Conservation Commission

CITY OF CHICOPEE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting November 15, 2023 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, November 15, 2023 at 6:15 PM in the Chambers Conference Room, City Hall Annex, 4 th Floor, 274 Front St., Chicopee, MA 01013 Celeste Donovan opened the meeting at 6:15 PM and announced that the meeting was being recorded. Conservation Commission attendance: Member Present Absent Excused Celeste Donovan X Charles Payne X Meghan Balakier X Richard Valcourt X Bianca Thomas X Barbara Chamberlain X Sharon Balcom X Planning/Conservation Staff attendance: Member Present Absent Excused Lee Pouliot, Director X James Dawson, Development Manager X Nick Kiser, Associate Planner X Patrick Collins, Assistant Planner X Item 1: NOI for the demolition of several existing structures, removal and consolidation of hazardous materials at the site. Work will occur within Riverfront Area. Location: 154 Grove St., Chicopee, MA. Applicant: Michelin North America, Inc. c/o Elizabeth Smith, One Parkway South, Greenville, SC 29615 Notes: Anthony Andronico represented the Applicant and presented the NOI to the Commission. Mr. Andronico explained the process and timeline for the project, noting the desire is to begin the project as soon as possible but most likely in the spring of 2024. He explained the chimney/smokestack would be demolished first and then the rest of the project would progress. The Commission had some questions for Mr. Andronico they then discussed the project and voted to place their typical erosion control and inspection conditions. Motion to approve an Order of Conditions with Special Conditions was made by Richard Valcourt and seconded by Charles Payne. Vote was 6-0 to approve an Order of Conditions with Special Conditions. Member Approve Deny Continue Abstain Celeste Donovan X Charles Payne X Meghan Balakier X Richard Valcourt X Bianca Thomas X Sharon Balcom X Item 2: Request for Certificate of Compliance – NOI 20-003 – Eversource Energy Line 1044/1632 - Montague- Fairmont Structure Replacement Project. Notes: Joseph Rogers of GZA presented the request on behalf of Eversource Energy. He explained to the Commission that the construction phase of the project was concluded in April of 2022 with the final inspection occurring in October 2022. On November 14, 2023, Staff met with Mr. Rogers and visited the sites within the jurisdiction of the Commission. Staff reported that it found the sites to be fully vegetated and stabilized and recommended the issuance of the Certificate of Compliance. The Commission voted to issue the Certificate of Compliance. Motion to issue a Certificate of Compliance was made by Richard Valcourt and seconded by Meghan Balakier. Vote was 6-0 to issue a Certificate of Compliance. Member Approve Deny Continue Abstain Celeste Donovan X Charles Payne X Meghan Balakier X Richard Valcourt X Bianca Thomas X Sharon Balcom X Item 3: Minutes from November 1, 2023 Motion to approve the minutes was made by Sharon Balcom and seconded by Richard Valcourt. Vote was 6-0 to approve. Member Approve Deny Continue Abstain Celeste Donovan X Charles Payne X Meghan Balakier X Richard Valcourt X Bianca Thomas X Sharon Balcom X Item 4: Sign Bills – Staff noted there was one bill to sign. Item 5: Upcoming Projects/Discussion/Communications • Update on responses to Enforcement Orders issued to property owners on McKinstry Ave. The property Owners/violators met with Staff to determine a path forward. Both owners stated they would try to work with one entity to develop the required plans to remedy the violation. Staff will update the Commission on any progress as it occurs. • Update on erosion control at 129 Dejordy Lane – Erosion control was to be installed by November 1, 2023. Staff emailed Mr. Antonio and the Wetland Biologist on November 7, 2023 as a reminder of the outstanding requirements to meet the conditions of the Commission regarding the Enforcement order. The Commission decided on a final deadline of December 1, 2023 to meet the requirements of the Commission otherwise fines would begin. The Commission voted to set the fine rate at $15 per day for each day after December 1, 2023 that the proper erosion control was not in place. Motion to set a final deadline for compliance and implement fines was made by Charles Payne and seconded by Richard Valcourt. Vote was 6-0 to set a final deadline for compliance and set fines.  Member Approve Deny Continue Abstain Celeste Donovan X Charles Payne X Meghan Balakier X Richard Valcourt X Bianca Thomas X Sharon Balcom X Item 6: Adjournment – Next meeting is scheduled for December 6, 2023 Motion to adjourn was made by Richard Valcourt and seconded by Charles Payne. Vote was 6-0 to adjourn. Member Approve Deny Continue Abstain Celeste Donovan X Charles Payne X Meghan Balakier X Richard Valcourt X Bianca Thomas X Sharon Balcom X Meeting adjourned at 7:03 PM.