Conservation Commission

Minutes of the Taunton Conservation Commission October 23, 2023 Present: Chair Steven Turner, Vice-Chair Debra Botellio, Commissioners Joshua Borden, Richard Enos, Luis Freitas, Matthew Haggerty, & Jan Rego. Conservation Agent, Michele Restino & Recording Secretary, Denise Irving also present. Motion to go into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation DB, second JB, so voted. Roll call vote. No votes taken in Executive Session. Motion to return to regular order of business JB, second MH, so voted. Motion to approve the minutes of October 2, 2023 DB, second JB, so voted. 10 Mineral Street: Discussion: Attorney Adrian LeCesne and owner, Michael Perry, present. ST: Your email was just received. We see the Judge has put a clean up deadline of November 27, 2023. We are looking to get this property cleaned up, we are willing to work with Mr. Perry. Let’s make this a fresh start. We can be a bit lenient with the timeframe but need to see progress. AL: we did a site walk with Atty. Bond and MR. Lawn pavers can be removed by 11/27/23. Vegetation by the roadside we would like to keep under control and willing to work with the DPW on this. ST: when you contact the DPW please be sure to email MR on this also. AL: the fire pit will be removed if not too heavy, large tree might have to stay, trailer hitch, trailer, dirt bike, metal debris and anything easily moveable can be out by 11/27/23. The pile of debris/wood can be whittled down. Will move 100 pounds of material every 2 weeks. DB: Are there cages and things or just wood in the bird sanctuary area? AL: we can do a check in within 90 days to show suitable progress has been made. We could email pictures of the progress. Maybe commence with some planting. ST: No planting, let’s just get the cleanup done first and then we can come up with a replanting plan. AL: the mattress will be removed, carpet, furniture items, canoe. Trailer hitch – we can notify MR if vehicle is needed to remove. ST: would like the balled up rug removed. MP: yes he wants to remove it also. AL: will notify MR when cement will be removed by truck and will work with the neighbors in regards to the dredging. LB: there are tires that also need to be removed that are not on your list. MR: he can put the tires behind the shed. MR: what about the plywood? Walkways make sense but the rest of the plywood should be removed. AL: using the plywood as staging, will revisit at the 180 day check in and if not needed will remove it then. MP: half of all the pallets will be removed by 11/27/23. MR: I’d like to go by once a week to check on the progress. MP: well we have had a lot of rain MR: then every two weeks to check on progress. We can communicate via email Mr. Perry and cc: Attorney. ST: we have been dealing with this a long time and we want to work with Mr. Perry. The following should be completed by 11/27/23 from the list: #1 pavers, #6 dirt bike & other items listed, #7 wood pile remove as much as possible, #9 mattress and wood planks, #10 items in the corner, #11 canoe & small items, #13 ladder, #18 rug. Put the tires by the shed. Motion made to appear at 12/4/23 meeting with an updated status of the items listed, email of progress to be received prior to the meeting date and MR to visit site bi-weekly JB, second RE, so voted. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE: 1. 25 Logan Drive (Assessor’s Lot 121-57), Coute/Aspen Properties Investments, LLC, COC, SE73-2880 -to close out Order of Conditions. Christopher Moniz, Aspen Properties Group present. Motion to approve Certificate of Compliance DB, second JB, so voted. Documents: Field Report and Plan Motion to go out of order JB, second MH, so voted. EXTENSION: 1. Logan Drive Roadway (Assessor’s Lot 121-10) formerly Caswell Street, Coute/Aspen Properties Investments, LLC, EXT OOC, SE73-2795 -request 3 year extension. Christopher Moniz, Aspen Properties Group present. Motion to approve three year extension DB, second JR, so voted. Documents: Field Report Motion to go out of order JB, second MH, so voted. PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Lot 8 Millview Street (Assessor’s Lot 38-569), Aspen Properties Dev., LLC/Coute, NOI, SE73-3062 -construction of a single family dwelling with associated paved driveway, deck, patio & utilities. Christopher Moniz, Aspen Properties Group present. DB: Do you have a letter from Natural Heritage? MR: work is out of their prevue. Motion to approve the Order of Conditions with Special Conditions 1-7, 17-21, 23, & 25-28 JR, second MH, so voted. Documents: Legal Ad, Field Report, Plan Motion to return to regular order of business JB, second DB, so voted. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE: 1. 488 Crane Ave. South (Assessor’s Lot 29-1), Miller, COC, SE73-2997 -to close out Order of Conditions. Motion to approve the Certificate of Compliance DB, second MH, so voted. Documents: Field Report, Plan PUBLIC MEETING: 1. 123 Dolan Circle, Ghazal, RDA, DSE-1330 -construction of soil absorption system, with retaining walls and associated site grading and disturbance. Brad Fitzgerald, SFG Associates present. BF: no letter from Natural Heritage. MR: this has been reviewed by them before. Motion to issue a Negative Determination with Special Conditions 1-4, 7, 8, 14, 18, & 19 JR, second RE, so voted. Documents: Legal Ad, Field Report, Plan 2. 890 Glebe Street, King, RDA, DSE-1331 -for construction of a 10’x 12’ shed. Samantha King, owner present. ST: what will you be storing in the shed? SK: kids toys, lawn mower. Motion to issue a Negative Determination with Special Conditions 1-4 DB, second MH, so voted. Documents: Legal Ad, Field Report, Plan 3. off Williams Street Lot 3 (Assessor’s Lots 80- 67,66, & 65), Eastside Development/Mason, RDA, DSE-1332 -construction of a duplex with a concrete paver patio. John DeSousa, Northcounty Group present. JB: there will only be a 5’ encroachment. Motion to issue a Negative Determination with Special Conditions1-8, 10, 14, & 17-19 DB, second MH, so voted. Documents: Legal Ad, Field Report, Plan CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Winthrop Street (Assessor’s 103-28), D.I. Trust II, NOI, SE73-2921 -for one infiltration basin in association with a proposed 135 SFH lot subdivision on parcels in Dighton. Motion to continue until 12/4/23 meeting JB, second RE, so voted. 2. Krijo Lane Roadway & Drainage, DeMello/Krista Realty Trust, NOI, SE73- -construction of two drainage basins & associated grading for a roadway improvement project. JB: they are still fighting with DEP. Request was to continue to November but think it might be better to continue until December. Motion to continue until 12/4/23 meeting JB, second DB, so voted. PUBLIC HEARING: 1. 90 County Street, Dello Russo, Jr./CFO, City of Taunton, NOI, SE73-3063 -for construction of a public safety complex (Police and Fire) for the City of Taunton. Bill Murray, Places Associates present. ST: Full disclosure I am a Police Officer but will probably be retired by the time it’s built. BM gave a presentation with an overall of the project. The project will go out to bid in December 2023 and hoping for an April 2024 start date. Will take approximately 18 months to complete. DB: how will the gates open? BM: there will be a loop sensor and when you drive over it will open up. DB: where will the snow be placed? BM: along the entry, edges and ends. It will go thru the drainage system. DB: thank you for walking the site with us. RE: What chemicals will be allowed? BM: Whatever the DPW uses salt? sand? It has to be plowed because of the emergency vehicles. MR: Storm water will take care of it. BM: there will be no direct discharge into the wetlands. LF: What is the site size? BM: it’s a 44 acre site but disturbance will only be on 18 acres. ST: the school students have cut thru there for years. What will happen? BM: there will be signs posted – no passage ST: can they put a walkway for the students? BM: No they do not want anyone deliberately walking thru the property. Vehicles will be traveling at high speed when there is an emergency. Could be dangerous to pedestrians. Motion to approve the Order of Conditions with Special Conditions 1-9, 11, 14, 17, 19-21, 24-27, 29, & 35 DB, second MH, so voted. Documents: Legal Ad, Field Report, Plan OTHER BUSINESS: 1. 2024 Meeting Schedule Dates can be added if the Commission deems a meeting should need to be scheduled. The 2024 meeting dates are as follows: January 8 February 5 March 4 April 1 April 22 May 13 June 3 June 24 July 15 August 19 September 9 October 7 November 4 December 9 Motion to accept the 2024 dates JB, second DB, so voted. 2. 11 Ingell Street Discussion: JB: regarding the Binda project (duplexes) back when project was heard by the Commission an abutter had written a letter requesting a stockade fence between the properties. Mr. Binda has put up a post and rail fence. In the motion by the Commission it just stated “fence”. Can we refer this to the law department for their review? ST: MR can you speak with Mr. Binda about the fence and what was requested? MR: Yes. I can ask but the post and rail fence is already up. Motion to adjourn 8:07 pm pending all signatures on paperwork JB, second DB, so voted.