Conservation Commission
TOWN OF PRINCETON
BOARD/COMMITTEE: PRINCETON CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
DATE: September 15, 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, Bonnie Hirsh, Sue Mitchell, Barbara Laughlin, and Associate member Victoria Taft
Applicants and others in attendance remotely: Ashley Brotherton (abutter for Parcel C, Grow Lane NOI)
Brian Keevan called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
Votes taken in the following actions are “all in favor” unless noted otherwise.
Approve Minutes
August 18, 2020 minutes were approved with edits at 7:07pm
Public Hearings and Meetings:
Item 1: 7:07pm – 7:11pm – Notice of Intent (NOI) File #267-0430 - Parcel C, Grow Lane, Jen Caswell, driveway crossing w/replication, septic, and for new residence construction project. The Commission was notified by the applicant, Jen Caswell, that the permit application will be withdrawn due to insufficient lot space to meet required resource area buffer zone setbacks.
Item 2: 7:12pm – 7:15pm – NOI File #267-0423 – 77 Main Street, Mohamed Samoda. As a follow-up to a site visit conducted on August 9, 2020 by Brian Keevan and Sue Mitchell, the property owner has contracted Doug Andrysick to prepare and submit an updated as-built site plan showing a new driveway, deck, and stairway which were not included in the septic-related NOI application but is in the riverfront zone.
Commission Other Business, Mail, Procedures, etc.:
Updates:
File #267-0419: 16 Pine Hill Road – Commissioners conducted a site walk on September 13, 2020 to inspect the completed wetland restoration and plantings.
File #267-391: East Princeton Road Project – Brian provided an update on the control/eradication efforts to manage the invasive plant Japanese Hops. Approximately one week ago, the contractor sprayed an application to the plant and some control is visible, but the Commission will continue to monitor the progress.
Houghton Road undeveloped parcel: On September 13, Commission members met with Janet Schoeny (a real estate agent) regarding wetland setbacks and issues related to a possible new construction project. There are wetland buffer zones and a stream crossing that would require consideration during the development of project design plans.
File #267-0420: East Princeton Road culvert project (near Krashes Field) – On September 13 and 15, various Commission members viewed the culvert project. The project is proceeding well. It appeared that within-stream work was complete in advance of upcoming placement of the bridge arches.
File 267-0407: Brian provided an update on a culvert project near the intersection of Mirick Road and East Princeton Road. The project is nearing completion and Brian would like to schedule a site visit with the applicant, engineer of record, and Commissioners to view conditions.
File #267-0429: A pre-construction site visit with DCR is schedule for September 15, 2020 for the study weir project located off East Princeton Road (State Route 31). Bonnie Hirsh and Victoria Taft will be attending.
File #267-0428: MaryAnn DiPinto notified the Commission that the dam removal project is delayed pending an application for Army Corp General Permit #23 dam removal impacting (permanent or temporary impacts) more than 5,000sf of wetlands. The applicant is also submitting a final grant request by October 15, 2020. Brian will reach out to DEP personnel for guidance on how to proceed since some work has commenced prior to having all required permits.
File #267-0427: 155 Brooks Station Road (Enforcement Order) – Brian provided an update that the contractor has completed the restorations and regrading. Brian will reach out to Art Allen to schedule a site visit to determine project status and schedule a site visit.
File #267-0430: Brian will request access to Parcel C Grow Lane, owned by Jen Caswell, after an anonymous note was relayed to the Commission via the virtual GoToMeeting chat function regarding possible alterations to a vernal pool(s).
Forest Cutting Plan(s): None
Meeting adjourned at 8:08pm
Respectfully submitted, Barbara Laughlin