Approved Conservation Commission Mtg Mins
Attendees: Trudy Vermehren, Barbara Brennessel, Deborah Freeman, Lauren McKean, John Portnoy, and John Cumbler, Assistant Agent Douglas Guey-Lee and Christine Bates, Committee Secretary
4:00 - Business Meeting & Conservation Agent's Report
Mail / Discussion
White Crest Beach parking area. Trudy Vermehren stated in recent years, the other town parking lots have diminished by approximately 200 parking spaces. The proposed 600 additional parking spaces at White Crest Beach may become the town’s only parking lot for the ocean beaches due to erosion. The Woods Hole Group wrote a letter recommending restoration of the parking lot, but no scientific assessment of its long-term stability. . There will be an article on the Town Warrant regarding the proposed expanded parking at White Crest. The Commission feels there is not enough material available yet for us to comment.
The members of the commission were requested to supply the dates they would not be able to attend in the future.
Mail:
- Letter from Div. of Crop and Pest Services at the Mass. Dept. Agricultural Resources: Increased popularity in honey bee keeping, information available.
- Letter from US Army Corp of Engineers regarding the renourishment of 800 yards. The Corp has jurisdiction and wants Yankelovitch to get a permit from them. The commission was not clear why the ACorp was asserting jurisdiction in this particular case. Hillary Lemos may have more information to share with the commission.
- Notification of Hearing CC Commission 2/22/18 3:00 pm – growth regulations
- Notification of Hearings for vegetation management (Eversource – pesticides) A hearing is scheduled for March 1 at the Sandwich Town Hall from 11:00 to 12:30. Agent Greenberg-Lemos wrote a letter on behalf of the Health Department mentioning 13 properties with private wells and the concern for public health and environment. The Board of Health would like herbicide free management. Barbara Brennessel recommended Hillary write a similar letter on behalf of the Conservation Commission regarding protecting the watersheds. Barbara Brennessel moved to have Agent Greenberg-Lemos write a letter; seconded by Deborah Freeman.
Jurisdictional Opinions: 200 Briar Lane, O’Neil, removal of trees and stumps marked with orange tape. Removal of stumps after Eversource removes trees (blue tape). It was noted at the site visit there were 8 to 11 trees and stump marked with orange tape, which the Commission felt was too much work in the resource area for a Jurisdictional Opinion. John Portnoy moved to deny the Jurisdictional Opinion because the owner needs to identify how the work will be performed; seconded by John Cumbler; passed 5-0. .
Meeting Minutes: Barbara Brennessel moved to approve the amended meeting minutes of 02/07/18; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 6-0.
Barbara Brennessel requested a discussion regarding the maximum area of disturbance allowable in the buffer zone. She feels it is easier to have an absolute limit on the area rather than a fraction of the area encompassed by the 100-ft buffer zone on a lot. After reviewing the regulations, there is a reference of 3,000 sq. ft for properties prior to 2003, and a reference of 5,000 sq. ft. for properties after 2005, whose rationale needs clarification. Further discussion regarding the buffer zone took place and ideas were shared on what would be the best solution to change the local regulations. It was determined to have a discussion with Agent Greenberg-Lemos to understand what took place in previous years when writing the regulations. Debbie Freeman suggested that we invite Town Counsel to explain current regulations in this matter.
Public Hearings 5:00 pm:
Melvin, 35 Holbrook Ave., Map 20, Parcel 138, NOI, demolish and rebuild 2 dwellings (Cont’d) At the request of the applicant, Trudy Vermehren moved to continue to March 7, 2018; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 6-0.
Bowden, 140 Fox Island Rd, Map 2, Parcel 21, RDA, Remove 3 trees. Gordon Peabody represented the applicant. He stated during a heavy storm, trees came down within inches of their newly built home. Tree expert Dennis Townsend told Gordon there are trees with real risks to the property. The owners are willing to replace the trees with 12 bear oaks. The trees will be flush cut. Trudy identified the RDA as a Negative 3; seconded by Deborah Freeman; passed 6-0.
Smith, 80 2nd Ave., Map 40, Parcel 126, NOI, proposed revetment and stairway reconstruction (Cont’d). Catharine Ricks, of Coastal Engineering, stated Division of Fisheries and Wildlife made recommendations for conditions which the applicants agree to. Trudy Vermehren again reiterated the landing is still too large at 8’ x 10’. Ms. Ricks agreed to reduce the landing to 4’ x 10’. The abutting revetments are higher and Ms. Ricks stated the revetment will meet the current FEMA standards for a 1% frequency storm tide. The nourishment requirement will be 96 cubic yards annually, with monitoring every year over a 3-year period. A straw pole vote was taken: Cumbler and Brennessel would not vote for approval of the NOI; with the rest of the Commission stating they had no objection or basis to deny. Trudy Vermehren moved to approve the revised NOI; seconded by Lauren McKean; passed 4-2. Supervisor: Agent
Trudy Vermehren moved to adjourn at 5:35 pm; seconded by John Cumbler; passed 6-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Christine Bates, Committee Secretary