Conservation Commission Mtg Min
Approved
Wellfleet Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 1, 2014
Town Hall Meeting Room
Attendees: Trudy Vermehren, Barbara Brennessel, Ed Simpson, John Portnoy, Ginie Page, and Lauren McKean
Regrets: Cary Rea
4:00 - Business Meeting & Conservation Agent's Report
Mail:
CC Commission Hearing Notice regarding regulations
Trudy Vermehren moved to approve the 08/20/14 meeting minutes as amended; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 4-0.
Trudy Vermehren moved to approve the 09/03/14 meeting minutes as amended; seconded by John Portnoy, passed 3-0.
Barbara Brennessel moved to approve the 09/17/14 meeting minutes as amended; seconded by Ginie Page; passed 6-0.
There was discussion regarding the repair work done on the drain at Old Chequessett Road and W. Main Street. Agent Greenberg-Lemos will have a discussion with DPW Director, Mark Vincent, to determine what was done. There is concern regarding the amount of debris and materials (gas, oil, coliform bacteria etc.) going into the drain and into the marsh area. Ground water levels will be checked at the property at the corner to see if there is adequate depth to groundwater to allow the installation of a percolating catch basin, rather than discharging runoff directly into upper Pole Dike Creek.
Jurisdictional Opinion
Ellen Kirschner 150 Compass Rd, remove eight (8) trees and prune trees. No site plan or photos were provided. Ginie Page moved to have the applicant file an RDA; seconded by Trudy Vermehren; passed 6-0.
Damon Way, Hiawatha Rd, remove a total of 6 pine trees. No pictures or site plan were provided. Trudy Vermehren moved to have the applicant file an RDA; seconded by John Portnoy; passed 6-0.
Tree cutting and clearing was reported to Agent Greenberg-Lemos on a cart path along Mayo Creek. Agent Greenberg-Lemos will write a letter to Maria Hollis stating this action is not allowed.
There was discussion regarding vehicle use of Wireless Road in emergencies (such as accidents). Lauren McKean stated she has been involved in meetings regarding potential traffic patterns in Wellfleet and Wireless Road does not go all the way to Eastham, the bike trail could not handle the weight of trucks, and the National Seashore fire roads are not passable at the present time. She reported Sara Peake is looking into the issues with traffic congestion due to accidents.
Agent Greenberg-Lemos reported no action has been taken with water testing wells along the power lines due to the difficulty in testing as well as the cost. Barbara Brennessel recommended contacting the Silent Spring Institute regarding testing the wells.
The new Americorps person’s name is Sasha and she will start at the Health and Conservation office on October 14.
Lauren McKean gave an update on the proposed bike trail along Route 6 with branches into the towns of Wellfleet, Truro and Provincetown. A workshop is scheduled for October 30 from 3:30 to 5:30 at the Truro Community Center for the towns, the National Seashore, and Cape Cod Commission.
Public Hearings 5:00 pm:
Bliss, 20 Lil’s Way, Map 29, Parcel 253, Certificate of Compliance. Agent Greenberg stated the two Orders of Condition are in compliance. Ginie Page moved to approve the Certificate of Compliance seconded by John Portnoy; passed 6-0.
Wolff, 156 Pleasant Point Rd., Map 35, Parcel 110, RDA, removal of trees and pruning. Charles Wentz of Ponderosa Landscaping represented the applicant and gave an overview of the project, identifying the tree removal and the mitigation of replanting. There will be no stump removal, in response to the Commission’s concern with erosion on the bank. Herbicide treatment will be limited to oaks at the top of the bank; locusts on the steep bank will be cut periodically but not treated with herbicide so that their roots can continue to help maintain the bank. John Portnoy identified this as a Negative 2 with conditions; seconded by Ginie Page; passed 6-0. Supervisor: John Portnoy
Donald, 0 Bayview, Map 35, Parcel 39, NOI, extend existing timber bulkhead (Cont’d from 09/17/14) At the request of the applicant, Trudy Vermehren moved to continue to 10/15/14; seconded by Ed Simpson; passed 6-0.
Lanza, 113 4th St., Map 40, Parcel 118, NOI, Demolition and rebuild of dwelling (Cont’d from 09/17/14). At the request of the applicant, Trudy Vermehren moved to continue to 10/15/14; seconded by Ed Simpson; passed 6-0.
Schaffer/Fay, 520 Black Pond Rd., Map 4, Parcel 39, NOI, replace steps, expand deck, install gravel walk, install outdoor shower and vista pruning. Lauren McKean recused herself. Chet Lay represented the applicant and gave an overview of the project. The steps going to the pond will be replaced with stone and Chet Lay reviewed all the proposed work. A revised site plan will be provided to identify the total amount of disturbance within the 50’ and 100’ buffer zones, construction of the steps, drainage for heavy roof runoff, and a reconfigured parking area with water bars to divert runoff from the pond shoreline. Barbara Brennessel expressed concern with grey water from the outdoor shower flowing toward and perhaps into Herring Pond. Trudy Vermehren moved to continue to 10/15/14; seconded by Ginie Page; passed 6-0.
Soares, 410 Ltd. Island Rd., Map 41, Parcel 78, NOI, septic upgrade and well relocation (Cont’d from 09/17/14). Jason Ellis represented the applicant and stated there has been a transfer in the property requiring a septic upgrade. He described the various wetland areas and stated the septic would be an I/A system. John Portnoy expressed concern with decking which is covering vegetation within the wetlands and there is no history of it being permitted. If the deck in the wetland deteriorates, the commission does not want it replaced, and so conditioned the project. Ed Simpson moved to approve the NOI with conditions; seconded by Ginie Page; passed 6-0.
Miller, 1225 State Hwy, Map 36, Parcel 13, Amended Order of Conditions. Tim Brady represented the applicant and stated the dwelling will be a modular home. The house will be moved 2 feet on the property and the foundation will have a different design to comply with FEMA flood regulations. There was discussion regarding the gray water from the outdoor shower, with grey water potentially flowing into the adjacent marsh. Portnoy recommended either American beach grass or eastern wild rye, rather than a “conservation grass mix”, for planting the no-mow zone between the mown lawn and the marsh. Ed Simpson moved to approve the AOOC; seconded by Lauren McKean; passed 5-0 with 1 abstention. Tim Brady will provide a revised foundation plan.
Ginie Page moved to adjourn at 6:15 pm; seconded by Ed Simpson; passed 6-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Christine A. Bates, Committee Secretary