2/12/2015 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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The Agent reiterated that the Shellfish Warden and Harbormaster have signed off. He asked if the DEP # was displayed. Mark Burtis stated it was. The Agent recommended a negative determination. No comments from the public. 4 Motion: Mr. Sweet moved a negative determination, seconded by Mr. Shaw. Vote unanimous. 5-0 6:18 Popponesset Beach Association, 0 Uncle Percy's Road. Proposed aquatic management of Dean's Pond. Continued from 6/26/2014 to allow time for submission of new plans. NOI Resource Areas: Land Under Water BodieslWaterways, BVW, Inland Hank. Christine Fairneny from the Popponesset Beach Association was present along with Mike Ball of Marsh Matters, and Keith Gazielle from Aquatic Control Technology, Inc. Ms. Fairneny informed the commissioners that this project was started in 2006 and Mr. Gazielle was hired to do a study and analyze the condition of the pond. There were some invasive species they had previously treated. Since 2006 there has not been much maintenance to the pond. There have been some concerns from the neighbors as to the condition of the pond. The main concern is the vegetation and overgrowth of the weeds turning the pond into more of a swamp than a pond. Ms. Fairneny noted there is a significant impact to wildlife and recreational activities. She said they now have a committee of 13 residents and asked Mr. Gazeille to update the 2006 pond study. Mr. Gazeille said they found a dramatic expansion of vegetation cover. In addition, the density of the vegetation growth has doubled. The applicant is requesting approval to implement a vegetation management plan at Dean's Pond to mechanically remove 1.2 acres of vegetation. The raked material will be offloaded and temporarily stockpiled at the shoreline area and then loaded into trucks and hauled to an offsite location. They would like to preserve these areas as open water and maintain suitable fish and wildlife habitat. Mr. Gazeille described the workings of the hydro -raking. No comments from the public. The Agent encouraged the Popponesset Village Association to continue to monitor the health of Dean's Pond and to consider addressing some of the issues surrounding the pond, including runoff from impervious surfaces and preservation/enhancement of naturally vegetated buffer strips to lessen adverse impacts moving forward. Motion: Mr. Shaw moved to Close and Issue, seconded by Mr. Sweet. Vote unanimous 5-0. The Agent commented and encouraged the exploration of storm drainage to control runoff of sediments into the pond since most of the streets are dead end streets that lead into the pond. 6:21 Lynn Giacchetto, Trustee, 9 Chart Way. Proposed reconfiguration of existing driveway. RDA