HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-30-ConCom-min
Meeting broadcasted by LexMedia
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Conservation Commission
___________________________________________________________________________
AGENDA Tuesday, May 30, 2023, 6:30 p.m.
This Conservation Commission meeting was held remotely via Zoom, an online meeting
platform. Public Participation via calling in or using your computer was encouraged.
Commissioners Present: Kevin Beuttell, Duke Bitsko, Alex Dohan, Philip Hamilton
(Chairman), Jason Hnatko and Ruth Ladd
Staff Present: Meghan McNamara, Conservation Department Assistant
6:30 PM
New Business/Pending Matters
Request for Insignificant Plan Change/Conservation Plan Modification: 56 Grassland Street,
VPC# CPM-23-11, CNOI-22-31, AOOC-23-2, DEP# 201-1279
Mr. Richard Kirby, LEC Environmental, presented on behalf of the property owners. The
proposal is to request demolition of the existing dwelling, while keeping the foundation in place.
The property owners were told by the builder that reconstructing the dwelling would cost less
than the previously approved garage and rear addition project. The civil engineer evaluated the
foundation and claims it to be suitable to support the new dwelling. Mr. Kirby added that there
will be no changes to the proposed infiltration system since the previously approved project
included full stormwater management of the existing dwelling and additions. Members of the
Commission agreed that this change is not considered minor and would require filing at least an
Amendment to the Order of Conditions or perhaps a new Notice of Intent filing. Ms. Ladd stated
that the proposed demolition could allow the homeowner the opportunity to pull the dwelling
farther away from the wetland resource areas. Mr. Beuttell stated that he would feel more
comfortable if the analysis of the existing foundation was performed by a structural engineer
rather than the project civil engineer. Mr. Kirby felt that since there were no changes being
proposed to the stormwater system that the Commission might consider this plan change to be
minor, but he will discuss with Ms. Mullins, Conservation Director, and return to the
Commission with either an Amended Order request or new Notice of Intent filing.
Request for Certificate of Compliance: 20 Ingleside Road, VPC# CNOI-20-35, COC-22-17,
DEP#201-1206 (Partial)
On a motion by Ms. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Hnatko, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call
vote to issue the Partial Certificate of Compliance.
Record of Vote as Follows:
Duke Bitsko – Aye
Kevin Beuttell – Aye
Alex Dohan – Aye
Ruth Ladd – Aye
Jason Hnatko – Aye
Phil Hamilton – Aye
6:46 PM
Request for Certificate of Compliance: 4 Demar Road, VPC# COC-22-15, DEP#201-1185,
CNOI-20-10 (Partial)
The Commission was provided with expert opinion on the cultivars that were planted at this
property, instead of the required straight native species that were to be planted within the
restoration area. The Commission agreed that the straight native species are preferred and share
concern that the cultivars will not provide the same ecological benefits. The Commission did not
vote on a Certificate of Compliance and staff will follow up with the consultant and property
owner on next steps to bring the site into compliance.
Request for Certificate of Compliance: 11 Sherburne Rd, VPC# COC-21-18, DEP# 201-1138,
TC-19-33, AOOC-20-4, 20-7, and 21-3 (Partial)
On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 5-0 by roll call
vote to issue the Partial Certificate of Compliance.
Record of Vote as Follows:
Duke Bitsko – Aye
Kevin Beuttell – Aye
Alex Dohan – Aye
Ruth Ladd – Aye
Jason Hnatko – Recused
Phil Hamilton – Aye
6:50 PM
Approve Minutes: 5/15/2023 meeting
The Minutes were not ready and will be voted on at the next scheduled meeting.
Schedule site visits: 6/12/2023
The site visits will take place on Tuesday, June 6. 2023 at 5:30 PM
Reports: Bike Advisory, Community Gardens, Community Preservation Committee, Greenway
Corridor Committee, Land Acquisition, Land Management, Land Steward Directors, Tree
Committee, and Open Space & Recreation Plan
Mr. Hnatko asked if any applications were received for a new member of the Conservation
Commission. Mr. Hamilton responded that he and Ms. Mullins interviewed a potential candidate
last week, but the candidate was interested in being an associate member for at least one year
because of personal circumstances with scheduling.
Mr. Hamilton stated that he will be on vacation starting June 18th and it will be helpful to have an
additional member to make sure there is a quorum during the busier summer months.
7:00 PM New Public Meetings/Hearings
Notice of Intent: 4 Peacock Farm Road
ViewPoint Cloud Permit# CNOI-23-13, DEP#201-1291
Applicant/Property Owner: ATC Revocable Trust of 2018, EBC Revocable Trust of 2018
Project: construct an addition to connect the existing single-family dwelling to the detached
garage, and site grading, landscaping and gravel driveway replacement.
Documentation Submitted:
⎯ Notice of Intent Narrative Summary and application; Prepared by: Fredric W. King, DGT
Associates;
⎯ Plans; C-1 “Proposed Site Improvements Plan”, C-2 “Erosion and Sediment Control
Notes and Details”, C-3 “Site Details-01”, “Existing Conditions Plan of Land”, DP100
“Demo Landscape Plan”, DP700 “Overall Landscape Plan”, GP700 “Generalized
Grading Plan”, HSP700 “Hardscape Materials Plan”, PP700 “Overall Planting Plan”,
PP701 “Detailed Planting Plan”, DT700 “Landscape Details” and DT700 “Landscape
Details”; Date: as noted;
⎯ Stormwater Management Narrative; Prepared by: DGT Associates; Stamped and signed
by: Bert E. Corey, PE Civil No. 48423; Date: 5/8/2023;
⎯ Existing and Proposed photos;
Mr. Kevin Riopelle, DGT Associates, presented to the Commission. Also present was the
Landscape Architect, Ms. Natalie DeNormandie. Ms. DeNormandie reviewed the planting
schedule with the Commission. Mr. Bitsko stated that the majority of the proposed plantings are
not native species. Ms. DeNormandie responded that about 50 percent of the list is native
species.
