CONSERVATION COMMISSION
78 Main Street, Hudson, MA 01749
(978) 562-2948
Paul Byrne, Chairman ______Marianne Iarossi
David Mercer ______Joseph Rodrigues ______W. Minot Wood
Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2016
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by chair Paul Byrne
Roll Call: Paul Byrne, David Mercer, Joe Rodrigues, Marianne Iarossi, Minot Wood
Staff: Pam Helinek
Public Hearings and Discussions
RDA, 24 Temi Road
Present: Kelly and Michael Willard
The applicant proposes to construct an addition to an existing house in the Buffer Zone of an intermittent stream. The Commission requires straw wattles or silt fence to protect the stream. Minot Wood made a motion to issue a negative determination, second by Joe Rodrigues, vote 5-0-0
Closed NOI, Zina Road, 190-0592
Paul Byrne made a motion to issue the Order of Conditions. Second by Marianne Iarossi, vote 4-0-1.
RDA, 1 Oneida Road
Present: Wayne Mello
The applicant proposes to construct a deck in the Buffer Zone to a Bordering Vegetated Wetlands. The deck will be on helical screws. Paul Byrne made a motion to issue a negative determination, second by Joe Rodrigues, vote 5-0-0.
Administrative Business
Paul Byrne moved to accept the minutes from April 7. Second by Marianne Iarossi, vote 4-0-1.
Violations, Highland Commons
Pam Helinek attended a site visit with a Berlin Conservation Commissioner and wetland consultant David Burke to inspect the replication and restoration areas required by the Hudson Order of Conditions but situated in Berlin. The areas were very disturbed and it appeared that no plantings had been done. Pam Helinek drafted an Enforcement Order for non-compliance with the Order of Conditions, requiring the filing of a Notice of Intent for a new mitigation plan based on a new delineation, due June 16, 2016. Paul Byrne made a motion to issue the Enforcement Order, second by Joe Rodrigues, vote 5-0-0.
Pam Helinek had discussed with Waterman Design consulting firm the cost of determining whether the sedimentation in Tripps Pond was caused Highland Commons construction and the cost of mitigating the damage. Waterman Design estimates $600 to do the background work to estimate the work and costs. Paul Byrne made a motion to ask the Board of Selectmen to grant the Commission access to Town Counsel for an opinion on requiring the applicant to pay for the use of a consulting engineer to do this background work. Second by Minot Wood, vote 5-0-0.
Paul Byrne requested that a letter be sent to the Berlin Conservation Commission to find out how Berlin is responding to the violations observed on Highland Commons’ property in Berlin.
Discussion, Intel Detention Pond
A detention pond at Intel is overflowing and causing flooding issues on neighboring properties. Intel had determined that the outlet of the pond, which flows to a culvert in a stream across the road, is clogged with debris. They would like to clear out the debris with an excavator but are concerned about stirring up sediment that will end up in the stream. The Commission requires that the pond is dewatered prior to use of the excavator. Water should be pumped through straw bales into the stream. If Intel has difficulty with this approach they should come to the next meeting to discuss alternatives with the Commission.
Adjournment