CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting of February 8, 2006
PRESENT: Jeffrey Kane, Allan Shaw, Laurence Harrington, Daniel Crafton
Jason Talerman, Paul Lugten
ABSENT: No one
The duly posted meeting of the Norfolk Conservation Commission convened at 7:35 p.m. in room 105C.
The members signed vouchers for office expenses.
The members discussed the recent Special Town Meeting vote regarding the purchase of the Weeber property. It was noted that the majority of the Community Preservation Committee voted not to purchase the property.
The Commission discussed inviting Cyndi Andrade to attend a meeting. Mrs. Andrade is the Conservation Land Project Manager and is appointed to that position by the Commission. Mr. Harrington stated that he would like to obtain a report on what has been accomplished in the last two years. He also suggested that the Commission should consider establishing goals for management of the properties, including some active management. The members agreed to ask Ms. Andrade to attend the March 8th meeting
Mrs. Ann Proto, the Recreation Department Director, was not present this evening. The Commission had invited Mrs. Proto to attend this meeting to give them an update on the conservation land projects.
Canterbury Estates II – The applicant had requested a Certificate of Compliance for the project. Mr. Kane reported that he conducted a site inspection of the wetland replication area and that he was satisfied that the area conformed to the conditions in the Order covering the property. Based on that report, Mr. Talerman made the motion to approve the issuance of a full Certificate of Compliance for Canterbury Estates, Phase II. Mr. Crafton seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was 5-1. Members Kane, Talerman, Harrington, Crafton and Lugten voted in the affirmative. Member Allan Shaw voted nay as he had not seen the replication area.
The Commission took note of a written request by the contractor installing a septic system to inspect erosion controls at 15 Harlow Ave. A site visit was scheduled for March 4, 2006.
The Commission took note of a written request from Professional Developers for a final inspection and Certificate of Compliance for Lot 6 Keeney Pond Road.
The Commission received a memorandum from the Board of Selectmen regarding a potential gift of Land. The land is owned by Robert Hastings. The property is a 7 acre parcel located beyond the Town landfill off Medway Branch. The Commission had already conducted a site inspection. Access to the parcel can be gained from a footpath beyond the landfill. After a discussion of the merits of the donation and the land, the Commission reached a consensus to draft a letter to the Board of Selectmen indicating that the Commission is interested in the donation of land for open space and passive recreation purposes.
Interviews with Conservation Agent Candidates:
Judith Griggs. 8:00 p.m. – The Commission members interviewed Ms. Griggs. She stated that she is very impressed with the Wetland Bylaw Regulations. She stated that the Town of Maynard also has good Wetland Bylaws and Regulations. She noted that the job of agent is easier to do when the Regulations are specific. Ms. Griggs has been the 20 hour per week part time Conservation Agent in Maynard since 2005.
Ms. Griggs has experience in drafting Orders of Conditions. She stated that she would address a wetland violation by correspondence to the offending party. Ms. Griggs described her experience in delineating wetlands and evaluating soils and stated she can do field work as necessary. She stated that she can be flexible with hours. She also stated that she does not see the commute from Peterborough New Hampshire as a problem. The members viewed a copy of the 2004 New Marlborough Open Space and Recreation Plan, which she helped to draft. She stated that she would be able to accommodate regular office hours at Town Hall and attend evening public hearings.
9:00 p.m. Richard Stabile – The Commission members interviewed Mr. Stabile, who stated he was formerly a member of the Plymouth Conservation Commission. Mr. Stabile left the Plymouth Conservation Commission in 2003 and attended graduate school. His current occupation is a tour guide at Adams National Park. Mr. Stabile stated that he could accommodate the Commission’s request to attend night meetings and have regular office hours at Town Hall. Mr. Stabile stated that he has no conservation agent experience.
9:20 p.m. Janet DeLonga. The Commission members interviewed Ms. DeLonga, who currently serves as the conservation agent in the Town of Holbrook, 27 hours per week. She stated that she can be very flexible in her hours to accommodate the Norfolk Conservation Commission. She would be able to attend evening meetings and hold regular office hours at Town Hall.
New Business:
Call & Wait – The Commission discussed whether to issue an enforcement order to Call & Wait through its agent, Orwig Associates. Mr. Orwig had stated in a fax transmittal to the Commission that he would be filing a Notice of Intent by February 7th. To date there has been no filing. The Commission discussed the merits of sending a certified letter to Mr. Orwig tomorrow stating that the Commission is prepared to issue an enforcement order if the Notice of Intent to facilitate the cleanup issues within the Riverfront Area on the Call & Wait site is not received by next Thursday (February 16). Mr. Harrington made the motion to send the certified letter to Mr. Orwig. Mr. Talerman seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was unanimous.
Mr. Kane stated that he received a phone call from Jack Scott for a request for an informal meeting between the Conservation Commission and the developers of “Village at Pine Creek”. Mr. Kane will contact Jack Scott and inform him that he will have to file a Notice of Intent and that there would be no informal meetings on the subject as the project is before the Commission under an ANRAD filing.
Coler & Colantonio – The engineering firm requested that a meeting be held for a proposed Town and State Highway project. The Commission directed the Administrative Assistant to contact Jay Hall from Coler & Colantonio and request that a detailed plan and narrative be provided before such meeting could be scheduled.
Mr. Talerman stated that he will contact Town Counsel on a recent Superior Court decision. The judge issued an order but no final judgment.
Mr. Kane told the Commission that he will contact Bay State Gas regarding their proposal for mitigation for the work performed along Clark Street without an Order of Conditions and that he will inspect the erosion controls at 15 Harlow Avenue.
The Commission noted that they need to conduct a site inspection of the Paglia lot on Main Street as a result of a request for a Certificate of Compliance. Site inspections for several properties will be conducted this Saturday, February 12 (Paglia, Canterbury Estates, Lot 6 Keeney Pond, Department of Corrections wastewater treatment site, Schworer property on Myrtle St.).
The Commission reviewed the correspondence received.
The members discussed the candidate interviews held this evening. This matter will be kept on the agenda until the Commission votes. If any further resumes are received they will be circulated to the members. The members will attempt to vote on this matter at the next meeting.
The Commission signed the Determination of Applicability form for Betty Varey of 71 Seekonk Street.
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m.
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