Conservation Commission

TOWN OF PRINCETON

BOARD/COMMITTEE: PRINCETON CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES

DATE: November 19, 2019           TIME: 7:00             LOCATION: Town Hall Annex

Attendance: Chairman Brian Keevan, Ron Thompson, John Vieira, and Rachael Catlow, and Barbara Laughlin

Brian Keevan called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Votes taken in the following actions are “all in favor” unless noted otherwise.

Public Hearings and Meetings:

Item 1: 7:00-7:27 PM - 93 Main Street, Enforcement Order follow-up meeting.  Bill Chase attended the meeting to provide an update on activities completed since the issuance of an enforcement action.  Additional siltation barrier was installed on the portion nearest the river.  Mr. Chase provided the following:

• Correspondence dated October 17, 2019 from Michael Burke P.E. stating that the existing footprint of the building was “neither changed nor altered” due to construction activities. 
• Plan titled “Plan of Modification to Pole Barn and Existing House” (July 1, 2019) showing the footprint of the existing building. 
• “Existing Conditions Plot Plan” (November 1, 2019) prepared by Bruce Wilson, P.L.S.
• Plans originally prepared by Lynch Construction Co for the Princeton Route 140 roadway project (Sheets 36 & 38, August 2018) showed buffer zones related to Keys Brook. 

The Commission is still requesting a wetlands delineation plan, and a site visit will be conducted on November 23, 2019 with the property owner to verify the existing conditions on November 23, 2019.

Item 2: 7:28-7:44 PM – Corey Burnham-Howard of the Princeton Environmental Action Committee (EAC) attended to discuss the town seeking “Greening Communities” designation to be eligible for grant funding related to renewal/ alternative energy generation.  The EAC is considering a proposed option for a solar overlay zone at the former town dump located along Hubbardston Road.   Rachel will be the contact person for the Commission regarding this project, and the Commission would look at potential by-laws or correspondence related to meeting a one-year deadline for local permitting (Notice of Intent submittals).  The EAC is also looking to apply for Municipal Voluntary Preparedness status related to climate change caused risks/disasters. 

Executive Session (Reason #6): The Commission voted unanimously by roll call to enter into Executive Session (Reason #6) at 7:45PM to finalize proposed lease edits regarding the leasing the Four Corners land.  The Commission voted unanimously to exit Executive Session at 8:20PM.    

The Commission 8:22 PM – The Commission unanimously voted to approve a Lease (final edits dated November 15, 2019) at 8:20 PM. 

The Commission will request a public meeting regarding a site walk scheduled for November 23, 2019 at 93 Main Street.

Brian provided an update on the request by Wachusett Mountain Associates (WMA) for pond drawdown.  The Commission agreed to not issuing an Emergency Certification since the pond does not present an emergency.  Brian replied to the WMA on November 13, 2019 via email that this activity will require a Notice of Intent.   

Commission Other Business, Mail, Procedures, etc.:

Brian received an Acknowledgement of Receipt and Understanding from Jennifer Greene (Lot 3A Merriam Road DEP #267-0414).

The Commission received a DCR list of affected parcels in Princeton related to the Watershed Protection Act.

Forest Cutting Plan(s): None.

The following draft meeting minutes were reviewed and approved as amended: November 5, 2019

The following draft Executive Session meeting minutes were reviewed and approved as amended: August 20, 2019, October 22, 2019, November 5, 2019

The draft November 5, 2019 Executive Session meeting minutes were reviewed and approved with no edits.

The next PCC meeting is scheduled for December 17, 2019.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:27 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Barbara Laughlin