Town of Becket - Conservation Commission Minutes 2/21/08

Becket Conservation Commission

February 21, 2008

Approved Minutes

Meeting Opens at 6:33 PM

Commissioners Present: Josh Lombard, Chair; Mercedes Gallagher, Vice Chair (arrives at 6:45); Scott Morley; Kathy Vsetecka; Marty Winters

Commissioners Absent: Barbara Toomey

1. Approval and signing of minutes from the January 17, 2008 meeting.

Kathy moves to approve the minutes as presented; Scott seconds; unanimous approval.

2. Neal Toomey: Community Preservation Act

Mr. Toomey is not present.

3. Continued Notice of Intent Irving Epstein 524 Silverleaf Drive Map 214 lot 130 DEP #102-330 Installation of a dock for boat access to Ward Pond. A boardwalk and deck to be constructed

Mike Kulig of Berkshire Engineering, representing the applicant, presents the new plan which includes a replication area.

<<6:45 PM Mercedes Arrives>>

Discussion of trees previously cut. No public.

Scott moves to approve the NOI with the following conditions:

I. Standard Conditions

II. The Inland Wetland Replication Guidelines must be met for the replication area

III. The Conservation Commission must approve the professional who will be hired to do the performance of the replication

IV. A digital photo record of existing tree conditions will be provided to the commission by 5/15/08

Mercedes seconds; unanimous approval.

4. Continued Request for Determination of Applicability Joseph DeCarolis addressStreet126 Alan-a-Dale Dr. Map 216 lot 494 Building a garage in the buffer zone of Little Robin placeLake

Suspected road conditions prevented the site visit.

Kathy moves to continue to 3/20/08 with the applicant’s consent; Scott seconds; unanimous approval.

5. Request for Determination of Applicability Morris & Nancy Freedman 75 Seneca Drive Map 218 lot 182 Removal of existing entry and addition of a larger entry, laundry room, bathroom and master bedroom

Leah Daignault of Greylock Design Associates presents the plan.

Kathy and Josh visited the site which is very flat and, in their judgment, upland. Erosion controls will be silt fence, dug in. Silt fence will be extended beyond what is currently shown on the plan to encompass the riprap apron. Approximately 9 (nine) trees and 3 (three) saplings will be removed from the work area. There will be no significant grade changes.

Scott moves to issue a Negative Determination of Applicability with

I. Standard Conditions

II. Erosion controls must be extended out to encompass the dissipater apron and connection pipe 3 (three) feet around.

Kathy seconds; unanimous approval.

6. Request for Determination of Applicability Roy B. Arnold 471 Otis Road Map 204 lot 143 Removal of existing deck and adding an additional structure and deck

Mr. Arnold presents the plan. The proposed new deck will be built around existing trees. Kathy and Josh did a site visit. Discussion of storage of demolition debris and excavated materials.

Marty moves to issue a Negative Determination of Applicability with

I. Standard Conditions

II. Demolition debris will be temporarily stored at the road end of the existing driveway surface.

III. Fill will be stored in designated area as per approved drawing and will be tarped and surrounded by silt fence.

IV. Erosion controls will be silt fence and straw wattles or straw bales.

V. Dumpster will be parked on the existing driveway.

Mercedes seconds; unanimous approval.

7. Request for Determination of Applicability Henry A. Terwedow Jr. addressStreet175 Big Bass Lane Map 413 lot 58 Creation of a new single family home including septic system and driveway

Present, representing the applicants: Mike Parsons of Kelly, Granger & Parsons, David Gilardi of New England Design & Building, Dawn Van Ness of Barnbrook Realty

Mr. Parsons presents the plan along with a narrative of the project to date. His firm mapped the wetland areas but an approval of the delineation is not being sought. The commission is not comfortable making a determination without being able to see the ground conditions.

The applicants are concerned about having to wait another month. The Commissioners explain that they may go ahead with their project in areas that are outside the WPA jurisdiction, and that, if they do alter any resource areas, they will have to restore them.

Scott moves to continue to 3/20/08 with the applicants’ consent; Kathy seconds; unanimous approval.

8. Discussion of property on at 3255 Main Street Map 207 lot 67; owner Robert Sweet RDA expires March 21, 2008

Kathy has spoken with Mr. Sweet who told her the plantings have not been done. She also discussed the issue with Mark Stinson of DEP who told her that after the RDA expires, an E/O could be put on the property or the commission could then require an NOI for redevelopment in a riverfront area. The commission will make a decision at the March meeting.

9. Discussion of dry hydrant on property previously belonging to Paul Richter.

Josh reports that he learned from Mr. Richter that this property has been sold to a W. Frederick Timme III. There is a question if the sale was of the entire development or just the piece of property on which the dry hydrant is located. Josh and Kathy will attempt to contact Mr. Timme.

10. Enforcement Order on addressStreet674 Benton Hill Rd. Map 209 lot 23 Indymac Bank

Kathy reports that this commission can not request bonds. Josh gave the Indimac Bank permission to put in windows and put on siding. Preston Webb will be doing this work.

Mercedes moves to issue a new Enforcement Order stating that work will be allowed on and within 10 (ten) feet of the existing structure. No work shall be allowed on the septic system until restoration work is completed and approved. Restoration work per the plan approved by the Conservation Commission on 1/5/07 shall be completed by 6/1/08 with a Conservation Commission site visit to inspect the restoration work to be done on 6/16/08. Josh seconds. Unanimous approval.

11. Administrative business

· Membership in the placePlaceNameHousatonic PlaceTypeValley Assoc.: After a brief discussion Kathy moves to send $50; Scott seconds; unanimous approval.

· Update on Mass GIS: Mark Stinson suggests the commission purchase a laptop to handle the GIS program. Discussion of training required. Josh, Kathy and Scott express tentative interest. Blanche says she would be happy to take the training if the commission is willing to make the investment.

· Agenda Deadline: Kathy requests additions/changes to meeting agendas be submitted no later than 9:00 a.m. the Monday before the week of the meeting.

· Open E/O’s: Reviewed.

There being no further business, Josh moves to adjourn; Marty seconds; unanimous approval. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Blanche Lennington, Recorder

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Josh Lombard, Chair Date

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Mercedes Gallagher, Vice Chair Date

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