Approved Conservation Commission Mtg Mins

Meeting date: 
Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Approved

Wellfleet Conservation Commission

Meeting Minutes

June 6, 2018

Town Hall Meeting Room

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Attendees:  Trudy Vermehren, Barbara Brennessel, Lauren McKean and John Portnoy, Conservation Agent, Hillary Greenberg-Lemos and Christine Bates, Committee Secretary

Regrets:  Deborah Freeman and John Cumbler

4:00 - Business Meeting & Conservation Agent's Report

Mail / Discussion

Jurisdictional Opinions

Discussion:  Pat and Randy Bartlett:  would like to perform brush clean up and vista pruning; however, no formal proposal has come b efore the commission. They would revegetate.  Several trees and brush are dead on abutting town property and they would like to work with the town.  Agent Greenberg-Lemos stated a site visit was made and the Commission looked at the trees they would like to prune.   Mrs. Bartlett stated they would like to trim the trees on their property so they have a better view.  She asked if they could also trim the trees on town property; however, Portnoy stated that the Commission had no authority to allow an individual to alter Town land .  Trudy Vermehren stated the Commission would require a site plan describing the proposed management plan.  Mr. Bartlett stated there are several trees on the town property that are leaning over on their property and could do damage to the Bartlett’s fence.  It was recommended Mark Vincent, tree warden, be contacted so he can make a determination of the hazards the trees might do to their personal property.  There was discussion regarding the removal of poison ivy on their own property as well as further discussion doing work on town owned property.  It was recommended they provide a site plan and take it to the Conservation Office to determine what to file with the Commission. 

Gorman, 32 Old Pier Rd, remove several trees that are hazardous, as well as stumps.  Agent Greenberg-Lemos recommended they file an RDA because of the extent of the work and soil disturbance.  Trudy Vermehren moved to have the Gorman’s file an RDA; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 4-0.

Whitman, 53 Chequessett Bluff Rd., replace the caps on the seawall.  Trudy Vermehren moved to approve the Jurisdictional Opinion; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 4-0.

Public Hearings 5:00 pm:

Town of Wellfleet, 505 Long Pond Rd., Map 16, Parcel 655, RDA, Demolish existing ramp, grade area and place access matting.  Suzanne Thomas, Beach Administrator, stated the ramp was constructed over 20 years ago, and due to the water heights, the ramp is sometimes under water.  She stated the proposed access matting will be removed after the season, and re-installed each spring, based on the pond water level.  It was suggested that the ramp be repaired, but Ms. Thomas stated she already has the access matting and would prefer to use it.  There will be an additional person at the ramp site to monitor parking this season; this should limit further disturbance of the ground surface.  Trudy Vermehren identified the RDA as a Negative 2; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 4-0. 

Valli, 30 Ridge View Dr., Map 13, Parcel 134, RDA, construct addition and porch.  Jason Ellis represented the applicant and gave an overview stating the porch will be a few feet into the 100’ buffer zone.  There is only grass in the area where the work will be performed.  A silt fence will be used for the work limit and the area will be revegetated with a grass mix.  The work is within the ACEC.  Due to the setbacks of the property, the addition and porch could not be relocated.  Agent Greenberg-Lemos stated there is additional disturbance within the ACEC with wood chips, parked vehicles,  a storage unit, and gardens.  The plan does not show the existing conditions and the Commission would want the total calculation of disturbance for the property.  Trudy Vermehren moved to continue to 06/20/18; seconded by Lauren McKean; passed 4-0. 

Steven Wellfleet Partners, LLC, 308 King Phillip Rd., Map 34, Parcel 4, RDA, flush cut dead pines, prune trees and revegetate.  Charles Wentz from Ponderosa Landscaping represented the applicant and explained there are approximately 20 dead pines on the property.  He stated there will be revegetation with temporary irrigation.  The Commission would like to have a site visit with Mr. Wentz to determine what trees would be pruned for the view corridor they are requesting.  The Commissioners noted that pines that have been topped in the past have subsequently died; this is a problem because the trees are holding the coastal bank.  Trudy Vermehren stated she would like to see the black locust removed   It was recommended the work take place in the fall.  John Portnoy stated he would like to see the dog run be shortened because the run is close to the coastal bank.  Trudy Vermehren moved to continue to June 20, 2018; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 4-0. 

Reavey, 145 Indian Neck Rd., Map 28, Parcel 135, RDA, construct shed.  Heather Reavey stated they have been building the house over the past 5 years and they require a storage area.  They would like to have a 10 x 12 shed placed on piers.  Agent Greenberg-Lemos questioned if the property had flooded this past season and Ms. Reavey stated they were not here during the past winter.  The Commission wanted the tree identified on the site plan and the shed relocated out of the 50 foot buffer zone.  Trudy Vermehren moved to continue to June 20, 2018; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 4-0.

Peterson, 250 Bayberry Lane, Map 41, Parcel 128, RDA, replace wood patio and enlarge deck

Lora Schofield represented Ms. Peterson and gave an overview of the resources identified on the plan.  The wood patio on the low side of the house o will be replaced with wood as needed.  The  deck will be extended by 2 feet by cantilever, with no new ground disturbance.  Ms. Schofield stated the applicant would be happy to plant 3 to 5 blueberry bushes as a mitigation.  A large pile of leaf litter and branches on the coastal banks will be removed from the property.   John Portnoy identified the RDA as a Negative 2; seconded by Barbara Brennessel; passed 4-0.

Fowler, 11 Pine Point, Map 21, Parcel 47, RDA, construct decking and outdoor shower.  Mark and Rhonda Fowler gave an overview of the project, stating they are constructing a new house and the decking and shower wouldcover approximately 64 square feet with a dry well for the shower.  Barbara Brennessel requested the disturbed area that is within the buffer zone be identified on the site plan for the files.  Trudy Vermehren identified the project as a Negative 3; seconded by Barbara Brennessel; passed 4-0.

Boehringer, 164 Cliff Rd., Map 24, Parcel 100, NOI, Repair erosion / diffuse and divert storm water. (Cont’d).  At the request of the applicant, Trudy Vermehren moved to continue to June 20, 2018; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 4-0.

Ingram, 15 Pine Point, Map 21, Parcel 41, NOI, Construct outdoor living space with deck and exterior steps.  Gordon Peabody represented the applicant and stated the disturbed area  is 2,339.5 square feet.  Diamond piers will be utilized for the construction / placement of the decking.  Native grasses will be used for bare  areas as well as other vegetation identified on the plan.  Debris will be removed from the property.  Gordon stated there is no ACEC on this property based on information on the overlays.  No fertilizers or pesticides will be used on the property.

Trudy Vermehren moved to approve the NOI with conditions; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 4-0.  Supervisor:  Lauren McKean   

The public hearings were closed at 6:15 pm

Trudy Vermehren moved to reopen the business meeting at 6:15 pm seconded by Barbara Brennessel; passed 4-0.

Michael Fisher was introduced to the members of the Commission.  He has expressed interest in joining the Commission and came to observe the meeting.

Meeting minutes 5/15/18 -  Barbara Brennessel moved to approve the amended May 16, 2018 meeting minutes; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 4-0.

Review of letters Agent Greenberg-Lemos sent out to violators.

Lauren McKean distributed draft materials on Adaption in Outer Cape Towns and Cape Cod National Seashore.  She requested the Commission review the material and provide any suggestions at the June 20, 2018 business meeting.

Trudy Vermehren moved to adjourn at 6:30; seconded by Lauren McKean; passed 4-0. 

Respectfully submitted,

Christine Bates, Committee Secretary