Hingham Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
HINGHAM CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
April 11, 2011 - 7:00 pm - Central North – 2nd Floor
Present: Carolyn Nielsen-Chair, Charles Berry-Vice Chair, Daniel Coughlin, Scott McIsaac, Robert Perry, Nina Villanova
and Cliff Prentiss, Conservation Officer
Absent: Alan McKenna
CONSERVATION COMMISSION AGENDA
7:00 PM - Old/New Business
Community Gardens – Jim Watson
Ratify Enforcement Orders – Baker Hill, French Street
Discussion: Turkey Bow Hunting Locations
Bow Hunting Requests – Turkey Spring Season – 4/25/11 – 5/31/11 – J. Giles, A. Mullaney, G. Ryan
Start Time and Location for 4/25/11 Conservation Meeting at High School due to Annual Town Meeting
Meeting Dates – July – December 2011
Approve Draft Minutes – March 28, 2011
Discussion: Invite in Workshop - "Tips for the Ultimate Green Home, Health and Lawn"
7:15 PM - Request For Determination of Applicability
19 Chamberlin Run
Applicants: Daniel Comoletti & Carolyn Son- Proposed pool and patio removal
7:30 PM - Notices of Intent
608 Main Street – DEP SE 34 1064
Applicants: Christine Berk / Representative: Paul Shea, Independent Environmental Consultants
Proposed removal of accumulated silt and sand sediments within the Crooked Meadow River and connected ponding area
383 East Street – DEP SE 34 1065
Applicants: Charles and Allison Daley / Representative: Brad Holmes, ECR
Proposed reconstruction of a single family home and associated improvements
Certificates of Compliance
200 Recreation Park Drive (formally 152) - DEP 34 175 - Applicant: Southgate Realty Trust–D. Chase
5 Triphammer Road – DEP SE 34 1027 - Applicant: Gerard Rankin
and other such matters that may be pending before the Conservation Commission.
Old/New Business
1. Community Gardens – Jim Watson
• Town of Easton has a successful program running a Community Garden – Photos handed out
• Proposes to Commission to use Amonte Meadows for a Community Garden in Hingham
• Soil at Amonte Meadows is moist, tilling would need to be priced out
• Gas Station would run a garden hose for water
• Suggest that an honor system be used to pay for water use to reimburse Gas Station
• Proposes that a formal agreement be made with the Gas Station for the water, along with having a list of posted rules for residents wishing to use the gardens.
The Conservation Commission will take this under advisement. Commissioner McIsaac will work and explore the idea of a Community Garden for Hingham with Mr. Watson.
2. Ratify Enforcement Orders – Baker Hill, French Street
The Conservation Officer reviewed the above Enforcement Orders.
Baker Hill – Lot 41
Intoccia Development has Lot 41 excavated for dwelling construction with no sediment controls in place. There also are two other lots lacking sediment controls. Erosion has dumped a large amount of sediment into the storm drains and Town Brook. A meeting with the Project Manager has taken place. The Building Inspector will walk the site again this coming Wednesday with the Conservation Officer.
French Street
Spirito Corporation has a working gravel operation on French Street which has insufficient erosion controls. Runoff from the site causes sediment to flow into the wetlands and Fresh River, an important fish run. A representative has contacted the office.
Commissioner Berry motioned to ratify the Enforcement Orders for Baker Hill and French Street.
Second: Commissioner Villanova In Favor: All Opposed: None
3. Discussion: Spring Turkey Bow Hunting Locations and Requests:
The Conservation Officer suggests the following locations for Spring Turkey Bow Hunting:
Triphammer Pond/Schultz's Field, Foundry Pond, Brewer Reservation, Plymouth River, McKenna Marsh/Pushcart Farm, More-Brewer Park, Burns Memorial Park, and Old Swamp Meadow.
Mr. David Horte spoke in favor for allowing spring turkey bow hunting in Hingham.
J. Giles, A. Mullaney, G. Ryan, S. Messenger, E. Ahlstedt, R. Corey, D. Horte have applied for permission to bow hunt turkey for the spring season.
Commissioner Coughlin motioned to approve the above areas designated for spring turkey bow hunting (4/25/11-5/31/11) and to approve the seven named hunters listed above.
Second: Commissioner Berry In Favor: All Opposed: None
4. Reminder – Start Time and Location for 4/25/11 Conservation Meeting at High School due to Annual Town Meeting in Classroom 180, 6:00 p.m.
5. Meeting Dates – July – December 2011 and January 2012
A motion was made and passed unanimously to approve the following dates for the upcoming Conservation Commission meetings:
• July 18, August 15, September 12 – Summer schedule-only one meeting per month
• October 3, 24, November 7, 21, December 5, 19, January 9, 23/2012.
6. Approve Draft Minutes – March 28, 2011
Discussion: Edits were discussed.
Motion: Commissioner Villanova motioned to approve the 03/28/11 minutes as amended.
