Conservation Commission
TOWN OF PRINCETON
BOARD/COMMITTEE: PRINCETON CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
DATE: November 16, 2021 TIME: 7:00 p.m. LOCATION: Town Hall Annex
Note: this public meeting and public hearing were conducted in person at the Annex, with a remote teleconferencing option available for public participation. Public participation details were posted with the agenda.
Members in attendance: Brian Keevan, Bonnie Hirsh, Victoria Taft, and Rachael Catlow
Members in attendance remotely: None
Applicants and others in attendance: Larry Greene Jr.; Paul Berube; Judy Chamberlain; Christian Henderson
Applicants and others in attendance remotely: Katherine Buttolph from MassAudubon; MaryAnn DiPinto; Chris Knuth; Michael Shepardson; Paulette Magaw; Amy Pearson
Votes taken in the following actions are “all in favor” unless noted otherwise.
Brian Keevan called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM.
Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the October 19, 2021, meeting were approved at 7:11 p.m.
Item 1: DEP File# 267-0431 (7:12 – 7:13 pm) – Request for Certificate of Compliance from Peter Normandin for construction of a single-family home at 12 Sam Cobb Lane (Lot 7-2). Brian and Bonnie completed a site walk on October 18, 2021. The Commission voted at the last meeting to continue the hearing pending confirmation of the boulder placement along the limit of work, which was a Special Condition (No. 7). Bonnie confirmed the boulders at the approved location at a subsequent site visit on October 20, 2021. The Commission voted to issue a Certificate of Compliance at 7:13 p.m.
Item 2: (7:14 – 7:28 pm) Request for a Certificate of Compliance for DEP File 267-0280 from Robert Matewsky for partially completed work at a parcel on the corner of Mountain and Pine Hill Roads. Bonnie, Victoria, and Brian met with MaryAnn DiPinto and Chris Knuth on 11/14/2021 and reviewed work completed under this filing back in February 2003. Well has been installed, leach field installed, both as shown on the approved plan. The house and driveway were not constructed. The Commission voted at 7:28 p.m. to issue a Partial Certificate of Compliance for the construction of the well and leach field.
Item 3: (7:28 – 7:48 pm) Notice of Intent (DEP File number pending) from Robert Matewsky for construction of a single family home at a parcel on the corner of Mountain and Pine Hill Roads. A Public Hearing was opened for a Notice of Intent to construct a single family home and driveway on Map 4, parcel 42D. DEP has not yet issued a file number. Bonnie, Victoria, and Brian met with MaryAnn DiPinto and Chris Knuth on 11/14/2021 to review wetland delineation and site conditions. No locations were staked or flagged on the ground except wetland flags. Old silt fence was still visible from the last round of site construction in 2003, and Chris indicated that this would be the approximate line of work for the new work. Driveway location was shifted from Mountain Road to Pine Hill Road under this updated design. Commissioners noted that Oxbow had delineated the channel along Pine Hill Road as a wetland resource, but that this was omitted in the new delineation. The channel continues up through a culvert under Mountain Road and appears to originate in a small natural wetland on the other side of Mountain Road. The Commission requested that the applicant review the wetlands further in light of this information, and contact the PCC to review conditions in the field. At 7:48 the Commission voted to continue the hearing to the next meeting.
Item 4: (7:49 – 8:22 pm) Notice of Intent (DEP File number pending) for aquatic invasive plant control in a pond on land of Larry Greene, Sr. at 46 Goodnow Road. A public hearing was opened for a Notice of Intent to conduct aquatic invasive plant control in a small pond at 46 Goodnow Road. DEP has not yet issued a file number. Larry Greene Jr. presented to the Commission on behalf of the landowner Larry Greene Sr. The pond covers approximately 13,000 square feet and is about 7-9 feet deep at its maximum. The applicant has contracted with a company to apply ProcellaCOR (an aquatic herbicide) in the spring. Lar provided a fact sheet to the Commission, and copies were provided to the member of the public present in the room. The Commission discussed some potential special conditions including limiting application to periods when the water level is lower and during low flow periods, and not when a rain event is expected, and notification to be provided to the PCC prior to any/all applications. The abutters asked to be notified as well but this is not required under the WPA. Without a file number the Commission voted at 8:22 p.m. to continue this hearing to the next public meeting.
Item 5: (8:23 – 8:31 pm) Discussion regarding recommendation to Select Board on acceptance of a Conservation Restriction on Goodnow Road. Brian recused himself from discussion as he is a Trustee of the Princeton Land Trust, who will hold the CR on this parcel; Bonnie was acting chair for this item. Kate Buttolph from Mass Audubon presented the Commission with details about a proposed Conservation Restriction on a 16.9 acre parcel that is being deeded from Bill Holder (45 Goodnow Road) to Mass Audubon. Brian, Bonnie, and Victoria met Kate at the site on Sunday November 14th. After some discussion the Commission voted to send a recommendation to the Select Board to accept the Conservation Restriction deed at their next meeting.
Commission Other Business, Mail, Procedures, etc.:
Commissioners provided updates on active projects and discussed ideas for recruiting new members.
Forest Cutting Plan(s): The Commission received a copy of the approved FCP for 182 Thompson Road, Tod & Elizabeth Masterman, prepared by Joseph Lee.
Meeting adjourned at 8:48 pm. The next PCC meeting is scheduled for December 21, 2021.
Respectfully submitted, Rachael Catlow