Conservation Commission Meeting
TOWN OF 
HARWICH
732 Main Street
Harwich, MA 02645
CONSERVATION COMMISSION 508 430-7538 FAX: 508 430-7531
HARWICH CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Wednesday, May 13, 2015 - 6:30 PM
DONN B. GRIFFIN HEARING ROOM
HARWICH TOWN HALL
MINUTES
Present: Walter Diggs, John Rossetti, Bob Hartwell, Jane Fleming, Brad Chase, and Conservation Administrator, Amy Usowski
Absent: Dean Hederstedt and Robert Sarantis
6:33 Call to Order by Chairman Diggs
6:33 AmeriCorps Presentation
Presenters: Valerie Falcorien and Kelsey Dunn
Informative presentation on projects and programs – Group Service and Community Outreach.
In Harwich, in 2014, AmeriCorps volunteers maintained 2.5 miles and 12.3 acres. They also cleaned Herring Runs.
The Commission expressed its gratitude for their help and service.
Request for Determination of Applicability:
6:44 Steven Tresca, 6 Pilgrim Road, Map 7 Parcel C15 – Porch addition; expansion of brick drive, regarding for garage construction, landscaping.
Motion made by Jane Fleming to continue to June 3, 2015. Seconded by Bob Hartwell. All in Favor.
Request to Amend an Order of Conditions
6:45 Patricia Butler, 33 Uncle Venies Road, Map 17, Parcel F1-1 SE 32-2222 – Amend existing order to include a revision to the approved landscaping plan.
No representatives. Continued at end of meeting.
Plan discussed. Plan submitted in writing; abutters notified. Amy Usowski states it is not a new project, but an add on to an already desirable plan. She is comfortable with approving the request.
Motion made by Brad Chase to approve the plan for 33 Uncle Venies Road as proposed. Seconded by Bob Hartwell. All in Favor.
Notice of Intent
6:50 David & Elaine Carey, 9 Glendoon Road, Map 12, Parcel, X3-43 – Title 5 Septic upgrade within land subject to coastal storm flowage and within 100’ of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland.
Presenter: Jack Vaccaro, Vaccaro Environmental Consulting, Inc.
Mr. Vaccaro explained that the project is as far from the Wetland as possible. New Title 5 Septic proposed. Big cherry tree does have to come down. Dwelling is a four bedroom duplex.
Amy Usowski recommends approval.
Jane Fleming asked what will be done with the existing septic system. Answer: Leave all but abandoned old leaching fields.
Motion made by Jane Fleming to approve the plan for 9 Glendoon Road. Seconded by Bob Hartwell. All in Favor.
Notice of Intent – Continuance…
6:59 Vincent Petroni, 106 Grey Neck Road, Map 11, Parcel X4, continuance… demo of existing cottages/dwellings, removal of existing septic system, construct new.
Presenter: Tom Stello, Eldredge Surveying & Engineering
Mr. Stello explained that the project was continued from January due to FEMA approval in March. The plan has Flood Plan approval and Building Commission approval.
A plan for a rain garden presented with plantings all from list of Cape Cod approved planting list.
Amy Usowski stated that the resource is Flood Zone to the Herring River and the grade should be brought up to 12.5 Flood elevation. She recommends approval of the project.
Bob Hartwell asked if pine trees on the north side will be removed. Answer: Undetermined. He also inquired regarding a fence. Answer: Fence on property line; easement proposed between two properties.
Motion made by Jane Fleming to accept the plans presented for 106 Grey Neck Road. Seconded by Bob Hartwell. All in Favor.
Discussion
7:07 Planned project for Tanya Rogers, PhD Student, Northeastern University Marine Science Center – Project involves forecasting the community and ecological consequences of climate driven blue crab range expansion into New England salt marshes.
Motion made by Jane Fleming to grant permission from the HCC for the project requested by Tanya Rogers. Seconded by Brad Chase. All in Favor.
Center For Coastal Studies
7:10 Discussion by Bob Hartwell regarding plastic pollution. Letter received from Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies President, Richard Delany dated April 21, 2015 thanking HCC and other interested parties.
HCC expressed thanks to Bob Hartwell for his work regarding eliminating plastic pollution.
Request to Amend an Order of Conditions
7:12 Trevor Kurz, 61 Lovers Lane, Map 41, Parcel M1-2, SE 32-2031 – Amend an existing Order of Conditions to include the allowance for an open porch and a 2’ garage front expansion, a rear deck, and more precisely defined landscape layout.
Presenter: Daniel Croteau, PE – Moran Engineering Assoc., LLC
Mr. Croteau explained that the septic and foundation have been in place for about 16 years.
Amy Usowski asked if all the trees except the spruce are proposed to stay. Answer: Yes.
Ms. Usowski also stated that regarding the 67’ section closest to the buffer zone, the HCC would like a “living fence” planted at 50’ to 55’ mark, and that it be Conditioned that other trees stay.
