Conservation Commission
TOWN OF PRINCETON
BOARD/COMMITTEE: PRINCETON CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
DATE: May 18, 2021 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 (joined at 7:20 pm), Bonnie Hirsh, Barbara Laughlin
Applicants and others in attendance remotely: Mitchell Dull, Brian Briselli, Gerry DeRoche, Kyle Purdy
Brian Keevan called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.
Votes taken in the following actions are “all in favor” unless noted otherwise.
Item 1: 7:12pm pm – 7:17pm – 93 Main Street Update – Mitchell Dull provided an update stating that they checked with their real estate attorney and there was a clause in their purchase agreement that the previous landowner is financially responsible for the wetland’s violation. The Commission will address this with Town Council to determine the next steps. The owner was not willing to allow a site walk on their property at this time.
Item 2: 7:17 pm – 7:18 pm – 264 Mirick Update – Bonnie updated the commission on the project. She will be in contact with the landowner this week and will work on scheduling a site visit soon.
Item 3: 7:18 pm -7:54 pm – RDA from 305 Redemption Rock Trail (NEADS)– The proposed project is to install a water line to provide water for a fire suppression system. There would be a 4ft’ deep trench adjacent to the driveway for most of the project and it would cut across the driveway to connect to the building. Runoff barriers would be put in place and no stockpiling of materials would be needed the way the project would be conducted.
The commission voted to issue a negative three determination, with special conditions for the installation of straw wattles and inspection of the wattles after a heavy rain event, at 7:53 pm via roll call.
Item 4: 7:54 pm -7:16 pm – Request for Certificate of Compliance, East Wachusett Brook Culvert project (267-0420)– A site walk was conducted on Monday May 17th with Bonnie, Brian, Brian Briselli and Kyle Purdy. The vegetation is growing but has not filled in completely and there are no signs of erosion channels. There was some discussion regarding the developing deposit bar under the culvert on the western (low energy) side; Ben will monitor, but we expect that periodic higher flows will flush these deposits downstream. A Certificate of Compliance was issued at 8:09 pm via roll call.
Approve Minutes
Minutes from April 20, 2021 meeting were approved by Bonnie, Brian, Rachael, and Victoria with minor edits at 8:17pm.
Commission Other Business, Mail, Procedures, etc.:
Cemetery project update – The plantings have been completed.
Four Corners Trails Kiosk Map – Brian presented the proposed kiosk map to the Commission. The commissioners provided comments which Brian will present to Rick Gardner representing the Trails Around Princeton Group.
23 Hubbardston Road – The boulders marking the paved area were pushed into the swale. Brian will notify the owner.
Tenney Pond Dam – Brian was contacted by Sherry regarding Tenney Pond and apparent removal of level-controlling boards in the dam. Brian connected Sherry with DCR for more information.
CHCA Trails – The wetland replication for the area that was lost due to the bridging material still needs to be completed. Rick Gardner would like to get a crew to do the work in June. Brian will reach out to a few local wetland specialists to see if they can assist.
Rachael left the meeting at 8:41 pm.
P&W Railroad VMP – TEC Associates, consultants for Providence & Worcester Railroad, have submitted an RDA for confirmation of wetland delineations along their corridor through Princeton. This will become part of their Vegetation Management Plan for the next 5 years, and they are proposing no changes in the wetland lines that were approved by the PCC in 2016. The Commission would like to review the wetland lines and pesticide spray zone markers in the field before considering the Determination. Brian will contact the applicant and arrange a site visit prior to the June meeting.
Forest Cutting Plan(s): None
Meeting ended at 9:01 pm
Respectfully submitted, Rachael Catlow