Second: Commissioner Berry In Favor: All Opposed: None
7. Discussion: Invite in Workshop by Pearl's Premium - "Tips for the Ultimate Green Home, Health & Lawn"
The Hingham Conservation Commission applauds this initiative but cannot endorse commercial products.
Commissioner Nielsen read the usual information regarding hearings.
Request For Determination of Applicability
19 Chamberlin Run - Applicants: Daniel Comoletti & Carolyn Son
Proposed pool and patio removal - Plan and photos presented are in the file.
Presentation: Mr. Comoletti
• In-ground pool is leaking and proposes to take out pool/patio/fence and replace with lawn
• Lawn will maintain current grading to the riverbed
• Sediment controls will be used to protect the river
• Debris will be trucked off site and clean fill used.
Conservation Officer:
• Proposed work will improve the site
• Sediment and erosion controls will be needed.
Motion: Commissioner Villanova motioned to issue a Negative Determination with erosion and sediment control conditions for 19 Chamberlain Run.
Second: Commissioner McIsaac In Favor: All Opposed: None
Notices of Intent
608 Main Street – DEP SE 34 1064
Applicants: Christine Berk / Representative: Paul Shea, Independent Environmental Consultants
Proposed removal of accumulated silt and sand sediments within the Crooked Meadow River and connected ponding area
Presentation: Paul Shea:
• Proposing to remove sediment and nuisance aquatic vegetation from a man-made pond adjacent to the Crooked Meadow River and Main Street
• Project will improve the fish habitat and reduce algae blooms
• Sediments have accumulated as a result of run-off which is causing the eutrophication of the pond
• Commission previously approved a more extensive filing in 1998 and the sediment was removed resulting in increased fish populations and spawning in the pond
• Will be done during August during low flow conditions
• Landscaping rocks are unstable and need to be replaced with larger rocks as the wall is crumbling
• DEP has noted that project may need a Chapter 91 permit.
Conservation Officer:
• Would like to see a limit of the stonework proposed
• Tom Colori – Landscaper showed photos of current conditions and a sketch showing proposed conditions)
• Commission has previously approved 2 Orders to do the same type of work.
Commissioner Nielsen opened the hearing to the public. None. Commissioner Nielsen closed the hearing to the public.
Motion: Commissioner Berry motioned to close the hearing and issue an Order of Conditions for 608 Main St.
Second: Commissioner Perry In Favor: All Opposed: None
383 East Street – DEP SE 34 1065
Applicants: Charles and Allison Daley / Representative: Brad Holmes, ECR
Proposed reconstruction of a single family home and associated improvements
Plans and photos presented are in the file.
Presentation: Brad Holmes
• Proposed construction of a single family home, removal of the existing home, general site cleanup, landscaping and site amenities
• Resources – Bordering Vegetated Wetlands, Isolated Vegetated Wetland, FEMA A Zone, 100 foot buffer zone
• General site cleanup will be done within the buffer zone from the past operations associated with the nursery - Greenhouses have already been removed to clean up site
• Future landscaping plan will be provided for mitigation, planning to use native plants.
Conservation Officer:
• Proposed septic is 40 feet off of wetlands (does it meet Title 5?)
• Culvert work, new sheds and grading have been done on the property without Conservation approval
• Band of wetlands near the Skating Pond have disappeared; this area could be Town property, i.e. Recreation
• Road (drive) in 50 foot buffer
• Previous engineering plans submitted from other filings show a different wetland line, need to establish an accurate survey of property
• Need topography – FEMA Flood Zone
• Intermittent stream crossing
• Suggest that the Commission make a site visit
Commissioner Nielsen opened the hearing to the public. None. Commissioner Nielsen closed the hearing to the public.
A motion was made and passed unanimously for a site visit with the applicants consent for Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 9:00AM.
Motion: Commissioner Coughlin motioned to continue the hearing till May 9, 2011 for 383 East Street with the applicant's consent.
Second: Commissioner Berry In Favor: All Opposed: None
Certificates of Compliance
200 Recreation Park Drive (formally 152) - DEP 34 175 - Applicant: Southgate Realty Trust – David Chase
5 Triphammer Road – DEP SE 34 1027 - Applicant: Gerard Rankin
The Conservation Officer reviewed each COC.
• 200 Rec. Park Dr. has sediment and plugged catch basins which need resolving. Conservation Officer will inform applicant.
• 5 Triphammer Road – lawn needs to germinate.
Motion: Commissioner Villanova motioned to issue a COC for 5 Triphammer Road, pending the lawn becoming established to the Conservation Officer's approval.
Second: Commissioner Berry In Favor: All Opposed: None
Conservation Officer updated the Commission on the bidding dealing with Broad Cove.
Commission Berry reminded the Commission that Jason Burtner, CZM is willing to come in to speak on Foundry Pond.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Cliff Prentiss, Conservation Officer
Approved as amended on 04/25/11.