===PAGE 1=== Town of Lunenburg Conservation Commission Bob Pease, Chair Tel: (978) 582-4146 Mary Wilson, Vice Chair 960 Massachusetts Ave. Richard Tremblay, Clerk Richard Bursch Lunenburg, MA 01462 Catie Childs Michael Larouche Anna Petrie Jeffrey Viviano Conservation Administrator March 1, 2023 7:00 PM Minutes ZOOM REMOTE Roll Call: BP, MW, RT, ML, CC Absent: JV, RB Call to Order at 7pm Announcements: N/A Public Comment: N/A Minutes of previous meetings – February 15th ,2023 CC/RT M/S to approve. Roll Call vote, unanimous to approve. Appointments/Hearings – N/A NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS Pursuant to MGL ch 131, s 40 as amended and the Town of Lunenburg Wetlands Protection and Municipal Bylaws a public meeting on a Request for Determination of Applicability by Michael and Denise Tufts for installation of roof structure on the patio at 48 Oak Ridge. Michael Tufts is present and requests AP to represent. AP present pictures of the structure that was constructed within the footprint of the already existing patio. AP continues to state that the roof structure is semi- permanent and does not overhang past the patio itself. RT asks if the patio was already existing? AP confirms. RT asks for the footage the patio and structure are from the water and the dimensions of the structure? ===PAGE 2=== AP states that the existing patio and new structure is within 30 foot zone and the structure is 16’x16’ and confirms with the property owner. BP states that technically the structure is in the no-disturb and no-build zone, though is over an existing patio and sees no pending issue and recommends negative determination. MW/CC M/S to issue negative determination for roof structure over existing patio for 48 Oak Ridge. Roll Call vote, unanimous to approve. Pursuant to MGL ch 131, s 40 as amended and the Town of Lunenburg Wetlands Protection and Municipal Bylaws a public meeting on a Request for Determination of Applicability by Tanner Cole for the proposed placement of bank run gravel and two solid drainage pipes at 1083 Northfield Road. Tanner Cole to represent himself. TC states that the parcel is under Chapter 61 Forest Stewardship Program for approximately 8 years. Forest Cutting Plan was submitted approximately 2 years ago. TC states that they continue to use the existing driveway as the only access point for trucks and equipment. TC says that the person conducting the timber harvest suggested to have gravel placed to stabilize the driveway as well as provide safe access for trucks entering and leaving. In doing that, the state forester assigned to the site recommended that the work conducted should be filed with the Commission. TC again states that this driveway was existing and water flow changed over the years, which increased the amount of water to the driveway site. The grade was raised by 12 inches and erosion control and silt fence barriers are in place. BP asks if the work had already occurred and is a retroactive filing? TC confirms. BP asks for a picture where the 2 pipes are located? AP is presenting photos. TC references both the 8 and 10 inch pipes. MW states that the works conducted seems reasonable and provides safety for this logging parcel. CC/MW M/S to issue negative determination for bank run gravel and two solid drainage pipes at 1083 Northfield Road. Roll Call vote, unanimous to approve. BP for a brief standby due to call from commissioner ML to get link for meeting. ML joins later in the meeting. Pursuant to MGL ch 131, s 40 as amended and the Town of Lunenburg Wetlands Protection and Municipal Bylaws a public hearing on a request for an Amended Order of Conditions by Jessica Santos for the proposed relocation of a shared driveway at 759 and 763 Northfield Road (DEP #208-1187). Chris Anderson of Hannigan Engineering to represent the applicant. CA presents updated plans in regards to moving the original proposed driveway. CA recaps on the previous approved plans for the driveway, in which the original driveway proposal was 30 ft closer to the mapped wetland compared to revised plan. Original plans also entail retaining walls with a drainage pipe. CA states that the new proposed plan is to shift the shared driveway upland 30ft, which puts it further from the wetland. CA states that the new plan also eliminates the need to construct a retaining wall and will be gradually sloped off. BP asks if this is a shared driveway and will straddle the property line for the first 50 feet? CA confirms first question. CA states that the property boundary will have to be relocated in shifting with the ===PAGE 3=== proposed driveway. MW asks CA to point out the previous outline on the plans for the driveway. CA shares outlines of the original and new driveway on the submitted plans. MW asks if the driveway is moving further away from the wetlands? CA states that