Conservation Commission
TOWN OF PRINCETON
BOARD/COMMITTEE: PRINCETON CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
DATE: February 18, 2020 TIME: 7:00 LOCATION: Town Hall Annex
Attendance: Chairman Brian Keevan, John Vieira, Ron Thompson, Rachael Catlow, and Barbara Laughlin
Brian Keevan called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
Votes taken in the following actions are “all in favor” unless noted otherwise.
Public Hearings and Meetings:
Item 1: 7:02-7:07PM – Calamint Hill Conservation Area Trails DEP File# 267-0422. A Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) was continued for wetland delineation and trail construction and trail connections from property abutting the Calamint Hill Conservation Area. Rick Gardner presented on behalf of the Princeton Land Trust (PLT). Brian recused himself since he is a trustee of the PLT, and John was the acting Chairman. The Commission voted to issue a Negative Determination No. 1 at 7:07PM.
Item 2: 7:14-7:31PM – A RDA was continued for the trail head with a small parking area located on East Princeton Road between Merriam Road and Gregory Hill Road for property owned by the PLT. John Mirick presented on behalf of the PLT. Brian recused himself since he is a trustee of the PLT and John was the acting Chariman. Large boulders will be used to delineate the parking area about 20 feet off the shoulder of the Princeton Road. Approximately three-four loads of clean fill will be used to level the parking area. The Commission voted to issue a Negative Determination No. 3 at 7:31 PM with the following conditions: clean fill consisting of gravel is to be used. Boulders are to be placed prior to the installation of clean fill. Straw wattles will be placed downgradient of the boulders prior to placement of clean fill.
Item 3: 7:34–7:38PM – 155 Brooks Station Road (Enforcement Order) DEP File# 267-0427. A public hearing was continued and the applicant asked for a continuance until the March meeting; additional surveys are required. The commission discussed inspecting the site to determine the status of the erosion controls. The Commission will contact Art Allen to request a site inspection. The Commission voted to continue the public hearing until March 17, 2020 at 7:38PM.
Item 4: 7:40-7:53PM – 264 Mirick Road DEP File# 267-0162. The Commission received a request for a Certificate of Compliance (COC) related to fire pond cleanout and installation of a dry hydrant. Brian, Ron, and Rachael inspected the area on February 16, 2020 and site conditions have stabilized. During the site visit, it was observed that the spillway integrity is questionable. The Commission will send correspondence via Certified Mail to the land owner and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to relay the concerns of potential dam safety that may warrant inspection by applicable regulatory agencies. The Commission voted to issue a COC at 7:53PM with the addition of correspondence related to potential dam safety.
Item 5: 7:54-8:06PM – 93 Main Street (Enforcement Order). The Commission continued a discussion regarding the Enforcement Order. The Commission received correspondence dated February 10, 2020 regarding the limits of the work that will occur within the silt fence area. Mr. Chase still has not met all the submittal requirements of the Enforcement Order. The Commission voted on a motion to contact the MassDEP and request their involvement at 8:05 PM.
Item 6: 8:09–8:11PM – 23 Hubbardston Road DEP File# 267-0409. The Commission received a Request for a COC. Brian emailed the property owner to request additional documents pertaining to the proposed 2020 maintenance schedule, and has not yet received any reply. Brian will contact the property owner again to request the required. At the time of the hearing, Brian did not receive any reply. The Commission will wait until the requested documentation is received prior to issuing a COC.
Commission Other Business, Mail, Procedures, etc.:
Map 15/Lot 70 Lovers Lane (DEP File #264-0331 Expired April 2016). The property owner, Mark Walker, attended the meeting to request information on how to proceed with construction of a single-family residence, potable well, and a septic system. The Commission advised the owner to resubmit the information with a new Notice of Intent application (8:12–8:22PM).
Janet Schoeny, a realtor, contacted John and Brian regarding a client looking to develop Lot 3 on Bigelow Road. The property has an expired Order of Condition (267-0334) that will require re-submittal.
Brian updated the Commission regarding correspondence (February 23, 2020) he received from Rick Gardner regarding an Amendment to documents related to the DCR Application for Variance regarding DEP File # 267-0422 for the Calamint Hill Trails project.
The Commission received notice of a change in ownership of Lot 3A Pine Hill Road (267-0405) that occurred on January 24, 2020. The new property owner is Raghavendra Rajendra and Keerthi S. Rae. Sholan Homes, Inc. no longer owns the property.
John and Ron observed the placement of tree logs near the rear of the property in the immediate vicinity of the affected wetland area at Paulette McGaw, owner of a property on Pine Hill Road. The Commission is going to send correspondence requesting an update of completed activities and activities yet to be completed.
Brian will reach out to Town Counsel to initiate correspondence with relevant property owners at The Clearings.
Brian will contact the Stimsons to follow-up on the annual lease payment for 2020.
Forest Cutting Plan(s): None.
The January 21, 2020 meeting minutes were reviewed and approved as amended at 8:56PM.
The next PCC meeting is scheduled for March 17, 2020.
Meeting Adjourned at 9:02PM. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Laughlin