Conservation Commission

CITY OF CHICOPEE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting December 16, 2020 Pursuant to Mass. General Law Ch. 131, Section 40 and the Chicopee Wetland Ordinance Ch. 272, the Chicopee Conservation Commission held a public hearing on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 6:15 PM via video conference (Zoom). Charles Payne opened the meeting at 6:15 PM and announced that the meeting was being recorded and read the following statement into the meeting record: Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 131, Section 40 and the Chicopee Wetlands Ordinance, Chapter 272, the Chicopee Conservation Commission calls to order this public hearing today, December 16, 2020 at 6:15 pm. Commissioners are meeting through video conference utilizing Zoom. In order to ensure and satisfy CDC social distancing guidelines during the COVID-19 Pandemic and pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 23, 2020 Order as amended, the Chicopee Conservation Commission is conducting public hearings utilizing remote collaboration technology in accordance with Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 18. Copies of application materials for items on the Commission’s agenda may be requested by phone: 413-594-1515 or by emailing Jim Dawson at jdawson@chicopeema.gov Tonight’s public hearings will be available for viewing via the Spectrum Community Access Channel 191 or the Chicopee TV website at www.facebook.com/ChicopeeTV or https://vimeo.com/chicopeetv Public comment was received during two timeframes. The first public comment period took place prior to the opening of the public hearing on December 16, 2020. The second public comment period will take place following the December 16, 2020 hearing and remained open until January 6, 2021. To provide public comments in writing please mail to the Chicopee Conservation Commission, 4 th Floor, City Hall Annex, 274 Front St., Chicopee, MA 01013. By email to Jim Dawson at jdawson@chicopeema.gov. or by calling 413-594-1517. All public comments received will be provided to all Commission Members and discussed at either of the above listed meeting dates. All commenting individuals shall state their name, address and company/organizational affiliation in addition to the item(s) that the comments pertain to. Comments received after the December 16, 2020 hearing will be entered at the continued date for the hearing January 6, 2021. Conservation Commission attendance: Member Present Absent Excused Celeste Donovan X Charles Payne (Zoom) X Sharon Balcom (Zoom) X Meghan Balakier (Zoom) X Richard Valcourt (Zoom) X Brian Nunes (Zoom) X Planning/Conservation Staff attendance: Member Present Absent Excused Lee Pouliot, Director X James Dawson, Development Manager X (Zoom) Patrick McKenna, Assistant Planner X Nathan Moreau, Associate Planner X Item 1: RDA for the application of herbicides to control “target vegetation” along State roads and highways in accordance with the ROW management regulations (333 CMR 11.00) and the MassDOT VMP and YOP. Notes: Robert Natario of MassDOT explained the RDA to the Commission. He explained the areas to which herbicides will be applied i.e. Rts. 90, 91, 291 and 391. The Commissioners asked what type of herbicides would be used, to what extent they would be used and about the timeframe of application. Mr. Natario responded. Due to the Covid-19 meeting restrictions the Commission continued the hearing on the RDA until January 6, 2021 to allow for an adequate public comment period. Motion to continue to January 6, 2021 was made by Charles Payne and seconded by Sharon Balcom. Vote was 5-0 to continue to January 6, 2021. Member Approve Deny Continue Abstain Charles Payne X Sharon Balcom X Meghan Balakier X Richard Valcourt X Brian Nunes X Item 2: Enforcement Orders – Update  19 Old Chicopee St. – NOI submitted opening hearing scheduled for January 6, 2021  Sunflower Ave. – Being turned over to Law Dept. – Violator refused to pick up mail. Notes: Staff provided the Commission with updates on both noted Enforcement Orders Item 3: Minutes from December 2, 2020 Motion to approve was made by Meghan Balakier and seconded by Sharon Balcom. Vote was 5-0 to approve. Member Approve Deny Continue Abstain Charles Payne X Sharon Balcom X Meghan Balakier X Richard Valcourt X Brian Nunes X Item 4: Sign Bills – One bill to sign. Item 5: Upcoming Project Updates/Discussion  NOI for 19 Old Chicopee Street - Staff noted this item would be on the January 6, 2021 agenda. Item 6: Adjournment – Next scheduled meeting is January 6, 2021 Motion to adjourn was made by Sharon Balcom and seconded by Richard Valcourt. Vote was 5-0 to adjourn. Member Approve Deny Continue Abstain Charles Payne X Sharon Balcom X Meghan Balakier X Richard Valcourt X Brian Nunes X Meeting adjourned at 6:38 PM.