Approved 02/18/15 Conservation Commission Mtg Mins

Meeting date:

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Approved

Minutes of Conservation Commission Public Meeting

Date: February 18, 2015

Time: 4:00 PM

Location: Town Hall Hearing Room

Commissioners Present: Trudy Vermehren, Barbara Brennessel, Lauren McKean, and Cary Rea

Regrets: John Portnoy, Ginie Page, Ed Simpson

Staff Present: Hillary Greenberg-Lemos, Conservation Agent; Christine Bates, Committee Secretary

Meeting called to order at 4:00 P.M. by Chair Trudy Vermehren.

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

Brian Carlson, Assistant Town Administrator, stated he is doing an update of the long range plan for Open Space and Recreation for the town. He and the Open Space Committee developed a survey which is available on line to assess people’s needs and opinions regarding open space and recreation. He stated there could be a 5 or 7 year plan. He would like to work with Agent Greenberg-Lemos and the commission to get their recommendations for and adoption of the plan.

Denny O’Connell – Conservation Restriction on Cove Road. Gerald Holcomb is donating the property (Map 23/ lot 208.4) on Cove Road for a conservation restriction. It is 7.02 acres and it will be kept forever wild. The CR will be held by the Compact initially and then will pass to the Conservation Commission. Trudy Vermehren moved to approve the Conservation Restriction; seconded by Cary Rea; passed 4-0.

Denny O’Connell also requested the Commissions’ acceptance and approval of the baseline data report for 940 Chequessett Neck Road across from the CYCC golf course. This is ½ acre parcel donated to the Conservation Trust by J. Fouse. Trudy Vermehren moved to approve the baseline data report; seconded by Barbara Brennessel; passed 4-0.

Meeting Minutes

Lauren McKean moved to approve the amended meeting minutes of 01/07/15; seconded by Barbara Bennessel; passed 3-0 with Cary Rea abstaining.

Trudy Vermehren moved to approve the amended meeting minutes of 01/21/15; seconded by Cary Rea; passed 4-0.

Lauren Markram, Americorp, who is working with the National Seashore was introduced to the Commission by Lauren McKean.

Jurisdictional Opinion: Friends of Herring River seek approval for 18 geotechnical borings in various roadways that will be affected by the removal of the Herring River dike. The borings, which will be temporary, are needed to study the underlying sediments in preparation for raising the roadways. Both Barbara Brennessel (Friends of Herring River) and Lauren McKean (NPS) were allowed to vote by the rule of necessity. Lauren McKean stated Old County Road is considered a bike trail at the present time, which was a concern of some of the citizens attending the Herring River meetings. Trudy Vermehren moved to approve the Jurisdictional Opinion; seconded by Cary Rea; passed 4-0.

Mail:

Report on the Meister property identifying the plantings with pictures of turtles.
Agent Greenberg-Lemos reported Ethan Estey is the new Herring Warden.
Indian Neck and Sluiceway: letter written on behalf of the Commission regarding permanent closure for parking to be presented to the Board of Selectmen at their meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2015. The Commission recommends blocking some of the new paths to vehicles at Indian Neck and recommends year-round closure of the Sluiceway to vehicles. Alfred Pickard stated that non- residents without Wellfleet beach stickers who rent moorings in the harbor park in the area recommended for closure at Indian Neck. He recommended that a parking area be identified for them.

Letter from Suzanne Thomas with the history of the sluiceway.
Feb. 5 letter thanking the commission regarding their statements in support of para-gliders and hang gliders at White Crest Beach.
NStar notification of spraying in 2015.

Fees: Agent Greenberg-Lemos stated the fees have not been increased in the last 8 or 9 years. She will compare the rates from other towns with Wellfleet’s rates.

Public Hearings 5:00 pm:

Donald, 0 Bayview, Map 35, Parcel 39, NOI, extend existing timber bulkhead (Cont’d from 12/17/14). Don Monroe from Coastal Engineering and Alfred Pickard represented the applicant. Monroe stated no new information has been submitted because he has to provide further information to Natural Heritage. He stated turtle friendly fencing will be used, nourishment will be placed on top of the bulkhead, and plantings will be on the other side of the bulkhead. The engineer said he needs to calculate the amount of beach nourishment needed. He identified the access area for nourishment and requested any correspondence in the Conservation Commission's file on diamond back terrapins. Barbara Brennessel moved to continue to March 18, 2015; seconded by Cary Rea; passed 4-0 (put on top of agenda).

