Approved Cons Comm Mtg Mins

Meeting date:

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Approved

Town of Wellfleet

Conservation Commission

12/21/16 4:00 pm

Town Hall Meeting Room

Attendees: Trudy Vermehren, Ginie Page, Barbara Brennessel, Lauren McKean, Ali Sands and Agent Hillary Greenberg-Lemos

Regrets: John Portnoy and Ed Simpson

4:00 Business Meeting and Conservation Agent’s Report

Ginie Page provided pictures of juvenile herring in the upper river which had died due to debris.

She suggested Americorps have a project for the clean up. Barbara Brennessel said that lack of water is the main problem and that there are new best management practices issued by the state: “Stream maintenance protocols for Diadromous Fish Passage.” Which she will circulate to the Commission. She also offered to contact Ethan Estey, Wellfleet’s Herring Warden to let him know about the dead juveniles.

Ali Sands suggested a site visit to property behind Rose’s property on Main Street.

Trudy Vermehren stated she had concerns on the boat yard at the end of Holbrook Ave. and if there are chemicals which might cause damage to the resources. Trudy also stated the Board of Selectmen have mentioned the quality of water in the town.

Leo Everett Wagner III, owner of The Wagner (the Old Duck Creek) came to the table to discuss the marsh in the back of the property and what the commission would like to see done in the resource area. The area had been mowed by previous owners. Mr. Wagner stated he would like to have a seating area and in the future an event area. He stated he would also like to add a deck on the back of the former Sweet Seasons building. He would like to have the commissioners walk the back of the property and develop a plan to have invasives removed to allow for people to walk the property. There was discussion regarding the various plants which might be on the property and what might be mowed and what can’t be mowed. The Commission advised that no mowing be done in the area in the future and that Mr. Wagner get a plot plan designating wetland areas on his property.

Black Pond Road (Flattery project): the steps have been built from the top to the bottom. The property owner put the project on hold, called the contractor and told him to use the rocks to build stirs to a cottage on the property. The person staying at the property told the contractor to put in the rock stairs in the buffer zone. The owner did not know the rock stairs were put in. The owner is going to talk to Agent Greenberg-Lemos this Friday. Hillary Greenberg-Lemos stated the work performed was not that good. Barbara Brennessel moved to have the rock stairway removed; seconded by Ginie Page; passed 5-0. There is no permitted dock for the property.

Jurisdictional Opinions - none

Meeting Minutes: to be addressed at the next meeting.

Public Hearings 5:00 pm:

Town of Wellfleet, Kendrick Ave, Maps 21 and 20, Parcels 114 and 31: NOI, Wellfleet Harbor Dredging (Cont’d). Mike Flanagan, Harbor Master, and Lois Richards, Engineer, provided site plans identifying the areas to be dredged. The salt marsh will not be disturbed. The dredging would take place at the end of September to December. Natural Heritage considers the project a take due to the terrapins. They are working with Mass. Audubon and other agencies to develop a mitigation plan. The disposal area will be approximately 8 miles from Great Island. The project will take approximately 4 cycles (over 4 years). Area 2 is the shellfish area and according to the Shellfish Warden, dredging will not be impacted. Barbara Brennessel moved to approve the NOI; seconded by Ginie Page; passed 5-0. Supervisor: Harbor Master

AJOR, 6325 Chequessett Neck Rd., Map 19, Parcel 117, NOI, remove pool, replace with new pool and patio with mid-level deck (Cont’d). Brian Madden and Peter White stated there have been significant reductions in the project with planting mitigations. Mr. Madden identified the various areas. The lower deck will be reduced in size, the upper deck will be reduced as well, allowing the lower deck to be shifted further away from the resources. Wild flower species will be placed under the upper deck which is 440 sq. ft. There will be 479 new plants. There will be temporary drip line irrigation for the plantings. Mr. Madden reviewed the water management plan. The commission would like to see the removal of the flag pole area and some members remained concerned about the proposed wooden deck. Mr. Madden stated the overall project will improve the existing conditions. He stated the trees that were removed will be replanted. Trudy Vermehren moved to approve the NOI; seconded by Ali Sands; Lauren McKean asked for the meeting minutes to be read from the 11/17/16 meeting. There was further discussion regarding the decking within the 100’ buffer zone. The motion was readdressed; and the vote was 2 in favor and 3 against; which is a denial. Madden and White stated they would like to come back, and did not understand the voting process. Trudy Vermehren moved to reconsider the motion on the vote due to communication issues; seconded by Ginie Page; passed 5-0. At the request of the applicant, Trudy Vermehren moved to continue to 01/18/17; seconded by Barbara Brennessel; passed 5-0.

Robin, 29 Briar Lane, Map 14, Parcel 26, NOI, additions to existing building. Trudy Vermehren recused herself. Sarah Robins explained that she would like to extend the first floor area 10 feet beyond the exiting building. There will be minimal construction due to the use of sono-tubes. There will be revegetating in the area along with a swale for storm water. A handicap bathroom will be installed in the addition. The deck will be used to cover the walk-in freezer and be utilized for the stairway and the deck will not be used for seating. Barbara Brennessel moved to approve the NOI; seconded by Ali Sands; passed 4-0. Supervisor: Barbara Brennessel

Gordon, 340 Winthrop Rd., Map 24, Parcel 33, NOI, expand parking lot, remove existing catch basin and paved drive. David Lajoie represented the applicant and stated there is erosion on the bank which has a paved driveway. He stated the drive would be cut incrementally and removed as the bank erodes. Beach grass will be planted when the pavement is removed. There will be a new parking area with shells. The pavement will be eliminated from the bank. A new site plan showing the extent of driveway removal will be provided. Trudy Vermehren moved to approve the NOI; seconded by Ginie Page; passed 5-0.

Benson, 2533 State Hwy, Map 23, Parcel 167, NOI, construct addition within buffer zone. David Lajoie and Ms. Benson gave an overview of the project. The addition is in a disturbed area and there will be plantings for mitigation. Access will be from the driveway and the east side of the house, which would be vegetated. Trudy Vermehren moved to approve the NOI; seconded by Ali Sands; passed 5-0. Supervisor: Lauren McKean.

Jorgenson, 305 Goss Lane, Map 36, Parcel 16.3, RDA, remove 6 pine trees, 2 oak, all pines with DBH under 4”, all oaks with DBH under 3”, prune Bear Oak limb(s). A site visit was made. Peter Due of Estates Landscape Maintenance, gave an overview of the project for a filtered view. It was recommended that photographs be taken for the file. Trudy Vermehren identified this RDA as a Negative 3; seconded by Lauren; passed 5-0.

Alexander, 49 Wigwam St., Map 35, Parcel 159, RDA, remove 2nd floor deck and remove trees touching house. Mr. Alexander stated Nauset Disposal will remove the debris, hay bales will be used for the run off. Barbara Brennessel identified the RDA as a Negative 3; seconded by Ginie Page; passed 4-0.

Trudy Vermehren moved to adjourn the Public Hearings at 6:40 pm.; seconded by Lauren McKean; passed 4-0.

Business meeting reopened to discuss the herring which are dying and the possibility of doing some clearing. Agent Greenberg-Lemos will follow up.

Trudy Vermehren moved to adjourn at 6:45 pm; seconded by Barbara Brennessel; passed 4-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Christine Bates, Committee Secretary