Cons Comm 11/18/15 Mtg Mins
Approved
Minutes of Conservation Commission
November 18, 2015
Town Hall Meeting Room
Attendees: Trudy Vermehren, Barbara Brennessel, Cary Rea, Ed Simpson, John Portnoy
Regrets: Ginie Page and Lauren McKean
4:00 - Business Meeting & Conservation Agent's Report
Mail / Discussion
Letter from Nancy Rea, Open Space Committee, announcing there are 3 town owned properties proposed to be placed under Conservation protection (0 Off Pilgrim Spring, Map 29, Parcel 489, 0 Pilgrim Spring, Map 29, Parcel 493, and 0 East Commercial St., Map 15, Parcel164). The proposal requires Town Meeting approval. The Town Administrator has notified committees that the comment period is from 12/1/15 to 01/15/16, after which comments will be forwarded to the Planning Board. John Portnoy moved to recommend transfer of these properties to the stewardship of the Conservation Commission; seconded by Ed Simpson; passed 5-0.
Environmental Assessment from Cape Cod National Seashore on revised plan for management of beach-nesting shorebirds including predator control. Helen Miranda Wilson is asking various committees for their comments which will be forwarded to the National Seashore.
Formal recommendation on Eversource herbicide spray: Agent Hillary Greenberg-Lemos will write Eversource a response stating the Commission has sent numerous letters cautioning against spraying herbicides near wetlands and water-supply wells, preferring mechanical removal. John Portnoy suggested that the letter also commend Eversource for allowing the growth of low-growing shrubby habitat for wildlife, as opposed to their old practice of mowing down all above-ground vegetative cover.
A site visit will be made at Moby Dick’s Restaurant on Route 6 regarding the resource area.
Jurisdictional Opinions: 40 1st Ave, Hartswick: trim a tree which is overhanging house. A site visit was made by staff who agreed work should be done. John Portnoy moved to approve the Jurisdictional Opinion; seconded by Ed Simpson; passed 5-0.
Roadwork and parking lot work – Agent Greenberg-Lemos gave Barbara Brennessel DPW’s list of road work so that she can identify diamondback terrapin habitat. After reviewing the list of roads, Barbara stated that box turtles and diamondback terrapins are in all areas.
Barbara Brennessel moved to approve the amended meeting minutes of November 4, 2015; seconded by Cary Rea; passed 4-0.
Public Hearings 5:00 pm:
PUBLIC HEARING: Town of Wellfleet Environmental Protection Act Regulations. Outstanding information needed was the correction factor to convert elevations given relative to the old NGVD29 datum to the new NAVD88 datum. Portnoy checked with Mark Adams, Cartographer at the Seashore, who confirmed that the standard conversion should suffice for all of Wellfleet: Elevation NGVD29 – 0.86 ft = Elevation NAVD88. Otherwise, the new fee structure has been approved. Trudy Vermehren moved to approve the regulations as amended; seconded by Ed Simpson; passed 5-0.
Hope, 30 Second Street, Map 29, Parcel 434, Certificate of Compliance. Agent Greenberg-Lemos stated a site visit was made and the project is in compliance. Trudy Vermehren moved to approve the Certificate of Compliance; seconded by Cary Rea; passed 5-0.
Morgan, 60 Arey Lane, Map 36, Parcel 26, Certificate of Compliance. Agent Greenberg-Lemos stated the original Order of Conditions was from 1978. Mr. Morgan submitted information confirming completion of the project. Trudy Vermehren moved to approve the Certificate of Compliance; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 5-0.
Shaefer / Fay, 520 Black Pond, Map 4, Parcel 39, Certificate of Compliance. A site visit was made. Gutters were discharging into drip lines instead of dry wells. Trudy Vermehren, supervisor, will make a site visit. Trudy Vermehren moved to continue to 12/2/15; seconded by Barbara Brennessel; passed 5-0.
Spencer, 35 East Commercial St., Map 15, Parcel 110, RDA, replace 10 x 12 shed with 10 x 14 shed (Cont’d). The commission had previously requested the shed be moved forward toward the road; however, the new proposal showed the shed in the same location as presently. It was recommended a call be made to Mr. Spencer telling him the hearing will be continued. Trudy Vermehren moved to continue to 12/2/15; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 5-0.
5:30 pm: hearing reopened at the request of Jamie McGrath who represented the applicant. The commission expressed their concerns with the current location of the shed so close to the top of the coastal bank and again urged moving the shed toward the road. Mr. McGrath will talk with the Spencer’s regarding moving the shed, but assured the Commission that the relocation would be acceptable. A revised drawing will be submitted. Trudy Vermehren moved to identify the RDA as a Negative 3; seconded by Ed Simpson; passed 5-0.
Strauss, 75 Richman Lane. Map 21, Parcel 30, RDA, prune 8 to 10 pine trees. Mr. Strauss stated that he wants to prune the top third of some oaks and pines. By pruning the trees, it would improve views for some of the abutters who have vista easements. The lot is Map 21, Parcel 30.1. The boathouse is on a different parcel. The commission requested the applicant provide a site plan identifying the trees to be pruned as well as wetland resources and buffers.. Trudy Vermehren moved to continue to 12/16/15; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 5-0.
Barbara Brennessel moved to adjourn at 5:45 pm; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Christine A. Bates, Committee Secretary