Andrews/Aberdale, 95 Chequessett Neck Rd., Map 14, Parcel 155, Certificate of Compliance. Trudy Vemrehren moved to continue to 03/04/15 so that she can inspect the project; seconded by Barbara Brennessel; passed 4-0.

Friend, 675 Gull Pond Rd., Map 9, Parcel 627, NOI, addition to dwelling and exterior stairway (Cont’d from 01/07/15). Lauren McKean recused herself. John Schnaible and Jay Horowitz came to the table. Schnaible stated they originally had requested a studio and new septic system. The project will now be limited to reconfiguring the stairway and decking on the existing building and removing the roof deck. A letter from the National Seashore stated they wanted the decking on the east side removed from the National Seashore property. Mr. Friend will handle the matter himself with the CCNS. The commission requested a deconstruction protocol. At the request of the applicant, Trudy Vermehren moved to continue to 03/18/15; seconded by Cary Rea; passed 3-0-1.

DiRocco, 155 Indian Neck, Map 28, Parcel 134, Remove and rebuild dwelling (Cont’d from 01/21/15). Chris Wixson and representatives from Ambrose Builders came to the table. A new site plan was provided to the Commission identifying all the requests the commission had made at the January meeting. He stated there is no change in the footprint, and he identified the disturbed areas. Notes and descriptions for the planting plan were provided. Three pines outside the work limit will be removed by machines operating inside the work limit. Barbara Brenessel stated the proposed additional decking is still within the resource and recommended that the deck be cantilevered and the spacing of the boards on the deck be as wide as practicable (3/8") to allow water and sun to penetrate the resource. Barbara Brennessel will be supervisor. Cary Rea moved to approve the NOI; seconded by Lauren McKean; passed 4-0.

Fitzgerald, 147 Kendrick, Map 20, Parcel 15, NOI, septic system upgrade (Cont’d from 01/21/15). David Lajoie represented the applicant and stated the Board of Health approved the septic upgrade and he discussed the planting plan. He gave an overview of the suggested drip irrigation system and stated the proposed system works similarly and the trees will still have to be removed and a retaining wall built. Trudy Vermehren moved to approve the NOI; seconded by Cary Rea; passed

4-0.

Harrison, 130 Blue Heron Rd., Map 41, Parcel 2, RDA, remove shrubs and replant. Charles Wentz from Ponderosa Landscaping represented the applicant and gave an overview of the planting project. Trudy Vermehren identified the RDA as a Negative 3; seconded by Barbara Brennessel; passed 4-0. Lauren McKean will supervise the project.

Silverstone, 500 Lt. Island Rd., Map 41, Parcel 82, RDA, upgrade septic. Brad Malo of Coastal Engineering gave an overview of the project, stating the septic system upgrade is due to a real estate transfer. The Board of Health approved the proposed septic upgrade. He stated the new FEMA maps identify the area of the septic system within the flood zone. He stated there are a few scrub pines which will have to be cut and the system will be raised above the grade. Trudy Vermehren identified this as a Negative 2; seconded by Cary Rea; passed 4-0.

Lyons, 55 Old Salt Lane, Map 41, Parecel 71, NOI, septic upgrade. Jason Ellis represented the applicant and stated there is a cesspool in the road layout. This will be an upgrade and the well will be relocated. The Board of Health approved the system. Trudy Vermehren moved to approve the NOI; seconded by Lauren McKean; passed 4-0. SE77-1380.

Ellis, 27 Way 672, Map 12, Parcel 235.1, RDA, construct sunroom. Lauren McKean recused herself. David Little from Ryder and Wilcox represented the applicant and gave an overview of the project. He stated a dumpster would be placed at the end of the driveway for construction debris and the construction will be 92 feet from the wetland. The swamp is part of the Herring River restoration area. Agent Greenberg-Lemos stated this property will be a part of the Herring River restoration project. Trudy Vermehren moved to continue to March 4, 2015; seconded by Cary Rea; passed 3-0-1.

Trudy Vermehren moved to adjourn at 6:00 pm; seconded by Cary Rea; passed 4-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Christine Bates, Committee Secretary