Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes 1/17/19
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Town of Monterey, Massachusetts
MEETING DATE: JANUARY 17, 2019
Present: Jeremy Rawitz (JR), Kimberly Wetherell (KW), Marion Simon (MS), Mark Little (ML)
The meeting convened at 6:00 pm
Continued Hearings:
- Stevens Lake – Monterey – request to extend Order of Conditions DEP File # 230-0250
KW briefed the commission on the current OOC and the approval of the previous extensions. Dominic Meranglo and Josh Perry of Solitude Lake Management were present on behalf of Steven’s Lake Homeowners Assoc to request an extension of the OOC initially issued in 2008. Solitude has been managing the weed control on the lake for a variety of non-native plants (Milfoil, Curly Pine Weed, and phragmites growth.) They have completed several treatments and submitted the required reports to DEP as required. Solitude states that they have successfully managed the non-invasive plants but wish to continue with the treatments. There were no comments offered by the public. The Commission approved the extension as submitted for the original OOC for another three years expiring 2021. (ML/JR) MSV
- Schwartz Pond – Schwartz – request to extend Order of Conditions DEP File # 230-0249
Solitude Lake Management were present on behalf of the property owners. The OOC was originally issued in 2009 and there were two extensions thereafter with the last extension expiring Jan 2019. Dominic Meranglo briefed the commission on the management of the pond. The pond is a private pond about 2 acres in size with an associated wetland area near the pond consisting of about an acre and half. The pond has been treated with an aquatic herbicide to control the phragmites and occasionally cara. There is a current DEP permit, regular reports have been submitted, and required inspections have been completed. There were no comments offered by the public. The Commission approved the extension as submitted for the original OOC for another three years expiring 2021. (JR/MS) MSV
New Hearings & Meetings (First Come First Served):
N/A
Enforcement & Emergency Orders:
- 4 Point Rd – Quagliata – EO – unpermitted activity – status of current EO
Chris Tyron of Berkshire Geological Technologies was present on behalf of the property owners. Mr. Tyron, KW, JR and Mark Stinson of DEP conducted a site visit of the property prior to the meeting on Jan 17th. The original EO was issued in 2017. Based on the site visit some additional issues have evolved. NHESP has denied the NOI application. Additional Discrepancies include the errors on the application submitted for the Chap.91 license for the dock and the distances from the property lines, a requirement of removing the sand on the lake front, and the unpermitted construction of a retaining wall. DEP has recommended that a revised EO be issued for the placement of sand requiring a mitigation plan, a NOI be submitted for the dock and the retaining wall. Mitigation would require the sand to be removed. Comments were made that considering the age of the dock may create more of a disturbance to the bank. Mr. Byron is proposing to do a planting along the retaining wall with native plants and shrubs rather than remove the wall to provide shading and erosion control. KW will contact DEP regarding guidance on the suggestions and the Commission will continue the hearing at the next meeting. (MS,JR) MSV
- 6 Point Rd – Andrews- unpermitted placement of sand and construction of a retaining wall
KW will issue an EO to the property owner.
- 18 Bidwell Rd – Frace – unpermitted activity – nominee of wetland consultant
The property owner has retained Wetland Strategies and Solutions, LLC of 16 High Street, Merrimac, MA. The consultant is seeking an extension on the delineation due to weather conditions. Discussion followed regarding the severity of the violation and the current mild weather. The commission voted not to grant the extension. (KW/JR) MSV
Misc.:
Correspondence: MACC Conference for 2019. Members will register.
Members approved December 2018 Minutes.
Mark Little was nominated and approved as Chair of the Commission. (KW, JR) MVS
Meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm.
Submitted by: Kimberly Wetherell, Conservation Commission
Cc: Conservation Commission Board Members, File, Administrative Assistant