Approved Conservation Commission Mtg Mins

Approved

Wellfleet Conservation Commission

Meeting Minutes

July 18, 2018

Town Hall Meeting Room

Attendees:   Barbara Brennessel, Lauren McKean, John Cumbler, Deborah Freeman, Michael Fisher and John Portnoy, Conservation Agent, Hillary Greenberg-Lemos and Christine Bates, Committee Secretary

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

Mail / Discussion

Larry Dapsis of Cape Cod Extension – Presentation “Bugs on the Cape”.   He stated children 10 and under have the highest rate of tick disease.  Through some grant money, pamphlets and tattoos (simulated ticks) were made to share at libraries, stores, and garden centers.  The tattoos were made for children so they could identify what ticks looked like when on their skin.  He discussed gypsy moths and discussed rain during the spring and how it affects the moth population.    Winter moths were reviewed, describing the male and female, egg production and damage they do to trees.  He stated a parasite fly was introduced in various locations and the winter moth population was drastically reduced.  There is a parasitic wasp that does damage to oak trees, oak gall wasp.  Southern pine beetles (very small in size) lay eggs under the bark of trees which damages trees.  Cape Cod has been monitored and there are 5 locations which have been infested.  If this becomes a major problem, there will be a plan for removal / control.  The Commission asked Mr. Dapsis if there is any literature to hand out to potential applicants regarding care of trees.  Ticks:  Cape Cod Health Care has  tick testing for various diseases.  They are funding UMASS directly for the testing at the University.  The Lone Star tick was found on Cape Cod (particularly in the Sandy Neck area of Barnstable and also in Falmouth).  Turkeys and coyotes are good hosts for this tick.  Lyme Disease:  Nantucket and Dukes County have the highest rate of Lyme disease.  Barnstable County’s rates have not increased; it is believed that this is due to improved public education.  Truro, Wellfleet, Brewster and Orleans show the highest rates of Lyme disease on the Cape.  Mr. Dapsis received grant money to make video presentations at Cape Media News; they  will be made available to senior centers, schools, etc. and local TV channels.  An 18 minute film was also produced and has been viewed at film festivals.

Jurisdictional Opinions – none

Letter from Ellen LeBow requesting what regulations restrict seasonal tents, which she uses as a studio / painting area.  The Commission noted that the tent and adjacent disturbance is in the high salt marsh, i.e. a resource under protection by both Town and State law, and will make another site visit when Ms. LeBow is available to discuss the resource area. 

Meeting Minutes – to be addressed after the Public Hearings.

Public Hearings 5:00 pm:

Valli - 30 Ridge View Dr., Map 13, Parcel 134, RDA, construct addition and porch (Cont’d)\

Jason Ellis represented the applicant and supplied a revised plan as requested by the Commission.  The Commission requested the total disturbance area in the resource area be provided to the agent.  John Portnoy identified the RDA as a Negative 2; seconded by Lauren McKean; passed 4-0.  (Deborah Freeman and Michael Fisher recused themselves)

Stuart, 240 Bayberry Lane, Map 41, Paracel 127, NOI, screened porch addition and expand deck.  David Lajoie represented the applicant and stated that development on the parcel is heavily constrained  by wetland resources.  The project area is approximately 320 sq. ft.  The cantilevered deck and porch will be on pilings using new sonotubes.  There will be three new sonotubes needed for the porch.  The Commission requested a land management plan regarding the plantings including irrigation to ensure survival.  Barbara Brennessel moved to approve the NOI with conditions; seconded by Deborah Freeman; passed 6-0.  Supervisor:  Lauren McKean 

McNutt-Owen, 50 Briar Lane, Map 14, Parcel 21, RDA, Replace deck surface and stair treads.  Russell Fulcher represented the application and stated that the work involves only replacement of existing pressure-treated lumber with a more environmental benign product.   John Cumbler identified the RDA as a Negative 3; seconded by Barbara Brennessel; passed 6-0.

Outer Cape Health Care, 3130 State Hwy, Map 13, Parcel 67, NOI, addition, enlarge parking, replace septic, and vegetation.  Attorney Eliza Cox, Brad Malo of Coastal Engineering, and Bill Cheney, landscaper, represented the applicant.  Brad Malo gave an overview of the resource areas, the structures and utilities on the site.  The new addition will be in the buffer zone on the south and east side.  The proposed parking areas will be outside of the buffer zone.  Water runoff, which is currently directed into the wetland, will be collected in new catch basins  outside of the buffer zone.  He reviewed four alternatives.  He explained the driveway to the south is required for accessibility by emergency vehicles.  The current shed on the property will be relocated outside the public well protection zone.  Native plants will be used.  John Portnoy noted that the project should be conditioned on the removal of some invasive plants along the top of the bank to the south of the building.  Lauren McKean moved to approve the NOI with this condition; seconded by Deborah Freeman; passed 6-0.    Supervisor:  John Portnoy   

Palumbo, 90 Aunt Sarah’s Way, Map 42, Parcel 58, NOI, addition, screened porch and modify decks.  Laura Schoefield represented the applicant.  The addition will be in place of an existing greenhouse and deck.  It is within the ACEC and the FEMA delineated flood zone. .   The screened porch will be over the garden area and supported by sonotubes.  The upper deck will be enlarged and cantilevered over an area that has already been disturbed.  There will be a new set of stairs to access the deck.  The accessory building will be removed and a smaller garden shed will be utilized to the north, i.e. outside Commission jurisdiction.  She gave an overview of the proposed plantings.  Natural Heritage has not responded as yet.  The construction will be outside of the 50’ filter strip.  There will be ongoing erosion control and storm water runoff control.  There will be 2,703 total square feet of disturbance.   There will be a living space in the lower level which is within the flood plain.  Laura reviewed the new building codes for projects within the flood plain.  The entire house could be elevated one foot above the flood zone which would be at elevation 15 ft-NAVD88 which she stated would be very expensive and create major disturbance.  The other option is to use build a retaining wall just seaward of the structure and backfill to remove the house from the flood zone; however, this will require the approval of FEMA because it would displace some flood water during a major storm.   The Commission requested drawings of both proposals.  Lauren McKean moved to continue to August 1, 2018; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 6-0. 

Lauren McKean moved to close the public hearings at 6:15 pm; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 6-0.

Lauren McKean reopened the business meeting.

Meeting Minutes:     

Barbara Brennessel moved to approve the amended June 20, 2018 meeting minutes; seconded by John Cumbler; passed 5-0.

Mail was reviewed.

Lauren McKean moved to adjourn at 6:25 pm.; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 6-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Christine Bates, Committee Secretary