Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes 5/13/20

PUBLIC MEETING

Meeting Date: May 13, 2020

Meeting Time: 6:00 pm

Meeting Place: Remote Via Zoom

Members:  Jeremy Rawitz JR, Nancy Tomasovich NT, Mark Little ML, Roy Carwile RC, Peter Close PC, Kim Wetherell, Agent (connection lost mid-way during the meeting)

New Hearings & Meetings: (Applications are heard in the order they are received at the town hall)

Request for Determination filed by Elizabeth Cox of 23 Stevens Lake Rd.  for the removal of trees within the buffer zone of Stevens Lake.  

Applicant briefed the members on the proposed removal of the decayed ash trees.  Site Visit was conducted prior to the meeting.    The request was approved a N3 with conditions.  PC/JR MSV

Request for Determination filed by Maura Griffin of 27 Stevens Lake Rd for the removal of trees and invasive species within the buffer zone of Stevens Lake.

Applicant briefed the members on the proposed removal of trees and invasive plants and planting restoration plants. Site Visit was conducted prior to the meeting.  Applicant provided a list of plantings. Questions were asked pertaining to number and size of plants.  The request was approved N3 with conditions. NT/PC MSV

Request for Determination filed by Philip Knoll of 35 Stevens Lake Rd for the removal of trees within the buffer zone of Stevens Lake.

Applicant briefed the members on the proposed removal of trees and invasives and the proposed planting of restoration plants. Site Visit was conducted prior to the meeting.  Applicant provided a list of plantings. Questions were asked pertaining to number of plants and size of plants.  The request was approved N3 with conditions.  PC/ML MSV

Request for Determination filed by LADS Beach Assoc. for the removal of trees within the buffer zone of Lake Garfield.

JR briefed the members on the proposed removal of tree.   Site Visit was conducted prior to the meeting.   The request was approved N3 with conditions.  PC/ML MSV

Discussion of Agent:

JR briefed members on his issue with the attitude of the agent, not showing up and conducting site visits without the rest of the members, not joining the meeting with adequate internet, and should have at least a phone connection that works. not having a phone connection that works. or phone connection. NT & PC agreed with JR.  ML feels that the agent is very knowledgeable of the WPA and the regulations and feels that the agent is trying to provide information that the agent benefits the commission. NT believes that the agent is confrontational.  This is PC’s first meeting and does not wish to weigh in on the matter.  RC agrees that there is tension between the Chair and the agent but also agrees that the agent is the knowledgeable and benefits the commission.  Conversation continued about replacing the agent.  JR and the other members will look into other commissions and agents.  ML suggest continuing the conversation over beers. 

Enforcement and Emergency Orders:

399 Main Rd – Potential Wetland Violation

JR states that he has been in contact with Stinson of DEP and has heard of the golf course.  Photos of the property shows the clearing.  JR advises inviting the property owner to the next meeting and continue the discussion.  JR & ML will seek advice from Dave Dempsey, a past Conservation Commission member, and Stinson on how to go forward with the matter.  Continued to next meeting.  RC/NT MSV

Certificates of Compliance

DEP File # 230-262, Northwest Cove Rd, Map 110 Lot 7

RC states that a engineer report has been requested. Continued to next meeting.  PC/NT MSV

Misc.:

Approve Prior Minutes

Approved.  ML/JR MSV

Review Misc. Correspondence

N/A

ML reported that the Commission has a large amount of money (50K +/-) and can be spent in several ways.  Discussion continued to next meeting.

JR reported that there are lots of informational material at the MACC website for purchase by the commission.

Conversation continued about getting together over zoom and drinks.

Meeting adjourned:

7:44 pm PC/RC MSV