TOWN OF PALMER
Planning Board Meeting Minutes
February 23, 2009, 7:00 pm, Meeting Room #1.
Chairman Michael Marciniec called the meeting of the Planning Board to order at
7:10 PM. Present were members Norman Czech, Diane France, James Haley, Jr. and Thomas Skowyra. Also present were Town Planner Linda Leduc and Principal Clerk Mary Watson recording minutes.
7:00 PM-Special Permit for gravel removal for JJC Materials, Inc for the property located off Park Street, Palmer.
The clerk read the public hearing notice.
Janet Callahan from JJC Materials, Inc. was present and gave the Board an updated bond for the site.
Also present was John Furman from Vanasse, Hangen, Brustlin, Inc.
J.Callahan stated that there have been no changes to the plan that was issued under the three-year plan in 2007. The 2008 closeout area is almost completed but needs to be seeded.
J.Callahan informed the Board of a company called Resource Management Inc. This company brings in organic paper wasted sludge material that involves a different type of seeding process to a site. This material has been used throughout the state during reclamation and seeding portion of a gravel pit. It is an alternative to hydro seeding and is mixed with topsoil.
M.Marciniec stated that it would be an alternative for sites that do not have enough topsoil for closeout.
J.Callahan stated that the vegetation is more dense and holds better against erosion, however her site has not used this product as of yet but will be using in the spring.
This product provides nine inches of lift, is more stable on steeper slopes and has already been approved by the Palmer Board of Health.
The Palmer Rules and Regulations require three inches of loam for closeout and the Board would need to approve these changes in the regulations to allow this product.
The Planning Board will meet with a representative from Resource Management Inc and Janet Callahan to discuss.
J.Callahan continued with the public hearing for the gravel pit located on East Palmer Park Drive, Palmer.
This is the third year of a three-year plan.
Discussions were held pertaining to the required documents that are needed for the one-year renewal of the gravel pit and required documents for a new three year plan.
M.Marciniec stated that the pit currently has a three-year plan that is required to be updated every year.
Discussions were held regarding the stormwater ordinance that was recently passed and the applicant would need to provide updated stormwater documentation when a three-year plan is needed.
J.Furman advised the Board that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been issuing fines at gravel pits based on how the stormwater has been treated and the new regulations that are now in place.
J.Callahan stated that a consultant would be on the site in the spring to review all new stormwater requirements that are needed.
J.Furman referred to his review comments dated February 23, 2009 entitled 2009 Special Permit Application, JJC Materials, Palmer.
J.Furman stated that on the plan provided by Goldsmith, Prest and Ringwall, Inc. Engineering Solutions for Land and Structures, there is a paved road off of the parcel and indicated an encroaching area onto the adjacent property.
Also, the applicant would need to provide the estimated number of vehicles and the truck route.
J.Callahan stated that she would review the encroachment issue with her engineer. There is an average of fifty truckloads of materials removed, however this does not happen every day of the week.
Discussions were held pertaining to the topography map from 2007 that shows existing and proposed contours. An updated map would need to be provided to reflect operation that occurred in 2007 and 2008.
The applicant received a waiver of the borings and test wells as part of the submittal that was received under the three-year plan from 2007.
The applicant would need to provide an updated Hold Harmless agreement due to the fact that the one on file is dated 2004.
A motion was made by T.skowyra to issue the earth removal permit for JJC Materials, Inc. J.Haley, Jr., seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
A motion was made by N.Czech acknowledging receipt of the review comments from VHB dated February 23, 2009. T.Skowyra seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
Letter from RDL Associates-A letter dated February 19, 2009 and signed by Mark Gomes, Manager of RDL Associates, LLC was sent requesting to be allowed to Screen and use Hydraulic Hammer to break rock in assisting for the closeout of cell 1 from March 1-March 31, 2009 for the gravel pit located on Palmer Road, Bondsville.
A previous request allowed Screening and the use of a Hydraulic Hammer until February 27, 2009.
The Board stated that the applicant would not be allowed to extend the request past March 31. The requirement of the closeout of the 2008 area deadline is June 30, 2009 as stated in the permit.
A motion was made by J.Haley, Jr., to approve the request to Screen and use a Hydraulic Hammer for RDL Associates, LLC gravel pit located on Palmer Street, Bondsville. T.Skowyra seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
Knox Pond Construction Report # 15-for the property located on 1094 Thorndike Street, Palmer.
A motion was made by N.Czech acknowledging receipt of the report. T.Skowyra seconded. The vote passed (4:0:1). Member J.Haley abstained.
Meeting Minutes of February 2, 2009-A motion was made by D.France to approve the minutes. T.Skowyra seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
RDL Associates Quarterly Report 08-04-Sherman and Frydryk Land Surveying and Engineering sent report dated February 10, 2009.
A motion was made by N.Czech acknowledging receipt of the Quarterly Report 08-04 for RDL Associates gravel pit located on Palmer Street, Bondsville. J.Haley, Jr., seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
8:15 PM-A motion was made by T.Skowyra to adjourn. N.Czech seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
James Haley, Jr., Clerk
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