Conservation Commission

Leominster Conservation Commission Meeting May 14, 2024, 6:02 pm Chair Chuck Raymond, Vice-Chair Rich Gullick, Mike Cichy, Nick Venti, Jim Chambers, Bob Sicard, Stephanie Quinlan, and Conservation Agent Nick Kremp present. New Hearings: Pursuant to MGL CH 131 § 40, Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, the Leominster Conservation Commission will hold a Public Hearing on a Notice of Intent for an ecological restoration project at Lake Samoset. Address: Lakeshore Drive. Map and parcel N/A. DEP File # not yet assigned. Jan McDaniels, 24 Lakeshore Drive, presented on the proposal. She is a Trustee of the Lake Samoset Property Owners Association and is presenting a proposal for mechanical removal of problem aquatic weeds on their behalf. The target of the weed removal are the lotus lily pads which are covering a majority of the shallow end of the Lake on the eastern side. They are proposing to use a mechanical mower designed to remove aquatic weeds. Vegetation will be removed mechanically and piled on the shore to be removed to a composting facility within the same day. Lake Wyman Association has had success with similar treatments. The vendor the Association is looking to hire is very experienced and has done this work in other lakes in the region for years. With the knowledge that this treatment will have to be repeated periodically, perhaps once per year, the members of the Association are willing to pay for this treatment and come back for extensions or reviews of the procedure when necessary. Mr. Raymond asked what the approximate depth of that portion of the Lake. Ms. McDaniels estimated about 4-5 feet. Dr. Gullick stated that the deepest point and the average depth of the entire lake is 20 feet and 11 feet respectively. Mr. Chambers asked if there are other problematic weeds or weed treatments ongoing at the Lake. Ms. McDaniels stated that the Association has a chemical treatment which they do periodically to control milfoil and other weeds. This has been permitted by the Commission previously. Mr. Sicard asked if there is any water quality data from the Lake? Ms. Mcdaniels stated that several members of the Association have collected water samples and sent them out to be tested. Mr. Sicard suggested that samples, photos, and other evidence be collected to ensure success of the project. Mr. Raymond and Dr. Gullick pushed back on the suggestion that the Commission be responsible for continued monitoring and data follow up. Mr. Sicard clarified that his suggestion was for the Association to keep for its own records and benefit to ensure they are pursuing an effective treatment. Mr. Venti asked about the preferred season for this. Ms. McDaniels stated that it would take place in the summer season and reiterated that Lake Wyman has had success with these treatments in the past several decades. The DEP file # is not yet available. Mr. Chambers made a motion to continue the hearing until the next meeting on May 28. Mr. Sicard seconded. Mr. Cichy recused himself. Motion passed 6- 0 with one recusal. Pursuant to MGL CH 131 § 40, Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, the Leominster Conservation Commission will hold a Public Hearing on a Notice of Intent for the reconstruction of Route 12 from the Sterling town boundary to Tocci Street in Leominster. Address: All of Route 12 south of Tocci Street in Leominster. DEP File # not yet assigned. Oxana Fartushnaya and Danielle Spicer (Green International Affiliates) and Kevin Thompson (Environmental Analyst for Massachusetts Department of Transportation) presented on the project. The proposal is a whole road reconstruction for the southern part of Route 12 in Leominster. This project includes intersection improvements, pedestrian walkways, and drainage improvements. There are several areas crossing into the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. Where the project crosses into buffer zones, erosion and sediment controls are proposed around the area of work. There will be some temporary wetland impacts (44 square feet) at one area in the form of vehicle access and erosion control barriers to work an outfall. Once that work is complete, erosion controls and vehicles will be pulled back with no permanent alteration to wetland area. There will be 10 square feet of permanent impact in the form of riprap slope around another outfall on the East side of Central Street near Chapman Place. Another outfall near Chapman Place will have 38 square feet of permanent impact for the same reason. A replication area of 100 square feet will be installed just north of Chapman Place on the east side of Central Street. The bridge at Fall Brook will be replaced. The details of the bridge work have not been included in the NOI because a Water Quality Certificate Application for this portion of the work has been submitted to MassDEP. Green International Affiliates expects they will approve this and the bridge will be solely under MassDEP’s authority. MassDEP is also reviewing the stormwater report for the entire project, per their own requirements for work on a state highway. The DEP file # is not yet available. Dr. Gullick made a motion to continue the hearing until May 28. Mr. Sicard seconded. Motion passed 7-0. Continued Hearings: Pursuant to MGL CH 131 § 40, Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, the Leominster Conservation Commission will hold a Public Hearing on a Notice of Intent for the construction of a residential garage in a wetland buffer zone. Address: 435 North Street. Map and parcel 289-2. DEP File #199-1192. Linda Jean Hall, property owner, was present. Mr. Kremp explained that they had opened the hearing at the meeting on April 30 and had continued for lack of a file number from DEP. It was noted that Mr. Raymond and Mr. Sicard were not present at the previous meeting although Mr. Raymond has since watched the video of the previous meeting, making him eligible to vote on this hearing. Dr. Gullick made a motion to close the public portion of the hearing. Mr. Chambers seconded. Motion passed 6-0. Dr. Gullick made a motion to approve the order of conditions for DEP File #199-1192 with the Commission’s standard special conditions. Mr. Cichy seconded. Motion passed 6-0. Regular Meeting Communications Mechanic Street (Parcel 372-3) clearing Brain Marcehtti, McCary Engineering, will be visiting the site this week and meeting with Guido Digiovannantonio to develop a site plan and get ready to present something to the Commission by sometime in June. No action was taken by the Commission at this time. Elm Street (Parcel 519-12A) clearing Mr. Kremp had received an evaluation of the site from Christopher Environmental, prepared by Matt Marro and Tom Christopher, which included a description of the site currently and recommendations for restoration. This was shared with the Commission ahead of the meeting. Mr. Kremp disputed the claim made in the evaluation that no wetlands were directly impacted and the work was entirely within the buffer zone. Dr. Gullick added that the evaluation read as recommendations to stabilize the site while the Commission had asked for plans to stabilize and restore the area. Following some discussion, Mr. Kremp agreed to ask Mr. Marro to attend the next meeting with an adjusted restoration plan incorporating the Commission’s concerns. No action was taken by the Commission at this time. Pierce Street property, LAND Grant Mr. Kremp summarized the history of this parcel and how it was recently purchased using LAND Grant funds. As part of the terms of the grant, the City will be coming before the Commission to get plans for a parking area approved, per the terms of the reimbursement. No action was taken by the Commission at this time. Adjournment Ms. Quinlan made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Venti seconded. Motion passed 7-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:02 pm.