Conservation Commission
TOWN OF PRINCETON
BOARD/COMMITTEE: PRINCETON CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
DATE: January 27, 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, Victoria Taft, Bonnie Hirsh, Sue Mitchell (arrived at 7:29pm)
Applicants and others in attendance remotely: Tom Sullivan, Lynne Grettum (Cemetery), Andy Brown (Cemetery), Claire Golding, Chris Stevens, Dave Hatton (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 with minor changes at 7:07pm.
New Business
Item 1: 7:10 pm – 7:21 pm – Jurisdiction on land of John Mirick on Merriam Road. A site walk was conducted by Rachael Catlow and Brian Keevan on January 22nd along with Tom Sullivan and John Mirick. Tom Sullivan presented the invasive plant mowing plan along the stone wall and pasture field area. Of the three drainage areas, only one area is questionable in whether it is a stream. Mr. Sullivan is proposing to protect this drainage area by putting a 25’ buffer on the stream. The WPA section 10.04(b) defines normal maintenance and improvement to including mowing and brush cutting, clearing, and clearing of natural waterways, both of which require a minimum of a 25’buffer on the stream. Mr. Sullivan indicated that any work within the 25’ buffer would require additional review by the Conservation Commission.
A motion was made to agree that channels 1 and 2 are non-jurisdictional and that work can proceed under the normal work maintenance exemption (up to 25’ to the stream) at 7:21 pm by all present commissioners.
Item 2: 7:25 pm -7:43pm- Cemetery Superintendent Andy Brown to discuss WPA permitting requirements for proposed landscaping work and other ongoing activities at Woodlawn Cemetery. A site walk was conducted by Rachael Catlow and Brian Keevan on January 22nd along with Andy Brown and Lynn Grettum representing the Cemetery Commission and Dave Hatton from the Landscaping company. The commission discussed the tree cutting and chipping and that the planting work will be discussed at the February meeting when RDA is presented.
Sue Mitchell arrived at 7:29 pm
All members approved a motion to allow tree cutting and chipping at 7:43pm.
Item 3: 7:45pm – 7:53pm – Discussion of abutter concerns and access to beaver pond at Calamint Hill Conservation Area. A canoe is being stored in the woods near the pond which is not completely Town owned and abutter Chris Stevens feels this may be encouraging people to use the canoe potentially disturbing wildlife and entering his private property. Commissioners discussed if canoe access is prohibited the through the management plan but need to perform further research.
Bonnie left the meeting at 8:03 pm
Commission Other Business, Mail, Procedures, etc.:
The Commission members discussed ideas on how to help the Chair with the workload. Brian presented a plan on how to do this. Rachael will review the outstanding order of conditions and develop a list for the next meeting.
Forest Cutting Plan(s): None
Plan Submissions
Invasive species cutting plan on Merriam Road for John Mirick
Planting design for Woodlawn Cemetery
Meeting ended at 8:24pm
Respectfully submitted, Rachael Catlow