HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - CC - 02/28/2019 Cohasset Conservation Commission
February 28,2019
APPROVED MINUTES
COHASSET CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019
WILLCOTT COMMONS
IN ATTENDANCE: Jack Creighton, Vice Chair
Eric Eisenhauer, Member
Alex Koines, Member
Patrick Kennedy, Member
Chris MacFarlane, Member
Justin Pimpare, Chair
Maryanne Wetherald,Associate Member
James Rosebach,Associate Member
Jeff Summers, Conservation Agent
Angela Geso, Conservation Administrator
ABSENT: Edward Graham, Member
Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM.
7:05 PM: RDA 19-02 685 Jerusalem Road— Lombardi —Shed Extention
In attendance to represent agenda item: Fabrizio and Maryum Lombardi/Applicants, Finnbar
Forde/Contractor
Documents presented to support agenda item: Photos of sheds/RDA Application
Chair Pimpare recused himself as an abutter,- Vice Chair Creighton assumed the chair.
Applicant wants to install a new 12xl6 shed on cinder blocks adjacent to his existing 12x16 shed so he can
house his bonsai trees during the winter. The new shed would be outside the 50' bz but in the 50-100 ft bz. VC
JC said we have to be extra cautious because of proximity to Straits Pond which is an ACEC. The commission
wants no pesticides, insecticides, or fertilizers to be used on the property and the applicant assured he does not
use them with bonsai trees.
MOTION: By Member Kennedy to close the public hearing and issue a Negative 3 determination for
RDA 19-02 with the condition that no pesticides, insecticides or herbacides be used on
property at 685 Jerusalem Road.
SECOND: Member Koines
VOTE: 4-0-1 (Chair Pimpare recused himself)
7:25 PM: SWP 19-03 72 Elm Street— Home Reconstruction - Moore
In attendance to represent agenda item: James Tobin/Contractor; Greg Tansey/Ross Engineering
Documents presented to support agenda item: StormwaterApplication; Engineering Report
The house was owned by the Cohasset Housing Authority but was in disrepair and was sold. It was determined
by the applicant to raze and rebuild the home. Infiltration chambers will capture roof and garage runoff.The front
test pits gave better results than the rear so the recharge area will be sited in the front. Surface runoff water is
directed towards a catch basin on Elm Street.A sump pump will be installed in the rear to help control
groundwater runoff. Vice Chair Creighton suggested raising the slab elevation by± 1 ft. to eliminate the need for
a sump pump but Greg Tansey said even with a higher slab there would still be the need for a sump pump. Chair
Pimpare would like to have a natural recharge rather than have water eventually directed into Cohasset Harbor
through catch basins. The Commission felt that raising the slab elevation would still require a sump pump but
would cut down on the usage.
MOTION: By Vice Chair Creighton to close the public hearing and issue SWP 19-03 for proposed
work at 72 Elm Street with the condition that the slab foundation be raised by 12 inches.
SECOND: Member Kennedy
VOTE: 5-0 Unanimous
7:45 PM: SWP 19-02, Lot 7, Little Harbor Rd — New Construction—Shepard Investments cont from 1/24/19
In attendance to represent agenda item: Jeff Hassett/Morse Engineering; Tom Killilea/Abutter
Documents presented to support agenda item: SWP Application, Revised Site Plan, Correspondence
Vice Chair Creighton recused himself from the hearing
The only fill brought onto the property will be sandy fill placed between the front of the house and a retaining
wall. The driveway will be pervious pavement and engineered to direct runoff away from the road.All roof runoff
will go into an underground infiltration system.Adjustments to the prior plan include a 50% increase in the dry
well capacity. Two front depressions capturing runoff were increased by 23% and 313% respectively, the rates of
runoff are reduced by rate of 40% and overall volumes reduced by 50%. For further mitigation, four trees will be
Cohasset Conservation Commission
February 28,2019
planted along the front and a row of evergreens will be added to the rear of the property.Abutter Killilea was
concerned with the runoff but the Commission feels the runoff has been greatly reduced on this property and will
actually be an improvement to existing conditions. The Commission also felt that the Department of Public
Works should be involved with regards to upgrading the catch basins.
MOTION: By Member Kennedy to close the public hearing and issue Stormwater Permit 19-02 for
proposed construction of a single family dwelling at Lot 7, Little Harbor Road.
SECOND: Member Eisenhauer
VOTE: 4-0-1 (Vice Chair Creighton recused himselo
8:05 PM: NOI 19-02, 66 Margin Street— Home Addition - Stergio
In attendance to represent agenda item: John Cavanaro/Cavanaro Consulting
Documents presented to support agenda item: Notice of Intent Application and Site Plans
The application wants to construct a garage addition. Portions of the lawn have become a salt marsh from tidal
events. There is crushed stone and a french drain to capture some runoff. The addition will also reduce the
grade of the driveway and further facilitate runoff. Member Eisenhauer had an issue with the generator being in
the 50-ft. buffer zone but Member Kennedy pointed out that a variance is needed regardless of where the work is
located on this project.
MOTION: By Member Kennedy to close the public hearing and issue an Order of Conditions for the
proposed renovations and addition at 66 Margin Street.
SECOND: Member Koines
VOTE: 5-0
MOTION: By Member Kennedy to close the public hearing and issue a variance for work within the
50-ft. buffer zone at 66 Margin Street.
SECOND: Member Koines
VOTE: 5-0
8:25 PM: NOI 19-03, 130 Gammons Rd—Verrochi —Residential Dock
In attendance to represent agenda item: John Cavanaro/Cavanaro Consulting
Documents presented to support agenda item: Notice of Intent Application and Site Plans
The applicant wants to install a floating pier/dock on Little Harbor with a gangway connection. Most of the work
will be in the 50-ft. buffer zone. John Cavanaro explained that the entire surface of the float is on solid ledge and
this project provides flood protection to the coastal bank. Agent Summers feels the platform will not impede the
function of the coastal bank and that having the gangway connection is the least intrusive way to install the dock.
Vice Chair Creighton questioned the 8'x8' platform but John Cavanaro said the platform is on solid ledge at the
mean high water level and this is the perfect site for a dock. Chair Pimpare feels the Commission would be
setting a precedent for 8-ft.landings on coastal properties. Vice Chair Creighton would like the applicant to
connect the stairs to the float without involving a permanent structure. Chair Pimpare is concerned with the high
pH in concrete have an effect on wildlife and also asked if the steps could be extended to bring the gangway up
and lead directly to the ramp. John Cavanaro requested the hearing be continued so he could discuss the
project with his clients and prepare revised plans. Con't to 3114119.
8:45 PM: Conservation Agent Update
Certificates of Compliance:
NOI 12-11 449 Jerusalem Rd -Starvish —Reconfiguration of Driveway—Certificate of Compliance Issued
NOI 14-15 559 Jerusalem Rd— Ford — Landscaping and Hardscaping
The Order of Conditions on this project expired so it was no longer valid. The Applicant would need to file a new
NOI application for any additional work no on the original OOC—Certificate of Compliance not issued
With no further business to discuss motion to adjourn made by Member Kennedy, 2"d by Member Koines
and passed 6-0.
Meeting adjourned at 10:15 pm.
DATE APPROVED BY CONSERVATION COMMISSION:
SIGNATURE OF CONSERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR: