Conservation Commission Minutes

Conservation Commission Minutes

December 7, 2005

 

Members Present:  Rick Whaley (7:40) Iora Alexander, Kevin Avery, Tom Hughes & Dave Holsher

 

Members Absent:  I

  

Meeting called to order at 7:06 P.M.  By Kevin Avery

 

A.  Minutes:

Minutes of November 2, 2005 & November 16, 2005

Motion to continue by TH.  Seconded by DH.  Vote Unanimous.

 

B.  Water Sampling Rings Island:

Ray Pike Harbormaster -representing the Harbor Commission

Request $150. for each site to be tested.  Six sites.

Need to do sampling in creek to test to determine contamination source.  Six samples.  Sewer is available to residents on Rings Island but Mr. Pike said he was not sure if anyone was hooked up to sewer.  KA said he would be willing to split funds three (3) ways between the Board of Health, Harbor Commission & Conservation Commission.  Need to find out source of contamination.  TH asked what was the name of the creek needing additional samples.  TH asked - six samples?  TH how high is the reading.  RP said the reading was well over 300 for most units.  TH made the motion to authorize 450.$ from Conservation Commission for sampling water in unnamed creek- equal funds to be shared by Board of Health & Harbor Commission.  Seconded by IA.  Vote unanimous.

 

C.  Building Permits:

 

Sherry Libby 25 11th Street request for Building Permit to be signed.

Motion to sign by TH.  Seconded by DH.  Vote unanimous.

 

D.  Public Hearings:

 

NOI, Northpoint Builders LLC, Seabrook Road

Motion to continue by TH.  Seconded by DH.  Vote unanimous.

 

DH move to take #6 ANRAD out of order.  Seconded by TH.  Unanimous.

ANRAD, Cardiillo Development, 163 Elm Street

Motion to continue to January 4, 2006 by TH.  Seconded by DH.  Unanimous.

 

DH move to take #7 NOI out of order.  Seconded by TH.  Unanimous.

NOI, Chris Auto Body, 100 Elm Street

Motion to continue to January 4, 2006 by TH.  Seconded by DH.  Unanimous.

 

2.  Public Hearing, NOI, Thomas O’Hara, 41 Old County Road

Represented by Eric Botterman of Millennium Engineering with applicants present, T. O’Hara and sister.

Surrounded by marsh - have donated about 60 acres of marshland to state.  Proposed construction of 2 houses - one on piles.  Now proposing plan to move houses away fro wetland.  Outside 25 foot no build zone.  Plan submitted has been improved from what had been originally planned.  Intent of project is for Mr. O’Hara and his sister to build homes.  Land has been in the family for years.  KA - asked if he had donated 60 acres?  Mr. O'Hara said t was voluntary taking - donated all salt marsh.  KA replicated as salt marsh?  EB said it would be replicated as BVW.  TH not really replicated but restoration.  KA restoration in the area of 1.1?  Phragmities have over run area.  TH if you are putting one house - then there is room.  TH said he would like to see site - generally would not like to give anything on 25 no build.  IA asked how many sq. ft. in no build zone?  EB said about 550 sq. ft.  I A asked how large is the restoration area?  EB said 2650 sq. ft.  TH did you make flagging changes that Mary Rimmer recommended?  EB said yes.  EB - said there are no issues on the state level.

TH - DEP requires 401 applications?  EB - based on original project. 

TH continue to January 4, 2006 and make site visit.  Applicant is to send plan to DEP.  TH accordingly send plans to DEP.

TH motion to continue to January 4, 2006, TH site visit and send plans to DEP.  KA - would like to add, before we ask people to move houses out of 25 ft. zone and they have done so.  EB said the whole idea about restoration was Conservation Commissions.  Seconded by KA.  Vote unanimous

 

3.  Public Hearing, NOi Robert Jacobs, 2 Murray Street

Represented by Eric Botterman - requesting continuance.  Motion to continue to January 4, 2006 by TH.  Seconded by IA.  Vote unanimous.

 

4.  Public hearing, NOI, Michael O'Neill

Motion to continue to January 4, 2006 by TH.  Seconded by DH, Vote unanimous.