the driveway is moving further away from the wetlands and keeping the original limit of disturbance within 30 ft zone to allow additional riprap placed within drainage ditch, which will slow down the velocity of water. MW/CC M/S to approve Amended Order of Conditions for the relocation of shared driveway at 759 & 763 Northfield Road. Roll Call vote, unanimous to approve. Pursuant to MGL ch 131, s 40 as amended and the Town of Lunenburg Wetlands Protection and Municipal Bylaws a public hearing on a Notice of Intent by John and Debra Trainor for the proposed installation of a septic system and removal of an existing timber wall to be replaced with concrete blocks at 105 Horizon Island Road (DEP #208-XXXX). Jack Maloney from Dillis & Roy to represent property owner. JM first describes the culvert located under the entry driveway that has timber retaining wall that are in disrepair and the culvert itself is collapsing. JM states that the proposed work is to remove the wall and replace with concrete block walls. JM states also that water has not been running through the culvert for years and is deemed not useful. JM is proposing to remove and close off the culvert and repair the driveway, including the new walls. JM shows that the other proposal is for replacement of a septic system with a geomat system. The grade for the proposed area for the new septic system will be increase approximately 2 ½ to 3 feet. JM also states there will be additional block walls to make up for the grading increase and to protect the beach area with existing rock walls. JM states this has not gone before the Board of Health. MW asks if there is a plan with existing trees on the property? JM shows the location of an oak tree that is in the line of the work proposed for the septic system, will likely be removed. JM also points out section of trees near the shed that will be removed. BP recommends a plan will show all existing trees and what will be removed. MW states that it is important to have all the trees within the 50 ft zone to be mapped out. MW/ML M/S to continue until March 15 Notice of Intent by John and Debra Trainor for the proposed installation of a septic system and removal of an existing timber wall to be replaced with concrete blocks at 105 Horizon Island Road. Roll Call vote, unanimous to approve. Pursuant to MGL ch 131, s 40 as amended and the Town of Lunenburg Wetlands Protection and Municipal Bylaws a public meeting on a Request for Determination of Applicability by P.J. Keating Company for the proposed removal of accumulated sediment and Phragmites from an existing detention basin at 400 Leominster-Shirley Road. Doug Vigneau to represent P.J. Keating. DV is proposing to perform maintenance work at an existing detention basin which has been present since at least 2008. DV states that this basin receives drainage directly from Leominster-Shirley Road. DV also states that in the past, the basin receives excessive drainage from the ===PAGE 4=== initial basin that is located across the street with an existing pipe running underneath the road. Originally excess drainage was directed to the adjacent property, which is now the newly constructed warehouse. DV explains that the basin in discussion was not thoroughly maintained due to not needing to direct drainage towards it, only stormwater was filling the basin. BP asks for plans and photos in regards to the proposal. DV displays submitted plans and describes different locations of ponds and basins and how the water circulates throughout the system. BP asks for the location on the map for the new warehouse. DV points out new warehouse location. DV continues to describe the condition of the existing pipe connecting the basin that runs under the road. The pipe is full of sediment, and it proposed to jet out the sediment into the discussed detention basin and continue to maintain it. DV also states that if pipe is not in a condition to jet out the sediment, there would be a replacement of another 24-inch pipe. BP asks if it is regular discharge water or well water from the near town well? DV states that the basin settled out any suspended solids and are regularly monitored for that. It is unlikely that the surface water will be entering the well. DV shows pictures of the existing basin which is filled with phragmites and has rocks and boulders bordering the basin. ML asks if the stone at the facility is washed with just water or if the water also contains any agent of cleaning? DV states that it is strictly water. BP asks what is specifically requested? DV states that is proposed to remove the phragmites, no trees are to be removed from the perimeter though some smaller shrubs and saplings will need to be removed to provide access for equipment, a long arm excavator to be used to scrape the sediment from the basin and will stop once hydric or native soils are present. The basin will not be made deeper and sediment will be dumped in a truck and placed on a different site. DV states that as part of the proposed pipe cleaning, silt fence and haybales will be in place. BP remarks that normally the plans show limit of work and erosion control, though may not make sense for cleaning out a detention basin. MW/CC M/S to issue negative determination for removal of accumulated sediment and Phragmites from an existing detention basin at 400 Leominster-Shirley Road. Roll Call vote, unanimous to approve. