dock at the existing boat ramp.
• Mr. Ciriello noted that he would contact the Commission’s representative on the Trail Coordination &
Management Committee, Ms. Jamie Wronka, about the status of extending the trail from the Hughes
Open Space parcel, 0 Hayden Rowe (U24 10 0), onto the town’s open space parcels at 13 Joseph
Road, 17 Joseph Road, and Rear Joseph Road (R30 2 A). The Conservation Staff noted an Eagle
Scout request for trail improvements on the Joseph Road parcels will be presented at the next
Commission meeting.
• Mr. Barker-Hook provided an update of the Zoning Advisory Committee discussions about a tree
cutting bylaw.
Adjourn: 8:55 PM