Conservation Commission
TOWN OF PRINCETON
BOARD/COMMITTEE: PRINCETON CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
DATE: November 17, 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, Rachael Catlow, Sue Mitchell, Victoria Taft, Bonnie Hirsh.
Applicants and others in attendance remotely: Doug Andrysick (project representative) for Sam Cobb NOI 267-0431; Andy Brown for 267-0403 at 91 Ball Hill Road requesting OOC extension; Matt Marro and Garry Griffin for Old Colony Road
Brian Keevan called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
Votes taken in the following actions are “all in favor” unless noted otherwise.
Public Hearings and Meetings:
Item 1: 7:03pm – 7:29pm – Notice of Intent (NOI) (#267-0431) - Lot 7-2, Sam Cobb Lane, Normandin Group, for a new single-family home within buffer zone. Supplemental documentation was presented which was submitted to the Commission on November 17 by Doug Andysick. The revision included the addition of boulders to be placed at 5’ intervals along the limit of work inside the 100’ buffer zone.
The Commission voted to issue an order of conditions with two special conditions at 7:29pm. All members voted in favor via roll call. The special conditions were for any future owner, changes to the boulders would require Commission approval. The other special condition was for silt fencing to be added to the straw wattles.
Approve Minutes
October 17, 2020 minutes were approved with minor edits at 7:34pm
Item 2: 7:30pm – 7:44pm – Request for 3-year extension on OOC (#267-0403) - 91 Ball Hill Road, Andy Brown. Mr. Brown stated that he filed the original OOC with the Registry of Deeds on October 22, 2020, Book 63560 Page 183.
The Commission voted to approve the full 3-year extension from the original date of expiration which will has a new expiration date of April 17, 2024. All members voted in favor via roll call at 7:44pm.
Item 3: 8:21pm – 8:49 pm – RDA for Old Colony Road from applicant Gary Griffin (Sholan Homes) A site walk was conducted on November 11th with Brian Keevan, Bonnie Hirsh, Rachael Catlow, Garry Griffin (Sholan Holmes) and Matt Marro (Marro Consulting). There is a wetland on the property which is being considered an isolated wetland not subject to jurisdiction. The wetland is in a shallow depression with a downgradient flow that disappears just before it intersects the road. The total area of the isolated wetland is about 6,100 square feet. The commission determined that the wetland is not jurisdictional and not subject to protection under the Act.
The Commission voted to issue a negative determination #1 at 8:08 pm via roll call.
Item 4: 8:09pm – 8:36 pm – Enforcement Order for 93 Main Street, alteration of stream channel and resource area.
It came to the Commission’s attention after viewing online home sale photos that activity had occurred which was not previously mentioned by the applicant. The activity was the filling of a stream channel in the backyard of the property.
The Commission voted to issue an enforcement order at 8:36pm via roll call.
Item 5: 8:38pm – 8:49 pm – Enforcement Order for 264 Mirick Road, alteration of pond dam vegetation, owner Bill Eicholser. Residents have noticed vegetation clearing and potential installation of a stream crossing. The Commission has contacted the owner to conduct a site walk to see the potential work being conducted. No action was taken other than confirming a site walk.
Commission Other Business, Mail, Procedures, etc.:
Rachael and Victoria joined Tom Sullivan of PLT to conduct the annual CR work a few weeks ago. The Commission discussed establishing a date and time to continue the boundary marker work on the property.
Brian provided some clarification on a requested Order of Conditions on Hubbardston Road. He is working with the attorney.
Road Advisory committee contacted the Commission because of potential future work on Coal Kiln and Forslund road.
Rick Gardner reached out with some potential trail work off Worcester Road. The Commission will conduct a site walk soon.
Forest Cutting Plan(s): None
Meeting adjourned at 9:20pm
Plan Submissions
NOI and Plan of Land in Princeton, MA Lot 7-2 Sam Cobb Lane, prepared for The Normandin Group, revision date 11/17/20.
Respectfully submitted, Rachael Catlow