Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes

 

7:02    Christopher Pratt, Chairman, opened the meeting.

Commissioner MacWilliams made a motion to accept the minutes of 08/01/16 as amended. Commissioner Kellogg seconded the motion.  Commissioner Pranka abstained. None opposed, motion passed unanimously.

The Commissioners and Coordinator Clark welcomed Commissioner Pranka, a newly appointed member of the Conservation Commission.  

7:15 13 Robin Road NOI

Jason & Jenn Puzey

Jon Goddman, R. Levesque

Chairman Pratt opened the hearing by reading the public notice as posted in the Westfield Evening News.  The proposal is for a single family home on a large parcel of land.  Access to the property will require a realignment of the driveway impacting approximately 3,000 square feet of wetlands.  There is no option for legal access the property from the adjacent land.  There will be no major work around the area of the culvert which is Town owned property.  Excavation will be required for removal of material consisting of mostly composted leaves, which will be placed on another part of the property.  The Conservation Commission is awaiting a finding from the Natural Heritage Foundation to determine if there are any endangered species that may be impacted by the excavation, and will conduct a site visit.  

Commissioner Soleimani made a motion to continue the hearing until October 3rd.  Commissioner Kellogg seconded the motion.  None opposed, motion passed unanimously.  

 

7:32 27 Eagle Street NOI

Nora Beger

Jon Goddard, R. Levesque

Mr. Goddard presented a plan in which the rear portion of the property will be renovated by making improvements to the decking, removal of a large tree to be replaced by plantings, and filling in a portion of the side property for stabilization.  The property is currently experiencing excessive erosion.  The deck will be configured in an indirect decent to the lake with angled decking to eliminate the steep descent.  The plan also contains a retaining wall with plantings.  The large oak tree which is unstable due to erosion is approximately 25 feet from the water.  DEP had no comment on the proposal.  Mr. Goddard will return with an as built plan showing the various plantings.  Silt fencing will be placed near the water.  

Commissioner MacWilliams made a motion to close the public hearing. Commissioner Kellogg seconded the motion.  None opposed, the motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner MacWilliams made a motion to accept the Order of Condition without a bond.  Commissioner Kellogg seconded the motion.  None opposed, the motion passed unanimously.

Sofinowski – Scout Troop 338  Commissioner Clark stated that the community garden was a great success.  There is still some vegetation that can be harvested.  Commissioner Clark will talk with Mr. Richard Solek about advice on how to rototilling the land in the fall and again in the spring to prepare for the next planting season.

5 Dewitt Circle – Bond Resease  Commissioner Clark stated that the signs mandated in the Order of Conditions were not at the location.  The Conservation Commission will approve the bond release once this condition has been met.

Rising Corner DEP# 292-215 – Certificate of Compliance & Bond Release  Commissioner Kellogg made a motion to release the bond in the amount of $10,000.00.  The property is in the process of being sold.  The Certificate of Compliance will also need to be signed prior to finalizing the sale.  Commissioner MacWilliams seconded the motion.  None opposed, the motion passed unanimously.

107 Point Grove Road – Tree removal  Coordinator Clark received a notice from Mr. Granfield concerning cutting down four healthy trees on this property.  The property owner wants the trees to be cut as they are obstructing his view.  The removal will need to be done in the winter as the trees will need to be removed across the lake as the owner of the neighboring property will not allow access through his property for the tree removal.

Rising Corner – Floating Bridge  Coordinator Clark presented pictures of the floating bridge, which as of this meeting, is not completed nor open to the public.  The rotten wooden boards of the prior decking were replaced by composite decking.  The cost of the bridge was for materials only, all the labor was donated.

 

Kudlic Bros. DEP #292-0290 EO & Deed Restriction There has been no further information from DEP on the property as of this meeting.

51 Lakemont Street – Lake weed removal  Coordinator Clark stated that the property owner requested the removal of lake weeks from the area around the swimming dock.  Coordinator Clark will conduct an inspection to determine if the weeds are non-invasive.  In the event they are non-invasive, the Conservation Commission will not grant the petition.

Commissioners Review  Chairman Pratt stated that due to an increase in his responsibilities, he was stepping down as a member of the CPC.  Commissioner MacWilliams made a motion to replace Chairman Pratt with Coordinator Dennis Clark as he has extensive knowledge of the programs and operations of the CPC.  Commissioner Soleimani seconded the motion.  None opposed, the motion passed unanimously.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

____________________________    

Jean Nilsson, Secretary