 

5. Public Hearing, NOI Peter Carbone, 2 Broadway

Represented by Eric Botterman, K. Young - present applicant Peter Carbone.

Project if for 24 Condominium Units - parking - 3400 sq. ft. of commercial use in front.  Submitted to Joe Serwatka for review.  Would like to close public hearing and move forward with project.  TH paving regulations?  KY said paving to provide safety.  Currently we are at 100% and paving proposing will be 70% paved area.  All run off will be contained o site.  Car run off.  Drainage features to make storm water run off effective.  Storm water run off and infiltration on site.  TH asked what car run off are you talking about?  KY said dirt form car in winter from road, wheels, etc.

KA being in Beach Commercial - I see project as acceptable.    KA move to approve as presented.  Seconded by IA. Only if Planning Board makes changes - if Planning Board changes specs. Then you must come back to Conservation Commission.  RW said has this already been reviewed by Planning Board?  Joe Serwatka said the Planning Board is to review, so why rush to judgment?    Plantings - rogosa, beach grass, wither berry & bayberry - salt tolerant plants.  TH pavement not allowed under our rules.  But they are mitigating enough.  RW asked if applicants have talked to DEP?  RW we have just had one of our decisions come back - paving under roof line.  RW no O of C until Planning Board reviews.  KA why can't we issue O of C?  Unnecessary caveat.  TH plan date 11/22/2005?  Plan October 2005?  KA stamp date is 11/22/2005.  4 in favor of approval - TH, IA, KA & DH.  1 abstained - RW.  Vote carried. 

KA approve with contingency that if Planning Board changes plans the have to come back to conservation Commission. 

 

 

Chairman declares a 5 minute recess.

 

TH - #4 Old Business

KA move to take #4 Old Business out of order.  Seconded by TH.  Unanimous.

 

Old Business:

#4 41 Main Street, Scott Mitchell

 

8:20 P.M. Mr. Hughes excused.

 

TH we are looking at whether we want o let someone remove all the trees to sell property.  Does not make sense to clear cut lot.  Scott Mitchell - not trying to sell property, just market property.  Trying to clean lot up - not a lot of trees worth saving.  Do not see anything in By-Laws that prevents us from doing what we want.  Do not see anything in your By-Laws that we cannot cut trees - it is our land.  TH - my point is until you really know what is going in, why clean the lot?  Scott Mitchell -said I do not think it is out of character with what is up there - I think you are being unreasonable and I never got notified until today that someone was going out there.  TH said he did go out there.  SM said that there was someone out there today at 4:00P.M.  TH said we should not be approving clearing all trees until you know what is going to come in there.  SM said I feel that if there are any bylaws saying we cannot cut trees or clear property you should show us.  IA - think it is a shame to cut the trees.  KA not our jurisdiction.  TH yes we have the jurisdiction to look at this under the by-law.  TH there is a way to open up this property without cutting or clear cutting.  SM - six trees or seven trees - calling it a forest is still quite a stretch.  SM is a shame that a property owner can not do what he wants with his property because someone else does not want it.  DH in respect to the neighbors, what is the value?   SM mainly meaning you Tom.  SM we end up planting trees sometimes when we develop the property.  SM totally disagrees with TH.  DH that is where I was going with my question. IA do you understand that trees act as a buffer to abutter’s property?  SM, yes, I understand.  TH - plant trees on site.  TH if you develop site commercially, if you have to go to the Planning Board they like to save trees.  TH twelve or eight hardwood trees there would be a shame to cut.  SM - typically have landscaper come in and plant trees.  There aren’t any trees in there - trees worth saving.  TH it is senseless clear cutting everything even though it is a commercial area.  KA given the fact that there is .... RW in respect to discussion - commercial and given the neighborhood you should be able to cut your trees and we have nothing to do with it.

Motion to allow - 3 in favor - RW, KA & DH.  2 - opposed - IA & TH.  Motion carried.

 

D. #8

Public hearing, NOI, Toler, LLC, 208 Elm Street

Michelle Rowden request hearing be continued to January 4, 2006.  Not properly noticed.

Motion to continue to January 4, 2006 by RW.  Seconded by KA.  Unanimous.