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS No Continued Hearings NEW BUSINESS: Topics not known 48 hours in advance of meeting BP states that the Planning Board approved a motion to grant the Conservation Commission use ===PAGE 5=== of GIS hours at Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission. MW proposes ideas about Earth Day 2023 in working with the Parks and Recreation Department. MW suggests having a series of events throughout the month of April at different conservation properties. MW also suggest trying to gather some interests for the events from the Lunenburg Ledger. MW asks ML if there’s any possibilities for an event at the pollinator garden? ML states that there might be a possibility though not completely sure. BP recommends invasive plant removal at the Lane property. MW requests permission to advertise with the Ledger for Earth Day 2023 correspondence. The consensus is all approve. BP states that NearMap is a computer software with update to date satellite imagery which was purchased through the assessor's office. BP states that the commission is able to have accounts under this software for future applications. OLD BUSINESS: Update on encroachment issues at: 950 Chase Road – n/a 315 Lancaster Ave – AP states that the property owner is going to have property surveyed and will remove objects in Spring. 110 Pleasant St, Lot 2 – n/a 26 Mulpus Road – still on until shed is removed. Grant Updates: No Updates. Budget Update No Updates. Hollis Road Residence: ML is trying to get 2 vendors in to measure the rooms for carpeting, would like to have 2 more firm estimates. ML states that an invoice was received for the window replacement and was unsure if needed a vote. AP states there is no open PO for J&R Glass. ML/MW to approve PO for J&R Glass. Roll Call vote, unanimous to approve. Administrative Determination: 19 Island Road- AP shows photos of property and tree to be removed on Hickory Hills property. AP deems the large pine tree a risk and is within 50-100 ft buffer. ML/MW to approve Administrative Determination for 19 Island Road. Roll Call vote, unanimous to approve. Extension Request Permits: 1325 Mass Ave Ryan Procter to represent the property owners. The changes are for an additional proposed riprap for the stormwater inlets to the basin and proposing an additional riprap berm for additional sediment forebay. There would be a second riprap berm for sediment forebay that is located just inside the 100-foot buffer zone. RP states that with these changes, it is requested to have an extension of 2 years for which the Order of Conditions to expire in May. BP asks if the requests are for the 2-year extension and approval of 2 changes to the plan? RP confirms. RT/MW M/S to approve changes and approve request for an Extension for 2 years at 1325 Mass Ave. Roll Call vote, unanimous to ===PAGE 6=== approve. Certificates of Compliance: N/A Notice of Project Change: 1325 Mass Ave Discussed in Extension Request ENFORCEMENT: Violations (Enforcement Actions and Hearings) EO 48 Oak Ridge: RDA- negative determination. To be removed from list EO 54 Pine Grove: AP states this property will be on for March 15th meeting. EO 23 Cove Road: Will remain open until greenhouse is removed. NON 205 Sunset, Beers lot: Seth Donahoe from Dillis & Roy along with property owner updated AP that plans a being finalized for submittal. Open Space and Land Use Howard Street Driveway BP received correspondence from DPW with 4 quotes and possibility to be done in June. BP also states that there is a possibility to use commission funds to do it earlier. MW would prefer to wait till June. Timber Sales N/A Conservation land improvements BP states that the Bobolink bird study to be conducted at Hunting Hill Conservation Area and multiple commissioners have showed interest in participating. MW was curious of the timeline of when this study will start. BP states that it will be later, possibly late April into May. BP states that the bridge at Hunting Hill has been partially repaired and secured by MW and Snow Riders. Committee Reports – Any Update N/A Communications /Public comment None. CC/ML M/S to adjourn meeting. Roll call vote, unanimous to adjourn. Adjourn 8:50 pm Meeting schedule: Next meeting is March 15th, 2023 at 7:00 PM by Zoom platform