Conservation Commission
TOWN OF PRINCETON
BOARD/COMMITTEE: PRINCETON CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
DATE: JANUARY 17, 2023 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, Jennifer Vuona, Victoria Taft
Members in attendance remotely: none
Applicants and others in attendance: David Farrell, Dara Farrell, Mary Ann DiPinto
Applicants and others in attendance remotely: none
Votes taken in the following actions are “all in favor unless” noted otherwise.
Brian Keevan called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM.
Item 1: 7:16 –7:51 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). A site visit was conducted December 23, 2022 by the Commission to review the flags and plans provided by Three Oaks Environmental. Ms. DiPinto presented a revised plan reflecting the plans discussed at the site visit, including amended E&SC and a revised site plan. She explained the disturbed soil will be stabilized with erosion control and boulders from the property will be used to demark the limit of work. The yard waste deposited in the BVW (located behind the line of boulders) will be removed and the site will be revegetated with a wetland wildflower mix this spring. The existing garage will be razed and the new garage will be constructed with erosion control behind the garage and along the chicken coop area as depicted on site plan. A grass swale from the road has been added to direct stormwater along the property boundary. The swale will end at the buffer zone and rip rap will be used to dissipate flow velocity. Commissioners discussed whether to add a condition to stabilize or otherwise require seeding on any stockpiled materials. The Commission also reviewed the submitted data sheets. The Commission discussed the risk of introducing invasive species with the use of straw waddles. The chair also asked for details on the size; Ms. DiPinto suggested they will use whatever is readily available at Home Depot or similar (8”, 25’ rolls). Commissioners voted to close the hearing 7:51 PM. The Commission voted to issue an order of conditions with a special condition specifying 8” straw waddles be used for E&SC.
Approval of minutes: Minutes from the December 20, 2022 meeting were approved with minor revisions at 8:19 PM.
Other Business/Procedures:
Draft annual report: The draft was emailed for Commissioners to review. The Chair will follow up with individual members for details on activities and trainings to add to the final report.
NOI spreadsheet update: Bryanna was going to develop this to help highlight parcels that have active NOIs. She is working to backfill historical data.
Building Permit subcommittee: The committee members are meeting tomorrow, 1/18/2023 to review sample general NOIs.
Forest cutting plans: none
Commission Other Business, Mail, Procedures, etc.: The Commission received an appeal filed by abutters of the Porter property on Boylston Avenue. There has been no correspondence from DEP on the matter.
Commissioners voted to adjourn at 8:37 PM
Respectfully submitted, Jenny Sanders