Conservation Commission — 2018-05-17
Minutes
CITY OF MELROSE CONSERVATION COMMISSION City Hall, 562 Main Street Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 Telephone - (781) 979-4312 Fax - (781) 979-4290 Melrose Conservation Commission Minutes for May 17, 2018 Present: Michael Paiewonsky, Kate Hickey, Susan Murphy and Zachary Drench Absent: Richard Doucette and Aaron Weieneth Ms. Murphy opened the public hearing at 8:15pm Minutes- Motion by Ms. Hickey to approve the minutes from February 15, 2018, Ms. Murphy seconded the motion and it was voted 4-0 in favor. Motion by Ms. Hickey to approve the minutes from April 05, 2018, Mr. Drench seconded the motion and it was voted 4-0 in favor. Public Hearing– 8:15pm: 110 Woodcrest Dr.- Geoff Pope and Tara Pope (Homeowners) present. Mr. Pope explained that he intends to install a new in-ground pool in the rear of his home and would also like to level the yard to a uniform grade. Mr Pope- I intend to remove about 18” of dirt and stone for grading purposes. The upper corner of the property falls within the 100 foot buffer zone. Ms. Murphy – The wetland consultant has identified the wetland as a potential vernal pool, more stringent rules for vernal pools to protect habitat. Staff shared photos of existing conditions from site visit. Mr. Drench- New retaining wall in the back? Mr.Pope- If needed, not planning on grading down to the 120 elevation, plan to carry the 123 elevation for the pool area. Mr. Drench- Any way to avoid work within the buffer zone? Mr.Pope- Yes, but it will be significantly more costly for a retaining wall. Comments from public- David Mcloughlin, 5 Indian hill lane- owns several properties nearby, not opposed to the project as long as it doesn’t direct more water towards his property. Ms. Murphy- Major concerns would be erosion and sediment controls. Mr. Drench- Resource area alteration, minimal wetland function for this particular piece of buffer. Mr. Pope- The building permit kicked off the whole filing process, 2 weeks expected for the site work and then assess for what’s needed after. Special conditions- Mr. Paiewonsky marked up the map showing erosion controls at the property line from the 124 elevation (straw bales and silt fence), about 100 linear feet. Mr. Pope will call Staff when the erosion controls are installed and Staff will go and inspect them before the work is to begin. Ms. Murpy- A formal as-built not required for this project, it won’t need to be stamped by an engineer. An “As-constructed” sketch by the homeowner will be required. This will show the finished conditions as they are and photos keyed to the sketch for reference. Motion by Ms. Murphy to close the public hearing. Mr. Drench seconded the motion and it was voted 4-0 in favor. Motion by Ms. Murphy to issue a standard Order of Conditionswith the above mentioned conditions. Mr. Drench seconded the motion and it was voted 4-0 in favor. Discussion 431 Swains pond Ave- Jenny Ha, homeowner present to discuss options regarding tree cutting in floodplain and isolated vegetated wetland. Staff shared photos from the April 25 site visit (see file). Several trees proposed to be cut, the owner had an arborist come and write up a list of recommendations for tree cutting on the property. A parcel map was reviewed for reference by the commission. The tree company is currently backlogged, Owner will revise list to narrow down to priority trees. Mr. Drench mentioned concern for potential loss of shading on the isolated wetland. Ms. Murphy believes the project could continue as an administrative approval. The Owner shall work with the Commission staff (Eric). The Homeowner shall get a plot plan and mark the trees to be cut/removed and where the replacement plantings shall go. Document what work is going to be done and both what the replacement plantings are to be and where they shall be planted. Solitude Lake Management Towners pond phosphorus add on- Staff shared a copy of the proposed cost for additional phosphate testing at Towners pond from Solitude lake management- $1100. Looking for better guidance on what we are actually doing to the ponds during treatments. Motion by Ms. Murphy to approve the $1,100 add-on to the pond treatment program, Mr. Drench seconded the motion and it was voted 4-0 in favor. Trail Stewards/Map update- Ms. Hickey has indicated that we have received 11 comments so far on the google reporting form. All Commissioners should have access to it. Staff will follow up on the comments and email the stewards back thanking them for feedback and updating on responses/actions. DPW dispatched to collect trash from the trail cleanup, some notes about signage to be addressed. Burnett St- Property owned by the parks department was discussed, mostly wetlands present. Staff has spoken with the parks department, they are aware that it is a wetland and important for flood control in the area. Staff received a call from a resident expressing concern that conservation should be in control of the property. If the parks department wants to give the parcel to conservation, we will accept it. The next scheduled meeting will be Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 7:30 PM. Motion by Mr. Drench to adjourn. Ms. Hickey seconded the motion and it was voted 4-0 in favor. Adjourn 9:30 PM adjourn ____________________________ _________________ Approved Date. Pursuant to the ‘Open Meeting Law, ‘ G.L. 39, 23B, the approval of these minutes by the Commission constitutes a certification of the date, time and place of the meeting, the members present and absent, and the actions taken at the meeting. Any other description of statements made by any person, or the summary of the discussion of any matter, is included for the purpose of context only, and no certification, express or implied, is made by the Commission as to the completeness or accuracy of such statements.