Hingham Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes 2012

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Hingham Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes

Hingham Conservation Commission Meeting
3/26/12 Minutes
Present: Carolyn Nielsen-Chair, Charles Berry-Vice-Chair, Robert Perry, Alan McKenna, Nina Villanova
Absent: Cliff Prentiss-Conservation Officer, Daniel Coughlin, Scott McIsaac
Agenda
7:00 PM
Old/New Business
Selectmen – Discussion Water Company Acquisition
Approve Draft Minutes – 2/27/12, 3/12/12

7:15 PM
Request for Determination of Applicability
22 Windsor Drive
Applicant/Representative: Neil Edmonds
Proposed hard scape parking bay for 2 cars and fill additional area with soil to continue the lawn

7:30 PM
Notices of Intent
8 & 10 Evergreen Lane – No DEP number or comments as of 3/19/12
Applicants: Suzanne Merle and Leslie Carter/Representative: Rod Gaskell – SITEC Environmental
Proposed construction of a single family home, septic and gravel access drive and site utilities

153 Otis Street – SE 34 1101 - Continuance
Applicant: Bryce Blair/Representative – John Cavanaro, Cavanaro Consulting, Inc.
Proposed pier, gangway and float

39 Highview Drive –SE 34 1102 - Continuance
Applicant: Richard V. Dwyer/Representative – Deborah Keller, McKenzie Engineering Group, Inc.
Proposed demolition of an existing home with attached garage and construction of a new single family home with attached garage, deck, pool, driveway with associated utilities and grading

Request for Certificate of Compliance
8 Green Street Court – SE 34 0974 – Stephanie and Brian Miller
and other such matters that may be pending before the Conservation Commission.

Old/New Business
1. Selectmen – Discussion Water Company Acquisition
Selectmen–Bruce Rabuffo & Laura Burns and Kerry Ryan-Attorney
• 4 Reasons to do the study for purchasing the private enterprise – Aquarion Water
• Control of resources/Water Rights/Service Levels/ and financial applications for the Town
 Cost will be @ $57.00 per house hold to do the study, money will come out of the reserves
• Hope to complete the study and give recommendation by Town Mtg.-2013 if this a worthy consideration
• This is not the first time the BOS have considered this issue. In 1985 the reason for not pursuing it for public ownership was that the town did not have the management structure it now has today
• Other questions to ponder - how to treat the other towns – Hull, Cohasset and a small part of Norwell
• These towns will also be involved with this decision
• Background provided on Aquarion. It is owned by an Australian investment firm whose principal asset is pension funds.

Laura Burns
• Wanted to give the Con. Com. an opportunity to ask questions & ask what does the Cons. Com. think about this?
• The town has considered purchasing the water company twice in the past.
• The water company has told us that it is not for sale.

2. Approve Draft Minutes – 2/27/12, 3/12/12
Approve Draft Minutes – 2/27/12
Motion: Commissioner Villanova motioned to approve the draft minutes of 2 27 12 as amended.
Second: Commissioner Berry In Favor: All Opposed: None

The draft minutes for 3/12/12 will be reviewed at the next meeting scheduled for 4/9/12.

Commissioner Nielsen read the usual information to the public.
Request for Determination of Applicability
22 Windsor Drive
Applicant/Representative: Neil Edmonds
Proposed hardscape parking bay for 2 cars and fill additional area with soil to continue the lawn
All plans presented are in the file.

Presentation:
• Proposing a hardscaped parking bay for two cars
• Proposing using additional fill to create additional lawn at the rear of the home.

Commissioner Nielsen read the Conservation Officer's report:
• Site visit revealed that the wetlands are closer than anticipated, along with a drainage swale
• Advise the Commission to request that the Applicant file an Abbreviated Notice of Intent or NOI
• Commissioner Nielsen read the TOH Wetland Bylaw Section 2B about working in the 50' buffer.

Motion: Commissioner Berry motioned to issue a Positive Determination of Applicability for 22 Windsor Drive.
Second: Commissioner Villanova In Favor: All Opposed: None

Request for Certificate of Compliance
8 Green Street Court – SE 34 0974 – Stephanie and Brian Miller
Commissioner Nielsen read the Conservation Officer's report which noted that the project has been built according to the Order written and As-Built submitted.

Motion: Commissioner Berry motioned to issue a Certificate of Compliance for 8 Green Street Court.
Second: Commissioner Villanova In Favor: All Opposed: None

Notices of Intent
8 & 10 Evergreen Lane – SE 34 1103 – No Comments
Applicants: Suzanne Merle and Leslie Carter/Representative: Rod Gaskell – SITEC Environmental
Proposed construction of a single family home, septic and gravel access drive and site utilities
All Plans presented in file.

Presentation:
• Undeveloped lot (legally subdivided) with a small pond on the center west side of the property – @ 1.80 acres
• Applicants own both lots
• Pond was created in uplands for irrigation and for a landscaping focal point
• Proposing a 2 story, 4 bedroom home with a sub surface sewage disposal system (going before the BOH)
• Proposing permeable gravel access driveway
• Property line between 8 and 10 Evergreen Lane will be adjusted for the septic to remain 100' from the pond
• Utility easement will be created on Lot 40.

Commissioner Nielsen read the Conservation Officer's report:
• Proposed project meets setbacks.

Commissioner Nielsen opened the hearing to the public. Hearing none, Commissioner Nielsen closed the hearing to the public.

Commission determined that the proposed project meets the regulatory requirements.

Motion: Commissioner Berry motioned to close the hearing for 8 & 10 Evergreen Lane and issue an OOC.
Second: Commissioner McKenna In Favor: All Opposed: None

153 Otis Street – SE 34 1101 - Continuance
Applicant: Bryce Blair/Representative – John Cavanaro, Cavanaro Consulting, Inc.
Proposed pier, gangway and float

Commissioner Nielsen noted that the applicant has requested a continuation till the 4/9/12 Conservation Commission meeting in order to meet and discuss the proposed project with the Hingham Harbor Master.

Motion: Commissioner Villanova motioned grant a continuance for 153 Otis Street till 4/9/12.
Second: Commissioner Berry In Favor: All Opposed: None

Presentation:
• Applicant has moved the proposed pool out of the 50'

Commissioner Nielsen read the Conservation Officer's report:
• Proposed project meets setbacks with the pool being relocated.

Commissioner Nielsen opened the hearing to the public. Hearing none, Commissioner Nielsen closed the hearing to the public.

Commission determined that the proposed project meets the regulatory requirements.

Motion: Commissioner Berry motioned to close the hearing for 39 Highview Drive and issue an OOC.
Second: Commissioner Villanova In Favor: All Opposed: None
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

_____________________________
Linda Defreitas, Conservation Secretary Approved as amended on 4/09/12.