CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
Meeting Minutes of Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Meeting Room #1- 7:00 PM
Chairman David Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Present were Commissioners Donald Duffy, Peter Izyk and Robert Ring. Also present were Conservation Agent Sheryl Becker and Principal Clerk Mary Watson recording the minutes. Member Matthew Trybus was absent.
Meeting Minutes of June 16, 2009- the minutes were tabled until all members could be present.
Project News:
D.Johnson stated that John Lizak has started to clean up the area on Shearer Street.
The PCC reviewed the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) comments dated July 2, 2009 for the Bridge Street and the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) project under the application for the Town of Palmer. This hearing is scheduled for July 21, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
D.Johnson stated that a letter dated June 4, 2009 was sent to Edward Jodoin of Riverbend Condominium Trust regarding the extensive erosion occurring at the condominium complex. The area has been cleaned up since the letter was sent per D.Johnson.
Member Christine Beauregard joined the meeting at 7:10 pm.
The PCC reviewed the document entitled Chicopee River Watershed Council Summer 09 projects.
7:15 PM-Notice of Intent for the proposal by Vanasse, Hangen, Brustlin, Inc (VHB) for cleanup of contaminated soils located at the Mapletree Industrial Park, 21 Wilbraham Street, Palmer.
Present were Environmental Attorney George Hailer of Lawson and Wietzen, LLP, Lawrence Lessard of Lessard Environmental, Allary Braitsch and Douglas Vigneau of VHB.
G.Hailer stated that the project involves performing cleanup activities, the removal of debris and contaminated soils, in and near several wetland resources areas including Bordering Vegetated Wetland (BVW) and Bordering Land Subject to Flooding. These activities are needed to comply with criteria contained in the Massachusetts Contingency Plan. Upon completion of the work, all affected resource areas will be restored.
There is approximately 9,000 tons of soil to be removed and transferred to a containment site that would be sealed.
L.Lessard stated that the site contains lead since the area used to be a wire mill and has a lot of metal debris. The area would be returned to the original grade once completed.
D.Duffy asked why the debris is not going to be removed and not recycled.
L.Lessard stated that the cost for removal is very high and would be an economic disincentive to remove. It would also be time consuming to remove the wire rope since it is wrapped, tightly bound and difficult to separate.
D.Duffy asked who would be paying for the remediation.
L.Lessard stated that the property owner is cleaning up the condition that they did not cause.
A.Braitsch stated that VHB has done the flagging on the site for the limit of work with a hay bale barrier. The area is proposed to be backfilled with clean soil and re-vegetated under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan.
Discussions were held regarding the temporary access road to be used for the heavy equipment. All the material to be removed is to be taken away in dump trucks to a location approximately five hundred (500) yards away.
The heavy equipment must be removed from the area every night as stated by the PCC.
The PCC discussed the wood turtle and the document dated June 29, 2009 from the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife stating that the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) has determined that this project will not adversely affect the actual Resource Area Habitat of state-protected rare wildlife species.
The PCC stated that per the DEP comments a project monitor (VHB) should be on-site to monitor the excavation, grading and planting of the replication area.
L.Lessard stated the project timeline is approximately four to six weeks.
Mary Brodeur whose property is located on 42 Strong Street asked if any trees would be taken down.
G.Hailer stated that there would be trees taken down on the site.
A motion was made by R.Ring to close the hearing. D.Duffy seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
A motion was made by R.Ring to issue the Order of Conditions for Mapletree Industrial Park, 21 Wilbraham Street, Palmer. D.Duffy seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
7:45 PM-Continuation of the Notice of Intent for Meadowbrook Condominiums located at Meadowbrook Lane, Palmer.
Lee Lyman and Bill Stevenson of Lycott Environmental were present.
L.Lyman stated that the meeting had been continued due to the fact that DEP had asked for an in-depth aquatic vegetation survey wildlife habitat evaluation that has been provided by Lycott Environmental dated July 2, 2009.
Discussions were held pertaining to the long-term management plan of the pond.
L.Lyman stated that they have been applying algaecide and herbicide to the pond for twelve years and have not had any problems with the fish or the plant life dying.
Paul Burke whose property is located at 23 Meadowbrook Lane stated that the pond is home to twelve Canadian geese and the geese have been coming back every year.
A motion was made by D.Duffy to close the hearing. R.Ring seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
A motion was made by R.Ring to issue the Order of Conditions for Meadowbrook Green Condominiums, Meadowbrook Lane. D.Duffy seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
Meeting Minutes of June 16, 2009-A motion was made by D.Duffy to approve the minutes. P.Izyk seconded. The vote passed (4:0:1). D.Johnson abstained.
C.Beauregard stated that she has set up a login and password for the PCC with the MACCWeb.org Forum.
8:20 PM-A motion was made by R.Ring to adjourn. D.Duffy seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Watson
Principal Clerk
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