Conservation Commission
TOWN OF PRINCETON
BOARD/COMMITTEE: PRINCETON CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
DATE: January 19, 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, Barbara Laughlin
Applicants and others in attendance remotely: Reid Bagley, David Hatton (Dave’s Tree and Landscaping), Andy Brown, Tom Sullivan, John Mirick, Lynn Grettum (Cemetery)
Brian Keevan called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
Votes taken in the following actions are “all in favor” unless noted otherwise.
Approve Minutes
December 15th, 2020 minutes were approved at 7:09pm.
New Business
Item 1: 7:10 pm – 7:29 pm – Request for Determination from Reid Bagley, 21 Stagecoach Road, construction of septic system along buffer zone boundary. A site walk was conducted by Victoria Taft, Bonnie Hirsh, and Rachael Catlow on January 19th along with the applicant, Reid Bagley. No work is being proposed in the buffer zone, however, the limit of work comes close to the wetland buffer. The applicant does have a line of silt fencing proposed along the limit of work. The Commission decided to issue a negative four determination and asked to inspect the silt fencing after installation which the applicant agreed the commission could inspect.
A negative four determination was issued at 7:28 pm via roll call.
Old Business
Item 2: 7:30pm – 7:53pm – William Eicholzer, 264 Mirick Road, alteration of riparian vegetation and culvert installation. A site walk was conducted on November 19th, 2019 with Brian Keevan, Rachael Catlow, Victoria Taft, Bonnie Hirsh, as well as the owner William Eicholzer. A Notice of Violation will be issued asking for the applicant to halt activities and submit an NOI related to past and future activities around the dam, spillway, and riparian zone. Bonnie will make changes to the letter as discussed.
Sue left the meeting due to technical difficulties at 7:49 pm.
All present commissioners voted via roll at 7:51 pm to issue the Notice of Violation letter with changes.
New Business
Item 3: 7:51pm -8:38pm- Cemetery Superintendent Andy Brown to discuss WPA permitting requirements for proposed landscaping work and other ongoing activities at Woodlawn Cemetery. Andy Brown (Cemetery Superintendent), Lynn Grettum (Cemetery Chair) and Dave Hatton (Landscaper) were present for the virtual meeting. A site walk was conducted by Brian and Andy Brown on January 15th and a second site walk was conducted by Bonnie, Victoria, and Rachael on January 18th; however, the area of proposed work was unclear on the second site visit. Dave Hatton spoke on the planting plan being proposed which consists of diseased/dead tree removal (~20 trees) and planting about 60 trees and shrubs which he stated are mostly native and wetland species (a species listing was provided). No grading changes are proposed however some compost material needs to be brought in and will be added with each planting. The commission requested an RDA with the plantings and then a site walk was scheduled. The problem of fill being added in the wetland buffer will be addressed separately.
Barbara left the meeting at 8:38pm
Other Business
Tom Sullivan, representing owner John Mirick, spoke of a project on Merriam Road to control invasive species. The project, which is adjacent to the road, has three culverts which divert flow under the road onto the property. One of the drainage areas has a steady stream of water but it is unclear if the source is a wetland, stream, or just overland flow. Mr. Sullivan is proposing to stop mowing at the 100’ buffer of the potential stream area, however, should they choose to proceed in this area they would submit an RDA. A site walk will be conducted on Friday afternoon (January 22nd) and a special meeting will be scheduled for Wednesday January 27th.
Commission Other Business, Mail, Procedures, etc.:
The Commission members discussed ideas on how to help the Chair with the workload.
Forest Cutting Plan(s): None
Plan Submissions
Woodlawn Cemetery proposed planting plan near Ollila stone
Powerpoint showing Mirick property on Merriam road
Septic design plan for 21 Stagecoach Road
Meeting ended at 9:16pm
Respectfully submitted, Rachael Catlow