Bob Hartwell asked if there would be stones under the deck. Answer: Stones are acceptable.
Mr. Croteau stated that no fence has been asked for.
Jane Fleming inquired regarding dimension of the deck. Answer: Improved stairs take up some of the deck not shown on the plan.
Motion made by Jane Fleming to approve the plans as presented for 61 Lovers Lane. Seconded by Brad Chase. All in Favor.
Notice of Intent
7:25 Paul & Janet Merrigan, 47 Spinnaker Lane, May 16, Parcel C4-14 – Construct kitchen addition and deck.
Presenter: Daniel Croteau, PE – Moran Engineering Assoc., LLC. Also present Mr. and Mrs. Merrigan.
Amy Usowski said the proposal is for a 330 sf kitchen addition and a 105 sf deck addition within the 50-100’ buffer zone to an old cranberry bog that has remained a wetland. The closest work to the wetland is approximately 75’, and is in existing lawn area.
She recommends approval of the project with conditions for roof runoff. The kitchen addition and small deck will not have an adverse impact on the wetland. Ms. Usowski also recommends asking for some slight mitigation (8 to 10 native shrubs from the approved HCC list) in back where the kitchen extension is which would add to buffer zone. She noted that there is an irrigation system in place (no expansion of irrigation per HCC Order of Conditions).
Ms. Usowski also discussed the patio which was built since purchase of the property in the last couple of years for which application was not made to HCC. Building permits being checked to determine next course of action. Ms. Usowski will work with the applicants. HCC expressed appreciation to the applicants for their forthrightness. Mitigation is an option.
Motion made by Jane Fleming to accept the project as presented for 47 Spinnaker Lane with 8 to 10 shrubs at the property line as mitigation for the kitchen expansion. Enforcement regarding patio to be dealt with separately. Seconded by Bob Hartwell. All in Favor.
Certificate of Compliance
7:46 2131 Route 28, Head of the Bay Road, Map 108, Parcel K1-1, SE 32-1006 – Construction of a single family dwelling.
Motion made by Bob Hartwell to continue indefinitely. Project not completed. Seconded by Jane Fleming. All in Favor.
Certificate of Compliance
7:47 2139 Route 28, Head of the Bay Road, Map 108, Parcel K1-2, SE 32-1442 – Installation of new title 5 septic system.
Motion made by Bob Hartwell to approve the Certificate of Compliance for 2139 Route 28 Head of the Bay Road. Seconded by John Rossetti. All in Favor.
Certificate of Compliance
7:48 11 Tody Bole Lane, Map 48, Parcel S1-38A, SE 32-1406 – Installation of new title 5 septic system.
Motion made Bob Hartwell to approve the Certificate of Compliance for 11 Tody Bole Lane. John Rossetti Seconded . All in Favor.
Notice of Intent
7:49 Paul & Josephine Soucy, 9 Bassett Woods Road, Map 39, Parcel C1-5, SE 32-1841 – Request for a change of plan related to grading within the 100’ setback.
Presenter: Daniel Croteau, PE – Moran Engineering Assoc., LLC
Request is for a change of plan for the regulated existing Order of Conditions. The new proposal is for grading within the 100’ setback. All of the work is within the existing approved work area. All of the grading is sloping away from the wetland and towards the existing house and pool are. This proposal does not propose any structures or impervious surfaces within the 100’ Buffer zone.
Amy Usowski stated that the change in plan is better than the original. Discussion of lack of permit. After this evening, tennis court no longer permitted.
Motion made by Jane Fleming to approve the change of amended plan for 9 Bassett Woods Road (plan of record 1-16-2015). Any previous plan will no longer be in effect. Seconded by John Rossetti. All in Favor.
Minutes
7:55 Minutes of April 9, 2015
Motion made by Bob Hartwell to accept the Minutes of April 9, 2015 (Joint Meeting with Chatham/Harwich Regarding Muddy Creek Project) with edits on pg. 3. Seconded by Jane Fleming. All in Favor.
7:59 Minutes of April 15, 2015
Continued to June 3, 2015 to provide opportunity for review by all Commissioners.
Announcements:
Next meeting of HCC June 3, 2015 due to lack of hearings on the Agenda. Jane Fleming will not be at the meeting. Issues regarding quorum discussed. Jane Fleming to stay on until her replacement is available.
Adjourn
8:10 Motion made by Bob Hartwell to adjourn. Seconded by Jane Fleming. All in Favor.
Minute transcribed by Marie Hickey, Board Secretary
HARWICH CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MAY 13, 2015
SIGN IN SHEET
Valerie Falcorien AmeriCorp of Cape Cod
Kelsey Dunn AmeriCorps of Cape Cod
Jack Vaccaro Vaccaro Environmental
Brittany Quagleiri AmeriCorps
Tom Stello ESE-LLC
Paul Merrigan 47 Spinnaker Lane
Janet Merrigan (617) 910-6938 Cell
Dan Croteau Moran Engineering