Conservation Commission

TOWN OF PRINCETON

BOARD/COMMITTEE: PRINCETON CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES

DATE: June 18, 2020           TIME: 7:00             LOCATION: Remote access only

Note: this public meeting and public hearing were conducted via remote teleconferencing due to COVID-19 precautions.  Public participation details were posted with the agenda.

Members in attendance remotely:  Brian Keevan, John Vieira, Rachael Catlow, Barbara Laughlin, Ron Thompson

Applicants and others in attendance remotely: Christine Rainville, Art Allen (Eco Teck). Larry Green Junior (McCarty Engineering), Mary Ann DiPinto (Three Oaks Environmental), Glenn Duggar (53 Bullard Road)

Brian Keevan called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Votes taken in the following actions are “all in favor” unless noted otherwise.

Public Hearings and Meetings:

Item 1: 7:01pm – 7:23pm - 155 Brooks Station Road Enforcement Order (DEP File# 267-0427).  A public hearing was reopened for this filing and Art Allen from EcoTec, Inc., representing the landowner, presented information.  The Commission discussed a performance bond regarding the work to be completed on the subject property and two impacted abutting properties, and decided not to request a bond at this time due to the impracticality of implementation.  The Commission discussed having the following special conditions:

• required monitoring plan for a period of up to three (3) years to monitor and address invasive species inadvertently included in any off-site source loam material used for site restoration. 
• An October 1, 2020 deadline to complete substantial restoration work.

The Commission voted to issue an Order of Conditions with the above-referenced special conditions at (7:23pm).    

Item 2: 7:24pm - 9:07pm – Mount Wachusett Ski Area pond dewatering (DEP File# 267-0428).  The Commission opened a public hearing for a Notice of Intent (NOI).  Maryann DiPinto and Larry Green Junior presented information on behalf of the property owner (Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)).  This ecological restoration project includes the removal of a dam for an 8,000-9,000 square foot sedimentation pond.  The dam will be removed and, in its place, the former stream channel will be restored from where it formerly entered and exited the pond with an associated bordering vegetated wetland.  Brian and Rachel attended a site walk on June 18, 2020.  The Commission voted to continue the public hearing to the July 21, 2020 to allow for plan revisions showing locations of equipment access and locations of erosion controls, as well as stormwater checklist and invasive species monitoring (9:07pm).         

Item 3: The Commission discussed and voted all in favor to issue Certificates of Compliance for the following Properties:

• 53 Bullard Road (DEP File #267-0425) – Glenn Dugger was present via phone (9:09pm)
• 205 Redemption Rock Trail (DEP File# 267-0401) – 9:12pm

Item 4: 9:13pm – 9:29pm – 264 Mirick Road property owner installed an access way to the property which required the possible installation of drainage culverts in a regulated stream, and clearing of vegetation within the buffer zone and/or resource area without a permit.  The Commission discussed scheduling a site visit to determine the nature and extent of the work with respect to possible jurisdictional areas. 

Commission Other Business, Mail, Procedures, etc.:

None

Approve Minutes

No minutes were reviewed. 

Meeting adjourned at 9:39pm

Respectfully submitted, Barbara Laughlin