 

D. #9

Public Hearing, Joan Stevens, 14A-C Friedenfels Road

Greg Boden representing applicant for 14A-C Friedenfels Road

Cluster development

12 acres to Town.  59 acres to Wildlife.  6 acres to develop.  Laurie Parker - said elevation is 9.  Coastal Bank defined.  100 foot buffer zone and 200 foot river front buffer.

RW asked- just to let the Conservation Commission member know - there are many comments on the project, so maybe we should turn this over to Mary Rimmer.

KA - is this gravel?  What is the distance from River to the homes?  LP showed KA river and houses on plan.  Motion by KA to send plan to Mary Rimmer to review Wetland boundaries and to DEP for comments.  Seconded by IA.    IA - asked sewerage?  GB - some on septic.  KA - in respect to storm water management detention basin - GB - using country drainage with swales. 

Fred Ford of Cammett Engineering representing Mr. Renz abutter to north.

Mr. Ford - hired by Mr. Rebz to review NOI - Seekamp Environmental does not accurately depict coastal bank and fall in to your no build 40 zone.  KA it is clear you’re disputing no build!  Mr. Ford - not disputing coastal bank.  In our opinion things need to be reviewed in more detail.  Alterations analysis - should focus on area in more detail.  Lot $4 depression area subject to flooding - may not be altered without causing flooding on Mr. Renz property.  Depression not properly modeled in their project.

RW assumption of run off?  FF - General comments - need more information on storm water run off.  FF -aside - where they discharge - they are right up to wetland with discharge.    Brian Mullen - Rings Island water district.  RI hold him responsible for water pipe.  He has a task that he has to make sure.  RW can we continue to January 18, 2006.  LP - bylaw no disturbs and no build inconsistent to extent...  As far as limited impact to area we are encroaching on 40 foot no build.

KA monition to have Mary Rimmer for review of wetlands and comments, and to continue to January 18, 2006.

Seconded by IA.  Unanimous.

 

KA motion to take E1 & E2 out of order.  Seconded by IA.  Unanimous.

 

RW – E1 & E2

DH move to continue E1 & E2 to January 4, 2006.  Seconded by KA.  Unanimous.

 

E3 – Daniel Wilson, 72 Elm Street, Request for Certificate of Compliance

KA motion to grant Certificate of Compliance for 72 Elm Street.   Seconded by IA.

Unanimous.

 

F. New Business:

#2

67 Main Street, Dave Pritchard

RW asked if there were other trees to be cut?

Mr. Prichard said no more these.  RW said you understand the reason we wanted you here- 6 or more trees to be cut and you need to draw up a plan and submit.  Mr. Pritchard did have plan and just wanted to clean up property.  KA asked if work was done?  DP said yes – cleaning property up – it was an eye sore.  KA is this Bayberry?  DP said it was and first want previous owner to clear.   KA asked if he was moving old campers and trailers out?  DP – yes.  KA continue to clear but if fill or digging & wetlands – you need to submit a plan.  Seconded by IA.  Unanimous.

 

F.

#4

Lynn McGoff, 13 CCC Road

RW  Have Joe Serwatka and suggest Mary Rimmer looked at this.

RW move to issue Certificate of Compliance once MR reviews site.  Seconded by IA.  Unanimous.

 

KA clarification – O’Blenes & Bassett

I may have been wrong on assessment down there but we may have thrust into a neighborhood battle. KA said it is not the first one but he thinks that DEP should look into it all.  Have DEP look at the whole thing – not just one property.  KA will call Mr. Bassett and apologize.

 

H.    Site Inspection:

#1.

Truppner, 18 Mudnock Road – RW

 

F.  New Business:

 

F1.Frank Gorman, 591-595 Request for Certificate of Compliance

TH to visit site.

 

F3.  133, 135, 137 Beach Road Request for Certificate of Compliance

DH to visit site.

 

F5. Trout Way

Beaver Dam Problem

 

KA motion to continue all items not addressed to January 4, 2006.  Seconded by DH.  Unanimous.

 

KA motion to adjourn.

Seconded by DH.  Unanimous.  Meeting adjourned at 9:20 P.M.