Conservation Commission

DRAFT CITY OF FITCHBURG CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JULY 31, 2018 COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE: Tracey Sarefield, Chair, Bryan Breau, Mike Donnelly, Harry Karis, John Koutonen, David Streb (6) STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Tim Smith. Mike O’Hara CALL TO ORDER: Meeting called to order at 6:03 at Fitchburg Municipal Airport, 567 Crawford St., Administration Building, Room 106. Ms. Sarefield introduced & welcomed Mary Heline as an Associate Member of the Commission. She also read an introduction stating the mission statement of the Commission, and the role & responsibilities of the Conservation Commission and the eight interests of the Wetlands Protection Act. MINUTES Minutes of April 24th & June 26th meetings approved. PUBLIC HEARINGS Notice of Intent - Hollis Hills Farm, 885 Fisher Road, solar array in Buffer Zone (cont’d from 6/26/18) Present were Doug Pope, Pope Solar, David Kelley, Meridian Assocs., Rich Kirby, LEC Environmental & Jim Lattanzi, Hollis Hills Farm. Hearing re-opened. July 9th site walk recapped. Plan revised 7/13/18 presented. Changes from previous plan:  Due to “dual use” solar array width between rows of panels increased to 28 feet to allow more light for grass growth.  Height of leading edge of panels increased to 10 feet to allow animals to graze underneath.  Number of panels decreased, 2.7 MW project is now 1.9 MW. They’re waiting on Mass Dept. Agricultural Resources on decision under the “Smart Solar” program. Mike D prefers panels to be located completely out of Buffer Zone, to be consistent with Commission’s request to the previous solar applicant on Fisher Rd., but he’s OK w/ plan as long as the project remains a Dual Use. Public comment: Lorna & Dana Sulin wanted to make sure site plan had their updated property line. It did. Plantings will be provided to screen nearest neighbors. Motion made & seconded to close public hearing. Vote in favor. Motion made & seconded to approve an Order of Conditions w/ standard conditions, including preconstruction meeting w/ contractor. Vote unanimous in favor. 08/25/18 DRAFT FITCHBURG CONSERVATION COMMISSION Page 2 July 31, 2018 OTHER BUSINESS: 0 Alpine Rd. solar array - minor revision add battery storage Jamie Rheault, Whitman & Bingham in to request minor revision of plan previously approved by the Commission under the Stormwater Management Ordinance for a solar array at the end of Alpine Rd., by the radio towers. Several rows of panels to be eliminated and battery storage units to be installed in their place. Motion made & seconded to approve this as a Minor Modification of the plan. Vote unanimous in favor. Nat’l Rec. & Park Assoc.’s “Great Urban Parks” grant - letter of support - - Lowe Park improvements Motion made & seconded to write letter of support for grant to improve basketball court. 93 Nockege St., 431 Westminster St. Matt Fournier in to get clarification on size of trees on landscaping plan. Commission had approved plan showing 2-in dbh trees, a later plan showed 3-inch trees. Commission was OK w/ the 2-inch dbh trees. Matt He is also interested in removing nuisance vegetation on 431 Westminster St. parcel to left of mill bldg., adjacent to Nashua River. Wants to remove 300-500 feet of vegetation & junk trees off guardrail on riverbank. Agreed to meet on site next week to review, date TBD. McTaggart’s Pond Dam Engineering analysis of dam removal vs. repair is underway. Access to Rollstone Hill trails via Quarry Lane Nothing new on this item. Project updates:  Game On - Still receiving SWPPP reports after rain events, still some blasting and extensive rock crushing, no foundation in as yet. Certificates of Compliance None. Motion made & seconded to adjourn. Vote in favor. Meeting adjourned: 7:06 p.m. Next meeting: 8/1/18 (Joint mtg. w/ Parks Board re: B.F. Brown / Lowe Park) Next regular meeting: 8/28/18 08/25/18