Ms. Ladd stated that gravel is proposed for the driveway apron within the Peacock Farm Road
Right-of-Way and will need to be paved per the Town’s Engineering standards. Mr. Riopelle
responded that he was not made aware of this information, but will follow up with the
Engineering Department to receive favorable comments for the next meeting.
On a motion by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call
vote to continue the hearing to the June 12, 2023 meeting at the applicant’s request.
Record of Vote as Follows:
Duke Bitsko – Aye
Kevin Beuttell – Aye
Alex Dohan – Aye
Ruth Ladd – Aye
Jason Hnatko – Aye
Phil Hamilton – Aye
7:15 PM
Request for Determination of Applicability: 28 Woodpark Circle
ViewPoint Cloud Permit# CDOA-23-7
Applicant/Property Owner: Leslie Goldberg
Project: demolition and removal of an in-ground pool, concrete patio area, fence and shed, and
removal of arborvitaes and shrubs within the 100-foot buffer zone to Bordering Vegetated
Wetlands
Documentation Submitted:
⎯ Photographs of site; Not dated;
⎯ Project Description; Not dated;
⎯ Plot Plan of Land; 8/31/1981;
⎯ WPA Form 1 Request for Determination of Applicability application; Prepared by: Leslie
Goldberg; Date signed: 5/9/2023;
Ms. Leslie Goldberg and Mr. Scott Goldberg, Property Owners, presented to the Commission.
Mr. and Ms. Goldberg intend to create more usable lawn area with the removal of the pool area.
Ms. Goldberg stated that three dead trees were removed from the backyard in the prior year. Ms.
Ladd stated that recent construction on nearby lots suggest the wetlands line is close to the
existing pool fence area, and requested a wetlands professional delineate the wetland boundary
and buffer zone before coming to a decision.
On a motion by Ms. Dohan and seconded by Ms. Ladd, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call
vote to continue the hearing to the July 10, 2023 meeting at the applicant’s request.
Record of Vote as Follows:
Duke Bitsko – Aye
Kevin Beuttell – Aye
Alex Dohan – Aye
Ruth Ladd – Aye
Jason Hnatko – Aye
Phil Hamilton – Aye
7:28 PM
Continued Public Meetings/Hearings
Notice of Intent: 15 Peacock Farm Road
ViewPoint Cloud Permit# CNOI-23-5, DEP#201-1287
Applicant/Property Owner: Christos Maravelias, Trustee, Christos Maravelias Trust 2015
Project: Construct a deck and portico and realign a walkway leading to an existing home
entrance. Replace existing driveway with permeable asphalt. Portions within 100-foot buffer
zone to BVW
Previous Meeting Date: 3/20/2023, 4/3/2023
*Vote to issue the Order of Conditions if hearing is closed
Mr. Erich Nitzsche, Project Engineer, and Mr. Carl Oldenburg, Project Architect, were present.
Favorable comments were provided by the Town Engineering Department.
On a motion by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call
vote to close the hearing.
Record of Vote as Follows:
Duke Bitsko – Aye
Kevin Beuttell – Aye
Alex Dohan – Aye
Ruth Ladd – Aye
Jason Hnatko – Aye
Phil Hamilton – Aye
7:30 PM
On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Mr. Hnatko, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call
vote to issue the Order of Conditions.
Record of Vote as Follows:
Duke Bitsko – Aye
Kevin Beuttell – Aye
Alex Dohan – Aye
Ruth Ladd – Aye
Jason Hnatko – Aye
Phil Hamilton – Aye
7:31 PM
Request for Determination of Applicability: 12 Kay Tiffany Way
ViewPoint Cloud Permit# CDOA-23-6
Applicant/Property Owner: Kay Tiffany Way LLC
Project: revise a previously approved limit of work to expand site grading
Documentation Submitted:
⎯ RDA Application; Prepared by: Michael Novak, Patriot Engineering; Date signed:
4/24/2023;
⎯ Site Plan of Land; Prepared by: Patriot Engineering; Stamped and signed by: Michael J
Novak, PE; Date: 11/30/2022; Revised: 4/25/2023;
⎯ Project Description; From: Michael Novak, Patriot Engineering; Date: 4/25/2023;
⎯ Stormwater Analysis and Calculations; Prepared by: Patriot Engineering; Stamped and
signed by: Michael J Novak, PE; Date: 5/5/2023;
⎯ Plan: Overall Buffer Disturbance; Prepared by: Patriot Engineering; Stamped and signed
by: Michael J Novak, PE; Date: 4/27/2023;
⎯ Town Engineering Comments; Date: 5/15/2023;
⎯ Post Subcatchment Plan; Prepared by: Patriot Engineering; Date: 4/25/2023;
On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call
vote to continue the hearing to the June 12, 2023 meeting at the applicant’s request.
Record of Vote as Follows:
Duke Bitsko – Aye
Kevin Beuttell – Aye
Alex Dohan – Aye
Ruth Ladd – Aye
Jason Hnatko – Aye
Phil Hamilton – Aye
6:53 PM (voted earlier in the meeting to notify meeting attendees)
On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call
vote to adjourn the meeting.
Record of Vote as Follows:
Duke Bitsko – Aye
Kevin Beuttell – Aye
Alex Dohan – Aye
Ruth Ladd – Aye
Jason Hnatko – Aye
Phil Hamilton – Aye
7:32 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Meghan McNamara
LUHD Department Assistant- Conservation
Approved: 6/12/2023
Archived: 6/14/2023