HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - CC - 12/04/2014 Conservation Commission Minutes December 4, 2014
C . Date: Thursday, December 4, 2014
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Town Hall Basement Meeting Room
41 Highland Avenue
Cohasset,MA
Commissioners Present: Jack Creighton,Chairman
Patrick Kennedy,Vice Chairman
Edward Graham
Alex Koines
James Gilman
Justin Pimpare,Associate
Patrice Vogelman,Associate
Commissioners Absent: James Marten
Commissions Consultant Present: CCC/SW Agent, Paul Shea
Chairman Jack Creighton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.—40 Hobart Lane-moved to 12 18 14 0 8:00 p.m.
7:05 p.m.—Review of 2015 Meeting Schedule
Motion by Patrick Kennedy to adopt the meeting schedule for 2015,seconded by Edward Graham and
the vote was unanimous.
7:2S p_.m.—Margin Street—NQI#14-42
Chairman Creighton read aloud the public hearing notice. Brian Joyce-Director of Project Management
was present to discuss the proposed project. The proposed project is to replace a 10"diameter
drainage pipe and repair to catch basins. Paul Shea stated this is a public improvement project. He has
no issues with it.There is a DEP file number.
Motion by James Gilman to close the public hearing and issue a variance for the work on Margin
Street,seconded Edward Graham and the vote was unanimous.
Motion by James Gilman to issue an order of conditions for the project on Margin Street,seconded by
Edward Graham and the vote was unanimous.
7:30 p.m.—Abbott Homes—Discussion
Paul Shea stated the Abbott Homes has owed the Conservation Commission money for about two years
for consulting advisory fees for monitoring the construction project that's going on. There are bills going
back to 2011 and 2012. Letters have been sent without any response from them. According to Richard
Henderson there is a new entity that will be taking over. He believes all the financial issues will be
straightened out. Paul Shea stated checks have started coming in.
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Conservation Commission Minutes December 4, 2014
.% 7:45 P.m.—Town Manager Chris Senior-Discussion
Mr.Senior was not present as he was hosting a Financial Forum.
8:10 pm.-Resource and Suffer Zone Discussion_
Chairman Creighton stated the purpose of the discussion is for the Commission to determine how
requests in the 50'and 100' buffer zones should be handled and enforced. Patrice Vogelman did some
research. She spoke of what is the obligation to the home owners and the wetlands. She referred to
the Cohasset Wetlands Rules and Regulations. It basically states there is not work allowed in the 100'
buffer zone unless the Commission provides an exception. The Commission should figure out what the
basis is for an exception. She would recommend the Commission come up with a consistent basis. The
Commission should have some guidelines of what can be done in the 50'and 100'and what is allowed
for new construction or rehabilitation. She discussed view and hardships. Paul Shea stated typically if
there is a raw piece of land and someone is looking to build a new house, before it makes it to
Conservation he meets and advises them they have to keep everything out of the 50' buffer zone. Most
of the engineers around here understand that. Usually it is additions to existing structures that come
before the Conservation Commission. Paul Shea discussed how other towns deal with requests to work
in the buffer zone. The Commission talked about allowing some projects to go forward and then when
they are presented with another it is expected that will be allowed as well based on past practice. The
rules should be clear. John Cavanaro was present and stated one very important thing is the differences
in resources areas. It affects how you treat the buffer zone. He suggested maybe the Commission host
a periodic seminar or issue some type of publication. The Commission discussed having some type of
class or seminar and then put up on the website to educate people. Patrick Kennedy suggested maybe a
couple of members form a committee to have a seminar. He also offered to be part of it.
Chairman Creighton left meeting. Vice Chairman Patrick Kennedy took over as Chairman of the meeting.
8:20 p.m.-828 CJC Highway-Brian Davis-Discussion
Paul Shea had a discussion with Brian Davis and Donald Staszko last week. There are a couple of
different properties there that all look the same near the new car wash. The ledge removal is behind
Aubuchon Hardware but they are actually different lots. There are projects being done that are crossing
property lines. Paul Shea advised owners they need to submit a new site plan. He hopes to receive by
next week and will follow up with the Commission.
8:30 p.m.—87 Pleasant Street—continued
Paul Shea updated the commission that they did receive a revised site plan from Morse Engineering and
Stormwater documents. John Cavanaro of Cavanaro Consulting is representing the abutter. He has sent
in a letter based on the new documents that were submitted. Paul Shea hasn't had a chance to look
over the new documents submitted tonight by Mr.Cavanaro. Jeff Hassett from Morse Engineering
spoke of the changes to the site plan. He stated they were asked to do soil test pits,which they have
done. The soil type is B soils. The ground water was a little shallower than they expected (at 24").
They have elevated the drywall in the back taking the runoff from the roof. The trench along the
property line is a little bit shallower at 2' deep. The driveway is a little bit larger. They have added a
stone trench along the driveway. He has spoken with the applicant about possibly doing a pervious
driveway. There are now 22 drainage areas. Mr. Hassett stated he is confident that this is a thorough
design and they are protecting the abutter's property. John Cavanaro addressed the Commission and
apologized for submitting the letter today. He went through issues that they still have with the
proposed plan. The hearing was continued to review new documents that were submitted and have the
commissioners visit the site on 12/8/14 @ 8:30 a.m. The hearing is continued to 12/18/14 @ 9:20 p.m.
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8:45 p.m.—321 Beechwood St. Lots 1&2 Wheelwrieht-NOI#14-15 and SWP#14-46
Vice Chairman Kennedy read aloud the public hearing notices. Greg Tansey with Ross Engineering was
present on behalf of the applicant, Dustin Wheelwright. The proposal consists of two vacant lots that
would be a retreat lot serviced by a shared driveway utilizing the existing driveway. There is currently a
pool which they will be taking out. They will be enhancing the area with a wetland seed mix. Mr.
Tansey discussed the components of the storm water management system. There are four bio-
retention areas. He explained the erosion control they will use. Paul Shea stated there was an ANRAD
filed in December 2013 so all the resource areas have been identified. The RDA for Lot#2 is really just
grading and landscaping within the outer portion of the 100' buffer zone. They would qualify for a
Negative 3 determination. The NO1 for Lot 1 is more involved. They need a variance for work within the
50' buffer zone and order of conditions for the alteration of an IVW. They have a DEP file number.
They are proposing to alter a portion of the IVW but they are replicating it at a BVW which is a higher
value wetland. This is a good tradeoff. Greg Tansey stated the rain gardens will be maintained by the
owner and will be written on the deed. Patrick Kennedy stated his concern for new construction within
the 50' buffer zone. The bylaw states if there is an alternative to working in the 50' buffer zone it should
be done that way. The driveway can be run along the property line at the left.There is evidence of a
known alternative. Patrick Kennedy stated he thinks the commission should do a site visit. This is his
only concern. The hearing was continued until 9:40 on 12/18. Commission will do a site visit on 12/8 @
9:00 a.m.
Motion by Alex Koines to approve P.O. 1501726 and 150725,seconded by Edward Graham and the
vote was unanimous.
Motion by Alex Koines to adjourn,seconded by Edward Graham and the vote was unanimous.
Minutes approved by the Conservation Commission: � ` r�G '� % Z_ 3
Signed by CCC �airman Jafik-GreigMen;
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