Conservation Commission
BOARD/COMMITTEE: PRINCETON CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
DATE: DECEMBER 20, 2022 TIME: 7:00 PM 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, Jenny Sanders, Bonnie Hirsh, Jennifer Vuona, Bryanna Weigel, Victoria Taft
Members in attendance remotely: none
Applicants and others in attendance: Larry Green, David Farrell, Dara Farrell, Hazim Mohammed, Tasneem Mohammed
Applicants and others in attendance remotely: Matt Marro, Mary Ann DiPinto, Chris Kanuth
Votes taken in the following actions are “all in favor unless” noted otherwise.
Brian Keevan called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM.
Approval of minutes: Minutes from the November 29, 2022 meeting were approved with revisions at 7:08 PM.
Item 1: 7:09 –7:20 PM Discussion of Water Supply watershed tributaries. Chairperson of BOH described how the BOH defines water supply tributaries. The Conservation Commission Chair asked about DEP designation of surface water supply GIS designated areas, which includes all areas of Princeton. In the definition out of Title V, the BOH chairperson said that the tributary has to be on the map at the time that they review the map. The Commission chair asked whether the location of a tributary could be interpreted using topography lines. The BOH chair said they interpret it as only those currently visible on a USGS topo map. The Commissioners reviewed the language that the BOH uses from the definitions in Title V. No action was taken.
Item 2: 7:21 – 7:42 PM Continued Public Hearing for a Notice of Intent (DEP File #267-0443) submitted by Lake 20, LLC for single family home on Ball Hill Road. (Map 11 Parcel 42A). A new plan was sent this afternoon. Mr. Marro described what was on the new plan. A ‘zone A’ overlay is showed on the plan that was not previously detailed. The intermittent stream is not considered a tributary based on the BOH determination, so it does not have the 100’ setback. The area of riverfront and proposed alteration area have not changed based on these revised plans. Proposed locations for the well, septic, house, etc. have not changed and setbacks have been met. Client has also retained Mr. Marro to do E&SC inspections and he offered to file regular reports with the Commission. Commission voted to issue the order of conditions with a special condition to submit monthly E&SC inspection reports.
Item 3: 7:43 - 8:04 PM Request for Certificate of Compliance for 267-0406, 7 Pine Hill Road. This site required wetlands replication. He communicated that some loam and matting needs to be added to the banks to stop erosion an complete stabilization. There is also silt that needs to be removed from the wetland. They also want to replant additional vegetation. Mr. Marro asked for a partial Certificate of Compliance. The Chair clarified for the rest of the Commissioners that there are two open orders of Conditions for two different parcels that are side-by-side at this site. The wetland replication is actually taking place on the adjacent parcel, but the replication being completed is a condition in both orders. Commissioners discussed whether a portion of the work at this property could be detailed in a partial Certificate of Compliance. Commissioners clarified for the applicant that this costs the homeowner additional funds and does not release the homeowner fully. No action was taken.
Item 4: 8:05 – 8:38 PM Continued Public Hearing for a Notice of Intent (DEP File #267-0446) submitted by David Farrell for construction of a detached garage on 33 Radford Road (Map 12C Parcel 4.0). The wetlands Ms. DiPinto delineated are similar to the lines delineated on GIS (she clarified that she is referring to MassMapper). The stormwater is being directed into the yard by a berm. She is suggesting that a swale be constructed in the upland to direct this stormwater to the wetlands in the back of the property. She is stating that the chicken coop is just outside of the wetlands, but states that the wetland ends about halfway up the property line toward the road, rather than all the way to the road as the mapper shows. The Commission discussed returning to the property to view her flags. She was asked if disturbance occurred in the wetland. She stated that she does not believe wetland disturbance occurred. She stated that the landowner trimmed back invasive species only. The Commissioners discussed with Mr. Farrell E&SC details needed if wetlands are identified in other places. Commissioners voted to continue the public hearing to January 17, 2022 and scheduled a site visit.
Commission Other Business, Mail, Procedures, etc.:
Other Business/Procedures: Commissioners discussed procedures for site visits and amount of time that we have advance notice for site visits. Commissioners also discussed options for documentation at site visits.
Building Permits: The chair was reminded that Houghton Road is waiting for our approval.
General NOI update: The Chair emailed the subcommittee members and Town to suggest having the meeting in January.
Commissioners voted to adjourn at 9:21 PM
Respectfully submitted, Jenny Sanders