Conservation Commission Mtg Min
Approved
Wellfleet Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
November 5, 2014
Town Hall Meeting Room
Attendees: Trudy Vermehren, Barbara Brennessel, Ed Simpson, Cary Rea, John Portnoy, Ginie Page, and Lauren McKean, Agent Hillary Greenberg-Lemos and Christine Bates, Committee Secretary
4:00 - Business Meeting & Conservation Agent's Report
Jurisdictional Opinion: Maria Brand, 344 King Phillip Rd, 35/178, replace existing grade-level deck, exact replacement. Trudy Vermehren moved to approve the Jurisdictional Opinion with co-supervisors Ginie Page and Barbara Brennessel; seconded by Cary Rea; passed 7-0.
Hamblen Park: Trudy Vermehren reported the plantings look good at the present time. Well driller Desmond stated he was unable to find fresh water. John Portnoy stated the well-water sodium concentration (9000 pmm) reported by Hillary is nearly that of seawater. The commission discussed various watering methods to ensure the plantings will survive.
Agent Greenberg-Lemos met with Michael Talbert and Seth Wilkinson regarding stabilizing the bank at Gull Pond and they each will provide a proposal in early December. There was discussion regarding the removal and replacement of the stairway. Agent Greenberg-Lemos will get back with Suzanne Thomas, who had recommended removing the stairways. Agent Greenberg-Lemos will also ask about funding from CPA for repair to the ramp. There was also discussion regarding the parking and pedestrian safety.
MAIL:
Quarterly from MACC
Article regarding solid revetments in Chatham (Oct 24, 2014) and sediment. The Chatham Conservation Commission approved the revetment seaward of a post 1978 dwelling, stating that the bank was not a significant source of sediment. Some citizens have appealed the decision. DEP (Mahala) made a site visit and will make a ruling on the appeal.
John Portnoy reported DPW does not know how the pump’s float switch, and thus maximum level of Wesley Swamp, was set. He also stated this is a natural wetland, probably thousands of years old, evidenced by the depth ( 2 meters) of the peat. Agent Greenberg-Lemos will request Chet Lay determine the elevations of abutter’s lawns and septic leach areas. The DPW Director expressed concern for flooding of the lawn area of Preservation Hall.
Ginie Page stated there is silt fencing on Chequessett Neck Rd at the crossing over Mayo Creek and Agent Greenberg-Lemos will contact the DPW to remove it.
Agent Greenberg-Lemos stated the sluice way area is closed to parking during the summer. Agent Greenberg-Lemos stated Suzanne Thomas had stated she would ask the Selectmen for a longer closure timeframe. After discussion the commission would like to see the sluice way closed on a permanent basis. Boaters and fishermen can utilize the ramp at Gull Pond for boat access to the ponds. Lauren McKean recused herself from voting on the recommendation. Trudy Vermehren moved to recommend the year-round prohibition of parking on the road to the sluice way; seconded by John Portnoy who added the area will never be able to recover unless vehicles are kept out of the area permanently and there is alternative boat access utilizing the Gull Pond ramp; vote: 4-2 with one recusal.
Public Hearings 5:00 pm:
Ender, 145 Samoset, Map 28, Parcel 104, Certificate of Compliance. The project was for landscaping. Bob Perry, Engineer, stated the work is done in compliance. Ginie Page moved to approve the Certificate of Compliance; seconded by Ed Simpson; passed 7-0.
Ender, 145 Samoset, Map 28, Parcel 104, Certificate of Compliance. The project was for renovation and repair to a retaining wall. Ginie Page moved to approve the Certificate of Compliance; seconded by Ed Simpson; passed 7-0.
Schaffer/Fay, 520 Black Pond Rd., Map 4, Parcel 39, NOI, replace steps, expand deck, install gravel walk, install outdoor shower and vista pruning (Cont’d from 10/15/14)
Lauren McKean recused herself. Chet Lay represented the applicant and stated NHESP had responded. He stated it was recommended a drywell be used for the outdoor shower versus hooking up into the septic system. The dry well will be constructed landward of the 50-ft buffer. John Portnoy moved to approve the NOI with conditions; seconded by Ginie Page; passed 6-0.
Limbach, 599 Chequessett Neck Road, Map 19, Parcel 119, NOI, removal and reconstruction of stairway, plantings, and flush cutting of selected trees. Tim Brady represented the applicant and stated the stairway is very steep and is not safe. The proposed replacement will be zig-zag in design to traverse the slope. He stated the Limbach’s have a signed paper from the immediate abutter giving permission to cut trees on their property along with the trees on the Limbach’s. He stated the bank requires some revegetation. The stairway pilings will be hand dug. Tim Brady stated they will plant 36 shrubs to mitigate the cutting of 18 trees. The locust will be flush cut, but not treated with herbicide. Revegetation will also be performed on the abutter’s property where trees will be removed. A revised plan will be submitted identifying the elevation of the FEMA flood plain and reference datum. Ed Simpson moved to approve the NOI with conditions; seconded by Barbara Brennessel; passed 7-0. Ginie Page - supervisor
Trudy Vermehren moved to adjourn at 5:30 pm; seconded by Ginie Page; passed 7-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Christine A. Bates, Committee Secretary